Press Release

Rio Tinto Announces the Filing of a Registration Statement by Cloud Peak Energy Inc. for a Proposed Initial Public Offering

08 August 2008   

Rio Tinto announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Cloud Peak Energy Inc., has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with Cloud Peak Energy’s proposed initial public offering (IPO) of its common stock. Cloud Peak Energy, comprised of most of the North American coal assets of Rio Tinto Energy America, is the second largest producer of coal in the U.S. and in the Powder River Basin, operating three of the five largest coal mines in the region.

Rio Tinto expects to make a final decision on whether to pursue a listing of the shares of Cloud Peak Energy or to pursue another form of divestment once these options have been more fully explored.

The lead underwriter for the offering is Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.   

The offering of common stock will be made only by means of a prospectus. When available, a copy of the preliminary prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from Credit Suisse Prospectus Department, One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, phone: (800) 221-1037.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sales of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.