Atlas Copco and Rio Tinto to explore advanced tunneling equipment for deep underground mines

Atlas Copco and Rio Tinto to explore advanced tunneling equipment for deep
underground mines

Stockholm, Sweden, February 24, 2010: Atlas Copco has been selected by Rio Tinto
to develop one of two rapid tunneling concepts for underground block cave
projects. The new machine will enable fast and cost-effective construction of
mines which are safe, productive and have a minimal impact on the environment.

Rio Tinto's development of projects such as Resolution Copper in Arizona and Oyu
Tolgoi in Mongolia will use an underground block cave mining method.  This
method requires construction of significant underground infrastructure prior to
the production of ore. In anticipation of this need, Rio Tinto Technology and
Innovation began investigating alternative construction methods to further
improve both safety and speed of constructing underground block cave
infrastructure such as shafts and tunnels.

The Atlas Copco Modular Mining Machine (MMM) is a new tunneling machine that
utilizes the learnings of the Atlas Copco Robbins Mobile Miner. This mechanical
rock excavation system is anticipated to be able to achieve more than twice the
performance of normal tunneling methods in the expected ground conditions. The
cooperation between Rio Tinto and Atlas Copco on the development of this machine
has been underway for some time and is approaching reality.  The Rio Tinto and
Atlas Copco team have agreed to share further information on this mining
breakthrough with the mining community at the upcoming SME conference in Phoenix
Arizona, March 1-3, 2010.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to work with a leading mining and
mining development company, such as Rio Tinto, whose vision and solid knowledge
will be vital in developing this machine,” said Björn Rosengren, Business Area
President of Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Technique. “Many of our best
products result from close collaboration with customers like Rio Tinto who, as
we, are always looking for continuous improvement. Developing the Modular Mining
Machine demonstrates that we have the technical knowhow to provide sustainable
productivity under nearly any circumstances, and we are devoted to its
successful realization.”

John McGagh, Rio Tinto Head of Innovation, said: “We are very pleased that the
Atlas Copco team, with many years of experience in different novel rock
excavation techniques, has committed to work with Rio Tinto on this challenging
opportunity. The proposed machine is a very promising new concept based on a
combination of well proven methods and components.  This innovative combination
is a key reason for selecting Atlas Copco as one of the two suppliers to work
with on new tunneling methods for our future block cave operations.”

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK,
combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto
Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major
products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold,
industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore.
Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North
America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern
Africa.

For further information please contact:
Björn Rosengren, Business Area President, Construction and Mining Technique
+46 (0)8 743 8314 or +46 (0)70 417 8502
Daniel Frykholm, Media Relations Manager
+46 (0)8 743 8060 or +46 (0)70 865 8060

Atlas Copco may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant
to the Securities Markets Act. 

Atlas Copco is an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors,
construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. The Group
delivers sustainable solutions for increased customer productivity through
innovative products and services. Founded 1873, the company is based in
Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 170 countries. In
2009, Atlas Copco had about 30 000 employees and revenues of BSEK 64 (BEUR 6.0).
Learn more at www.atlascopco.com.

Atlas Copco's Construction and Mining Technique business area develops,
manufactures, markets and services rock drilling tools, construction and
demolition tools, drill rigs and equipment. It innovates for superior
productivity in surface and underground rock excavation, exploration drilling,
rock reinforcement, ground engineering, water well, oil and gas drilling, and
compaction and paving equipmentworldwide. The business area has its principal
product development and main manufacturing units in Sweden and the United
States.