Scope of Work

Rio Tinto Laboratory Services Expression of Interest

Rio Tinto Company (RTIO) seeks Expressions of Interest from Suppliers suitably experienced,

equipped and qualified to perform Laboratory Services under the categories outlined below.

Category 1: Offsite Sample Preparation and Analysis

Suppliers will be required to provide off-Site laboratory sample preparation and analysis to the Rio Tinto Company, as and when required by the Rio Tinto Company for;

(i) iron ore samples; and

(ii) general exploration samples.

This scope will include preparation and analysis of Diamond Core and Reverse Circulation (RC) Chips samples as follows:

· preparation of mineral sample (drying, crushing, splitting, pulverizing) including QC samples as specified in flow charts below.

· analysis of mineral sample through X-Ray Fluorescence for 24 elements suite.

· thermogravimetric at specified temperatures.

· fourier transferred infra-red spectroscopy; and

· chip images.

Suppliers must provide a report (Sample Analysis and Storage Report) to each Rio Tinto Company project lead for each sample delivered by the Rio Tinto Company to the supplier for preparation and analysis.

Category 2: Metallurgical Drill Core Sampling/Analysis

As and when requested by the Rio Tinto Company, the Supplier must perform core sampling tests, including:

(i) checking Drillcore inventory and composite Drillcore from trays into drums (according to Rio Tinto Company instructions) and weighing. These are Stage 2 composites and comprise typically 10-25m of PQ core.

(ii) conducting the following crushability tests on selected samples either taken or identified by the Rio Tinto Company:

(A) unconfined compressive strength;

(B) Brazilian tensile strength;

(C) bond abrasion index;

(D) crusher work index; and

(E) dispatch gouging Index samples as required.

(iii) Pre-crushing Stage 2 Drillcore samples.

(iv) splitting required mass of pre-crush material for head analysis, performing bulk density (compacted/uncompacted), angle of repose, natural screening at 6.3/4mm, moisture on fractions, recombining and splitting cuts for assay and soil water capacity curve analysis.

(v) dropping Stage 2 sample using a drop tower, 5 times from 14.5m above ground level.

(vi) conducting a subjective handling test as per the Rio Tinto Company’s instructions and if required, air dry until acceptable moisture for tumbling.

(vii) tumbling the Stage 2 sample for 20 minute.

(viii) conducting natural screening on the Stage 2 sample at 6.3mm and repeating on the oversize as per the Drillcore processing flowsheet forming a ‘Lump’ and ‘Fines’ sample.

(ix) splitting the ‘Lump’ sample to provide the required mass for Lump testwork, conduct bulk density (compacted/uncompacted), angle of repose and moisture. Bag reserves and label.

(x) wet and dry screening of the Lump sample as per the Drillcore processing flowsheet.

Category 3: Water and Environmental Sampling Services

Suppliers will be required to perform water and environmental sampling services to assist the Rio Tinto Company with the following:

(i) providing quotations or control summaries for sample preparation and analysis for environmental samples and changes to analytes at specified analytical techniques.

(ii) managing bottle and equipment orders.

(iii) delivery of bottle and equipment orders to and from Site via the Relevant Company’s preferred transportation vendor.

(iv) sample receipt and confirmation of analysis.

(v) ad-hoc sample analysis requests.

(vi) prompt response to ad hoc technical queries.

(vii) Service requests and urgent analysis.

(viii) review and updates of control summaries or schedules.

(ix) changes to data formats as required by Relevant Company to integrated into the Relevant Company’s databases; and

(x) prioritisation of time critical analyses of the samples.

RIO TINTO PROCUREMENT - EOI Rules

1. The EOI is an invitation by Rio Tinto for you to submit a Proposal to supply Goods and/or Services.

2. The EOI does not impose any binding commitment by any member of the Rio Tinto Group to purchase any Goods or Services from you.

3. Rio Tinto has the sole and absolute discretion to:

3.1. amend or withdraw the EOI at any time; and

3.2. accept or reject all or part of a Proposal.

4. Rio Tinto is not responsible for any costs incurred by you arising out of or in connection with this EOI.

5. Your EOI must be submitted by the EOI Closing Date.