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<xs:schema xmlns:riotintoplc="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:nonnum="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" targetNamespace="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022" xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <xs:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" />
  <xs:import schemaLocation="http://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2021-03-24/esef_cor.xsd" namespace="http://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2021-03-24/esef_cor" />
  <xs:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/arcrole/esma-arcrole-2018-11-21.xsd" namespace="http://www.esma.europa.eu/xbrl/esef/arcrole/wider-narrower" />
  <xs:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/nonNumeric-2009-12-16.xsd" namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" />
  <xs:import schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd" namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" />
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="riotintoplc-2022-12-31_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="riotintoplc-2022-12-31_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="riotintoplc-2022-12-31_lab-en.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="riotintoplc-2022-12-31_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="http://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2021-03-24/esef_cor-lab-en.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="http://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2021-03-24/esef_cor-gen-en.xml" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:roleType id="Anchoring" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/Anchoring">
        <link:definition>99 - Groups all anchored elements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NotesAndMandatoryItems" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/NotesAndMandatoryItems">
        <link:definition>01 - Notes and Mandatory Items</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ProfitOrLoss" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/ProfitOrLoss">
        <link:definition>02 - Profit or loss</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementOfComprehensiveIncome" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/StatementOfComprehensiveIncome">
        <link:definition>03 - Statement of comprehensive income</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementOfCashFlows" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/StatementOfCashFlows">
        <link:definition>04 - Statement of cash flows</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementOfCashFlowsParenthetical" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/StatementOfCashFlowsParenthetical">
        <link:definition>05 - Statement of cash flows (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementOfFinancialPosition" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/StatementOfFinancialPosition">
        <link:definition>06 - Statement of financial position</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="StatementOfChangesInEquity" roleURI="http://riotintoplc.com/xbrl/2022/roles/StatementOfChangesInEquity">
        <link:definition>07 - Statement of changes in equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:labelLink</link:usedOn>
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  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForOreReservesAndMineralResources" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForOreReservesAndMineralResources" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForImpactOfClimateChangeOnTheGroup" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForImpactOfClimateChangeOnTheGroup" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyOfReconciliationWithAustrailianAccountingStandards" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyOfReconciliationWithAustrailianAccountingStandards" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ImpairmentChargesNetOfReversals" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="ImpairmentChargesNetOfReversals" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_LossOnDisposalOfInterestInSubsidiary" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="LossOnDisposalOfInterestInSubsidiary" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ImpairmentOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnits" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="ImpairmentOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnits" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ProfitBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="ProfitBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_CurrencyTranslationOnSubsidiaryDisposedOfTransferredToTheIncomeStatement" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="CurrencyTranslationOnSubsidiaryDisposedOfTransferredToTheIncomeStatement" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_NetChangeInCostsOfHedging" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="NetChangeInCostsOfHedging" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_CashFlowsFromConsolidatedOperations" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="CashFlowsFromConsolidatedOperations" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_CashFlowsBeforeFinancingActivities" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="CashFlowsBeforeFinancingActivities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AdjustmentsForImpairmentChargesOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsAfterTax" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="AdjustmentsForImpairmentChargesOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsAfterTax" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AdjustmentsForImpairmentChargesNetOfReversals" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="AdjustmentsForImpairmentChargesNetOfReversals" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AdjustmentsForProvisionsIncludingExchangeDifferencesOnProvisions" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="AdjustmentsForProvisionsIncludingExchangeDifferencesOnProvisions" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AdjustmentsForPensionSettlement" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="AdjustmentsForPensionSettlement" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_UtilisationOfProvisionsForOtherProvisionsIncludingOnerousContractsAndLegalDisputesClassifiedAsOperatingActivitiesClassifiedAsOperatingActivities" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="UtilisationOfProvisionsForOtherProvisionsIncludingOnerousContractsAndLegalDisputesClassifiedAsOperatingActivitiesClassifiedAsOperatingActivities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_UtilisationOfProvisionsForCloseDownAndRestorationClassifiedAsOperatingActivities" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="UtilisationOfProvisionsForCloseDownAndRestorationClassifiedAsOperatingActivities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_UtilisationOfProvisionsForPostRetirementBenefitsAndOtherEmploymentCostsClassifiedAsOperatingActivities" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="UtilisationOfProvisionsForPostRetirementBenefitsAndOtherEmploymentCostsClassifiedAsOperatingActivities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_NetPurchaseFromSalesAndPurchasesOfInvestmentsWithinSeparatelyManagedPortfolio" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="NetPurchaseFromSalesAndPurchasesOfInvestmentsWithinSeparatelyManagedPortfolio" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_NetProceedsFromSalesAndPurchasesOfInvestmentsWithinSeparatelyManagedPortfolio" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="NetProceedsFromSalesAndPurchasesOfInvestmentsWithinSeparatelyManagedPortfolio" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_CashReceivedFromSaleOfCortezRoyaltyClassifiedAsInvestingActivities" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="CashReceivedFromSaleOfCortezRoyaltyClassifiedAsInvestingActivities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_RecognitionOfRealisedGainsOnCurrencyForwardsNotDesignatedAsHedges" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="RecognitionOfRealisedGainsOnCurrencyForwardsNotDesignatedAsHedges" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_FixedRateSECRegisteredDebtSecurities" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="FixedRateSECRegisteredDebtSecurities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AdjustmentForUnrealisedGainRecognisedPriorToSaleOfCortexRoyalty" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="AdjustmentForUnrealisedGainRecognisedPriorToSaleOfCortexRoyalty" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_BondBuy-back" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="BondBuy-back" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_TransactionFeesAcquiredFromTurquoiseHillResources" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="TransactionFeesAcquiredFromTurquoiseHillResources" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_TurquoiseHillResourcesPaid" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="TurquoiseHillResourcesPaid" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_MongolianTaxAuthorityPaymentInRelationToDisputedTaxMatters" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="MongolianTaxAuthorityPaymentInRelationToDisputedTaxMatters" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_SaleOfCortezRoyalty" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="SaleOfCortezRoyalty" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_RealisedLossesOfCurrencyTowardsNotDesignated" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="RealisedLossesOfCurrencyTowardsNotDesignated" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AmountsRelatingToAGainOnRecognitionOfANewWharfAtKitimat" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="AmountsRelatingToAGainOnRecognitionOfANewWharfAtKitimat" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ShareCapitalRioTintoPlc" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" name="ShareCapitalRioTintoPlc" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ShareCapitalRioTintoLimited" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" name="ShareCapitalRioTintoLimited" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingPronouncements" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" name="AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingPronouncements" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_RevisionToEquity" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" name="RevisionToEquity" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_CurrencyTranslationArisingOnRioTintoLimitedsShareCapital" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="CurrencyTranslationArisingOnRioTintoLimitedsShareCapital" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_OwnSharesPurchasedFromRioTintoShareholdersToSatisfyShareAwardsToEmployees" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="OwnSharesPurchasedFromRioTintoShareholdersToSatisfyShareAwardsToEmployees" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ChangeInEquityInterestHeldByRioTinto" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="ChangeInEquityInterestHeldByRioTinto" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_TransfersAndOtherMovements" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="TransfersAndOtherMovements" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_ShareBuyBack" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="ShareBuyBack" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_DisclosureOfAcquisitionsAndDisposals" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="DisclosureOfAcquisitionsAndDisposals" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" />
  <xs:element id="riotintoplc_DisclosureOfClosedownRestorationAndEnvironmentalObligations" xbrli:periodType="duration" name="DisclosureOfClosedownRestorationAndEnvironmentalObligations" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" />
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