3Q Production Report 2003

Rio Tinto PLC
22 October 2003


Third Quarter 2003 Production Report


•  Iron ore - Hamersley's shipments in the third quarter of 2003 were marginally 
   below the record shipments made in the same period of 2002.  The market 
   remains strong.  Production was up four per cent in advance of scheduled
   maintenance in the fourth quarter. Robe River shipments continued to benefit
   from the ramp up of West Angelas.

•  Aluminium - Production was one per cent higher than the third quarter of 
   2002.  Anode quality issues that have affected Boyne Island production in the
   second and third quarters have been resolved and production at Tiwai Point
   improved as cells were returned to operation following resumption of spot 
   power purchases.

•  Australian & Indonesian Coal - Production was four per cent lower than the 
   third quarter of 2002.  Attributable Coal & Allied production was seven per 
   cent lower than the third quarter of 2002 and four per cent lower than the
   second quarter of this year reflecting alignment of production with market
   demand.  Pacific Coal production was 17 per cent higher than the 
   corresponding period of last year as a result of the first production from 
   the new Hail Creek coking coal mine and increased domestic sales from Tarong.

•  US Coal - Production was eight per cent above the third quarter of 2002 which 
   was affected by heavy rain.

•  Mined copper - Production was three per cent above the third quarter of 2002.  
   Increased production from Escondida following commissioning of the Laguna 
   Seca concentrator and higher grades and throughput at Bingham Canyon were
   partially offset by lower grades at Grasberg and the effect of the disposal 
   of Rio Tinto's 25 per cent interest in the Alumbrera mine which was completed 
   in March 2003.

•  Diamonds - The process plant ramp-up at Diavik continued ahead of schedule 
   and grades are increasing as mining moves into the ore body proper. 
   Production at Argyle returned to more normal levels following the extended
   maintenance shutdown in June.

•  Mined gold - Production was 22 per cent below the third quarter of 2002 
   principally due to the disposal of Peak and Alumbrera and the processing of
   lower grade ore at Kelian.

•  Industrial Minerals - Production of titanium dioxide feedstock was 14 per 
   cent below the third quarter of 2002 owing to softer demand.  Borates
   production was in line with the previous quarter.


For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                              AUSTRALIA
Media Relations                                     Media Relations
Lisa Cullimore                                      Ian Head
Office:  [phone]                       Office:  [phone]
                                                    Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations                                  Investor Relations
Peter Cunningham                                    Dave Skinner
Office:  [phone]                       Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                        Mobile: [phone]
Richard Brimelow                                    Daphne Morros
Office:  [phone]                       Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                        Mobile: [phone]

Website: www.riotinto.com



RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY

RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
                                         QUARTER                  NINE MONTHS    % CHANGE
                                         2002   2003     2003     2002    2003  Q3 03 Q3 03  9 Mths 03
                                           Q3     Q2       Q3                      vs    vs         vs
Principal Commodities                                                           Q2 03 Q3 02  9 Mths 02

Alumina                      ('000 t)     487    495      500    1,468   1,488     1%    3%         1%
Aluminium                    ('000 t)   202.0  198.5    204.9    587.0   606.2     3%    1%         3%
Borates                      ('000 t)     132    143      142      393     425     0%    8%         8%
Coal - Australian and        ('000 t)  10,712 10,450   10,319   32,585  31,243    -1%   -4%        -4%
Indonesian
Coal - US                    ('000 t)  25,385 26,944   27,391   77,257  79,759     2%    8%         3%
Copper - mined               ('000 t)   214.4  231.6    221.4    643.3   684.1    -4%    3%         6%
Copper - refined             ('000 t)    99.0   69.2     93.1    311.8   258.4    35%   -6%       -17%
Diamonds                     ('000 cts) 9,046  6,560   10,588   23,656  24,304    61%   17%         3%
Gold - mined                 ('000 ozs)   890    765      691    2,321   2,221   -10%  -22%        -4%
Gold - refined               ('000 ozs)   123     65       66      383     227     2%  -46%       -41%
Iron ore                     ('000 t)  24,087 25,623   25,826   68,194  74,616     1%    7%         9%
Titanium dioxide feedstock   ('000 t)     309    319      265      955     873   -17%  -14%        -9%

Other Metals & Minerals
Bauxite                      ('000 t)   2,984  3,236    3,018    8,724   9,213    -7%    1%         6%
Lead - mined                 ('000 t)    12.7   11.5     12.0     30.6    33.4     4%   -6%         9%
Molybdenum                   ('000 t)     1.7    1.1      1.2      4.7     3.5     9%  -29%       -26%
Nickel in matte              (tonnes)     510    523    1,284    3,863   4,426   146%  152%        15%
Nickel - refined             (tonnes)     987    830    1,029    2,765   2,463    24%    4%       -11%
Salt                         ('000 t)   1,223  1,124    1,420    3,411   3,513    26%   16%         3%
Silver - mined               ('000 ozs) 4,427  4,410    4,983   12,938  13,353    13%   13%         3%
Silver - refined             ('000 ozs) 1,178    644      691    3,072   2,310     7%  -41%       -25%
Talc                         ('000 t)     341    328      350    1,009   1,036     7%    3%         3%
Tin                          (tonnes)       -     24       16      159      40   -32%     -       -74%
Uranium                      (tonnes)   1,353  1,484    1,395    3,644   3,752    -6%    3%         3%
Zinc - mined                 ('000 t)    24.7   29.0     26.8     69.9    82.6    -8%    9%        18%


Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the
figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.

Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown,
hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and
the nine month figures.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION

                                                         3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q    9 MTHS   9 MTHS
                                        Interest       2002    2002    2003    2003    2003      2002     2003
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Eurallumina                               56%           145     142     139     136     150       425      426
Queensland Alumina                        39%           342     337     354     358     350     1,043    1,062

Rio Tinto total alumina production                      487     479     493     495     500     1,468    1,488


ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000
tonnes)
Anglesey                                  51%          17.6    18.1    18.3    18.3    18.3      52.9     54.9
Bell Bay                                 100%          41.6    42.1    40.7    41.8    42.3     121.8    124.8
Boyne Island (a)                          59%          77.3    79.4    77.7    75.7    76.9     215.2    230.2
Tiwai Point                               79%          65.6    68.8    66.1    62.7    67.5     197.1    196.3

Rio Tinto total aluminium production                  202.0   208.4   202.7   198.5   204.9     587.0    606.2


BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Boke                                       4%           121     118      58     179     123       364      360
Weipa                                    100%         2,863   2,882   2,901   3,057   2,895     8,359    8,853

Rio Tinto total bauxite production                    2,984   3,000   2,958   3,236   3,018     8,724    9,213


BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total borate production        100%           132     136     139     143     142       393      425


COAL                                          Coal
Australian coal operations ('000 tonnes)      type

Coal & Allied Industries (b):
      Bengalla                            30%   S       359     459     393     538     340     1,127    1,271
      Hunter Valley Operations            76%   S     1,791   1,716   1,789   1,617   1,535     5,040    4,941
                                          76%   M       465     640     606     609     663     1,892    1,878
      Mount Thorley Operations            61%   S       363     386     309     219     252     1,065      780
                                          61%   M       229     221     216     200     223       852      639
      Moura (c)                            0%   S         -       -       -       -      -        407       -
                                           0%   M         -       -       -       -      -        552       -
      Narama (c)                           0%   S         -       -       -       -      -        135       -
      Ravensworth East (c)                 0%   S         -       -       -       -      -        281       -
      Warkworth                           42%   S       582     787     688     484     510     1,799    1,682
                                          42%   M        66      18      47      71      53       213      171
Pacific Coal:
      Blair Athol Coal                    71%   S     2,407   2,030   2,237   1,857   2,599     6,383    6,693
      Hail Creek Coal                     92%   M         -       -       -       -     204         -      204
      Kestrel Coal                        80%   S       274     494     285     320     263       854      867
                                          80%   M       383     536     366     459     332     1,389    1,157
      Tarong Coal                        100%   S     1,254   1,695   1,451   1,738   1,635     3,990    4,825

Total Australian coal                                 8,172   8,981   8,386   8,112   8,608    25,979   25,107

Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima Coal (d)                     50%   S     2,540   2,264   2,088   2,338   1,711     6,606    6,137
US coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy
      Antelope                           100%   S     6,452   6,457   6,233   6,648   7,130    17,862   20,011
      Colowyo (e)                        100%   S     1,229   1,174   1,110   1,194   1,093     3,715    3,396
      Cordero Rojo                       100%   S     7,474   9,160   8,187   8,535   7,448    25,564   24,170
      Decker                              50%   S     1,196   1,198     679     730   1,068     3,313    2,476
      Jacobs Ranch                       100%   S     7,315   8,007   7,402   7,544   8,767    20,777   23,712
      Spring Creek                       100%   S     1,719   2,067   1,814   2,293   1,887     6,026    5,995

Total US coal                                        25,385  28,063  25,424  26,944  27,391    77,257   79,759

Rio Tinto total coal production                      36,097  39,307  35,899  37,394  37,710   109,842  111,003


Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site.

Key to coal type:  S = Steaming/ thermal coal, M = Metallurgical/ coking coal.

See footnotes on page 7.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)

                                                         3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q    9 MTHS   9 MTHS
                                        Interest       2002    2002    2003    2003    2003      2002     2003
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Alumbrera (f)                               0%         11.5    13.9     8.7       -      -       37.0      8.7
Bingham Canyon                            100%         64.4    69.0    64.8    67.8    77.6     191.2    210.2
Escondida                                  30%         47.9    68.7    74.4    79.8    73.4     157.6    227.7
Grasberg - FCX (g)                         13%         30.0    30.1    27.3    28.0    21.5      77.4     76.8
Grasberg - Joint Venture (g)               40%         39.6    40.9    33.7    34.5    28.9     107.1     97.2
Neves Corvo                                49%          8.5     9.5    11.0     9.9     7.5      28.3     28.4
Northparkes                                80%          6.7     6.1     5.7     5.4     5.4      24.6     16.5
Palabora                                   49%          6.0     5.6     5.5     6.1     7.0      20.1     18.7

Rio Tinto total mine production                       214.4   243.8   231.1   231.6   221.4     643.3    684.1

Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper (g)                        14%         10.2    10.5    10.1    10.3     8.6      31.0     29.0
Escondida                                  30%          9.3    10.0    10.7    11.0    11.2      31.6     32.9
Kennecott Utah Copper                     100%         68.1    74.6    67.4    38.5    64.8     219.1    170.7
Palabora                                   49%         11.3    10.0     7.8     9.4     8.5      30.1     25.8

Rio Tinto total refined production                     99.0   105.1    96.0    69.2    93.1     311.8    258.4

DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle (h)                                100%        9,013   9,936   6,909   6,004   9,690    23,567   22,603
Diavik                                     60%            -       -     247     512     880         -    1,639
Merlin                                    100%           33      28       -      44      18        90       62

Rio Tinto total diamond production                    9,046   9,964   7,156   6,560  10,588    23,656   24,304

GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Alumbrera (f)                               0%           40      48      31       -      -        140       31
Barneys Canyon                            100%           16      10       9      10      10        65       29
Bingham Canyon                            100%          103      89      67      67      79       323      213
Cortez/Pipeline                            40%          101     102     127     102     100       330      329
Escondida                                  30%            7      11      11      13      16        27       40
Grasberg - FCX (g)                         13%          131     103      89     132     107       252      327
Grasberg - Joint Venture (g)               40%          208     227     163     241     223       435      626
Greens Creek                               70%           18      18      16      19      17        55       53
Kelian                                     90%          158     109     166     112      71       376      349
Lihir                                      16%           22      27      21      21      21        71       64
Morro do Ouro                              51%           30      27      25      27      24        88       77
Northparkes                                80%            9       7       8       7       9        26       24
Peak (f)                                    0%           30      20      20       -      -         77       20
Rawhide                                    51%            9      10       7       9       9        32       25
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe                         56%            5       4       3       4       3        17       11
Others                                       -            2       2       1       2       2         6        5
Rio Tinto total mine production                         890     814     765     765     691     2,321    2,221
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper                     100%          123     105      96      65      66       383      227

IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar                                    60%        1,454   1,940   1,699   1,465   1,628     4,417    4,792
Corumba                                   100%          282     271     221     282     292       587      795
Hamersley                                 100%       15,711  13,121  13,616  15,900  16,079    44,442   45,595
Iron Ore Company of Canada (i) (j)         59%        1,296   1,868   1,816   2,126   2,220     5,300    6,161
Robe River                                 53%        5,345   5,558   5,815   5,851   5,607    13,448   17,273
Rio Tinto total mine production                      24,087  22,757  23,167  25,623  25,826    68,194   74,616


Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of
saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.

See footnotes on page 7.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)

                                                      3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q       3Q     9 MTHS    9 MTHS
                                      Interest      2002   2002   2003   2003     2003       2002      2003
LEAD

Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek                             70%         3.5    3.8    3.8    4.0      4.0       11.9      11.7
Zinkgruvan                              100%         9.2    6.0    6.2    7.5      8.0       18.7      21.7
Rio Tinto total mine production                     12.7    9.8   10.0   11.5     12.0       30.6      33.4

MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon                          100%         1.7    1.4    1.2    1.1      1.2        4.7       3.5

NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza                               100%         510  2,410  2,619    523    1,284      3,863     4,426
Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress             56%         987    829    604    830    1,029      2,765     2,463

SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt                             65%       1,223  1,255    970  1,124    1,420      3,411     3,513

SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon                          100%         866    841    762    808      873      2,822     2,443
Escondida                                30%         182    259    315    360      375        635     1,050
Grasberg - FCX (g)                       13%         233    219    236    255      207        585       698
Grasberg - Joint Venture (g)             40%         264    470    111    229      320        572       660
Greens Creek                             70%       1,955  1,724  1,750  1,968    2,472      5,943     6,191
Zinkgruvan                              100%         545    383    363    447      460      1,171     1,270
Others                                     -         383    372    422    343      275      1,209     1,041

Rio Tinto total mine production                    4,427  4,269  3,960  4,410    4,983     12,938    13,353

Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper                   100%       1,178    965    975    644      691      3,072     2,310

TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group                          99.9%         341    318    358    328      350      1,009     1,036

TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo                              49%           -     11      -     24       16        159        40

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium               100%         309    319    290    319      265        955       873

URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia            68%         773    977    859  1,019      775      2,092     2,653
Rossing                                  69%         580    335     14    465      620      1,552     1,099
Rio Tinto total uranium                            1,353  1,311    873  1,484    1,395      3,644     3,752
production


Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the contained tonnage
of nickel.

See footnotes on page 7.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)

                                                         3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q      3Q    9 MTHS    9 MTHS
                                          Interest     2002   2002   2003   2003    2003      2002      2003
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek                                70%        11.1   11.9   12.1   13.4    11.7      34.9      37.2
Zinkgruvan                                 100%        13.6   12.9   14.7   15.6    15.1      35.1      45.4

Rio Tinto total mine production                        24.7   24.8   26.8   29.0    26.8      69.9      82.6


(a)  Rio Tinto acquired an approximately 5% additional interest in production 
     from the Boyne Island smelter with effect from August 2002.

(b)  Rio Tinto increased its stake in Coal & Allied from 72.7% to 75.7% on 
     17 September 2002.

(c)  On 14 March 2002, Coal & Allied completed the sale of its interests in 
     Narama and Ravensworth. Coal & Allied sold its interest in the Moura coal 
     mine with effect from 24 May 2002. Production data are shown up to the 
     dates of sale.

(d)  Rio Tinto had a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its Coal 
     Agreement, the Indonesian Government is entitled to a 13.5% share of Kaltim 
     Prima's production.  Rio Tinto's share of production shown is before 
     deduction of the Government share. Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 50% 
     interest in PT Kaltim Prima Coal on 10 October 2003.

(e)  Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as it 
     is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the mine, 
     all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(f)  Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% interest in Minera Alumbrera 
     together with its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March 2003. Production 
     data are shown up to the date of sale.

(g)  Through its interest in Freeport-McMoRan-Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto 
     had, as of 30 September 2003, a 12.7% share in the Grasberg mine and a 
     14.0% share in Atlantic Copper. Rio Tinto's holding in FCX reduced from 
     16.4% to 14.0% during the third quarter of 2003 due primarily to the 
     conversion of FCX debentures into equity. Through a joint venture agreement 
     with FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled, as shown separately in the above tables, 
     to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions of the 
     Grasberg facilities since 1998.

(h)  Rio Tinto's interest in the Argyle Diamond mine increased from 99.8% to 
     100% on 29 April 2002, following the purchase of the outstanding units in 
     the Western Australian Diamond Trust.

(i)  Rio Tinto owns 20.3% of the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund. The Fund 
     has a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada but this has not been 
     included in the calculation of tonnage attributable to Rio Tinto.

(j)  Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada from 
     56.1% to 58.7% on 20 December 2002.


Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicated
above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average
interest over the relevant periods.




OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002     2003
ALUMINIUM

Rio Tinto Aluminium (a)

Total production at Rio Tinto's aluminium operations: Weipa (Rio Tinto 100%) in
Queensland, Australia; Boke (Rio Tinto 4%) in Guinea; Eurallumina (Rio Tinto
56.2%) in Sardinia, Italy; Queensland Alumina (Rio Tinto 38.6%) in Queensland,
Australia; Anglesey Aluminium (Rio Tinto 51%) in the UK; Bell Bay (Rio Tinto
100%) in Tasmania, Australia; Boyne Island (Rio Tinto 59.4% (b)) in Queensland,
Australia and Tiwai Point (Rio Tinto 79.4%) in New Zealand.
(100% basis)

Weipa mine
Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes)         2,863  2,882  2,901  3,057    2,895   8,359     8,853
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)           2,737  2,882  2,778  2,768    2,709   8,250     8,255
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes)                22     30     41     49       42     112       132

Boke mine
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)                      3,176  3,124  2,365  3,077    2,970   8,917     8,412

Eurallumina refinery
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)                        259    253    248    243      267     757       758

Queensland Alumina refinery
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)                        884    873    916    928      906   2,701     2,750

Anglesey Aluminium smelter
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)             34.4   35.6   35.8   35.9     35.9   103.8     107.6

Bell Bay smelter
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)             41.6   42.1   40.7   41.8     42.3   121.8     124.8

Boyne Island smelter (b)
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)            133.1  131.8  129.7  129.0    128.5   388.4     387.1

Tiwai Point smelter
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)             84.3   84.7   83.3   78.2     85.0   249.2     246.6
Sales of primary aluminium ('000 tonnes) (c)          189.4  203.4  191.1  210.6    205.1   581.9     606.9



(a) From 1 June 2003, management of Rio Tinto's 51% interest in Angelsey
    Aluminium was transferred to the Aluminium product group from the Copper 
    product group.

(b) Rio Tinto acquired an approximately 5% additional interest in production
    from the Boyne Island smelter with effect from August 2002.

(c) Rio Tinto's share of sales of primary metal from its four smelting 
    operations.


Bauxite production at the Weipa mine in the third quarter of 2003 was
approximately 5% lower than in the previous quarter due to scheduled plant
maintenance.

Process stability at the Eurallumina refinery in the third quarter of 2003
resulted in higher production than in previous quarters. Production from
Queensland Alumina in the third quarter was affected by an unexpected power
outage in July.

Aluminium production for the third quarter of 2003 from the Boyne Island smelter
was lower than in the second quarter of 2003 due to the effect of the continuing
instability of lines 1 and 2 resulting from anode quality. The anode quality has
been rectified and the potlines are now stable. Cells in circuit at Boyne Island
are expected to return to normal levels by the end of October. Aluminium
production at the Tiwai Point smelter improved in the third quarter as cells
returned to operation after the resumption of spot power purchases in June 2003.
By the end of the third quarter, cells in circuit at Tiwai Point were

Aluminium sales in the third quarter of 2003 were lower than in the second
quarter due to increased in-transit metal and because sales in the second
quarter included some deferred sales from the first quarter.


BORATES

Rio Tinto Borax

Total production at the Boron mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in California, US and at the
Tincalayu, Sijes, Porvenir and Maggie mines (Rio Tinto 100%) in Argentina.

(100% basis)

Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)                               132    136    139    143      142     393       425


(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.


Production in the third quarter of 2003 was the same as in the previous quarter
and 8% higher than in the equivalent period of 2002.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COAL

Coal & Allied Industries Limited (a)

Total production and sales from the mines operated by Coal & Allied Industries
in Australia: Bengalla (Rio Tinto 30%); Hunter Valley Operations (Rio Tinto
76%);  Mount Thorley Operations (Rio Tinto 61%); and Warkworth (Rio Tinto 42%),
all in New South Wales.
(100% basis)

Bengalla mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 1,228  1,517  1,298  1,776    1,122    3,868     4,196

Hunter Valley Operations
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 2,448  2,266  2,363  2,136    2,028    6,917     6,526
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)          636    845    800    805      875    2,598     2,480

Mount Thorley Operations
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                   621    637    510    361      416    1,828     1,287
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)          392    365    356    330      369    1,462     1,055

Moura mine (b)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                     -      -      -      -       -     1,018        -
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)            -      -      -      -       -       954        -
Coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                      -      -      -      -       -       427        -

Narama mine (b)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                     -      -      -      -       -       370        -
Ravensworth East mine (b)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                     -      -      -      -       -       387        -

Warkworth mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 1,430  1,871  1,634  1,152    1,212    4,443     3,997
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)          162     42    112    168      127      526       406

Total Coal & Allied Industries
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                   6,915  7,544  7,074  6,728    6,147   24,796    19,948
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (c)                         6,851  7,486  7,174  6,633    6,802   24,062    20,609



(a) Rio Tinto increased its stake in Coal & Allied from 72.7% to 75.7% on 17
    September 2002.

(b) The sale of Coal & Allied's share of Narama and Ravensworth was completed on
    14 March 2002. Coal & Allied sold its interest in the Moura coal mine with
    effect from 24 May 2002.

(c) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.


Production in the third quarter of 2003 was 9% lower than in the second quarter
of 2003 due primarily to lower production from Bengalla. At Bengalla, production
was affected as mining had progressed through to less productive areas of the
mining sequence. Operational changes were implemented in the third quarter of
2003 to reduce saleable production capacity to align with market demand.  Port
and rail congestion remains an issue.


Kaltim Prima Coal

Total production and shipments from the Kaltim Prima Coal mine (Rio Tinto 50%
(a)) in Indonesia, including the share of production attributed to the
Indonesian Government (see footnote (d) on page 7).
(100% basis)
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                           5,080  4,527  4,177  4,675    3,422   13,213    12,274
   Shipments ('000 tonnes)                            4,871  4,911  4,522  3,937    4,042   12,276    12,501


(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 50% interest in PT Kaltim Prima Coal on
10 October 2003.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COAL (continued)
Kennecott Energy and Coal Company

Total production from the mines operated by Kennecott Energy and Coal Company in
the US: Antelope (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Colowyo in Colorado, where
Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest and full management responsibility -
(see footnote (e) on page 7); Cordero Rojo (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Decker
(Rio Tinto 50%) in Montana; Jacobs Ranch (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming and Spring
Creek (Rio Tinto 100%) in Montana.
(100% basis)

Antelope mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 6,452   6,457   6,233   6,648   7,130   17,862   20,011

Colowyo mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 1,229   1,174   1,110   1,194   1,093    3,715    3,396

Cordero Rojo mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 7,474   9,160   8,187   8,535   7,448   25,564   24,170

Decker mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 2,391   2,395   1,357   1,460   2,135    6,626    4,952

Jacobs Ranch mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 7,315   8,007   7,402   7,544   8,767   20,777   23,712

Spring Creek mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                 1,719   2,067   1,814   2,293   1,887    6,026    5,995

Total Kennecott Energy
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                  26,580  29,260  26,103  27,674  28,459   80,570   82,236



Production in the first nine months of 2003 was 2% higher than in the first nine
months of 2002 due in part to higher market demand for Antelope and Jacobs Ranch
coal. These increases have been partially offset by reduced production at
Cordero Rojo as resources were diverted to ensuring highwall and stock pile
stability.


Pacific Coal
Total production and sales from the mines operated by Pacific Coal in
Queensland, Australia: Blair Athol Coal (Rio Tinto 71.2%), Hail Creek Coal (Rio
Tinto 92%), Kestrel Coal (Rio Tinto 80%) and Tarong Coal (Rio Tinto 100%).
(100% basis)

Blair Athol Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                           3,379  2,849  3,140  2,607    3,649    8,960     9,396
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                3,413  2,913  3,237  2,689    3,179    9,391     9,105

Hail Creek Coal mine
Coking coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                               -      -      -      -      221        -       221
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                    -      -      -      -      114        -       114

Kestrel Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                             342    617    356    400      328    1,068     1,084
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                  101    135    404    163      145      370       712
Coking coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                             479    670    458    574      415    1,736     1,446
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                  330    394    122    274      331    1,084       727
Semi-hard coking coal:(a)
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                  567    380    449    475      353    1,248     1,277

Tarong Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                           1,254  1,695  1,451  1,738    1,635    3,990     4,825
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                1,404  1,503  1,635  1,614    1,623    3,919     4,871

Total Pacific Coal

Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                   5,453  5,831  5,405  5,319    6,248   15,753    16,972


(a) Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal. The
product mix is customer dependent.


Hail Creek moved from construction to operation with the first production and
sale of coal during the quarter. Kestrel production in the first nine months of
2003 was lower than production in the equivalent period of 2002, due to a
longwall changeover in the third quarter of 2003. Full production has since
resumed. Tarong sales were higher following the commissioning of the Tarong
North Power Station in the first quarter of 2003.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD

Alumbrera

Total production and sales at the Bajo de la Alumbrera mine (Rio Tinto 0% (a))
in Argentina.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                             8,033  8,704  7,053      -       -    22,854     7,053
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                          0.62   0.69   0.54      -       -      0.70      0.54
   Gold (g/t)                                          0.78   0.85   0.69      -       -      0.96      0.69
Concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                   168.0  204.7  130.9      -       -     538.8     130.9
Copper in concentrates:                                                        -
   Production ('000 tonnes)                            45.9   55.6   34.9      -       -     148.1      34.9
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                 41.1   53.0   37.0      -       -     141.0      37.0
Production of gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)        148    176    108      -       -       518       108
Production of gold in dore ('000 ounces)                 13     17     16      -       -        43        16
Total gold sales ('000 ounces)                          148    187    132      -       -       542       132


(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% holding in Minera Alumbrera on 17
March 2003.


Escondida
Total production at the Escondida mine (Rio Tinto 30%) in Chile.
(100% basis)
Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                   10,141  14,631  16,744  16,416  18,888   31,905   52,048
Average copper grade (%)                               1.45    1.59    1.49    1.62    1.33     1.58     1.47
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
   Contained copper ('000 tonnes)                     125.6   191.8   210.8   230.9   208.2    430.8    649.9
   Contained gold ('000 ounces)                          23      35      37      43      52       91      132
   Contained silver ('000 ounces)                       606     864   1,050   1,200   1,251    2,117    3,501
Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                       3,316   3,164   3,408   3,188   3,569    9,610   10,165
Average copper grade (%)                               1.03    1.18    1.10    1.11    1.02     0.99     1.07
Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000        34      37      37      35      37       95      109
tonnes)
Refined production:
   Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes)                31.1    33.3      36      37    37.3    105.4    109.6


Escondida mill production for the first nine months of 2003 reflected the start
of the new Laguna Seca concentrator in the fourth quarter of 2002. Lower ore
grades during the nine months of 2003 compared with 2002 were in line with the
previously announced plan to constrain copper production at Escondida.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

Total production and sales at Grasberg (Rio Tinto 12.7% (a)) in Papua,
Indonesia, and Atlantic Copper (Rio Tinto 14.0%) in Spain.
(100% basis)

Grasberg mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                            20,220  21,996  21,438  20,141  19,453   64,005   61,032
Average mill head grades:
   Copper (%)                                          1.31    1.23    1.15    1.24    1.08     1.11     1.16
   Gold (g/t)                                          1.85    1.44    1.26    1.95    1.79     1.17     1.66
   Silver (g/t)                                        4.01    4.05    3.88    4.18    3.90     3.45     3.98
Production of metals in concentrates:
   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)               239.8   241.6   216.5   223.1   189.3    622.8    628.9
   Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)                 1,086     913     760   1,126   1,007    2,117    2,893
   Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)               1,822   1,928   1,692   1,944   1,857    4,474    5,493
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)               242.6   234.6   210.7   212.1   184.7    598.5    607.5
   Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)                 1,096     902     742   1,080     980    2,032    2,803
   Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)               1,476   1,487   1,315   1,485   1,431    3,429    4,231



(a) See note (g) on page 7 for details of Rio Tinto's 12.7% interest in Grasberg
and 40% interest in the expansion.

(b) Net of smelter deductions.


In the third quarter of 2003, copper and gold production and sales decreased
compared with the second quarter of 2003 and the third quarter of 2002 due to a
decrease in ore treated and lower average mill head grades.   Preliminary
assessments of the impact of a material slippage that occurred on 9 October 2003
indicate the potential deferral into future periods of a portion of the metal
previously forecast to be produced in the fourth quarter of 2003.


Atlantic Copper smelter
Concentrates and scrap smelted ('000 tonnes)          258.2  257.7  242.1  244.6    253.0   759.0     739.7
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c)               74.6   77.2   72.4   74.3     78.6   220.8     225.3
Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes)                 61.5   63.5   61.2   62.5     61.4   186.9     185.1
Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d)                 62.2   65.0   62.9   63.6     57.7   187.5     184.2



(c) New metal excluding recycled material.

(d) Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.


Kelian Equatorial Mining

Total production and sales at the Kelian gold mine (Rio Tinto 90%) in East
Kalimantan, Indonesia.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                             1,787  1,953  1,844  1,833    1,995   5,360     5,673
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                          3.83   2.66   3.71   2.53     1.76    3.05      2.64
   Silver (g/t)                                        5.92   4.55   5.83   5.11     4.39    5.31      5.09
Production:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                   176    121    184    124       79     417       387
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                  96     75    112     96       66     273       274
Sales:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                   154    154    150    147       93     388       390
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                 129    115    154      -      145     385       299


Ore treated during the third quarter of 2003 was higher than in the previous
quarter due to tailings disposal direct to the closed pit which is nearer to the
process plant and so allows higher throughput. Low grade stockpiled ore was
processed following exhaustion of higher grade ex-pit ore. Accumulated silver
stocks were sold during the quarter.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company

Total production at the mines of Kennecott Minerals Company in the US; Cortez/
Pipeline (Rio Tinto 40%) in Nevada; Greens Creek (Rio Tinto 70%) in Alaska and
Rawhide (Rio Tinto 51%) in Nevada.
(100% basis)

Cortez/Pipeline mine
Ore treated
   Milled ('000 tonnes)                                 873    868    919    791      865   2,535     2,575
   Leached ('000 tonnes)                              1,770  2,924  2,538  3,261    5,507   7,913    11,306
   Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes)                       13     82    140    151      111     211       402
Average ore grade: gold
    Milled (g/t)                                       7.17   6.14   8.92   5.83     5.55    7.87      6.84
    Leached (g/t)                                      0.98   1.00   1.09   1.06     0.85    1.04      0.96
    Sold for roasting (g/t)                            7.96   8.66   7.83   6.63     5.87    8.59      6.84
Gold produced ('000 ounces)                             252    256    317    254      249     826       821



Mill, roast and leach throughput increased in the first nine months of 2003.
Total gold production in the first nine months of 2003 was slightly lower than
in the same period of 2002 due to lower grade.


Greens Creek mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                               168    170    171    176      185     495       532
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                          6.93   6.81   6.31   6.97     6.20    7.01      6.49
   Silver (g/t)                                         701    595    604    655      764     703       677
   Zinc (%)                                            11.8   12.4   12.9   13.4     11.1    12.5      12.5
   Lead (%)                                             4.4    4.4    4.6    4.7      4.3     4.8       4.5
Metals produced in concentrates:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                    25     25     23     27       25      78        75
   Silver ('000 ounces)                               2,782  2,454  2,491  2,801    3,518   8,458     8,810
   Zinc ('000 tonnes)                                  15.8   16.9   17.3   19.0     16.6    49.6      52.9
   Lead ('000 tonnes)                                   5.0    5.4    5.3    5.7      5.6    16.9      16.7


Mill throughput increased during 2003 as part of a five year plan to increase
mill capacity. Silver grade continued to improve in the third quarter of 2003
compared with the first half of the year, as a result of mine sequencing and
mining higher silver grade ore zones.


Rawhide mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                             1,330  1,335  1,230    384        0   4,050     1,614
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                          1.01   0.69   0.51   0.51     0.00    1.05      0.51
   Silver (g/t)                                        14.4   13.3    9.4    9.1      0.0    14.5       9.4
Metals produced in dore:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                    18     19     14     17       17      63        49
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                 149    134    127    158      131     554       416



Mining operations were completed in October 2002. Processing of stockpiled ores
was completed in May 2003. Gold production will continue from the leach pads
while site reclamation activities are underway.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Utah Copper

Total production at Barneys Canyon, Bingham Canyon, and the Kennecott smelter
and refinery (all Rio Tinto 100%) in Utah, US.

Barneys Canyon mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 -      -      -      -       -       102        -
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                             -      -      -      -       -      1.17        -
Gold produced in dore and concentrates ('000 ounces)     16     10      9     10       10       65        29
Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be
recovered from leach pads.

Bingham Canyon mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                            10,256  10,625  10,929  11,284  11,904   30,095   34,117
Average ore grade:
   Copper (%)                                          0.67    0.71    0.68    0.67    0.72     0.69     0.69
   Gold (g/t)                                          0.43    0.36    0.28    0.25    0.31     0.47     0.28
   Silver (g/t)                                        3.22    3.02    2.99    2.67    2.88     3.55     2.84
   Molybdenum (%)                                     0.037   0.026   0.022   0.020   0.028    0.036    0.024
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)              243     279     282     287     298      713      867
Average concentrate grade (% Cu)                       26.5    24.6    22.9    23.6    25.9     26.8     24.2
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
   Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)                            64.4    69.0    64.8    67.8    77.6    191.2    210.2
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                   103      89      67      67      79      323      213
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                 866     841     762     808     873    2,822    2,443
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):         3.1     2.6     2.2     2.3     2.1      8.6      6.6
   Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)             1.7     1.4     1.2     1.1     1.2      4.7      3.5
Kennecott smelter & refinery
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)               259     300     231     261     282      796      774
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)               63.4    79.0    53.7    53.2    69.9    214.7    176.8
Production of refined metal:
   Copper ('000 tonnes)                                68.1    74.6    67.4    38.5    64.8    219.1    170.7
   Gold  ('000 ounces) (c)                              123     105      96      65      66      383      227
   Silver ('000 ounces) (c)                           1,178     965     975     644     691    3,072    2,310



(a) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.

(b) New metal excluding recycled material.

(c) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

By-product grades improved slightly in the third quarter of 2003 but are still
significantly lower than last year. As previously announced, lower by-product
grades are expected to continue until 2005. Copper grade increased due to mining
sequence in the third quarter of 2003.

Anode production in both the first and second quarters of 2003 was affected by
the failure of the final absorption tower of the acid plant in March 2003, which
interrupted smelter production for three weeks.


Lihir Gold
Total production at the Lihir mine (Rio Tinto 16.3%) in Papua New Guinea.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                               891  1,063    933    924      987   2,765     2,844
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                          5.25   5.44   4.92   4.65     4.88    5.47      4.82
Gold produced ('000 ounces) (a)                         138    168    131    128      132     439       391



(a) Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.


Increased throughput and improved grades was partly offset by lower recoveries
and an increase in inventory in the third quarter of 2003.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Northparkes Joint Venture
Total production and sales at the Northparkes mine (Rio Tinto 80%) in New South
Wales, Australia.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                             1,237  1,331  1,306  1,315    1,284   4,033     3,905
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                          0.81   0.69   0.67   0.62     0.70    0.91      0.66
   Gold (g/t)                                          0.41   0.31   0.31   0.32     0.45    0.36      0.36
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)             23.0   20.1   20.1   18.7     18.3    83.1      57.2
Contained copper in concentrates:
   Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                    8.4    7.6    7.1    6.8      6.7    30.7      20.6
   Sales ('000 tonnes) (a)                              5.9    4.7    8.0    3.8      4.5    25.2      16.3
Contained gold in concentrates:
   Saleable production ('000 ounces)                   11.0    8.4    9.5    9.0     11.4    32.4      29.9
   Sales ('000 ounces) (a)                              6.6    6.0   13.4    6.0      6.4    24.7      25.8


(a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.


Copper production continued to reflect lower realised head grade as transition
ore is sourced from lower grade open cut material.  This trend will continue
until Lift 2 commences production in 2004 and reaches full potential in 2005.


Palabora
Total production at Palabora (Rio Tinto 49.2%) in South Africa.
(100% basis)

Palabora mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                             2,722  2,648  2,453  2,726    3,398   7,285     8,577
Average ore grade: copper (%)                          0.54   0.56   0.59   0.60     0.53    0.65      0.57
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)             40.5   35.7   35.3   38.2     43.5   132.3     117.0
Average concentrate grade: copper (%)                  29.9   31.9   31.5   32.7     32.9    30.9      32.4
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                   12.1   11.4   11.1   12.5     14.3    40.9      37.9

Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)          68.7   59.7   57.5   73.7     64.0   198.8     195.2
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (a)           22.5   18.9   15.8   20.1     19.4    63.4      55.3
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)              23.0   20.4   15.9   19.2     17.4    61.2      52.5

By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)                      31     40     44     51       53     132       148
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes)                         67     85     61     27       26     228       114

Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)                     62.5   59.8   51.2   53.9     32.5   163.6     137.6


(a) Contained copper in anodes; anode production includes a small amount
produced from purchased material.


Production from the underground mine improved by 22% to an average rate of
18,355 tonnes of ore per day during the third quarter compared to an average of
15 000 tonnes of ore per day in the preceding quarter.  During this period
record production rates of 30,038 tonnes in one day and 20,900 tonnes of ore per
day on average in one week were achieved.

The tonnage of ore treated rose during the third quarter of 2003 in line with
increased underground and pit ore production. New copper in concentrate
production was in line with ore supply and recoveries increased following the
introduction of a finer grind. Total concentrate smelted comprised run-of-mine
production, smelter secondaries and imported concentrate. Smelter throughput was
reduced in the third quarter as a consequence of the annual acid plant and
statutory waste heat boiler shutdown.

Vermiculite production was stable and the reconfigured plant continues to meet
market demand. Production during the third quarter of 2003 was reduced in order
to lower


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Peak Gold Mine
Total production and sales from the Peak Gold Mine (Rio Tinto 0% (a)) in New
South Wales, Australia.
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                               159    144    144      -       -      466       144
Average ore grades:                                                            -
   Gold (g/t)                                          6.33   5.13   5.23      -       -     5.64      5.23
   Silver (g/t)                                        2.79   3.09   3.16      -       -     3.03      3.16
   Copper (%)                                          0.21   0.21   0.13      -       -     0.31      0.13
   Lead (%)                                            0.22   0.15   0.11      -       -     0.24      0.11
   Zinc (%)                                            0.35   0.13   0.00      -       -     0.32      0.00
Bullion produced  ('000 ounces)                          32     23     23      -       -       82        23
Containing:                                                                    -
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                    29     20     20      -       -       72        20
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                   5      3      3      -       -        9         3
Gold recovered in concentrates ('000 ounces)              1      0      -      -       -        5        -
Total gold production ('000 ounces)                      30     20     20      -       -       77        20
Bullion sales (fine gold) ('000 ounces)                  26     22     20      -       -       71        20
Copper in concentrate ('000 tonnes):                                           -
   Production                                           0.0    0.0      -      -       -      0.4        -
   Sales                                                0.8    0.2      -      -       -      0.8        -


(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March
2003.


Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Total production at Morro do Ouro (Rio Tinto 51%) in Minas
Gerais, Brazil.
(100% basis)

Morro do Ouro mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                           4,406  4,544  4,530  4,586    4,655   13,820    13,771
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                        0.55   0.48   0.44   0.46     0.45     0.51      0.45
Refined gold produced ('000 ounces)                    59     52     49     53       48      173       150

Production in the first nine months of 2003 was below the equivalent period of
2002 due to lower grade and harder ores being mined.


Rio Tinto Zimbabwe

Total production at Rio Tinto Zimbabwe's gold operations (Rio Tinto 56%) in
Zimbabwe.
(100% basis)

Patchway mine (a) (b)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                24     15     19     19       -       68        38
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                          2.53   2.01   2.17   2.10       -     3.46      2.13
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                         2      1      1      1       -        7         2

Renco mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                63     65     49     60       64     189       173
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                          3.95   3.46   3.80   3.56     3.70    4.55      3.68
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                         7      7      5      6        6      24        17

Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                         9      8      6      7        6      31        19


(a) Includes low grade material.

(b) Rio Tinto Zimbabwe completed the sale of the Patchway mine in July 2003.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Somincor

Total production at Neves Corvo (Rio Tinto 49%) in Portugal.
(100% basis)

Neves Corvo mine
Total ore treated ('000 tonnes)  (a)                    406    423    425    474      354    1,333     1,253
   of which, treated to extract tin ('000 tonnes)         -      2      -      -        4       14        12
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                          4.87   5.23   6.00   5.07     5.13     5.00      5.40
   Tin (%)                                                -   2.87      -      -     2.26     3.38      1.91
Copper production:
   Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)          72.3   81.7   93.8   85.5     66.2    237.7     245.6
   Copper concentrate grade: copper (%)                23.9   23.7   23.9   23.5     23.2     24.3      23.6
   Copper in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)       17.3   19.4   22.4   20.1     15.4     57.8     57.9
Tin production:
   Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                -    0.0      -    0.1      0.1      0.5       0.1
   Tin concentrate grade: tin (%)                         -   72.9      -   57.5     60.7     61.8      58.7
   Tin in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)             -    0.0      -    0.0      0.0      0.3       0.1


(a) Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.


The reduction in total ore treated in the third quarter of 2003 was due
primarily to two incidents in the hoisting shaft, in July and September, which
caused a shutdown of hoisting and of the processing plants.


DIAMONDS

Argyle Diamonds
Total production from mining operations at Argyle Diamonds (Rio Tinto 100% (a))
in Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Ore processed ('000 tonnes):
   AK1 ore                                            2,558  2,525  2,509  2,305    2,601    7,578     7,415
   Alluvial ore                                         851    348      -      -       -     2,514        -

Total ore processed                                   3,409  2,873  2,509  2,305    2,601   10,092     7,415

Diamonds produced ('000 carats):
   AK1                                                8,599  9,482  6,909  6,004    9,690   22,718    22,603
   Alluvial                                             414    455      -      -       -       865        -

Total produced                                        9,013  9,936  6,909  6,004    9,690   23,583    22,603


(a) Rio Tinto's interest in the Argyle Diamond mine increased from 99.8% to 100%
on 29 April 2002, following the purchase of the outstanding units in the Western
Australian Diamond Trust.


Ore processed in the third quarter of 2003 from the AK1 pit was in line with
production levels in previous quarters apart from the second quarter of 2003,
which reflected the effect of an extended maintenance shutdown. Carats produced
reflected a return to processing higher grade ore from the central portion of
the pit, in accordance with mining schedules. Production from the alluvial
mining areas ceased in the fourth quarter of 2002.


Diavik Diamonds
Total production from mining operations at Diavik Diamonds (Rio Tinto 60%) in
the Northwest Territories, Canada.
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)                               -      -    202    304      368       -       874
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)                          -      -    411    854    1,466       -     2,731


The process plant ramp-up continued ahead of schedule with ore processed during
the third quarter of 2003 representing approximately 74% of design capacity.
Diamond head grade is increasing as mining moves into the ore body proper.


Merlin

Total production from the Merlin mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in the Northern
Territory, Australia.
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)                             184    217    204     33       -      570       237
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)                         33     28      -     44       18      90        62


Ore mining and processing ceased during the second quarter of 2003, while carats
recovered reflected the recovery of diamonds from stockpiled process plant
concentrates.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
IRON ORE

Hamersley Iron

Total production and shipments for all the mines operated by Hamersley Iron (Rio
Tinto 100%). These mines are Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, Marandoo,
Yandicoogina, Brockman (all Rio Tinto 100%) and Channar (Rio Tinto 60%); all in
Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Saleable iron ore produced ('000 tonnes):
   Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
   Marandoo, Yandicoogina and Brockman               15,711  13,121  13,616  15,900  16,079   44,442   45,595
   Channar                                            2,423   3,233   2,832   2,442   2,713    7,361    7,986

Total production                                     18,134  16,354  16,448  18,341  18,792   51,803   53,581

Total shipments ('000 tonnes)                        19,284  19,029  17,762  17,948  18,636   49,446   54,346



Production and shipments lifted slightly during the third quarter of 2003
compared with the previous quarter, showing continuing benefit from a strong
market. Production was also up compared with the third quarter of 2002, ahead of
planned maintenance in the fourth quarter of 2003.


Iron Ore Company of Canada
Total production and shipments from the Carol Lake operations (Rio Tinto 58.7%
(a)) in Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada.
(100% basis)

Carol Lake operations
Saleable production:
   Concentrates ('000 tonnes)                           532    494    272    712      958   2,689     1,942
   Pellets ('000 tonnes)                              1,778  2,816  2,820  2,908    2,823   6,759     8,551
Shipments:
   Concentrate ('000 tonnes)                            973    605    290    570      664   2,546     1,524
   Pellets ('000 tonnes)                              3,612  3,461  1,963  3,761    2,820   8,076     8,544


(a) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in IOC from 56.1% to 58.7% on 20
December 2002.

The seaborne market for both pellets and concentrates remains tight on the back
of strong growth in Chinese iron ore imports. Pellet shipments for the first
nine months of 2003 were higher than in the equivalent period of 2002, driven by
stronger seaborne demand and higher production.

The new control system on the automatic train operation completed commissioning
in the third quarter and ore delivery to the concentrator improved.  As a
result, saleable concentrate production improved over the second quarter of 2003
but remains lower for the first nine months of 2003 in comparison to the
equivalent period of 2002.  Part of this loss is attributable to an increase in
pellet production, which has been consistently higher in 2003 than in 2002.


Rio Tinto Brasil
Total production at Corumba (Rio Tinto 100%) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Corumba mine
Total iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a)             282    271    221    282      292     587       795

(a) Production includes by-product fines.


Production increased in the first nine months of 2003 compared with the first
nine months of 2002 in line with increased sales levels to Argentina and Europe.


Robe River Iron Associates
Total production and shipments from Robe River Iron Associates operations (Rio
Tinto 53%) in Western Australia.
(100% basis)

Pannawonica mine
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)            8,186  8,639  8,055  8,361    7,583   22,667    23,999
Sales ('000 tonnes)                                   8,848  7,612  7,054  8,137    8,413   24,361    23,604

West Angelas mine
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)            1,898  1,847  2,917  2,678    2,996    2,707     8,592
Sales ('000 tonnes)                                   1,777  1,532  2,908  2,943    2,585    1,908     8,436


Production of Robe River ore from Pannawonica in the third quarter of 2003 was
7% lower than in the third quarter of 2002. Production was affected by unplanned
maintenance at Cape Lambert, and a continuing issue of a lower throughput rate
caused by processing of wet ore. Sales were 3% higher than in the previous
quarter - reflecting seasonally strong demand and strong stock levels.

Production of West Angelas ore was higher than in previous quarters, with the
continuing ramp-up to a 20 million tonnes per year rate by the second quarter of
2004. Demand for West Angelas ore remains strong, however sales were 12% lower
than in the previous quarter due to depleted stock levels at the start of the
quarter, and slippage of vessels to next quarter. Strong sales are expected in
the fourth quarter of 2003 as production capacity increases.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
NICKEL

Rio Tinto Brasil
Total nickel in matte production at the Fortaleza (Rio Tinto 100%) in Brazil.

Fortaleza mine
Production (tonnes)                                     510  2,410  2,619    523    1,284   3,863     4,426

Production in the third quarter of 2003 was affected by an unscheduled smelter
stoppage after alterations to the mining methods.

Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Toll refined metal production at the Empress Nickel (Rio Tinto 56%) in Zimbabwe.
(100% basis)

Empress Nickel refinery
Production (tonnes)                                   1,761  1,479  1,078  1,481    1,836   4,933     4,395


SALT

Dampier Salt
Total production of salt from Dampier, Lake MacLeod and Port Hedland (Rio Tinto
64.9%) in Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Salt production ('000 tonnes)                         1,883  1,933  1,493  1,731    2,186   5,253     5,410

Salt production in the third quarter of 2003 reflected favourable weather
conditions.

TALC

The Luzenac Group
Total talc production from Luzenac Group operations in  Australia (Rio Tinto
100%), Europe (Rio Tinto 99.9%), and North America (Rio Tinto 100%).
(100% basis)
Talc production ('000 tonnes)                           341    318    358    329      350    1,010     1,037

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium
Rio Tinto share of titanium dioxide feedstock production in Canada and South
Africa.
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 tonnes)     309    319    290    319      265     955       873


Titanium dioxide feedstock production in the third quarter of 2003 was 14% below
that of 2002. Owing to softer market demand, output in the first nine months of
2003 was curtailed by some 9% compared with the equivalent period of 2002.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                        3Q     4Q     1Q     2Q        3Q  9 MTHS     9 MTHS
                                                       2002   2002   2003   2003     2003     2002      2003
URANIUM

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Total uranium production at Ranger (Rio Tinto 68.4%) in the Northern Territory,
Australia.
(100% basis)

Ranger mine
Production (tonnes U3O8)                              1,130  1,428  1,256  1,490    1,133   3,058     3,879


Production of U3O8 in the third quarter of 2003 was nearly 23% lower than in the
second quarter of 2003, as a result of the annual mill maintenance shutdown, and
on par with the third quarter of 2002


Rossing Uranium Ltd
Total uranium production at the Rossing Uranium mine (Rio Tinto 68.58%) in
Namibia.
(100% basis)
Production (tonnes U3O8)                                846    488     20    678      904    2,264     1,602


The Rossing plant did not operate during the first quarter of 2003, while a new
coarse tailings conveyor was installed. During the first quarter, shipments and
sales were made from stock as planned. The plant has moved to a higher
production rate, since restarting in April, in order to rebuild inventory.


ZINC

Zinkgruvan Mining AB
Total production at the Zinkgruvan mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Sweden.
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                               188    163    167    189      191      573       547
Average ore grades:
   Zinc (%)                                             8.0    8.6    9.5    9.1      8.8      6.8       9.1
   Lead (%)                                             5.3    4.2    4.3    4.4      4.8      3.7       4.5
   Silver (g/t)                                         119    104     99    101      102       86       101
Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes)           24.6   23.3   26.3   28.2     27.5     63.5      82.0
Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes)           13.1    8.5    9.1   11.0     11.3     27.5      31.4
Production of metal in concentrates:
   Zinc ('000 tonnes)                                  13.6   12.9   14.7   15.6     15.1     35.1      45.4
   Lead ('000 tonnes)                                   9.2    6.0    6.2    7.5      8.0     18.7      21.7
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                 545    383    363    447      460    1,171     1,270



Zinc production in the first three quarters of 2003 was higher than in all
quarters of 2002, reflecting the higher grades.


EXPLORATION

Expenditure

Total pre-tax exploration expenditure charged to the profit and loss account for
the quarter ending 30 September 2003 was US$33 million compared with US$29
million for the comparable quarter of 2002.  Total expenditure for the first
nine months of 2003 was US$97 million compared with US$87 million in the first
nine months of 2002.


Ongoing Programmes



Country         Commodity        Programme Summary

Peru            Copper           Exploration drilling has concluded at the 
                                 Marcona copper project in Peru. Metallurgical 
                                 and resource evaluation studies are continuing.

USA             Copper           Evaluation of the Resolution copper project 
                                 continues

Iran            Gold             Exploration drilling, metallurgical test work 
                                 and resource evaluation continued at the 
                                 Dashkasan gold project.

Turkey          Gold             Metallurgical and resource evaluation studies 
                                 continued at the Copler gold project in Turkey.

Botswana        Diamonds         Further drilling was completed on targets in 
                                 Botswana.

Canada          Diamonds         Exploration continued on kimberlite targets in 
                                 Ontario and Nunavut.

India           Diamonds         Exploration drilling was carried out on granted 
                                 reconnaissance permits in Andhra Pradesh.

Australia       Iron Ore         Drilling on targets in the Hamersley Basin 
                                 continued.

Guinea          Iron Ore         Evaluation work continued at the Simandou 
                                 project as a preliminary to initiation of an 
                                 Order of Magnitude study.



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange