Appointment of Director

Rio Tinto PLC
14 October 2003

Appointment of Director





Rio Tinto is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir John Kerr as a
non-executive director of the Company with effect from 14 October 2003.



Sir John has had a long and distinguished career with the UK Diplomatic service,
culminating with his appointment as Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign
Office.  Earlier appointments included Ambassador to the European Union and the
United States.  After retiring from the Foreign Office in 2002, he was Secretary
General of the European Convention, which prepared the draft EU Constitutional
Treaty.  Sir John is also a Director of The 'Shell' Transport and Trading
Company p.l.c. and Scottish American Investment Trust plc.





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




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