Ashton Mining of Canada

Rio Tinto PLC
13 March 2006

Rio Tinto agrees to acquire shares of Ashton Mining of Canada


Rio Tinto has agreed to acquire 5,539,286 common shares of Ashton Mining of
Canada Inc. ('Ashton') at a price of C$1.40 per common share in connection with
the issuance of common shares of Ashton by way of a public offering qualified by
a short form prospectus. This acquisition represents approximately 6.6% of
Ashton's current issued and outstanding common shares for gross proceeds to
Ashton of C$7,755,000.


Following the completion of the acquisition, Rio Tinto (through both Ashton
Canada Pty. Limited, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Limited,
and QIT-Fer et Titane Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto
plc) will hold 49,037,982 common shares of Ashton (representing approximately
51.7% of Ashton's issued and outstanding common shares).


Rio Tinto has no present intention of acquiring other securities of Ashton or of
disposing of any of the securities of Ashton which it holds.  Depending upon its
evaluation of Ashton's business, prospects and financial condition, the market
for Ashton's securities, general economic conditions and other factors, Rio
Tinto may acquire additional securities of Ashton or sell some or all of the
securities it holds.




For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                            AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                   Media Relations
Hugh Leggatt                                      Ian Head
Office:  [phone]                     Office:  [phone]
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Investor Relations                                Investor Relations
Nigel Jones                                       Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                      Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]


David Ovington                                    Susie Creswell
Office:  [phone]                     Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]


Website: www.riotinto.com


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