Comalco Joint Venture

RIO TINTO PLC
27 July 1999


  Comalco to begin final feasibility study on Gladstone site
                            option
                               
Comalco  Chief  Executive,  Terry Palmer  today  welcomed  the
announcement  by the Queensland Premier, Peter  Beattie,  that
Allgas  had  reached an agreement with the  Papua  New  Guinea
Pipeline  Joint Venture on the supply of gas to  a  number  of
Queensland customers, including Comalco.

Mr. Palmer said, 'This is a very welcome and positive move for
Queensland  and  Papua  New Guinea and  I  congratulate  those
involved.

'It  enables  Comalco  to commence work immediately  on  final
feasibility for the Gladstone site option for our proposed new
alumina refinery.'

For further information, please contact:

Geoffrey Ewing
General Manager External Affairs
[phone] (office)
[phone] (mobile)