Diavik Diamonds Project - Environmental Agreement

Rio Tinto PLC
9 March 2000



            DIAVIK DIAMONDS PROJECT - ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENT
                             
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc, (DDMI) a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto,
announced the signing of the Environmental Agreement for the Diavik Diamonds
Project on 8 March 2000.  In addition to DDMI, the Parties to the Diavik
Environmental Agreement include the Government of Canada represented by the
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) and the
Government of the Northwest Territories, represented by the Department of
Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Representatives of the Dogrib
Treaty 11 Council, the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, the Yellowknives Dene
First Nation, the North Slave Metis Alliance and the Kitikmeot Inuit
Association participated in the negotiations.  The above mentioned Aboriginal
Groups are expected to become Parties to the agreement following ratification
by their respective leaderships.

The Environmental Agreement sets out the environmental monitoring and
reporting requirements for the project.  The agreement also sets out
conditions for the reclamation security deposit requirements for the Diavik
project.  The agreement is the first of its kind in Canada having the
following combination of key components:

  *    Majority representation by Aboriginal Groups on the project's          
       Environmental Advisory Review Board;
  *    Progressive reclamation of mine workings to achieve incremental        
       abandonment in a manner consistent with sustainable development;
  *    Mechanisms for proponent participation in a Regional
       Cumulative Effects Management Forum; and
  *    The provision of environmental security consistent with
       life-of-mine closure costs and progressive reclamation as well 
       as additional security to meet the Government of Canada's requirements 
       for adequate funding in the event of premature mine
       closure.  The maximum security required is forecast to be approximately
       C$180 million, taking into consideration credits for progressive
       reclamation.
     
The conclusion of the major milestone should now enable the timely issuance of
the final project authorisations.  In the interim, DDMI plans to remobilise
its workforce at its existing camp facilities and utilise the balance of the
2000 winter road season.  The extent to which full use of the remaining winter
road will be possible is dependent upon DIAND issuing appropriate land use
permits.  The impact of the mobilisation delay on the overall project
time-line will be dependent, among other factors, on the weather sensitive
winter road schedule.

The Diavik Diamonds Project is an unincorporated joint venture between DDMI
(60%) and Aber Diamonds Mines Ltd.(40%).  Both companies are headquartered in
Yellowknife. DDMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc of London,
England, and Aber Diamond Mines Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aber
Resources Ltd. of Toronto, Ontario.


For further information contact:

Media Relations                    Investor Relations
John Hughes                        Peter Jarvis
+ 44 207 753 2331                  + 44 207 753 2401