Directors' Dealings

RIO TINTO PLC
12 October 1999


LETTER TO COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE

We wish to advise you that the Rio Tinto Share Ownership Trust (a trust for the 
benefit of Rio Tinto Group employees) has bought 107,000 Rio Tinto Ordinary
shares at a price of £10.710163 on 11 October 1999.

The number of shares held by The Rio Tinto Employee Share Ownership Trust now
totals 315,395 shares.

The following directors of Rio Tinto plc, together with other Rio Tinto Group
employees are interested in these shares by virtue of their status as potential
beneficiaries of the trust:-

Mr R Adams
Mr C R H Bull
Mr J C A Leslie
Mr G H Sage
Mr R P Wilson

LETTER FROM:  RIO TINTO PLC