ERA Quarterly Report

Rio Tinto PLC
18 October 2001

            ERA Quarterly Report to 30 September 2001 (unaudited)


                                                 Current year     Previous year

                                               3 months ended    3 months ended

                                            30 September 2001 30 September 2000

Sales revenue ($ million)                                20.3              27.2
Earnings before interest and tax ($                       4.8               4.8
million)
Profit after tax ($ million)                              4.9               1.6
Production - drummed (tonnes U3O8)                        798             1,129
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 272               497
Average grade (%)                                       0.301             0.264


Rio Tinto's 68.4 per cent owned Energy Resources of Australia Ltd. (ERA) today
reported a profit after tax (NPAT) for the September quarter of $4.9 million
(2000: $1.6 million). This result was favourably impacted by a tax credit
during the quarter. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for the September
2001 quarter was $4.8 million (2000: $4.8 million).

Sales

Sales revenue was $20.3 million (2000: $27.2 million).

The spot price of uranium at 30 September 2001 was US$9.30lb (2000:
US$7.40lb). The spot price has risen from historical lows at the beginning of
2001 to more than US$9.00lb as the year has progressed.

Production

Production (drummed) decreased to 798 tonnes during the quarter ended 30
September 2001 (2000: 1,129 tonnes). As reported previously, the present level
of production has been reduced to be in line with current sales forecasts and
to manage inventory levels. The Ranger mill completed its annual maintenance
shutdown during the quarter

Exploration & Evaluation Expenditure

The Company did not undertake any exploration expenditure during the quarter.

Developments

In regard to the Jabiluka development, ERA continues to provide the Northern
Land Council with information about its business. ERA continues to work toward
improving dialogue with stakeholders, particularly Aboriginal representatives,
so that improved social, environmental and economic outcomes can be delivered
for the region.



For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                 AUSTRALIA
Media Relations                        Media Relations

Lisa Cullimore                         Tim Duncan

+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305                  [phone]
Investor Relations                     Investor Relations

Peter Cunningham                       Dave Skinner

+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2401                  + 61 (0) 3 9283 3628

Jonathan Murrin                        Daphne Morros

+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2326                  + 61 (0) 3 9283 3639

Website: www.riotinto.com