Lihir Gold

Rio Tinto PLC
16 September 2005

Rio Tinto relinquishes Lihir management agreement


Rio Tinto has reached agreement with Lihir Gold to relinquish its management
agreement with Lihir, effective from October this year.


Rio Tinto has agreed to provide Lihir with access to technical and other support
services on commercial terms over a transitional period of up to two years.



For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                             AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                    Media Relations
Lisa Cullimore                                     Ian Head
Office:  [phone]                      Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations                                 Investor Relations
Nigel Jones                                        Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                       Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]
Richard Brimelow                                   Susie Creswell
Office:  [phone]                      Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                       Mobile: [phone]


Website: www.riotinto.com




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