Offer Closed

Rio Tinto PLC
5 June 2000


Rio Tinto offer for Comalco now closed and compulsory acquisition notices
despatched 
 
Rio Tinto Limited's offer for Comalco closed today with Rio Tinto having
acquired 98.45% of Comalco.  
 
Based on the acceptances received as at the close of the offer, Rio Tinto
will have issued 5.9 million ordinary shares and will have paid A$1,217.7
million in cash for the Comalco shares it has acquired, as shown in the table
below. 
 
Rio Tinto has moved to compulsory acquisition of the outstanding 1.55% of
Comalco with the filing and despatch today of compulsory acquisition notices.
 
 
Composition of Acceptances (as at close of Offer on 5 June 2000)

  Consideration                 Number of Comalco      Cash/Shares issued, or 
                                 Shares accepted         to be issued by      
                                                             Rio Tinto  
      
  $9.50 cash                     128.2 million              A$1,217.7 million 
  
  Rio Tinto Limited Shares         9.0 million              3.0 million       
  Rio Tinto plc Shares             8.7 million              2.9 million       
 
 
For further information, please contact: 
 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                       Peter Jarvis
+ 44 207 753 2305                    + 44 207 753 2401