Offer Update

Rio Tinto PLC
24 July 2000

                      Rio Tinto's bid for North receives                      
                   Foreign Investment Review Board approval                   

 
 
Rio Tinto has received approval for its proposed acquisition of North Limited
from the Foreign Investment Review Board of Australia. This approval means
that condition 2.6 (c) of the offer has been satisfied.
 
 
 
For further information, please contact:
     
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
 
Lisa Cullimore                      Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305               + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
Website: www.riotinto.com