Offer Update

Rio Tinto PLC
2 August 2000


                      Rio Tinto's bid for North receives                      
                                                                              
                         European Commission approval                         

Rio Tinto has received approval for its proposed acquisition of North Limited
from the European Commission. This approval means that condition 2.6(d) of
the offer has been satisfied.

Rio Tinto has been advised by the Australian Competition & Consumer
Commission that it does not propose to intervene in the offer pursuant to
Section 50 of the Trade Practices Act.
 
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