Operations Not Affected by Millennium Changeover

Rio Tinto PLC
4 January 2000




     RIO TINTO OPERATIONS NOT AFFECTED BY MILLENNIUM CHANGEOVER

Rio Tinto reported today that there have been no significant Y2K-related
incidents at any of its operations.

As part of its three year preparation for Y2K, Rio Tinto:

 - Sought to ensure that its operations were Y2K compliant in every respect,
   and;
 - Established a centre to enable the communication of any problems to other 
   sites within minutes of their identification to avoid or minimise any Y2K    
  effects.

A spokesman said that Rio Tinto did not anticipate future problems owing to the
Changeover, but would continue to monitor systems closely.

For further information, please contact

Media Relations:   Alex Fernandez - [phone]