Sepon Project to be Sold

Rio Tinto PLC
21 December 1999

                Rio Tinto to sell Sepon project

The  following  was  announced by Rio Tinto  Limited  on  21st
December 1999.

Pacific  Resources  Investments Limited, a subsidiary  of  Rio
Tinto  Limited (Rio Tinto), has reached in-principle agreement
with  Oxiana Resources N.L. to sell 80 percent of its interest
in the Sepon copper and gold project in Laos.

Exploration  by  Rio  Tinto since 1992  has  resulted  in  the
discovery  of  both  gold and high-grade copper  resources  in
various  deposits  over  the  area.   While  significant,  the
resource is considered not of sufficient size for Rio Tinto to
develop.

Sale  of  the Sepon Project is subject to approval of the  Lao
Government, final legal and commercial due diligence by Oxiana
and  project financing arrangements being put in  place.   Rio
Tinto will retain 20 percent equity in the project.

For further information, please contact:


External Affairs

Andrew Vickerman

+ 44 207 753 2142