Statement re Hamersley Iron

Rio Tinto PLC
03 October 2003


Hamersley Iron ships first Yandi ore through Cape Lambert port


Rio Tinto's subsidiary Hamersley Iron yesterday shipped iron ore from its
Yandicoogina mine, in Western Australia, through Robe River's Cape Lambert port
facilities.  The vessel, Lowlands Beilun, carrying 168,000 tonnes of HI Yandi
product is destined for Nippon Steel.


This is the first Hamersley Iron product to be shipped through Robe River's port
facilities.

Rio Tinto and the other Robe River Joint Venture Participants reached an
in-principle agreement for shipment of Hamersley's Yandi ore from Cape Lambert
in late September 2003.


Robe River Iron Associates is an unincorporated joint venture with interests
held by Rio Tinto, Mitsui, Nippon Steel Australia and Sumitomo Metal Australia.
Hamersley Iron is 100 per cent owned by Rio Tinto.



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