1st Quarter Results

Rio Tinto PLC
28 April 2003

                     Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report
                      for the Quarter Ending 31 March 2003


•  Shipments from Hamersley Iron in the first quarter of 2003 were 35
per cent above the first quarter of last year and 16 per cent above the previous
first quarter record set in 2001. Production was five per cent lower than the
first quarter of 2002 due to adverse weather conditions. Demand for ore from
Robe River's new West Angelas mine was strong.

•  Aluminium production was six per cent above the first quarter of 2002
as a result of the acquisition of additional equity in the Boyne Island smelter
in July 2002. Production of alumina was in line with the first quarter of 2002.

•  Excluding Moura, Narama and Ravensworth East mines which were sold in
the first half of 2002, production from the Australian and Indonesian coal mines
was five per cent higher than the first quarter of last year.  Compared with the
last quarter of 2002, production was down seven per cent as it continued to be
constrained in line with market demand.

•  Production of US coal was marginally down compared with the same
quarter of last year, in line with market demand.

•  Mined copper production was 16 per cent above the first quarter of
2002 reflecting production from the new Laguna Seca concentrator at Escondida.
Production from Grasberg was higher than the first quarter of last year but
lower than the third and fourth quarters reflecting variations in grade. Refined
copper production was eight per cent below the first quarter of last year due to
a smelter shut down at Kennecott Utah Copper.

•  Mined gold production was 11 per cent above the first quarter of 2002
as higher grades at Grasberg more than offset lower grades at Kennecott Utah
Copper.  Compared with the last quarter of 2002 mined gold production was six
per cent lower as grades were lower at both these mines.

•  Titanium dioxide feedstock production was twelve per cent below the
first quarter of last year as production was curtailed in line with market
demand.

•  The new Diavik mine produced its first diamonds in January.



For further information, please contact:


LONDON                                             AUSTRALIA
Media Relations                                    Media Relations
Lisa Cullimore                                     Ian Head
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305                              [phone]

Investor Relations                                 Investor Relations
Peter Cunningham                                   Dave Skinner
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2401                              [phone]
Richard Brimelow                                   Daphne Morros
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2326                              [phone]
Website: www.riotinto.com


                                                                                                                     
   RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY                                                                                      
   RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION                                                                                     
                                                                           QUARTER    FULL YEAR             % CHANGE 
                                                         2002      2002      2003         2002        Q1 03    Q1 03 
                                                           Q1        Q4        Q1                        vs       vs 
   Principal Commodities                                                                              Q4 02    Q1 02 
   Alumina                                ('000 t)        492       479       493        1,947           3%       0% 
   Aluminium                              ('000 t)      191.1     208.4     202.7        795.4          -3%       6% 
   Borates                                ('000 t)        130       136       139          528           3%       7% 
   Coal - Australian and Indonesian       ('000 t)     11,021    11,245    10,474       43,830          -7%      -5% 
   Coal - US                              ('000 t)     25,853    28,063    25,424      105,320          -9%      -2% 
   Copper - mined                         ('000 t)      200.6     243.8     231.9        887.1          -5%      16% 
   Copper - refined                       ('000 t)      104.2     105.1      96.0        416.9          -9%      -8% 
   Diamonds                             ('000 cts)      6,177     9,964     7,156       33,620         -28%      16% 
   Gold - mined                         ('000 ozs)        687       814       765        3,135          -6%      11% 
   Gold - refined                       ('000 ozs)        127       105        96          488          -9%     -24% 
   Iron ore                               ('000 t)     22,507    22,757    23,167       90,951           2%       3% 
   Titanium dioxide feedstock             ('000 t)        328       319       290        1,274          -9%     -12% 


   Other Metals & Minerals                                                                                           
   Bauxite                                ('000 t)      2,881     3,000     2,958       11,724          -1%       3% 
   Lead - mined                           ('000 t)        8.4       9.8      10.0         40.4           2%      19% 
   Molybdenum                             ('000 t)        1.7       1.4       1.2          6.1         -14%     -27% 
   Nickel in matte                        (tonnes)      2,063     2,410     2,619        6,273           9%      27% 
   Nickel - refined                       (tonnes)        943       829       604        3,594         -27%     -36% 
   Salt                                   ('000 t)      1,103     1,255       970        4,667         -23%     -12% 
   Silver - mined                       ('000 ozs)      4,192     4,269     3,960       17,207          -7%      -6% 
   Silver - refined                     ('000 ozs)        790       965       975        4,037           1%      23% 
   Talc                                   ('000 t)        322       318       358        1,327          13%      11% 
   Tin                                    (tonnes)        123        11         -          169        -100%    -100% 
   Uranium                                (tonnes)      1,160     1,311       873        4,955         -33%     -25% 
   Zinc - mined                           ('000 t)       22.5      24.8      26.8         94.7           8%      19% 
 


Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the
figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.
Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown,
hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and
the full year figures.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION

                                                                                                       FULL
                                                              1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q       1Q      YEAR
                                          Interest          2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Eurallumina                                    56%           141     139     145     142      139       567
Queensland Alumina                             39%           352     350     342     337      354     1,380
Rio Tinto total alumina production                           492     489     487     479      493     1,947

ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Anglesey                                       51%          18.2    17.2    17.6    18.1     18.3      71.1
Bell Bay                                      100%          40.3    39.9    41.6    42.1     40.7     163.9
Boyne Island (a)                               59%          67.0    71.0    77.3    79.4     77.7     294.6
Tiwai Point                                    79%          65.6    65.9    65.6    68.8     66.1     265.9
Rio Tinto total aluminium                                  191.1   193.9   202.0   208.4    202.7     795.4
production

BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Boke                                            4%           122     121     121     118       58       482
Weipa                                         100%         2,759   2,738   2,863   2,882    2,901    11,241
Rio Tinto total bauxite production                         2,881   2,859   2,984   3,000    2,958    11,724

BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total borate production             100%           130     130     132     136      139       528

COAL                                                Coal
Australian coal operations ('000                    type
tonnes)
Coal & Allied Industries (b):
      Bengalla                                 30%     S     275     493     359     459      393     1,587
      Hunter Valley Operations                 76%     S   1,419   1,831   1,791   1,716    1,789     6,756
                                               76%     M     767     659     465     640      606     2,531
      Mount Thorley Operations                 61%     S     362     340     363     386      309     1,451
                                               61%     M     327     295     229     221      216     1,073
      Moura (c)                                 0%     S     268     139       -       -       -        407
                                                0%     M     323     230       -       -       -        552
      Narama (c)                                0%     S     135       -       -       -       -        135
      Ravensworth East (c)                      0%     S     281       -       -       -       -        281
      Warkworth                                42%     S     647     570     582     787      688     2,586
                                               42%     M      72      75      66      18       47       231
Pacific Coal:
      Blair Athol Coal                         71%     S   2,130   1,846   2,407   2,030    2,237     8,412
      Kestrel Coal                             80%     S     259     322     274     494      285     1,348
                                               80%     M     505     501     383     536      366     1,925
      Tarong Coal                             100%     S   1,314   1,422   1,254   1,695    1,451     5,685
Total Australian coal                                      9,083   8,724   8,172   8,981    8,386    34,960
Indonesian coal operations ('000
tonnes)
Kaltim Prima Coal (d)                          50%     S   1,938   2,128   2,540   2,264    2,088     8,870
US coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy
      Antelope                                100%     S   5,335   6,075   6,452   6,457    6,233    24,319
      Colowyo (e)                             100%     S   1,177   1,309   1,229   1,174    1,110     4,889
      Cordero Rojo                            100%     S   9,100   8,990   7,474   9,160    8,187    34,724
      Decker                                   50%     S   1,072   1,046   1,196   1,198      679     4,511
      Jacobs Ranch                            100%     S   6,869   6,593   7,315   8,007    7,402    28,784
      Spring Creek                            100%     S   2,300   2,007   1,719   2,067    1,814     8,093
Total US coal                                             25,853  26,020  25,385  28,063   25,424   105,320
Rio Tinto total coal production                           36,874  36,872  36,097  39,307   35,899   149,149



Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site.
Key to coal type:  S = Steaming/ thermal coal, M = Metallurgical/ coking coal.
See footnotes on page 6.



RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
                                                                                                       FULL
                                                           1Q       2Q       3Q       4Q       1Q      YEAR
                                       Interest          2002     2002     2002     2002     2003      2002
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Alumbrera (f)                                0%          12.8     12.8     11.5     13.9      8.7      50.9
Bingham Canyon                             100%          62.5     64.3     64.4     69.0     64.8     260.2
Escondida                                   30%          48.7     61.0     47.9     68.7     75.3     226.3
Grasberg - FCX (g)                          15%          21.0     26.4     30.0     30.1     27.3     107.5
Grasberg - Joint Venture (g)                40%          28.4     39.1     39.6     40.9     33.7     148.0
Neves Corvo                                 49%           9.0     10.8      8.5      9.5     11.0      37.8
Northparkes                                 80%           9.5      8.4      6.7      6.1      5.7      30.7
Palabora                                    49%           8.6      5.5      6.0      5.6      5.5      25.7
Rio Tinto total mine production                         200.6    228.3    214.4    243.8    231.9     887.1
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper (g)                         17%          10.3     10.5     10.2     10.5     10.1      41.5
Escondida                                   30%          11.0     11.3      9.3     10.0     10.7      41.6
Kennecott Utah Copper                      100%          74.9     76.1     68.1     74.6     67.4     293.7
Palabora                                    49%           8.0     10.8     11.3     10.0      7.8      40.2
Rio Tinto total refined                                 104.2    108.7     99.0    105.1     96.0     416.9
production

DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle (h)                                 100%         6,143    8,411    9,013    9,936    6,909    33,503
Diavik                                      60%             -        -        -        -      247         -
Merlin                                     100%            34       22       33       28       -        117
Rio Tinto total diamond                                 6,177    8,433    9,046    9,964    7,156    33,620
production

GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Alumbrera (f)                                0%            51       49       40       48       31       188
Barneys Canyon                             100%            27       22       16       10        9        75
Bingham Canyon                             100%           125       95      103       89       67       412
Cortez/Pipeline                             40%           111      118      101      102      127       433
Escondida                                   30%             8       12        7       11       11        38
Grasberg - FCX (g)                          15%            52       69      131      103       89       355
Grasberg - Joint Venture (g)                40%            86      141      208      227      163       662
Greens Creek                                70%            17       20       18       18       16        72
Kelian                                      90%           103      115      158      109      166       485
Lihir                                       16%            24       25       22       27       21        99
Morro do Ouro                               51%            28       30       30       27       25       115
Northparkes                                 80%             9        8        9        7        8        33
Peak (f)                                     0%            27       20       30       20       20        97
Rawhide                                     51%            12       11        9       10        7        42
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe                          56%             6        6        5        4        3        21
Others                                        -             2        2        2        2        1         8
Rio Tinto total mine production                           687      745      890      814      765     3,135
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper                      100%           127      133      123      105       96       488

IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar                                     60%         1,517    1,446    1,454    1,940    1,699     6,356
Corumba                                    100%           104      201      282      271      221       858
Hamersley                                  100%        14,653   14,078   15,711   13,121   13,616    57,563
Iron Ore Company of Canada (i)              59%         1,815    2,189    1,296    1,868    1,816     7,168
(j)
Robe River                                  53%         4,418    3,686    5,345    5,558    5,815    19,006
Rio Tinto total mine production                        22,507   21,600   24,087   22,757  23,167     90,951



Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of
saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.
See footnotes on page 6.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
                                                                                                     FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q       1Q      YEAR
                                        Interest          2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek                                 70%           3.7     4.6     3.5     3.8      3.8      15.7
Zinkgruvan                                  100%           4.7     4.9     9.2     6.0      6.2      24.7
Rio Tinto total mine production                            8.4     9.5    12.7     9.8     10.0      40.4

MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon                              100%           1.7     1.3     1.7     1.4      1.2       6.1

NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza                                   100%         2,063   1,290     510   2,410    2,619     6,273
Toll refined metal production
(tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress                 56%           943     835     987     829      604     3,594

SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt                                 65%         1,103   1,085   1,223   1,255      970     4,667

SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon                              100%         1,032     924     866     841      762     3,663
Escondida                                    30%           209     244     182     259      315       894
Grasberg - FCX (g)                           15%           151     201     233     219      236       804
Grasberg - Joint Venture (g)                 40%           115     193     264     470      111     1,043
Greens Creek                                 70%         1,960   2,029   1,955   1,724    1,750     7,668
Zinkgruvan                                  100%           324     302     545     383      363     1,554
Others                                         -           401     425     383     372      422     1,582
Rio Tinto total mine production                          4,192   4,318   4,427   4,269    3,960    17,207
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper                       100%           790   1,104   1,178     965      975     4,037

TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group                              99.9%           322     346     341     318      358     1,327

TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo                                  49%           123      36       -      11       -        169

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium                   100%           328     318     309     319      290     1,274

URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia                68%           650     668     773     977      859     3,068
Rossing                                      69%           510     463     580     335       14     1,887
Rio Tinto total uranium production                       1,160   1,131   1,353   1,311      873     4,955



Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the contained tonnage
of nickel.
See footnotes on page 6.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
                                                                                                     FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q       1Q      YEAR
                                        Interest          2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek                                 70%          11.4    12.4    11.1    11.9     12.1      46.7
Zinkgruvan                                  100%          11.1    10.4    13.6    12.9     14.7      48.0
Rio Tinto total mine production                           22.5    22.8    24.7    24.8     26.8      94.7



(a)     Comalco acquired an approximately 5% additional interest in production
from the Boyne Island smelter with effect from August 2002.

(b)     Rio Tinto increased its stake in Coal & Allied from 72.7% to 75.7% on 17
September 2002.

(c)     On 14 March 2002, Coal & Allied completed the sale of its interests in
Narama and Ravensworth. Coal & Allied sold its interest in the Moura coal mine
with effect from 24 May 2002. Production data are shown up to the dates of sale.

(d)     Rio Tinto has a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its
Coal Agreement, the Indonesian Government is entitled to a 13.5% share of Kaltim
Prima's production.  Rio Tinto's share of production shown is before deduction
of the Government share.

(e)     Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as
it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the mine,
all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(f)      Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% interest in Minera Alumbrera
together with its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March 2003. Production data
are shown up to the dates of sale.

(g)     Through its interest in Freeport-McMoRan-Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto
had, as of 31 March 2003, a 14.9% share in the Grasberg mine and a 16.5% share
in Atlantic Copper. Through a joint venture agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is
entitled, as shown separately in the above tables, to 40% of additional material
mined as a consequence of the expansion of the Grasberg facilities in 1998.

(h)     Rio Tinto's interest in the Argyle Diamond mine increased from 99.8% to
100% on 29 April 2002, following the purchase of the outstanding units in the
Western Australian Diamond Trust.

(i)       Rio Tinto owns 20.3% of the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund. The
Fund has a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada but this has not been
included in the calculation of tonnage attributable to Rio Tinto.

(j)       Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada
from 56.1% to 58.7% on 20 December 2002.



Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicated
above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average
interest over the relevant periods.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
ALUMINIUM
Anglesey Aluminium
Total production at the Anglesey Aluminium smelter (Rio Tinto 51%) in the UK.
(100% basis)
Aluminium hot metal production ('000 tonnes)               35.7    33.7    34.4    35.6     35.8     139.3


Comalco

Total production at Comalco operations: Weipa (Rio Tinto 100%) in Australia;
Boke (Rio Tinto 4%) in Guinea; Eurallumina (Rio Tinto 56.2%) in Italy;
Queensland Alumina (Rio Tinto 38.6%) in Australia; Bell Bay (Rio Tinto 100%) in
Australia; Boyne Island (Rio Tinto 59.4% (a)) in Australia and Tiwai Point (Rio
Tinto 79.4%) in New Zealand.
(100% basis)

Weipa mine, Queensland
Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes)             2,759   2,738   2,863   2,882    2,901    11,241
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)               2,730   2,783   2,737   2,882    2,778    11,132
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes)                    49      41      22      30       41       142
Boke mine
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)                          2,857   2,884   3,176   3,113    2,365    12,030
Eurallumina refinery, Sardinia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)                            251     248     259     253      248     1,010
Queensland Alumina refinery, Queensland
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)                            911     906     884     873      916     3,574
Bell Bay smelter, Tasmania
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)                 40.3    39.9    41.6    42.1     40.7     163.9
Boyne Island smelter, Queensland (a)
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)                125.1   130.2   133.1   131.8    129.7     520.2
Tiwai Point smelter
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)                 82.4    82.5    84.3    84.7     83.3     333.9
Sales of aluminium attributable to Comalco ('000          177.4   178.9   174.4   187.7    180.0     718.4
tonnes)



(a)     Comalco acquired an approximately 5% additional interest in production
from the Boyne Island smelter with effect from August 2002.



First quarter production at Queensland Alumina was higher than in previous
quarters reflecting the unexpected power outages and unscheduled maintenance
which impaired 2002 production.



Aluminium sales in the first quarter of 2003 were lower than in the fourth
quarter of 2002 due to a build-up of in-transit metal and deferral of some sales
to the second quarter.  Production at all smelters was higher compared to the
equivalent quarter in 2002. In response to higher spot power prices in New
Zealand, Tiwai Point announced in March 2003 that it was reducing production by
about 10%.



BORATES
Rio Tinto Borax

Total production at the Boron mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in California, US and at the
Tincalayu, Sijes, Porvenir and Maggie mines (Rio Tinto 100%) in Argentina.
(100% basis)

Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)                                   130     130     132     136      139       528



(a)     Production is expressed as B2O3 content.



Production in the first quarter of 2003 was marginally higher than in the
equivalent period of 2002.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COAL
Coal & Allied Industries Limited (a)
Total production and sales from the mines operated by Coal & Allied Industries
in Australia: Bengalla (Rio Tinto 30%); Hunter Valley Operations (Rio Tinto
76%);  Mount Thorley Operations (Rio Tinto 61%); and Warkworth (Rio Tinto 42%),
all in New South Wales.
(100% basis)

Bengalla mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       944   1,696   1,228   1,517    1,298     5,385
Hunter Valley Operations
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                     1,951   2,518   2,448   2,266    2,363     9,183
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)            1,055     907     636     845      800     3,442
Mount Thorley Operations
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       623     584     621     637      510     2,465
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)              562     508     392     365      356     1,827
Moura mine (b)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       670     348       -       -       -      1,018
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)              577     377       -       -       -        954
Coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                        230     197       -       -       -        427
Narama mine (b)                                                                               -
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       370       -       -       -       -        370
Ravensworth East mine (b)                                                                     -
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       387       -       -       -       -        387
Warkworth mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                     1,602   1,411   1,430   1,871    1,634     6,314
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)              178     186     162      42      112       568
Total Coal & Allied Industries
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                       9,149   8,732   6,915   7,544    7,074    32,340
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (c)                             8,786   8,425   6,851   7,486    7,174    31,549



(a)     Rio Tinto increased its stake in Coal & Allied from 72.7% to 75.7% on 17
September 2002.

(b)     The sale of Coal & Allied's share of Narama and Ravensworth was
completed on 14 March 2002. Coal & Allied sold its interest in the Moura coal
mine with effect from 24 May 2002.

(c)     Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded
coal.



Coal production continues to be managed in line with market demand.  Shipments
were affected by constraints through the Port of Newcastle.


Kaltim Prima Coal
Total production and shipments from the Kaltim Prima Coal mine (Rio Tinto 50%)
in Indonesia, including the share of production attributed to the Indonesian
Government (see footnote (d) on page 6).
(100% basis)

Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                               3,877   4,256   5,080   4,527    4,177    17,740
   Shipments ('000 tonnes)                                3,859   3,546   4,871   4,911    4,522    17,187


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COAL (continued)

Kennecott Energy and Coal Company

Total production from the mines operated by Kennecott Energy and Coal Company in
the US: Antelope (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Colowyo in Colorado, where
Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest and full management responsibility -
(see footnote (e) on page 6); Cordero Rojo (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Decker
(Rio Tinto 50%) in Montana; Jacobs Ranch (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming and Spring
Creek (Rio Tinto 100%) in Montana.
(100% basis)

Antelope mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                    5,335   6,075   6,452   6,457    6,233    24,319
Colowyo mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                    1,177   1,309   1,229   1,174    1,110     4,889
Cordero Rojo mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                    9,100   8,990   7,474   9,160    8,187    34,724
Decker mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                    2,143   2,092   2,391   2,395    1,357     9,021
Jacobs Ranch mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                    6,869   6,593   7,315   8,007    7,402    28,784
Spring Creek mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                    2,300   2,007   1,719   2,067    1,814     8,093
Total Kennecott Energy
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                     26,924  27,066  26,580  29,260   26,103   109,830



Production was marginally lower than in the first quarter of 2002, in line with
market demand. Production at Cordero Rojo was adversely affected by the flow-on
effects of pit wall instability in 2002.


Pacific Coal
Total production and sales from the mines operated by Pacific Coal in
Queensland, Australia: Blair Athol Coal (Rio Tinto 71.2%), Kestrel Coal (Rio
Tinto 80%) and Tarong Coal (Rio Tinto 100%).
(100% basis)

Blair Athol Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                               2,990   2,591   3,379   2,849    3,140    11,809
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                    3,549   2,429   3,413   2,913    3,237    12,304
Kestrel Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                 323     403     342     617      356     1,685
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                      100     169     101     135      404       505
Coking coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                 631     626     479     670      458     2,406
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                      298     456     330     394      122     1,478
Semi-hard coking coalLa)
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                      196     485     567     380      449     1,628
Tarong Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                               1,314   1,422   1,254   1,695    1,451     5,685
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                    1,242   1,273   1,404   1,503    1,635     5,422
Total Pacific Coal
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                       5,258   5,042   5,453   5,831    5,405    21,585



(a)     Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal. The
product mix is customer dependent.



Higher Blair Athol sales for the first quarter of 2003 compared with the fourth
quarter of 2002 were the result of shipments rolling over from 2002 to 2003.
Kestrel production for the first quarter of 2003 compared with the fourth
quarter of 2002 was lower due to a longwall changeover and associated
commissioning. Tarong sales were higher in the first quarter of 2003 compared
with the fourth quarter of 2002 due to increased deliveries to the new Tarong
North power station.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COPPER & GOLD

Alumbrera
Total production and sales at the Bajo de la Alumbrera mine (Rio Tinto 0% (a))
in Argentina.
(100% basis)

Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 7,145   7,676   8,033   8,704    7,053    31,558
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                              0.76    0.75    0.62    0.69     0.54      0.70
   Gold (g/t)                                              1.11    1.02    0.78    0.85     0.69      0.93
Concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                       183.4   187.4   168.0   204.7    130.9    743.5
Copper in concentrates:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                51.0    51.2    45.9    55.6     34.9     203.7
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                     50.9    49.0    41.1    53.0     37.0     194.0
Production of gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)            188     183     148     176      108       694
Production of gold in dore ('000 ounces)                     15      15      13      17       16        60
Total gold sales ('000 ounces)                              202     191     148     187      132       729



(a)     Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% holding in Minera Alumbrera on
17 March 2003.


Escondida

Total production at the Escondida mine (Rio Tinto 30%) in Chile.
(100% basis)

Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                      10,452  11,312  10,141  14,631   16,744    46,536
Average copper grade (%)                                  1.53    1.74    1.45    1.59     1.49      1.58
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
   Contained copper ('000 tonnes)                        134.9   170.3   125.6   191.8    213.5     622.6
   Contained gold ('000 ounces)                             27      41      23      35       37       126
   Contained silver ('000 ounces)                          698     813     606     864    1,050     2,981
Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                          3,054   3,240   3,316   3,164    3,408    12,774
Average copper grade (%)                                  0.91    1.02    1.03    1.18     1.10      1.04
Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000           28      33      34      37       37       132
tonnes)
Refined production:
   Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes)                   36.8    37.5    31.1    33.3     35.5     138.7



Escondida mill production for the first quarter of 2003 reflected the start of
the new Laguna Seca concentrator in the fourth quarter of 2002.  Lower ore
grades during the quarter were in line with the previously announced plan to
constrain copper production at Escondida.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

Total production and sales at Grasberg (Rio Tinto 14.9% (a)) in Papua,
Indonesia, and Atlantic Copper (Rio Tinto 16.5%) in Spain.
(100% basis)
Grasberg mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                               21,979  21,806  20,220  21,996   21,438    86,001
Average mill head grades:
   Copper (%)                                             0.90    1.14    1.31    1.23     1.15      1.14
   Gold (g/t)                                             0.73    0.98    1.85    1.44     1.26      1.24
   Silver (g/t)                                           2.76    3.63    4.01    4.05     3.88      3.60
Production of metals in concentrates:
   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                  167.9   215.1   239.8   241.6    216.5     864.4
   Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)                      432     599   1,086     913      760     3,030
   Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)                  1,120   1,532   1,822   1,928    1,692     6,402
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                  161.7   194.2   242.6   234.6    210.7     833.2
   Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)                      420     516   1,096     902      742     2,934
   Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)                    863   1,090   1,476   1,487    1,315     4,916



(a)     See note (g) on page 6 for details of Rio Tinto's 14.9% interest in
Grasberg and 40% interest in the expansion.
(b)     Net of smelter deductions.



In the first quarter of 2003, copper and gold production and sales declined
compared with the fourth quarter of 2002 because of lower average mill head
grades.  However, when compared with the first quarter of 2002, copper and gold
production and sales for the first quarter of 2003 were much improved because of
higher average mill head grades.


Atlantic Copper smelter

Concentrates and scrap smelted ('000 tonnes)              258.3   242.5   258.2   257.7   242.10   1,016.7
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c)                   77.2    69.0    74.6    77.2    72.40     298.0
Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes)                     61.8    63.6    61.5    63.5    61.20     250.5
Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d)                     61.6    63.7    62.2    65.0    62.90     252.4



(c)     New metal excluding recycled material.
(d)     Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.


Kelian Equatorial Mining

Total production and sales at the Kelian gold mine (Rio Tinto 90%) in East
Kalimantan, Indonesia.
(100% basis)

Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 1,716   1,857   1,787   1,953    1,844     7,313
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                              2.62    2.71    3.83    2.66     3.71      2.95
   Silver (g/t)                                            4.92    5.09    5.92    4.55     5.83      5.11
Production:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                       114     128     176     121      184       539
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                      88      89      96      75      112       348
Sales:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                       109     125     154     154      150       542
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                       -     256     129     115      154       500



Ore treated during the first quarter of 2003 was marginally below the previous
quarter due to processing of higher grade but harder ex-pit ore which slowed
throughput. The higher grade ore resulted in increased gold production. Silver
sales were above previous quarters due to the sale of accumulated stock. Mining
will cease in 2003 but processing will continue into 2004.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company

Total production at the mines of Kennecott Minerals Company in the US; Cortez/
Pipeline (Rio Tinto 40%) in Nevada; Greens Creek (Rio Tinto 70%) in Alaska and
Rawhide (Rio Tinto 51%) in Nevada.
(100% basis)

Cortez/Pipeline mine
Ore treated
   Milled ('000 tonnes)                                     825     837     873     868      919     3,403
   Leached ('000 tonnes)                                  3,804   2,339   1,770   2,924    2,538    10,837
   Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes)                          102      96      13      82      140       293
Average ore grade: gold
    Milled (g/t)                                           8.29    8.19    7.17    6.14     8.92      7.43
    Leached (g/t)                                          1.10    0.99    0.98    1.00     1.09      1.03
    Sold for roasting (g/t)                                8.50    8.77    7.96    8.66     7.83      8.61
Gold produced ('000 ounces)                                 278     296     252     256      317     1,082

Production in the first quarter increased as mill throughput and grade increased
during the first quarter of 2003.

Greens Creek mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   160     167     168     170      171       665
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                              6.51    7.57    6.93    6.81     6.31      6.96
   Silver (g/t)                                             722     688     701     595      604       676
   Zinc (%)                                                12.5    13.3    11.8    12.4     12.9      12.5
   Lead (%)                                                 4.7     5.3     4.4     4.4      4.6       4.7
Metals produced in concentrates:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                        24      29      25      25       23       103
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                   2,789   2,887   2,782   2,454    2,491    10,912
   Zinc ('000 tonnes)                                      16.2    17.6    15.8    16.9     17.3      66.5
   Lead ('000 tonnes)                                       5.3     6.6     5.0     5.4      5.3      22.3

Silver grades which were 16% below the first quarter of 2002 reflect mine
sequencing.

Rawhide mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 1,407   1,313   1,330   1,335    1,230     5,385
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                              1.03    1.11    1.01    0.69     0.51      0.96
   Silver (g/t)                                            14.2    14.8    14.4    13.3      9.4      14.2
Metals produced in dore:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                        23      22      18      19       14        82
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                     193     212     149     134      127       688



Mining operations ceased in October 2002. Processing of stockpiled ores will be
completed in May 2003, but gold will continue to be recovered from the leach
pads.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Utah Copper

Total production at Barneys Canyon, Bingham Canyon, and the Kennecott smelter
and refinery (all Rio Tinto 100%) in Utah, US.

Barneys Canyon mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   102       -       -       -       -        102
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                              1.17       -       -       -       -       1.17
Gold produced in dore and concentrates ('000 ounces)         27      22      16      10        9        75

Gold production in the first quarter of 2003 was lower than in the first quarter
of 2002 because mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold
continues to be recovered from leach pads.

Bingham Canyon mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                9,999  9,840   10,256   10,625   10,929    40,720
Average ore grade:
   Copper (%)                                             0.69   0.70     0.67     0.71     0.68      0.69
   Gold (g/t)                                             0.57   0.41     0.43     0.36     0.28      0.44
   Silver (g/t)                                           3.93   3.50     3.22     3.02     2.99      3.42
   Molybdenum (%)                                        0.039  0.034    0.037    0.026    0.022     0.034
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                 219    251      243      279      282       992
Average concentrate grade (% Cu)                          28.5   25.5     26.5     24.6     22.9      26.2
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
   Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)                               62.5   64.3     64.4     69.0     64.8     260.2
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                      125     95      103       89       67       412
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                  1,032    924      866      841      762     3,663
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):            3.0    2.5      3.1      2.6      2.2      11.2
   Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                1.7    1.3      1.7      1.4      1.2       6.1

Kennecott smelter & refinery
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)                  258    279      259      300      231     1,096
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)                  76.7   74.6     63.4     79.0     53.7     293.7
Production of refined metal:
   Copper ('000 tonnes)                                   74.9   76.1     68.1     74.6     67.4     293.7
   Gold  ('000 ounces) (c)                                 127    133      123      105       96       488
   Silver ('000 ounces) (c)                                790  1,104    1,178      965      975     4,037



(a)     Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(b)     New metal excluding recycled material.
(c)     Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.



As previously announced, by-product grades at Bingham Canyon will be
significantly lower in 2003. The decrease in by-product grades that started in
the fourth quarter of 2002 continued in this quarter.



Copper concentrates smelted in the first quarter of 2003 were lower than in the
fourth quarter of 2002 because of lower copper to sulphur ratios in the
concentrates and a failure in the final absorption tower of the acid plant on 19
March, which resulted in a smelter shutdown. The smelter recommenced operating
in the second week of April.


Lihir Gold


Total production at the Lihir mine (Rio Tinto 16.3%) in Papua New Guinea.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   905     968     891   1,063      933     3,828
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                              5.50    5.64    5.25    5.44     4.92      5.46
Gold produced ('000 ounces) (a)                             148     154     138     168      131       607



(a)     Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.



Ore treated and gold production reflect the total plant shutdown for 10 days in
February for maintenance of the crusher, oxygen plant and thickener. Lower grade
than in previous quarters further affected gold production.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Northparkes Joint Venture

Total production and sales at the Northparkes mine (Rio Tinto 80%) in New South
Wales, Australia.
(100% basis)
Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                        1,397   1,399   1,237   1,331    1,306     5,364
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                              1.00    0.91    0.81    0.69     0.67      0.86
   Gold (g/t)                                              0.34    0.34    0.41    0.31     0.31      0.35
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                 30.2    29.9    23.0    20.1     20.1     103.2
Contained copper in concentrates:
   Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                       11.9    10.5     8.4     7.6      7.1      38.4
   Sales ('000 tonnes) (a)                                 10.4     8.9     5.9     4.7      8.0      29.9
Contained gold in concentrates:
   Saleable production ('000 ounces)                       11.3    10.1    11.0     8.4      9.5      40.8
   Sales ('000 ounces) (a)                                 10.4     7.7     6.6     6.0     13.4      30.7



(a)     Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.



Copper production continues to decline, reflecting lower realised head grades
from the near exhausted E26 Lift 1 orebody. This trend will continue until E26
Lift 2 commences production in 2004 and reaches its full potential in 2005. Gold
production in the first quarter of 2003 was up compared with the fourth quarter
of 2002 due to improved recoveries.


Palabora


Total production at Palabora (Rio Tinto 49.2%) in South Africa.
(100% basis)
Palabora mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 2,558   2,005   2,722   2,648    2,453     9,933
Average ore grade: copper (%)                              0.77    0.66    0.54    0.56     0.59      0.63
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                 55.8    35.9    40.5    35.7     35.3     167.9
Average concentrate grade: copper (%)                      31.4    31.2    29.9    31.9     31.5      31.1
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                       17.5    11.2    12.1    11.4     11.1      52.2
Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)              65.7    64.5    68.7    59.7     57.5     258.6
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (a)               17.8    23.1    22.5    18.9     15.8      82.3
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)                  16.2    22.0    23.0    20.4     15.9      81.6
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)                          51      49      31      40       44       172
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes)                             73      88      67      85       61       314
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)                         44.0    57.1    62.5    59.8     51.2     223.5



(a)     Contained copper in anodes; anode production includes a small amount
produced from purchased material.



Concentrate production was restricted by the lack of ore from the underground
mine which remains constrained by the inability to clear efficiently drawpoints
that have been blocked with poorly fragmented, large rocks. The shortfall in
concentrate was partially supplemented by the processing of smelter secondaries,
low grade concentrate stocks and imported concentrate.



Refined copper production was in line with the lower smelter throughput.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Peak Gold Mine

Total production and sales from the Peak Gold Mine (Rio Tinto 0% (a)) in New
South Wales, Australia.
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   157     151     159     144      144       610
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                              5.81    4.74    6.33    5.13     5.23      5.52
   Silver (g/t)                                            3.16    3.16    2.79    3.09     3.16      3.05
   Copper (%)                                              0.44    0.28    0.21    0.21     0.13      0.29
   Lead (%)                                                0.29    0.21    0.22    0.15     0.11      0.22
   Zinc (%)                                                0.42    0.19    0.35    0.13     0.00      0.28
Bullion produced  ('000 ounces)                              27      23      32      23       23       105
Containing:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                        25      18      29      20       20        92
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                       2       3       5       3        3        12
Gold recovered in concentrates ('000 ounces)                  2       2       1       0       -          5
Total gold production ('000 ounces)                          27      20      30      20       20        97
Bullion sales (fine gold) ('000 ounces)                      27      18      26      22       20        93
Copper in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
   Production                                               0.2     0.1     0.0     0.0       -        0.4
   Sales                                                      -       -     0.8     0.2       -        1.0



(a)     Rio Tinto completed the sale of its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17
March 2003.


Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada


Total production at Morro do Ouro (Rio Tinto 51%) in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
(100% basis)
Morro do Ouro mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 4,692   4,722   4,406   4,544    4,530    18,364
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                              0.48    0.49    0.55    0.48     0.44      0.50
Refined gold produced ('000 ounces)                          55      59      59      52       49       225



Gold production was below the 2002 average due to mining in a lower grade area
of the pit.


Rio Tinto Zimbabwe

Total production at Rio Tinto Zimbabwe's gold operations (Rio Tinto 56%) in
Zimbabwe.
(100% basis)
Patchway mine (a)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                    23      21      24      15       19        84
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                              4.41    3.47    2.53    2.01     2.17      3.19
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                             3       2       2       1        1         7
Renco mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                    61      65      63      65       49       253
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                              5.03    4.68    3.95    3.46     3.80      4.27
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                             8       9       7       7        5        31
Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                            11      11       9       8        6        38
(a) Includes low grade material.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                   FULL
                                                        1Q     2Q      3Q      4Q         1Q       YEAR
                                                       2002   2002    2002    2002     2003        2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Somincor
Total production at Neves Corvo (Rio Tinto 49%) in Portugal.
(100% basis)
Neves Corvo mine
Total ore treated ('000 tonnes)  (a)                    453    475     406     423       425      1,756
   of which, treated to extract tin ('000 tonnes)         8      7       -       2        -          16
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                          4.85   5.26    4.87    5.23      6.00       5.06
   Tin (%)                                             4.52   2.09       -    2.87        -        3.31
Copper production:
   Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)          74.6   90.8    72.3    81.7      93.8      319.4
   Copper concentrate grade: copper (%)                24.8   24.3    23.9    23.7      23.9       24.2
   Copper in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)       18.5   22.1    17.3    19.4      22.4       77.2
Tin production:
   Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)              0.4    0.1       -     0.0        -         0.6
   Tin concentrate grade: tin (%)                      62.2   60.5       -    72.9        -        62.4
   Tin in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)           0.3    0.1       -     0.0        -         0.3



(a)     Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.



No tin ores were treated during the first quarter of 2003. Tin production is
forecast to resume in the second quarter.


DIAMONDS

Argyle Diamonds

Total production from mining operations at Argyle Diamonds (Rio Tinto 100% (a))
in Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Ore processed ('000 tonnes):
   AK1 ore                                                2,501   2,519   2,558   2,525    2,509    10,103
   Alluvial ore                                             882     780     851     348       -      2,862
Total ore processed                                       3,383   3,299   3,409   2,873    2,509    12,965
Diamonds produced ('000 carats):
   AK1                                                    5,878   8,241   8,599   9,482    6,909    32,200
   Alluvial                                                 277     174     414     455       -      1,319
Total produced                                            6,155   8,415   9,013   9,936    6,909    33,519



(a)     Rio Tinto's interest in the Argyle Diamond mine increased from 99.8% to
100% on 29 April 2002, following the purchase of the outstanding units in the
Western Australian Diamond Trust.



Ore processed from the AK1 pit was in line with previous quarters, while carats
produced reflected lower ore grade from the northern areas of the pit, in
accordance with mining schedules. Production from the alluvial mining areas
ceased in the fourth quarter of 2002.


Diavik Diamonds


Total production from mining operations at Diavik Diamonds (Rio Tinto 60%) in
the Northwest Territories, Canada.
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)                                   -       -       -       -      202          -
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)                              -       -       -       -      411          -



Diavik commenced mining and processing ore on a commissioning basis in December
2002. Ore processed during the first quarter of 2003 represented approximately
40% of design capacity. The diamonds recovered for the first quarter reflect the
lower grades encountered in the contact zone at the top of the kimberlite ore
body where it interfaces with the lake bottom overburden. It is expected that
the ore grades will continue to be influenced by this contact zone for several
more months before mining moves deeper into the more competent kimberlite ore.


Merlin


Total production from the Merlin mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in the Northern
Territory, Australia.
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)                                 191     195     184     217      204       787
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)                             34      22      33      28       -        117



Ore processed was in line with previous quarters. There was no diamond recovery
from concentrates due to the curtailment of sorting activities at the Belmont,
Perth facility. Stockpiled Merlin concentrates and concentrates produced until
mine closure in June 2003 will be processed at Argyle.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
IRON ORE
Hamersley Iron

Total production and shipments for all the mines operated by Hamersley Iron (Rio
Tinto 100%). These mines are Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, Marandoo,
Yandicoogina, Brockman (all Rio Tinto 100%) and Channar (Rio Tinto 60%); all in
Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Saleable iron ore produced ('000 tonnes):
   Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
   Marandoo, Yandicoogina and Brockman                  14,653  14,078  15,711  13,121   13,616    57,563
   Channar                                               2,528   2,409   2,423   3,233    2,832    10,594
Total production                                        17,181  16,487  18,134  16,354   16,448    68,157
Total shipments ('000 tonnes)                           13,179  16,984  19,284  19,029   17,762    68,475



Production in the first quarter of 2003 was 16.4 million tonnes, 4% lower than
the record first quarter experienced in 2002, due mainly to adverse weather
conditions. First quarter shipments were up 35% to a record 17.8 million tonnes
(16% above the previous first quarter record of 15.3 million tonnes set in
2001). Robust demand was experienced for all products, with a very strong
increase in lump shipments reflecting strong conditions in the iron and steel
industry.


Iron Ore Company of Canada


Total production and shipments from the Carol Lake operations (Rio Tinto 58.7%
(a)) in Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada.
(100% basis)
Carol Lake operations
Saleable production:
   Concentrates ('000 tonnes)                               589   1,568     532     494      272     3,183
   Pellets ('000 tonnes)                                  2,647   2,334   1,778   2,816    2,820     9,575
Shipments:
   Concentrate ('000 tonnes)                                704     869     973     605      290     3,151
   Pellets ('000 tonnes)                                  1,370   3,094   3,612   3,461    1,963    11,537



(a)     Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in IOC from 56.1% to 58.7% on 20
December 2002.



First quarter concentrate production was adversely affected by commissioning of
the new control system on the automatic train operation and lower weight
recovery. Pellet production was near record level in the quarter. First quarter
2003 pellet shipments were 43% above the equivalent quarter of 2002 due to
stronger demand from all regions.


Rio Tinto Brasil


Total production at Corumba (Rio Tinto 100%) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
Corumba mine
Total iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a)                 104     201     282     271      221       858



(a)     Production includes by-product fines.



Production was double that of the corresponding quarter in 2002 and just above
the quarterly average for the full 2002 year. This was despite the seasonal low
river level early in the year which restricts shipping.


Robe River Iron Associates


Total production and shipments from Robe River Iron Associates operations (Rio
Tinto 53%) in Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Pannawonica mine
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                         8,206   6,275   8,186   8,639    8,055    31,306
Sales ('000 tonnes)                                       8,334   7,179   8,848   7,612    7,054    31,973
West Angelas mine
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                           129     680   1,898   1,847    2,917     4,554
Sales ('000 tonnes)                                           -     131   1,777   1,532    2,908     3,440



Shipments of Robe River iron ore from the Pannawonica mine were down 7% on the
previous quarter and 15% down compared with the first quarter of 2002. Sales to
Japanese customers were lower in the first quarter of 2003 as a result of timing
issues relate to the Japanese fiscal year (April - March). Demand for West
Angelas ore is very strong, with widespread market acceptance and positive
feedback from customers regarding sinter plant and blast furnace performance.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
NICKEL
Rio Tinto Brasil

Total nickel in matte production at the Fortaleza (Rio Tinto 100%) in Brazil.
Fortaleza mine
Production (tonnes)                                       2,063   1,290     510   2,410    2,619     6,273



Nickel production in the first quarter of 2003 was 67% above the 2002 quarterly
average as the plant had an uninterrupted three months production run with high
grade ores.


Rio Tinto Zimbabwe


Toll refined metal production at the Empress Nickel (Rio Tinto 56%) in Zimbabwe.
(100% basis)
Empress Nickel refinery
Production (tonnes)                                       1,683   1,489   1,761   1,479    1,078     6,412


SALT
Dampier Salt

Total production of salt from Dampier, Lake MacLeod and Port Hedland (Rio Tinto
64.9%) in Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Salt production ('000 tonnes)                             1,699   1,671   1,883   1,933    1,493     7,186



Salt production in the first quarter of 2003 was lower than in 2002 mainly
because of scheduled maintenance at Dampier that was timed to fit in with first
quarter shipping requirements.


TALC

The Luzenac Group

Total talc production from Luzenac Group operations in Australia (Rio Tinto
100%), Europe (Rio Tinto 99.9%), and North America (Rio Tinto 100%).
(100% basis)
Talc production ('000 tonnes)                               323     347     341     318      358     1,328


TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

Rio Tinto share of titanium dioxide feedstock production in Canada and South
Africa.
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 tonnes)         328     318     309     319      290     1,274



Titanium dioxide feedstock production in the first quarter of 2003 was below the
first quarter of 2002 as production was curtailed in line with market demand.


OPERATIONAL DATA
                                                                                                      FULL
                                                            1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q        1Q      YEAR
                                                           2002    2002    2002    2002     2003      2002
URANIUM
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd


Total uranium production at Ranger (Rio Tinto 68.4%) in the Northern Territory,
Australia.
(100% basis)
Ranger mine
Production (tonnes U3O8)                                    951     977   1,130   1,428    1,256     4,486


Rossing Uranium Ltd


Total uranium production at the Rossing Uranium mine (Rio Tinto 68.58%) in
Namibia.
(100% basis)
Production (tonnes U3O8)                                    743     675     846     488       20     2,751



The Rossing plant did not operate during the first quarter of 2003 while a new
coarse tailings conveyor was installed. The plant has now restarted. During the
first quarter, shipments and sales were made from stock as planned.


ZINC

Zinkgruvan Mining AB

Total production at the Zinkgruvan mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Sweden.
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   197     188     188     163      167       735
Average ore grades:
   Zinc (%)                                                 6.2     6.1     8.0     8.6      9.5       7.2
   Lead (%)                                                 2.8     3.0     5.3     4.2      4.3       3.8
   Silver (g/t)                                              71      69     119     104       99        90
Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes)               20.0    18.9    24.6    23.3     26.3      86.8
Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes)                7.2     7.2    13.1     8.5      9.1      36.0
Production of metal in concentrates:
   Zinc ('000 tonnes)                                      11.1    10.4    13.6    12.9     14.7      48.0
   Lead ('000 tonnes)                                       4.7     4.9     9.2     6.0      6.2      24.7
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                     324     302     545     383      363     1,554



Zinc production in the first quarter of 2003 was higher than in all quarters of
2002, reflecting the higher zinc grade, but was constrained by problems handling
oversized boulders and low availability of production drill rigs.





EXPLORATION

Expenditure

Total pre-tax exploration expenditure charged to the profit and loss account for
the quarter ending 31 March 2003 was US$28 million compared with US$24 million
in the comparable quarter of 2002.

Ongoing Programmes

Country              Commodity                          Programme Summary


Peru                 Copper                             Exploration drilling continued at the Marcona copper
                                                        project in Peru.
USA                  Copper                             The current drilling programme was completed at the
                                                        Resolution deep porphyry copper project in Arizona.
Iran                 Gold                               Exploration and metallurgical test work continued at
                                                        the Dashkasan gold project.
Turkey               Gold                               Drilling continued at the Copler gold project in
                                                        Turkey.
Africa               Diamonds                           Drilling was completed on kimberlite targets in the
                                                        south of Botswana. Drilling was completed at the
                                                        Aredor project in Guinea to test a number of
                                                        kimberlite targets.
Canada               Diamonds                           Exploration continued on kimberlite targets in
                                                        Ontario, Nunavut and on Brodeur Peninsula.
India                Diamonds                           Exploration continued on granted reconnaissance
                                                        permits in Andhra and Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and
                                                        Chhattisgarh.
Guinea               Iron Ore                           Evaluation work continued at the Simandou haematite
                                                        project. A Convention was signed with the Government
                                                        of Guinea to cover conditions for future possible
                                                        development of the deposit.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange