Acquisition

Rio Tinto PLC
17 August 2001

                                                                              
                           Dampier Salt acquisition                           
 
 
Rio Tinto advises that Dampier Salt (Rio Tinto 64.9%) has completed the
acquisition of Cargill Australia's Port Hedland salt operation effective 17
August 2001 after receiving all the required Government approvals.
 
 
For further information, please contact:

                                                                  
              LONDON                     AUSTRALIA                
              Media Relations            Media Relations          
              John Hughes                Ian Head                 
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2331      [phone]      
              Investor Relations         Investor Relations       
              Jonathan Murrin            [phone]      
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326      Daphne Morros            
                                         [phone]      
 
Website: www.riotinto.com