Acquisition

Rio Tinto PLC
26 September 2001



           Rio Tinto completes acquisition of Australian talc mine            
 
 
Rio Tinto has completed the acquisition of the Three Springs talc mine and
processing plant in Western Australia from WMC for US$27.8 million cash. The
transaction was announced on 1 August 2001.
 
 
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]      
              Jonathan Murrin            Daphne Morros            
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326      [phone]      

Website: www.riotinto.com