Ashton Mining of Canada Inc.

Rio Tinto PLC
01 December 2005


Rio Tinto agrees to private placement with Ashton Mining of Canada Inc.


Rio Tinto has agreed to acquire 3,460,000 flow-through common shares of Ashton
Mining of Canada Inc. ('Ashton') at a price of C$1.30 per common share. This
private placement represents approximately 4.4 per cent of Ashton's issued and
outstanding common shares for gross proceeds to Ashton of C$4.5 million.


Following the completion of the private placement, Rio Tinto (through both
Ashton Canada Pty. Limited, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto
Limited, and QIT-Fer et Titane Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio
Tinto plc) will hold 43,498,696 common shares of Ashton (representing
approximately 53.4 per cent of Ashton's issued and outstanding common shares).


Rio Tinto has no present intention of acquiring other securities of Ashton or of
disposing of any of the securities of Ashton which it holds. Depending upon its
evaluation of Ashton's business, prospects and financial condition, the market
for Ashton's securities, general economic conditions and other factors, Rio
Tinto may acquire additional securities of Ashton or sell some or all of the
securities it holds.





For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                               AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                      Media Relations
Maria Darby Walker                                   Ian Head
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Investor Relations                                   Investor Relations
Nigel Jones                                          Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                         Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                         Mobile: [phone]


David Ovington                                       Susie Creswell
Office:  [phone]                        Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                         Mobile: [phone]



Website: www.riotinto.com




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