Disposal

Rio Tinto PLC
17 April 2001


           Completion of sale of Norzink Zinc smelter to Outokumpu            

 
Rio Tinto and Boliden have completed the sale of the Norzink zinc smelter in
Norway to Outokumpu for US$180 million cash.
 
Rio Tinto and Boliden each owned 50% of Norzink.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
 

LONDON 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                      Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305               + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
                                    Jonathan Murrin
                                    + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326
 
AUSTRALIA 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Ian Head                            Dave Skinner
[phone]                 [phone]
                              
                                    Daphne Morros
                                    [phone]
Website: www.riotinto.com