Disposal

Rio Tinto PLC
19 March 2001

 
            Rio Tinto sells North Forest Products to Gunns Limited            
 
Rio Tinto has sold North Forest Products to Tasmanian-based Gunns Limited.
Under the sale agreement, which is expected to be completed by 28 May 2001,
Rio Tinto will receive A$335 million cash. Gunns has also granted an option
to Rio Tinto to acquire transferable carbon credits arising from land
acquired with North Forest Products.
 
Commenting on the sale, Mr Leigh Clifford, Rio Tinto's chief executive, said,
'We are pleased that North Forest Products has been bought by a Tasmanian
company and one that well understands the Australian forest industry and its
employees and customers. As part of the Foreign Investment Review Board's
requirements, we have kept the Tasmanian Government fully informed throughout
the sale process.'
 
Rio Tinto acquired North Forest Products through its acquisition of North
Limited. At the time of the acquisition, Rio Tinto indicated that forestry
was not an activity conducted by the Group and that North Forest Products was
likely to be sold.
 
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