Disposal

Rio Tinto PLC
29 May 2001



                 Completion of sale of North Forest Products                  
 
Rio Tinto completed the sale of North Forest Products to Gunns Limited for
A$335 million cash on 29 May 2001.
 
Rio Tinto acquired North Forest Products through its acquisition of North
Limited in 2000.
 
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 Jarvis               Dave Skinner             
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401      [phone]      
              Jonathan Murrin            Daphne Morros            
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326      [phone]    
  
Website: www.riotinto.com