Management changes

Rio Tinto PLC
21 July 2004


Management changes


Chris Renwick, chief executive of the Iron Ore group, will retire in December
after 35 years with the Rio Tinto Group.  During his long career with the Group,
Chris held executive positions in Comalco and Hamersley Iron as well as senior
corporate responsibilities.


Leigh Clifford, chief executive, said: 'Chris has made an outstanding
contribution to Rio Tinto, in particular in our iron ore business and the
development of markets in China and Japan.'


As a consequence of Chris Renwick's retirement, there will be a number of
changes to product group portfolios.


Sam Walsh, currently chief executive of the Aluminium group, will become chief
executive of the Iron Ore group, based in Perth, Western Australia.


Oscar Groeneveld will move from chief executive of the Copper group to chief
executive of the Aluminium group, based in Brisbane, Queensland.


Tom Albanese, chief executive of the Industrial Minerals group, will become
chief executive Copper and Exploration, based in London.


These changes will occur progressively from 1 September to ensure a smooth
handover of responsibilities.


As previously announced, Andrew Mackenzie joins Rio Tinto as chief executive of
the Industrial Minerals group on 1 August.


Note to Editors

Sam Walsh holds a commerce degree and joined the Rio Tinto Group in 1991 after
20 years in the automobile industry. He held senior roles managing aluminium,
iron and steel foundries, and spent six years in marketing and production roles
in the Iron Ore group prior to his appointment as chief executive of the
Aluminium group in 2001.


Oscar Groeneveld has been with the Rio Tinto Group for 29 years and has
qualifications in engineering, science and management. He has worked in senior
roles in coal, aluminium and technology and was appointed chief executive of the
Copper group in 1999.


Tom Albanese has degrees in mineral economics and mining engineering. He joined
Rio Tinto in 1993 after ten years in the mining industry in North America and
has held senior operating roles in base and precious metals, copper and
exploration. He was appointed chief executive of the Industrial Minerals group
in late 2000 and took over responsibility for Exploration in July 2004.



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