Offer Update

Rio Tinto PLC
11 August 2000


                  Rio Tinto's share holding in North at 54.2%                  
                                Offer extended                                
 
 
Rio Tinto's share holding in North Limited, as at 9.30pm AEST on 10 August
2000, was 54.2%.
 
As this level exceeds 50%, Rio Tinto's offer for North shares is now
automatically extended by 14 days from 11 August 2000, under Section 624(2)
of the Australian Corporations Law.
 
However, in order to give North shareholders sufficient time to accept the
offer, Rio Tinto intends to extend the offer close date by a further three
days to 7:30 pm AEST Monday 28 August 2000.
 
Rio Tinto intends to pay North shareholders within three business days of
receipt of a valid acceptance.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
 
     
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
 
Lisa Cullimore                      Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305               + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
Website: www.riotinto.com