Offer Update

Rio Tinto PLC
20 September 2000


 
                Rio Tinto lodges Bidder's Statement for Ashton                

 
Rio Tinto's Bidder's Statement for Ashton Mining Limited was lodged with the
Australian Securities and Investments Commission, sent to Ashton and filed
with ASX on 19 September 2000.
 
Rio Tinto intends to dispatch its Bidder's Statement to Ashton shareholders
as soon as possible.
 
The Bidder's Statement is available on Rio Tinto's website at:
www.riotinto.com.au/home.asp 
 
 
 
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