Offer Update

Rio Tinto PLC
27 November 2000


                 Rio Tinto achieves 89.6% interest in Ashton                  
               Offer extended until Wednesday, 13 December 2000               


Rio Tinto has achieved an 89.6% interest in Ashton.
 
The scheduled closing date of the offer has been extended to 7.30pm
(Australian time), Wednesday, 13 December 2000.
 

For further information, please contact:
 
 
LONDON 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                      Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305               + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
AUSTRALIA 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Fiona Powell                        Dave Skinner
[phone] (office)         [phone] (office)
[phone] (mobile)         [phone] (mobile)
                    
                                    Daphne Morros
                                    [phone] (office)
                                    [phone] (mobile)
 
Website: www.riotinto.com