Offer Update

Rio Tinto PLC
11 October 2000

                         
                         Rio Tinto's offer for Ashton                         
                   

 
Rio Tinto has considered its position in relation to Ashton Mining Limited
and has decided that it will not seek to match De Beers' offer.
 
Rio Tinto notes that the De Beers offer remains conditional on a number of
matters, including Foreign Investment Review Board approval, and thus intends
to leave its current offer of A$1.85 and/or shares open for the time being.
 
 
 
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