Private placement agreement

Rio Tinto PLC
21 June 2005



Rio Tinto private placement agreement



Rio Tinto has entered into an agreement with Entree Gold Inc. ('Entree')
pursuant to which it has agreed to acquire 5,665,730 units of Entree at a price
of C$2.20 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share, one common share
purchase A warrant and one common share purchase B warrant. Two A warrants will
entitle the holder to purchase one common share of Entree at a price of C$2.75
for a period of two years. Two B warrants will entitle the holder to purchase
one common share at a price of C$3.00 for a period of two years. Pursuant to the
agreement, Rio Tinto has the right to acquire additional securities and
participate in future financings by Entree, so as to maintain its proportional
equity interest in Entree.



Following the private placement, Rio Tinto (through Kennecott Canada Exploration
Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary) will hold 5,665,730 common shares of
Entree (representing approximately 9.9 per cent of Entree's issued and
outstanding common shares) and 11,331,460 warrants exercisable for 5,665,730
common shares of Entree (representing approximately 50.4 per cent of Entree's
issued and outstanding warrants). If the warrants were to be exercised, Rio
Tinto would hold approximately 19.8 per cent of Entree's common shares.



Rio Tinto has no present intention of acquiring other securities of Entree,
except as regards its right to acquire additional securities so as to maintain
its proportional equity interest in the future, or of disposing of any of the
securities of Entree which it holds. Depending upon its evaluation of Entree's
business, prospects and financial condition, the market for Entree's securities,
general economic conditions and other factors, Rio Tinto may acquire additional
securities of Entree or sell some or all of the securities it holds.





For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                               AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                      Media Relations
Lisa Cullimore                                       Ian Head
Office:  [phone]                        Office:  [phone]
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Investor Relations                                   Investor Relations

Nigel Jones                                          Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                         Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                          Mobile: [phone]
Richard Brimelow                                     Susie Creswell
Office:  [phone]                        Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                         Mobile: [phone]

Website: www.riotinto.com




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