Rio Tinto 3QPR 2002-Summary

Rio Tinto PLC
23 October 2002

  Summary


                              Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report 
                            For the Quarter- Ending 30 September 2002 

* iron ore production was one per cent lower than in the same period last year. Hamersley shipments were at a new
quarterly record level, driven by strong demand, especially from China, Shipments from Robe River increased with the
start of commercial deliveries from the West Angelas mine at the end of July. 

* Production from the Australian and Indonesian coal operations was eight per cent lower than in the comparable
period of 2001, reflecting the disposal in the first half of 2002 of some of the mines acquired from Peabody and
reduced production at Coal & Allied in line with market demand. 

* On a quarterly basis US coal production was marginally higher, but over the first nine months of the year was lower
reflecting market demand, which was affected by mild weather conditions, and reduced production at the Cordero Rojo
mine in the quarter due to the combination of high rainfall and highwall instability issues. 

* Third quarter mined copper production was four per cent lower than in the same period of 2001. Lower production
reflected primarily the impact of production cutbacks at Escondida and lower grades at Kennecott, partially offset by
a higher joint venture share of Grasberg production. Refined copper production in the quarter was affected by a short
maintenance shutdown, in August, at the Kennecott smelter. 

* Mined gold production was two per cent lower than the comparable period in 2001. 

* Third quarter aluminium production was five per cent above 2001, reflecting Comalco's increased equity share of the
Boyne Island smelter in the quarter and higher production at all smelters. Alumina production was 12 per cent higher,
due to the acquisition of additional equity in Queensland Alumina in September 2001. 

* Diamond production was 12 per cent higher than the same quarter in 2001 due to higher grades at Argyle. 

* Third quarter titanium dioxide feedstock production was 14 per cent below the same period in 2001 as production was
curtailed in line with market demand-Borates production was down seven per cent. 


For further information contact:

LONDON                                        MELBOURNE
Media Relations                               Media Relations
Hugh Leggatt                                  Ian Head
+ 44 (0)20 7753 2273                          + 61 (0)3 9283 6320 

Investor Relations 
Peter Cunningham                              Investor Relations
+ 44 (0)20 7753 2401                          Dave Skinner
Richard Brimelow                              + 61 (0)3 9283 3628
+ 44 (0)20 7753 2326                          Daphne Morros
 
Website:  www.riotinto.com


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