Rio Tinto 4QPR 2002

Rio Tinto PLC
22 January 2003

                     Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report

                    For the Quarter Ending 31 December 2002



•        Iron ore production in 2002 was similar to 2001. Australian iron ore
production and shipments continued at high levels in the fourth quarter of 2002.
Demand from China remained strong, as did demand for Hamersley's Yandi fines
from Japan and Korea. Hamersley established a new annual shipment record of 68.5
million tonnes, exceeding the previous record set in 2000 by two per cent.
Production and shipments from Robe in 2002 benefited from the West Angelas mine,
which was commissioned in August.



•        Aluminium production in 2002 was four per cent higher than in 2001,
due to improved output at all smelters and the acquisition of additional equity
interest in the Boyne Island smelter in July 2002. Alumina production was 11 per
cent higher in 2002, reflecting the acquisition of increased equity in
Queensland Alumina in the third quarter of 2001.



•        Coal production in 2002 was slightly higher than in 2001. Although
production from US operations in the fourth quarter was strong at 28.1 million
tonnes, annual production of 105.3 million tonnes was one per cent lower in
2002. Production for the year from Australian and Indonesian coal operations was
four per cent higher, mainly due to increased output from Kaltim Prima Coal.



•        Mined copper production in 2002 was marginally lower than in 2001.
Fourth quarter 2002 production, compared with the equivalent period in 2001,
benefited from the higher copper grade at Grasberg and initial output from the
Escondida expansion.



•        Mined gold production was 12 per cent lower in 2002 than in 2001, due
mainly to lower grades at a number of operations.



•        Diamond production in 2002 was 29 per cent higher than in 2001, due
to higher ore grade mined at Argyle.



•        Titanium dioxide feedstock production in 2002 was 11 per cent lower
than 2001 as production was curtailed in line with market demand; borates
production was down six per cent primarily as a result of inventory management.



For further information, please contact:


LONDON                                                  AUSTRALIA
Media Relations                                         Media Relations
Hugh Leggatt                                            Ian Head
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2273                                   [phone]
Investor Relations                                      Investor Relations
Peter Cunningham                                        Dave Skinner
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2401                                   [phone]
Richard Brimelow                                        Daphne Morros
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2326                                   [phone]


Website: www.riotinto.com


RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
                                              QUARTER                    FULL YEAR        % CHANGE
                                             2001    2002     2002      2001      2002   Q4 02  Q4 02   2002
                                               Q4      Q3       Q4                          vs     vs     vs
Principal Commodities                                                                    Q3 02  Q4 01   2001
Alumina                         ('000 t)      519     487      479     1,761     1,947     -2%    -8%    11%
Aluminium                       ('000 t)    196.3   202.0    208.4     765.6     795.4      3%     6%     4%
Borates                         ('000 t)      134     132      136       564       528      3%     1%    -6%
Coal - Australian and           ('000 t)   10,311  10,712   11,245    42,269    43,830      5%     9%     4%
Indonesian
Coal - US                       ('000 t)   28,337  25,385   28,063   106,661   105,320     11%    -1%    -1%
Copper - mined                  ('000 t)    205.8   214.4    243.8     904.1     887.1     14%    18%    -2%
Copper - refined                ('000 t)    100.4    99.0    105.1     361.2     416.9      6%     5%    15%
Diamonds                       ('000 cts)   7,950   9,046    9,964    26,100    33,620     10%    25%    29%
Gold - mined                   ('000 ozs)     830     890      814     3,577     3,135     -9%    -2%   -12%
Gold - refined                 ('000 ozs)     112     123      105       389       488    -15%    -6%    25%
Iron ore                        ('000 t)   23,462  24,087   22,757    90,566    90,951     -6%    -3%     0%
Titanium dioxide feedstock      ('000 t)      341     309      319     1,427     1,274      3%    -6%   -11%
Other Metals & Minerals
Bauxite                         ('000 t)    2,968   2,984    3,000    11,795    11,724      1%     1%    -1%
Lead - mined                    ('000 t)      9.8    12.7      9.8      38.8     40.4     -23%     0%     4%
Molybdenum                      ('000 t)      1.6     1.7      1.4       8.1       6.1    -18%   -11%   -25%
Nickel in matte                 (tonnes)    1,984     510    2,410    10,170     6,273    373%    21%   -38%
Nickel - refined                (tonnes)      892     987      829     3,719     3,594    -16%    -7%    -3%
Salt                            ('000 t)    1,322   1,223    1,255     4,248     4,667      3%    -5%    10%
Silver - mined                 ('000 ozs)   4,272   4,427    4,269    17,703    17,207     -4%     0%    -3%
Silver - refined               ('000 ozs)     765   1,178      965     2,882     4,037    -18%    26%    40%
Talc                            ('000 t)      315     341      318     1,267     1,327     -7%     1%     5%
Tin                             (tonnes)       72       -       11       588       169     n/a   -85%   -71%
Uranium                         (tonnes)    1,252   1,353    1,311     4,705     4,955     -3%     5%     5%
Zinc - mined                    ('000 t)     27.1    24.7     24.8     102.5      94.7      0%    -8%    -8%
Zinc - refined                  ('000 t)        -       -        -      20.4         -       -      -      -



Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the
figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.

The figures shown for production are sometimes more precise than the rounded
numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the
quarter figures and the full year figures.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                           4Q      1Q      2Q       3Q      4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                        Interest         2001    2002    2002     2002    2002      2001     2002
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Eurallumina                                  56%          151     141     139      145     142       557      567
Queensland Alumina (a)                       39%          368     352     350      342     337     1,204    1,380
Rio Tinto total alumina production                        519     492     489      487     479     1,761    1,947

ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Anglesey                                     51%         17.5    18.2    17.2     17.6    18.1      71.0     71.1
Bell Bay                                    100%         40.4    40.3    39.9     41.6    42.1     160.8    163.9
Boyne Island (b)                             59%         73.4    67.0    71.0     77.3    79.4     277.5    294.6
Tiwai Point                                  79%         65.0    65.6    65.9     65.6    68.8     256.2    265.9
Rio Tinto total aluminium production                    196.3   191.1   193.9    202.0   208.4     765.6    795.4

BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Boke                                          4%           55     122     121      121     118       469      482
Weipa                                       100%        2,913   2,759   2,738    2,863   2,882    11,326   11,241
Rio Tinto total bauxite production                      2,968   2,881   2,859    2,984   3,000    11,795   11,724

BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total borate production           100%          134     130     130      132     136       564      528

COAL                                             Coal
Australian coal operations ('000                 type
tonnes)
Coal & Allied Industries (c):
      Bengalla (d)                           30%    S     423     275     493      359     459     1,418    1,587
      Hunter Valley Operations               76%    S   1,933   1,419   1,831    1,791   1,716     5,945    6,756
                                             76%    M     633     767     659      465     640     2,913    2,531
      Mount Thorley Operations               61%    S     376     362     340      363     386     1,373    1,451
                                             61%    M     313     327     295      229     221     1,255    1,073
      Moura (d)                               0%    S     184     268     139        -      -        867      407
                                              0%    M     247     323     230        -      -      1,080      552
      Narama (d)                              0%    S     162     135       -        -      -        789      135
      Ravensworth East (d)                    0%    S     332     281       -        -      -      1,096      281
      Warkworth (d)                          42%    S     463     647     570      582     787     2,070    2,586
                                             42%    M      57      72      75       66      18       221      231
Pacific Coal:
      Blair Athol Coal                       71%    S   1,329   2,130   1,846    2,407   2,030     7,546    8,412
      Kestrel Coal                           80%    S     185     259     322      274     494       962    1,348
                                             80%    M     287     505     501      383     536     1,654    1,925
      Tarong Coal                           100%    S   1,333   1,314   1,422    1,254   1,695     5,276    5,685
Total Australian coal                                   8,256   9,083   8,724    8,172   8,981    34,464   34,960
Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima Coal (e)                        50%    S   2,055   1,938   2,128    2,540   2,264     7,806    8,870
US coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy
      Antelope                              100%    S   6,038   5,335   6,075    6,452   6,457    22,344   24,319
      Colowyo (f)                           100%    S   1,271   1,177   1,309    1,229   1,174     5,231    4,889
      Cordero Rojo                          100%    S  10,453   9,100   8,990    7,474   9,160    39,452   34,724
      Decker                                 50%    S   1,133   1,072   1,046    1,196   1,198     4,255    4,511
      Jacobs Ranch                          100%    S   7,067   6,869   6,593    7,315   8,007    26,612   28,784
      Spring Creek                          100%    S   2,375   2,300   2,007    1,719   2,067     8,767    8,093
Total US coal                                          28,337  25,853  26,020   25,385  28,063   106,661  105,320
Rio Tinto total coal production                        38,648  36,874  36,872   36,097  39,307   148,930  149,149



Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are
then refined on-site.

Key to coal type:  S = Steaming/ thermal coal, M = Metallurgical/ coking coal.

See footnotes on page 6.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                           4Q     1Q      2Q       3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                         Interest        2001   2002    2002     2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Alumbrera (g)                                 25%        12.3   12.8    12.8     11.5     13.9      47.9     50.9
Bingham Canyon                               100%        67.2   62.5    64.3     64.4     69.0     312.7    260.2
Escondida                                     30%        53.2   48.7    61.0     47.9     68.7     232.4    226.3
Grasberg - FCX (h)                            15%        21.2   21.0    26.4     30.0     30.1      93.5    107.5
Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)                  40%        19.1   28.4    39.1     39.6     40.9      94.4    148.0
Neves Corvo                                   49%        10.5    9.0    10.8      8.5      9.5      40.6     37.8
Northparkes                                   80%        11.0    9.5     8.4      6.7      6.1      44.1     30.7
Palabora (i)                                  49%        11.2    8.6     5.5      6.0      5.6      38.4     25.7
Rio Tinto total mine production                         205.8  200.6   228.3    214.4    243.8     904.1    887.1
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper (h)                           17%        10.7   10.3    10.5     10.2     10.5      39.1     41.5
Escondida                                     30%        11.4   11.0    11.3      9.3     10.0      45.3     41.6
Kennecott Utah Copper                        100%        67.3   74.9    76.1     68.1     74.6     234.3    293.7
Palabora (i)                                  49%        11.0    8.0    10.8     11.3     10.0      42.5     40.2
Rio Tinto total refined production                      100.4  104.2   108.7     99.0    105.1     361.2    416.9

DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle (j)                                   100%       7,929  6,143   8,411    9,013    9,936    26,045   33,503
Merlin                                       100%          20     34      22       33       28        55      117
Rio Tinto total diamond production                      7,950  6,177   8,433    9,046    9,964    26,100   33,620

GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Alumbrera (g)                                 25%          47     51      49       40       48       168      188
Barneys Canyon                               100%          41     27      22       16       10       140       75
Bingham Canyon                               100%         120    125      95      103       89       592      412
Cortez/Pipeline                               40%         118    111     118      101      102       475      433
Escondida                                     30%           8      8      12        7       11        30       38
Grasberg - FCX (h)                            15%          70     52      69      131      103       388      355
Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)                  40%         199     86     141      208      227       880      662
Greens Creek                                  70%          15     17      20       18       18        62       72
Kelian                                        90%         110    103     115      158      109       408      485
Lihir                                         16%          20     24      25       22       27       105       99
Morro do Ouro                                 51%          24     28      30       30       27        95      115
Northparkes                                   80%           9      9       8        9        7        33       33
Peak (g)                                     100%          25     27      20       30       20       101       97
Rawhide                                       51%          12     12      11        9       10        52       42
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe                            56%           8      6       6        5        4        38       21
Others                                          -           3      2       2        2        2        10        8
Rio Tinto total mine production                           830    687     745      890      814     3,577    3,135
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper                        100%         112    127     133      123      105       389      488

IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar                                       60%       1,929  1,517   1,446    1,454    1,940     6,653    6,356
Corumba                                      100%         164    104     201      282      271       642      858
Hamersley                                    100%      15,149 14,653  14,078   15,711   13,121    58,828   57,563
Iron Ore Company of Canada (k) (l)            59%       1,841  1,815   2,189    1,296    1,868     8,169    7,168
Robe River                                    53%       4,379  4,418   3,686    5,345    5,558    16,274   19,006
Rio Tinto total mine production                        23,462 22,507  21,600   24,087   22,757    90,566   90,951



Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of
saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.

See footnotes on page 6.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
                                                                                                   FULL     FULL
                                                            4Q     1Q      2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                          Interest        2001   2002    2002   2002     2002      2001     2002
LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek                                   70%         3.7    3.7     4.6    3.5      3.8      14.3     15.7
Zinkgruvan                                    100%         6.1    4.7     4.9    9.2      6.0      24.5     24.7
Rio Tinto total mine production                            9.8    8.4     9.5   12.7      9.8      38.8     40.4

MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon                                100%         1.6    1.7     1.3    1.7      1.4       8.1      6.1

NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza                                     100%       1,984  2,063   1,290    510    2,410    10,170    6,273
Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress                   56%         892    943     835    987      829     3,719    3,594

SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt                                   65%       1,322  1,103   1,085  1,223    1,255     4,248    4,667

SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon                                100%       1,042  1,032     924    866      841     4,475    3,663
Escondida                                      30%         212    209     244    182      259       959      894
Grasberg - FCX (h)                             15%         141    151     201    233      219       700      804
Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)                   40%         193    115     193    264      470       641    1,043
Greens Creek                                   70%       1,809  1,960   2,029  1,955    1,724     7,703    7,668
Zinkgruvan                                    100%         427    324     302    545      383     1,496    1,554
Others                                           -         447    401     425    383      372     1,729    1,582
Rio Tinto total mine production                          4,272  4,192   4,318  4,427    4,269    17,703   17,207
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper                         100%         765    790   1,104  1,178      965     2,882    4,037

TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group                                99.9%         315    322     346    341      318     1,267    1,327

TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo                                    49%          72    123      36      -       11       588      169

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium                     100%         341    328     318    309      319     1,427    1,274

URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia                  68%         790    650     668    773      977     2,880    3,068
Palabora (i)                                   49%           -      -       -      -        -        15        -
Rossing                                        69%         462    510     463    580      335     1,811    1,887
Rio Tinto total uranium production                       1,252  1,160   1,131  1,353    1,311     4,705    4,955



Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the contained tonnage
of nickel.

See footnotes on page 6.


RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
                                                                                                   FULL     FULL
                                                            4Q     1Q      2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                          Interest        2001   2002    2002   2002     2002      2001     2002
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek                                   70%        10.5   11.4    12.4   11.1     11.9      40.7     46.7
Zinkgruvan                                    100%        16.6   11.1    10.4   13.6     12.9      61.8     48.0
Rio Tinto total mine production                           27.1   22.5    22.8   24.7     24.8     102.5     94.7
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Norzink (m)                                     0%           -      -       -      -        -      20.4        -



(a) Comalco increased its holding in Queensland Alumina Limited from 30.3% to
38.6%, with effect from September 2001.

(b) Comalco acquired an approximately 5% additional interest in production from
the Boyne Island smelter with effect from August 2002.

(c) Rio Tinto increased its stake in Coal & Allied from 70.9% to 72.7% during
March 2001 and to 75.7% on 17 September 2002.

(d) Production data are shown from 29 January 2001, the effective date of Coal &
Allied's acquisition of the Australian coal businesses of the Peabody Group.
Effective on the same date, Coal & Allied acquired an additional 11.8% interest
in the Warkworth mine.

On 14 March 2002, Coal & Allied completed the sale of its interests in Narama
and Ravensworth. Coal & Allied sold its interest in the Moura coal mine with
effect from 24 May 2002. Production data are shown up to the dates of sale.

(e) Rio Tinto has a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its Coal
Agreement, the Indonesian Government is entitled to a 13.5% share of Kaltim
Prima's production.  Rio Tinto's share of production shown is before deduction
of the Government share.

(f) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine, but, as it
is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the mine, all
of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(g) Rio Tinto signed a non-binding letter of intent on 15 January 2003 to sell
its 25% interest in Minera Alumbrera together with its wholly owned Peak Gold
Mine.

(h) Through its interest in Freeport-McMoRan-Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto had,
as of 31 December 2002, a 15.0% share in the Grasberg mine and a 16.5% share in
Atlantic Copper. Through a joint venture agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is
entitled, as shown separately in the above tables, to 40% of additional material
mined as a consequence of the expansion of the Grasberg facilities in 1998.

(i) In July 2001, Rio Tinto increased its holding in Palabora from 48.6% to
49.2%.

(j) Rio Tinto's interest in the Argyle Diamond mine increased from 99.8% to 100%
on 29 April 2002, following the purchase of the outstanding units in the Western
Australian Diamond Trust.

(k) During the first half of 2001, Rio Tinto acquired 20.3% of the Labrador Iron
Ore Royalty Income Fund. The Fund has a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of
Canada but this has not been included in the calculation of tonnage attributable
to Rio Tinto.

(l) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Iron Ore Company Canada from 56.1%
to 58.7% on 20 December 2002.

(m) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in Norzink on 17 April 2001.



Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicated
above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average
interest over the relevant periods.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                   FULL     FULL
                                                             4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                            2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
ALUMINIUM

Anglesey Aluminium
Total production at Anglesey Aluminium (Rio Tinto 51%) in the
UK.
(100% basis)
Aluminium hot metal production ('000 tonnes)                34.2   35.7   33.7   34.4    35.6     139.3    139.3


Comalco

Total production at Weipa (Rio Tinto 100%) in Australia; Boke (Rio Tinto 4%) in
Guinea; Eurallumina (Rio Tinto 56.2%) in Italy; Queensland Alumina (Rio Tinto
38.6% (a)) in Australia; Bell Bay (Rio Tinto 100%) in Australia; Boyne Island
(Rio Tinto 59.4% (b)) in Australia and Tiwai Point (Rio Tinto 79.4%) in New
Zealand.
(100% basis)

Weipa mine, Queensland

Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes)               2,913  2,759  2,738  2,863   2,882    11,326   11,241
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)                 2,831  2,730  2,783  2,737   2,882    11,008   11,132
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes)                      23     49     41     22      30       146      142

Boke mine
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)                            2,790  2,857  2,884  3,176   3,113    11,987   12,030

Eurallumina, Sardinia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)                              269    251    248    259     253       993    1,010

Queensland Alumina, Queensland (a)
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)                              953    911    906    884     873     3,624    3,574

Bell Bay, Tasmania
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)                   40.4   40.3   39.9   41.6    42.1     160.8    163.9

Boyne Island, Queensland (b)
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)                  131.5  125.1  130.2  133.1   131.8     508.9    520.2

Tiwai Point
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)                   81.2   82.4   82.5   84.3    84.7     322.3    333.9
Sales of aluminium attributable to Comalco ('000 tonnes)    165.4  177.4  178.9  174.4   187.7     689.9    718.4



(a) Comalco increased its shareholding in Queensland Alumina Limited from 30.3%
to 38.6% with effect from September 2001.

(b) Comalco acquired an approximately 5% additional interest in production from
the Boyne Island smelter with effect from August 2002.



Weipa production in 2002 was marginally lower than in 2001, largely reflecting
reduced demand for traded bauxite.



2002 alumina production at Queensland Alumina was slightly lower than in 2001,
reflecting the use of a low silica monohydrate bauxite which requires less
caustic soda. Production was also affected by unexpected boiler and power
outages in the second half of 2002.



In 2002, aluminium production at all smelters increased compared with 2001
reflecting improved production efficiencies and increased cell availability.
Boyne Island production in the fourth quarter of 2002 was slightly below the
third quarter of 2002 due to a high anode changeout rate and lower current
efficiency.



Aluminium sales for 2002 were markedly higher than in 2001, reflecting increased
smelter production levels, a reduction in inventory build up that occurred in
the fourth quarter of 2001 and additional metal entitlements from the
acquisition of an additional interest in the Boyne Island smelter in the third
quarter of 2002.


BORATES


Rio Tinto Borax

Total production at the Boron mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in California, US and at the
Tincalayu, Sijes, Porvenir and Maggie mines (Rio Tinto 100%) in Argentina.
(100% basis)
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)                                     134    130    130    132     136       564      528
(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.



Production during 2002 returned to normal levels following high production in
the first part of 2001 for inventory management purposes.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COAL


Coal & Allied Industries Limited (a)

Total production and sales from the Bengalla mine (Rio Tinto 30%); Hunter Valley
Operations (Rio Tinto 76%); the Mount Thorley Operations (Rio Tinto 61%); the
Narama mine (Rio Tinto 0%); the Ravensworth East mine (Rio Tinto 0%) and the
Warkworth mine (Rio Tinto 42%), all in New South Wales, and the Moura mine (Rio
Tinto 0%) in Queensland, Australia.
(100% basis)

Bengalla mine (b)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       1,454    944  1,696  1,228   1,517     4,894    5,385

Hunter Valley Operations
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       2,659  1,951  2,518  2,448   2,266     8,209    9,183
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                871  1,055    907    636     845     4,034    3,442

Mount Thorley Operations
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                         648    623    584    621     637     2,376    2,465
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                540    562    508    392     365     2,171    1,827

Moura mine (b) (c)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                         459    670    348      -      -      2,175    1,018
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                438    577    377      -      -      2,275      954
Coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                          179    230    197      -      -        438      427

Narama mine (b) (c)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                         445    370      -      -      -      2,177      370

Ravensworth East mine (b) (c)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                         457    387      -      -      -      1,511      387

Warkworth mine (b)
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                       1,145  1,602  1,411  1,430   1,871     5,141    6,314
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)                140    178    186    162      42       550      568

Total Coal & Allied
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                         9,435  9,149  8,732  6,915   7,544    35,951   32,340
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (d)                               9,503  8,786  8,425  6,851   7,486    35,713   31,549



(a) Rio Tinto increased its stake in Coal & Allied from 70.9% to 72.7% during
March 2001 and to 75.7% on 17 September 2002.

(b) Coal & Allied purchased the Australian coal businesses of the Peabody Group
(see note (c)) effective 29 January 2001. Effective on the same date Coal &
Allied acquired an additional 11.8% interest in the Warkworth mine.

(c) The sale of Coal & Allied's share of Narama and Ravensworth was completed on
14 March 2002. Coal & Allied sold its interest in the Moura coal mine with
effect from 24 May 2002.

(d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.



Coal production for the fourth quarter of 2002 was down compared with the fourth
quarter of 2001, reflecting the sale of the Ravensworth East, Narama and Moura
mines. Production at the remaining mines increased, specifically at Bengalla and
Warkworth in the fourth quarter of 2002, when compared with the third quarter of
2002. The increase in coal production at Bengalla was due to the mining
sequence.  At Warkworth, the increase was due to increased bypass coal
production.  Production from Hunter Valley Operations reflected the decision to
reduce production in the second half of 2002 to align better to market
conditions.


Kaltim Prima Coal


Total production and shipments from Kaltim Prima Coal (Rio Tinto 50%) in
Indonesia, including the share of production attributed to the Indonesian
Government (see footnote (e) on page 6).
(100% basis)
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                 4,110  3,877  4,256  5,080   4,527    15,611   17,740
   Shipments ('000 tonnes)                                  4,505  3,859  3,546  4,871   4,911    15,641   17,187



Production at Kaltim Prima Coal in 2002 was 14% above production in 2001. The
increase was due to better performance of major equipment and increased overland
conveyor capacity.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COAL (continued)

Kennecott Energy and Coal Company

Total production from the mines operated by Kennecott Energy and Coal Company in
the US: Antelope (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Cordero Rojo (Rio Tinto 100%) in
Wyoming; Jacobs Ranch (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Spring Creek (Rio Tinto 100%)
in Montana; Decker (Rio Tinto 50%) in Montana and Colowyo in Colorado, where
Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest and full management responsibility -
(see footnote (f) on page 6).
(100% basis)

Antelope mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                      6,038  5,335  6,075  6,452   6,457    22,344   24,319

Colowyo mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                      1,271  1,177  1,309  1,229   1,174     5,231    4,889

Cordero Rojo mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                     10,453  9,100  8,990  7,474   9,160    39,452   34,724

Decker mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                      2,266  2,143  2,092  2,391   2,395     8,510    9,021

Jacobs Ranch mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                      7,067  6,869  6,593  7,315   8,007    26,612   28,784

Spring Creek mine
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)                      2,375  2,300  2,007  1,719   2,067     8,767    8,093

Total Kennecott Energy
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                       29,470 26,924 27,066 26,580  29,260   110,916  109,830


Cordero Rojo's 2002 production suffered due to unusually heavy rainfall combined with highwall instability
issues.



Pacific Coal

Total production and sales from the Blair Athol Coal mine (Rio Tinto 71.2%), the
Kestrel Coal mine (Rio Tinto 80%) and the Tarong Coal mine (Rio Tinto 100%) all
in Queensland, Australia.
(100% basis)

Blair Athol Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                 1,865  2,990  2,591  3,379   2,849    10,592   11,809
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                      1,814  3,549  2,429  3,413   2,913    10,310   12,304

Kestrel Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                   231    323    403    342     617     1,202    1,685
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                        225    100    169    101     135       645      505
Coking coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                   359    631    626    479     670     2,068    2,406
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                        312    298    456    330     394     1,644    1,478
Semi-hard coking coal: (a)
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                        457    196    485    567     380     1,235    1,628

Tarong Coal mine
Thermal coal:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                 1,333  1,314  1,422  1,254   1,695     5,276    5,685
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                      1,474  1,242  1,273  1,404   1,503     5,321    5,422

Total Pacific Coal
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)                         3,788  5,258  5,042  5,453   5,831    19,138   21,585



(a)     Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal. The
product mix is customer dependent.



Sales at Blair Athol were higher in 2002 than in 2001, due to the second half of
2001 being affected by port and rail capacity restrictions.

Kestrel production for 2002 compared favourably with 2001, with longwall
equipment reliability issues resolved and improved mining conditions in the
second and fourth quarters. Production in the third quarter of 2002 was affected
by a longwall changeover and associated commissioning.

Tarong production was higher in 2002 than 2001, as stockpiles were increased in
anticipation of demand from the new Tarong North power station.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                     FULL     FULL
                                                            4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                           2001    2002    2002   2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD

Alumbrera
Total production and sales at the Bajo de la Alumbrera mine (Rio Tinto 25% (a)) in Argentina.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 7,142   7,145   7,676   8,033   8,704    29,181   31,558
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                              0.74    0.76    0.75    0.62    0.69      0.72     0.70
   Gold (g/t)                                              1.05    1.11    1.02    0.78    0.85      0.95     0.93
Concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                       178.3   183.4   187.4   168.0   204.7     690.5    743.5
Copper in concentrates:
   Production ('000 tonnes)                                49.2    51.0    51.2    45.9    55.6     191.6    203.7
   Sales ('000 tonnes)                                     53.6    50.9    49.0    41.1    53.0     187.8    194.0
Production of gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)            178     188     183     148     176       637      694
Production of gold in dore ('000 ounces)                     10      15      15      13      17        36       60
Total gold sales ('000 ounces)                              200     202     191     148     187       657      729
(a) see note (g) on page 6.


Escondida

Total production at the Escondida mine (Rio Tinto 30%) in Chile.
(100% basis)

Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                      10,060  10,452  11,312  10,141  14,631   43,042   46,536
Average copper grade (%)                                  1.72    1.53    1.74    1.45    1.59     1.81     1.58
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
   Contained copper ('000 tonnes)                        144.4   134.9   170.3   125.6   191.8    643.1    622.6
   Contained gold ('000 ounces)                             28      27      41      23      35      101      126
   Contained silver ('000 ounces)                          705     698     813     606     864    3,198    2,981
Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                          3,225   3,054   3,240   3,316   3,164   12,241   12,774
Average copper grade (%)                                  1.01    0.91    1.02    1.03    1.18     1.07     1.04
Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000           33      28      33      34      37      132      132
tonnes)
Refined production:
   Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes)                   38.1    36.8    37.5    31.1    33.3    151.0    138.7



Escondida mill production for the fourth quarter of 2002 reflected the start up
of the new Laguna Seca concentrator. Lower ore grades during the year were in
line with the previously announced plan to reduce copper production at
Escondida.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

Total production and sales at the Grasberg mine (Rio Tinto 15.0% (a)) in Papua,
Indonesia, and the Atlantic Copper smelter (Rio Tinto 16.5%) in Spain.
(100% basis)

Grasberg mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                 21,780 21,979 21,806 20,220  21,996    86,787   86,001
Average mill head grades:
   Copper (%)                                               0.89   0.90   1.14   1.31    1.23      1.00     1.14
   Gold (g/t)                                               1.03   0.73   0.98   1.85    1.44      1.41     1.24
   Silver (g/t)                                             2.99   2.76   3.63   4.01    4.05      3.20     3.60
Production of metals in concentrates:
   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                    167.8  167.9  215.1  239.8   241.6     749.4    864.4
   Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)                        693    432    599  1,086     913     3,596    3,030
   Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)                    1,184  1,120  1,532  1,822   1,928     5,545    6,402
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                    166.6  161.7  194.2  242.6   234.6     726.1    833.2
   Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)                        700    420    516  1,096     902     3,499    2,934
   Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)                      934    863  1,090  1,476   1,487     4,280    4,916



(a) See note (h) on page 6 for details of Rio Tinto's 15.0% interest in Grasberg
and 40% interest in the expansion.

(b) Net of smelter deductions.



In the fourth quarter of 2002, copper production and sales were similar to the
third quarter of 2002. Gold production and sales declined in the fourth quarter
of 2002 because of lower average mill head grades compared with the third
quarter of 2002. Copper and gold production and sales for the fourth quarter of
2002 were much improved, when compared with the fourth quarter of 2001, because
of higher average mill head grades.


Atlantic Copper smelter
Concentrates and scrap smelted ('000 tonnes)                250.2  258.3  242.5  258.2   257.7     891.1  1,016.7
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c)                     76.8   77.2   69.0   74.6    77.2     280.0    298.0
Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes)                       64.3   61.8   63.6   61.5    63.5     235.3    250.5
Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d)                       66.7   61.6   63.7   62.2    65.0     249.4    252.4



(c) New metal excluding recycled material.

(d) Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.



Atlantic Copper reported record annual concentrates and scrap smelted and record
copper anodes production for the full year 2002.


Kelian Equatorial Mining

Total production and sales from the Kelian gold mine (Rio Tinto 90%) in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                  1,893 1,716 1,857 1,787   1,953     7,002    7,313
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                               2.71  2.62  2.71  3.83    2.66      2.69     2.95
   Silver (g/t)                                             5.42  4.92  5.09  5.92    4.55      5.76     5.11
Production:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                        123   114   128   176     121       453      539
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                       85    88    89    96      75       338      348
Sales:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                        134   109   125   154     154       466      542
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                        -     -   256   129     115       190      500



Ore treated in the fourth quarter of 2002 was higher than in the previous
quarter due to increased plant availability. Maintenance was performed on
cracking in the ball mill shell during the third quarter. Gold grade and
production was lower in the fourth quarter of 2002 than in the previous quarter
due to a reduction in the percentage of high grade ore feed direct from the pit.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Kennecott Minerals Company

Total production at the mines of Kennecott Minerals Company in the US; Cortez/
Pipeline (Rio Tinto 40%) in Nevada; Greens Creek (Rio Tinto 70%) in Alaska and
Rawhide (Rio Tinto 51%) in Nevada.
(100% basis)

Cortez/Pipeline mine
Ore treated
   Milled ('000 tonnes)                                       829    825    837    873     868     3,199    3,403
   Leached ('000 tonnes)                                    3,797  3,804  2,339  1,770   2,924    15,554   10,837
   Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes)                            101    102     96     13      82       390      293
Average ore grade: gold
    Milled (g/t)                                             9.23   8.29   8.19   7.17    6.14      8.81     7.43
    Leached (g/t)                                            1.00   1.10   0.99   0.98    1.00      1.10     1.03
    Sold for roasting (g/t)                                  7.84   8.50   8.77   7.96    8.66     10.34     8.61
Gold produced ('000 ounces)                                   295    278    296    252     256     1,188    1,082



Ore treatment rates and grades varied according to areas being mined and ore
type. Roast ore sales resumed in November 2002 under new contract terms, after
being suspended in July 2002. The new 1.6 million square metre leach pad and
carbon plant began operations during the third quarter, with ore placement
increasing over time.


Greens Creek mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                     157    160    167    168     170       597      665
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                                6.36   6.51   7.57   6.93    6.81      6.65     6.96
   Silver (g/t)                                               673    722    688    701     595       746      676
   Zinc (%)                                                  11.7   12.5   13.3   11.8    12.4      12.1     12.5
   Lead (%)                                                   4.6    4.7    5.3    4.4     4.4       4.8      4.7
Metals produced in concentrates:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                          22     24     29     25      25        88      103
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                     2,575  2,789  2,887  2,782   2,454    10,964   10,912
   Zinc ('000 tonnes)                                        14.9   16.2   17.6   15.8    16.9      58.0     66.5
   Lead ('000 tonnes)                                         5.2    5.3    6.6    5.0     5.4      20.3     22.3



Mill throughput continued to increase in the fourth quarter of 2002 due to
optimization efforts. Zinc concentrate production increased as efforts were
focused on the reduction of outstanding customer commitments. Cemented backfill
placement continued to increase in the fourth quarter of 2002. Silver grades
declined in the fourth quarter of 2002 due to mine sequencing.


Rawhide mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   1,433  1,407  1,313  1,330   1,335     5,723    5,385
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                                0.86   1.03   1.11   1.01    0.69      0.96     0.96
   Silver (g/t)                                              15.9   14.2   14.8   14.4    13.3      16.4     14.2
Metals produced in dore:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                          24     23     22     18      19       101       82
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                       175    193    212    149     134       730      688



Gold and silver grades dropped as a result of the completion of mining in mid
October 2002, with lean ore stockpile material being processed thereafter. Ore
processing rates varied due to continued ore extraction constraints in the final
benches of the mine, ore hardness and maintenance requirements. Lower gold and
silver production was the result of higher stacking, lowered pad permeability
and the temporary reduction of available area for leach until stacking is
complete.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Kennecott Utah Copper

Total production at Kennecott's Barneys Canyon mine (Rio Tinto 100%) and Bingham
Canyon mine, smelter and refinery (Rio Tinto 100%) both in Utah, US.

Barneys Canyon mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                     432    102      -      -      -      2,000      102
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                                3.15   1.17      -      -      -       3.33     1.17
Gold produced in dore and concentrates ('000 ounces)           41     27     22     16      10       140       75



Gold production in the fourth quarter of 2002 was lower than in the third
quarter of 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001 principally due to timing of
flows from the heap leach pads. Mining operations ceased in December 2001.
Crushing operations have ceased as inventory has been liquidated.
Bingham Canyon mine

Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                   10,203 9,999 9,840  10,256  10,625    48,566   40,720
Average ore grade:
   Copper (%)                                                 0.73  0.69  0.70    0.67    0.71      0.73     0.69
   Gold (g/t)                                                 0.55  0.57  0.41    0.43    0.36      0.54     0.44
   Silver (g/t)                                               3.99  3.93  3.50    3.22    3.02      3.67     3.42
   Molybdenum (%)                                            0.035 0.039 0.034   0.037   0.026     0.042    0.034
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                     239   219   251     243     279     1,108      992
Average concentrate grade (% Cu)                              28.0  28.5  25.5    26.5    24.6      28.1     26.2
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
   Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)                                   67.2  62.5  64.3    64.4    69.0     312.7    260.2
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                          120   125    95     103      89       592      412
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                      1,042 1,032   924     866     841     4,475    3,663
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):                2.8   3.0   2.5     3.1     2.6      14.5     11.2
   Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                    1.6   1.7   1.3     1.7     1.4       8.1      6.1

Kennecott smelter & refinery
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)                      271   258   279     259     300       975    1,096
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)                      76.0  76.7  74.6    63.4    79.0     244.2    293.7
Production of refined metal:
   Copper ('000 tonnes)                                       67.3  74.9  76.1    68.1    74.6     234.3    293.7
   Gold  ('000 ounces) (c)                                     112   127   133     123     105       389      488
   Silver ('000 ounces) (c)                                    765   790 1,104   1,178     965     2,882    4,037



(a) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.

(b) New metal excluding recycled material.

(c) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.



Mine production of all products for 2002 was less than in 2001 principally due
to lower throughput associated with the June 2001 closure of the North
Concentrator and lower ore grades. Fourth quarter 2002 mine production of copper
was higher than in the fourth quarter of 2001. Higher throughput and recovery
more than offset lower copper ore grade. Compared with the third quarter of
2002, copper output was higher due to better grade and higher throughput. As
previously announced, by-product grades at KUC will be significantly lower in
2003. This decrease in grades started in the fourth quarter of 2002.



Smelter and refinery performance improved in the fourth quarter and for the year
2002 compared with the same periods in 2001 due largely to higher plant
availability. Compared with the third quarter of 2002, copper output was also
higher due largely to favourable plant availability following a short
maintenance shutdown in August. Silver output for the fourth quarter of 2002 was
lower than in the same period of 2001 due to lower ore grade and timing of
output from in-process inventories. Silver output for the year 2002 was higher
than 2001 largely due to favourable output from in-process inventories. Gold and
silver output was lower than in the third quarter of 2002 due to lower ore
grades and timing of inventory flows.


Lihir Gold

Total production at the Lihir gold mine (Rio Tinto 16.3%) in Papua New Guinea.
(100% basis)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                    827   905   968   891   1,063     3,619    3,828
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                               5.43  5.50  5.64  5.25    5.44      6.18     5.46
Gold produced ('000 ounces) (a)                              123   148   154   138     168       648      607



(a)     Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.



Increased gold production for the fourth quarter of 2002 resulted from improved
recoveries, plant reliability and increased throughput, following the
commissioning of the pebble crusher.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                FULL     FULL
                                                             4Q    1Q    2Q    3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                            2001  2002  2002 2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Northparkes Joint Venture
Total production and sales at the Northparkes mine (Rio Tinto 80%) in New South Wales, Australia.
(100% basis)
Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes)                         1,444 1,397 1,399 1,237   1,331     5,425    5,364
Average ore grade:
   Copper (%)                                               1.12  1.00  0.91  0.81    0.69      1.16     0.86
   Gold (g/t)                                               0.32  0.34  0.34  0.41    0.31      0.32     0.35
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                  36.2  30.2  29.9  23.0    20.1     144.2    103.2
Contained copper in concentrates:
   Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                        13.8  11.9  10.5   8.4     7.6      55.1     38.4
   Sales ('000 tonnes) (a)                                  10.5  10.4   8.9   5.9     4.7      44.7     29.9
Contained gold in concentrates:
   Saleable production ('000 ounces)                        10.8  11.3  10.1  11.0     8.4      41.5     40.8
   Sales ('000 ounces) (a)                                   8.2  10.4   7.7   6.6     6.0      31.6     30.7



(a)     Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.



The decline in copper production for 2002 was in line with the operation's
mining strategy and the near completion of ore extraction from the first Lift of
the E26 orebody. Production in the second half was also affected by a failure of
the automated hoisting system and lower development ore being processed from the
Lift 2 development due to ground stability delays. Both issues resulted in a
higher portion of low copper grade open cut stockpiled ore being fed through the
mill, though at a higher gold content.


Palabora

Total production at the Palabora mine, smelter and refinery (Rio Tinto 49.2% (a)) in South Africa.
(100% basis)

Palabora mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                  3,555 2,558 2,005 2,722   2,648    14,522    9,933
Average ore grade: copper (%)                               0.72  0.77  0.66  0.54    0.56      0.66     0.63
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                  66.3  55.8  35.9  40.5    35.7     233.5    167.9
Average concentrate grade: copper (%)                       34.3  31.4  31.2  29.9    31.9      33.6     31.1
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)                        22.8  17.5  11.2  12.1    11.4      78.4     52.2

Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)               70.7  65.7  64.5  68.7    59.7     310.4    258.6
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)                16.7  17.8  23.1  22.5    18.9      85.0     82.3
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)                   22.2  16.2  22.0  23.0    20.4      86.9     81.6

By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)                           59    51    49    31      40       201      172
Uranium oxide (tonnes)                                         -     -     -     -       -        31        -
Baddeleyite (several grades) ('000 tonnes)                     -     -     -     -       -       4.0        -
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes)                              74    73    88    67      85       245      314

Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)                          42.1  44.0  57.1  62.5    59.8     160.3    223.5



(a) Rio Tinto increased its holding in Palabora from 48.6% to 49.2% in July
2001.

(b) Contained copper in anodes; anode production includes a small amount
produced from purchased material.



Ore production was maintained during the fourth quarter of 2002 following
continued successful scavenging of the main access ramps in the open pit. For
2002, new copper in concentrate production declined on account of the delayed
ramp up in output from the new underground mine. The shortfall in concentrate
was partially covered by the processing of smelter secondaries and low grade
concentrate stockpiles. This resulted in a low average smelter feed grade of
29.7% for the year. Anode copper production was supplemented by the importation
of small quantities of concentrate and scrap copper. Refined copper production
declined in line with the lower smelter throughput.



Magnetite production improved during the fourth quarter of 2002 following
replacement of the regrind mills with a new scalping circuit. Vermiculite
production was higher than in the comparable quarter of 2001, due to higher
availability of plant and heavy equipment. Uranium and baddeleyite production
ceased with the closure of the heavy minerals plant in August 2001.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                 FULL     FULL
                                                             4Q    1Q    2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                            2001  2002  2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Peak Gold Mine
Total production and sales from the Peak Gold Mine (Rio Tinto 100% (a)) in New South Wales, Australia.
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                    153   157   151    159     144       594      610
Average ore grades:
   Gold (g/t)                                               5.57  5.81  4.74   6.33    5.13      5.88     5.52
   Silver (g/t)                                             5.94  3.16  3.16   2.79    3.09      9.91     3.05
   Copper (%)                                               0.47  0.44  0.28   0.21    0.21      0.43     0.29
   Lead (%)                                                 0.50  0.29  0.21   0.22    0.15      0.80     0.22
   Zinc (%)                                                 0.77  0.42  0.19   0.35    0.13      1.44     0.28
Bullion produced  ('000 ounces)                               25    27    23     32      23       120      105
Containing:
   Gold ('000 ounces)                                         23    25    18     29      20        92       92
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                        1     2     3      5       3        24       12
Gold recovered in concentrates ('000 ounces)                   2     2     2      1       0         9        5
Total gold production ('000 ounces)                           25    27    20     30      20       101       97
Bullion sales (fine gold) ('000 ounces)                       23    27    18     26      22        91       93
Copper in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
   Production                                                0.2   0.2   0.1    0.0     0.0       0.9      0.4
   Sales                                                     1.1     -     -    0.8     0.2       1.1      1.0
Lead/zinc in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
   Production                                                0.2     -     -      -       -       4.6        -
   Sales                                                     1.4   0.9     -      -       -       6.1        -
(a) see note (g) on page 6.


Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada

Total production at the Morro do Ouro gold mine (Rio Tinto 51%) in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
(100% basis)

Morro do Ouro mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                  4,567 4,692 4,722 4,406   4,544    16,488   18,364
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                               0.42  0.48  0.49  0.55    0.48      0.45     0.50
Refined gold produced ('000 ounces)                           47    55    59    59      52       187      225
Production increased from 2001 levels due to increased plant availability and improved head grades.


Rio Tinto Zimbabwe

Total production at Rio Tinto Zimbabwe's gold operations (Rio Tinto 56%) in Zimbabwe.
(100% basis)

Cam Dump reprocessing
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                      -     -     -     -       -       499        -
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                                  -     -     -     -       -      1.39        -
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                              -     -     -     -       -         5        -

Patchway mine (a)
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                     24    23    21    24      15        98       84
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                               4.62  4.41  3.47  2.53    2.01      4.49     3.19
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                              3     3     2     2       1        12        7

Renco mine
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                     69    61    65    63      65       263      253
Average ore grade: gold (g/t)                               5.95  5.03  4.68  3.95    3.46      6.80     4.27
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                             11     8     9     7       7        50       31
Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced ('000 ounces)                             14    11    11     9       8        67       38
(a) Includes low grade material.
Production ceased at Cam Dump in June 2001.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                  FULL     FULL
                                                            4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                           2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
COPPER & GOLD (continued)

Somincor
Total production at the Neves Corvo mine (Rio Tinto 49%) in Portugal.
(100% basis)

Neves Corvo mine
Total ore treated ('000 tonnes)  (a)                        484    453    475    406     423     2,021    1,756
   Of which, treated to extract tin ('000 tonnes)            25      8      7      -       2       190       16
Average ore grades:
   Copper (%)                                              5.07   4.85   5.26   4.87    5.23      4.81     5.06
   Tin (%)                                                 1.21   4.52   2.09      -    2.87      1.58     3.31
Copper production:
   Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)              88.1   74.6   90.8   72.3    81.7     344.3    319.4
   Copper concentrate grade: copper (%)                    24.2   24.8   24.3   23.9    23.7      24.1     24.2
   Copper in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)           21.3   18.5   22.1   17.3    19.4      82.9     77.2
Tin production:
   Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)                  0.2    0.4    0.1      -     0.0       2.1      0.6
   Tin concentrate grade: tin (%)                          61.0   62.2   60.5      -    72.9      57.4     62.4
   Tin in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)               0.1    0.3    0.1      -     0.0       1.2      0.3
(a) Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.
Tin production declined in the second half of 2002 due to the low availability of tin ore.


DIAMONDS

Argyle Diamonds
Total production from mining operations at Argyle Diamonds (Rio Tinto 100% (a)) in Western
Australia.
(100% basis)
Ore processed ('000 tonnes):
   AK1 ore                                                 2,524 2,501 2,519 2,558   2,525    10,313   10,103
   Alluvial ore                                              980   882   780   851     348     4,190    2,862
Total ore processed                                        3,504 3,383 3,299 3,409   2,873    14,503   12,965
Diamonds produced ('000 carats):
   AK1                                                     7,739 5,878 8,241 8,599   9,482    25,225   32,200
   Alluvial                                                  206   277   174   414     455       873    1,319
Total produced                                             7,945 6,155 8,415 9,013   9,936    26,097   33,519



(a)     Rio Tinto's interest in the Argyle Diamond mine increased from 99.8% to
100% on 29 April 2002, following the purchase of the outstanding units in the
Western Australian Diamond Trust.



Ore processed from the AK1 pit was in line with previous quarters, while carats
produced reflected higher ore grade, in accordance with mining schedules.
Alluvial ore throughput reflected the cessation of mining activities due to the
lack of economic ore blocks. Future mining activity is pending the conclusion of
a participative agreement with Traditional Owners and the Kimberley Land Council
to access new prospective ore blocks. Alluvial carat production for 2002
reflected the processing of higher grade ore blocks compared with 2001.


Merlin

Rio Tinto share of production from the Merlin mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in the Northern Territory,
Australia.
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)                                  135   191   195   184     217       431      787
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)                              20    34    22    33      28        55      117



Ore processed was higher than in previous quarters reflecting higher processing
rates arising from favourable ore types. Carats recovered were lower than in the
previous quarter, reflecting lower grade ore in accordance with planned mining
sequences.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                    FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q     1Q     2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001   2002   2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
IRON ORE


Hamersley Iron

Total production and shipments are for all the mines operated by Hamersley Iron
(Rio Tinto 100%). These mines are Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, Marandoo,
Yandicoogina, Brockman (all Rio Tinto 100%) and Channar (Rio Tinto 60%) all in
Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Saleable iron ore produced ('000 tonnes):
   Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
   Marandoo, Brockman and Yandicoogina                    15,149 14,653 14,078 15,711  13,121    58,828   57,563
   Channar                                                 3,215  2,528  2,409  2,423   3,233    11,088   10,594
Total production                                          18,364 17,181 16,487 18,134  16,354    69,916   68,157
Total shipments ('000 tonnes)                             16,831 13,179 16,984 19,284  19,029    65,357   68,475



Fourth quarter 2002 production was 11% lower than in the same period last year.
However, 2002 yielded third quarter, fourth quarter and full year shipment
records, reflecting continued strong demand for Hamersley product, mostly driven
by strong sales to China and by sales of Yandi fines to Japan and Korea. 2002
production was 2.5% lower overall than in 2001.


Iron Ore Company of Canada

Total production and shipments from the Carol Lake operations (Rio Tinto 58.7%
(a)) in Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada.
(100% basis)

Carol Lake operations
Saleable production:
   Concentrates ('000 tonnes)                                 717    589  1,568    532     494     3,004    3,183
   Pellets ('000 tonnes)                                    2,564  2,647  2,334  1,778   2,816    11,558    9,575
Shipments:
   Concentrate ('000 tonnes)                                  938    704    869    973     605     3,415    3,151
   Pellets ('000 tonnes)                                    2,704  1,370  3,094  3,612   3,461     9,722   11,537



(a)     Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in IOC from 56.1% to 58.7% on 20
December 2002.



The improvement in pellet production seen in the fourth quarter of 2002 resulted
from the ongoing focus on operational performance at the mine and pellet plant.
Production of concentrate for sale was negatively affected by higher pellet
volume and poor weight recovery. Shipments during the fourth quarter were 12%
higher than in the corresponding period of 2001 as a result of additional sales
to existing customers and new business. Shipments for 2002 were 12% higher than
in 2001 primarily because of better market conditions in North America.


Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada

Total production at the Corumba mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Corumba, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Corumba mine
Total iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a)                  164   104   201   282     271       642      858



(a)     Production includes by-product fines.



Production increased from 2001 levels due to renegotiation of a contract with a
major customer and new market developments.


Robe River Iron Associates


Total production and shipments from the Pannawonica and West Angelas mines (Rio
Tinto 53%) in Western Australia.
(100% basis)

Pannawonica mine
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                           8,263  8,206  6,275  8,186   8,639    30,706   31,306
Shipments ('000 tonnes)                                     7,582  8,334  7,179  8,848   7,612    31,113   31,973

West Angelas mine
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)                               -    129    680  1,898   1,847         -    4,554
Shipments ('000 tonnes)                                         -      -    131  1,777   1,532         -    3,440



Production  from Pannawonica was up 6% on the previous quarter, and up 5%
compared with the corresponding quarter in 2001. Shipments of Mesa J ore from
Pannawonica were down 14% on the abnormally high previous quarter and have
returned to a more sustainable level, in line with the comparative 2001 quarter.
Production and shipment totals were again boosted in the fourth quarter of 2002
by the West Angelas mine operations.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                 FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q    1Q    2Q    3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                            2001  2002  2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
NICKEL

Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Total nickel in matte production at the Fortaleza mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Brazil.

Fortaleza mine
Production (tonnes)                                        1,984 2,063 1,290   510    2,410    10,170    6,273



Production decreased from 2001 levels due to low ore availability from
underground, where poor ground conditions led to an unscheduled shutdown of the
mine for four months.


Rio Tinto Zimbabwe

Toll refined metal production at the Empress Nickel refinery (Rio Tinto 56%) in Zimbabwe.
(100% basis)

Empress Nickel refinery
Production (tonnes)                                        1,591 1,683 1,489 1,761    1,479     6,635    6,412


SALT

Dampier Salt

Total production of salt from Dampier, Lake MacLeod and Port Hedland (a) (Rio
Tinto 64.9%) in Western Australia.
(100% basis)
Salt production ('000 tonnes)                              2,035 1,699 1,671 1,883    1,933     6,541    7,186



(a) Production from the Port Hedland operation (Dampier Salt 100%) is included
with effect from 17 August 2001.


TALC


The Luzenac Group

Total talc production from Luzenac Group operations in Australia (Rio Tinto
100%), Europe (Rio Tinto 99.9%), and North America (Rio Tinto 100%).
(100% basis)
Talc production ('000 tonnes)                                316   323   347   341      318     1,268    1,328


TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium
Rio Tinto share of titanium dioxide feedstock production in Canada and South
Africa.
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 tonnes)          341   328   318   309      319     1,427    1,274



Titanium dioxide feedstock production in 2002 was below 2001, as production was
curtailed in line with market demand.


OPERATIONAL DATA

                                                                                                  FULL     FULL
                                                              4Q    1Q    2Q     3Q       4Q      YEAR     YEAR
                                                             2001  2002  2002  2002     2002      2001     2002
URANIUM

Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Total production at the Ranger mine (Rio Tinto 68.4%) in the Northern Territory, Australia.
(100% basis)

Ranger mine
Production (tonnes U3O8)                                    1,155   951   977  1,130   1,428     4,211    4,486


Rossing Uranium Ltd
Total uranium production at the Rossing Uranium mine (Rio Tinto 68.58%) in Namibia.
(100% basis)
Production (tonnes U3O8)                                      674   743   675    846     488     2,640    2,751


ZINC

Norzink AS
Total refined zinc production at the Norzink smelter (Rio Tinto 0% (a)) in Norway.
(100% basis)
Production ('000 tonnes)                                       -     -     -      -      -         41       -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in Norzink on 17 April
2001.


Zinkgruvan Mining AB
Total production at the Zinkgruvan mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Sweden.
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)                                    208   197   188   188     163       807      735
Average ore grades:
   Zinc (%)                                                  8.7   6.2   6.1   8.0     8.6       8.4      7.2
   Lead (%)                                                  3.7   2.8   3.0   5.3     4.2       3.6      3.8
   Silver (g/t)                                               91    71    69   119     104        84       90
Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes)                30.2  20.0  18.9  24.6    23.3     112.6     86.8
Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes)                 8.9   7.2   7.2  13.1     8.5      35.0     36.0
Production of metal in concentrates:
   Zinc ('000 tonnes)                                       16.6  11.1  10.4  13.6    12.9      61.8     48.0
   Lead ('000 tonnes)                                        6.1   4.7   4.9   9.2     6.0      24.5     24.7
   Silver ('000 ounces)                                      427   324   302   545     383     1,496    1,554


Although zinc grades improved throughout the year, overall zinc production was below 2001 due mainly to production
problems underground. Lead and silver production in 2002 was slightly higher than in 2001.




EXPLORATION

Expenditure


Total pre-tax exploration expenditure charged to the profit and loss account for
the quarter ending 31 December 2002 was US$37 million compared with US$42
million in the comparable quarter of 2001. Total expenditure for the twelve
months of 2002 was US$127 million, compared with US$130 million in 2001.


Ongoing Programmes



Country        Commodity       Programme Summary


Peru           Copper          Exploration continued at the Marcona copper project in the vicinity of the known iron
                               oxide copper resource.
USA            Copper          Drilling continued at the Resolution deep porphyry copper project in Arizona.
Iran           Gold            Exploration and metallurgical test work continued on the Dashkasan gold project.
Turkey         Gold            Drilling at the Copler gold project continued to obtain significant results.
Africa         Diamonds        Drilling commenced on new kimberlite targets in the south of Botswana. Drilling also
                               continued at Aredor project in Guinea to test a range of kimberlite targets.
Canada         Diamonds        Exploration continued on kimberlite targets in Ontario, Nunavut and on Brodeur
                               Peninsula.
India          Diamonds        Exploration continued on granted reconnaissance permits in Andhra Pradesh and
                               Karnataka.
Australia      Iron Ore        Encouraging new results were obtained from iron ore exploration in the Pilbara
                               region.
Guinea         Iron Ore        Evaluation work continued at the Simandou haematite project. A Convention was signed
                               with the Government of Guinea to cover conditions for future possible development of
                               the deposit.

                      This information is provided by RNS
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