Rio Tinto Iron Ore Statement

Rio Tinto PLC
14 December 2000

The following was released by Rio Tinto Iron Ore in Australia earlier today.
 
                                                                              
                    Robe River Joint Venture legal action                     

 
Rio Tinto Iron Ore is disappointed that its partners in the Robe River Iron
Associates Joint Venture have chosen to pursue legal action over aspects of
the development of the West Angelas project. The disagreement between the
parties concerns the question of whether the Joint Venture should construct a
separate rail line, or avail itself of Rio Tinto Iron Ore's existing rail
facilities.
 
Rio Tinto has been the majority joint venturer in Robe River since its
successful takeover of North Limited earlier this year.
 
Rio Tinto Iron Ore and the joint venture partners have had extensive
discussions regarding planning for the West Angelas iron ore development. The
development of the West Angelas project is continuing and Rio Tinto Iron Ore
believes that outstanding issues can be satisfactorily resolved through
further discussions between all joint venture partners.
 
Rio Tinto Iron Ore believes its involvement in the Robe River Joint Venture,
which has occurred through its takeover of North, will deliver benefits to
the Joint Venture, the Joint Venture's customers, Robe's employees, and to
the State of Western Australia. Rio Tinto Iron Ore will continue to take
actions which it considers to be in the best interests of the Joint Venture.
 
 
For further information 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
Bruce Larson                       Dave Skinner
General Manager-External Affairs   [phone]
Rio Tinto Iron Ore          
[phone]     
     
Ian Head                           Daphne Morros
[phone]                 [phone]
          
www.riotinto.com