Rio Tinto Iron ore update

Rio Tinto PLC
04 May 2004

Rio Tinto Iron Ore update



Rio Tinto will hold an update of its iron ore operations on Tuesday 4 May 2004
at 5.30pm AEST / 8.30am BST.  The update will be hosted by Chris Renwick, chief
executive of Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO), and can be accessed via Rio Tinto's
website at www.riotinto.com.



The presentation will cover market dynamics, operational developments and the
expansion of RTIO's production capacity.  The following key points will be made:



•         Rio Tinto Iron Ore has been transformed since 1999, with the
acquisition of the iron ore assets of North Limited in 2000, the expansion of
the Robe River Joint Venture production following commissioning of the West
Angelas mine and the current expansion of Hamersley Iron's capacity from 74 to
116 million tonnes a year.  Following the completion of current expansion
projects Rio Tinto will have a managed capacity of over 180 million tonnes a
year.

•         Rio Tinto Iron Ore continues to see strong demand growth for its
products in China, and the Asian market in general.

•         Rio Tinto Iron Ore is capturing value from closer cooperation between
Hamersley Iron and the Robe River Joint Venture.  Pilbara Iron has been
established to operate and maintain Hamersley Iron and Robe rail, port and power
infrastructure and other non-infrastructure assets.  Rio Tinto Iron Ore has
unrivalled operational flexibility with three ports and nine mines in the
Pilbara.

•         In December 2003 Hamersley Iron announced the expenditure of US$920
million on the expansion of its port and mine capacity, with further expenditure
on the rail network and power infrastructure being evaluated.  The Robe River
Joint Venture partners have now approved just over US$200 million (Rio Tinto
share US$110 million) to dual track a significant part of the Hamersley Iron
rail line.  Hamersley Iron will spend a further US$45 million to upgrade the
power infrastructure in the Pilbara.  The port and mine expansions are on track
for completion by the end of 2005.





For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                          AUSTRALIA

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

Investor Relations                              Investor Relations

Peter Cunningham                                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




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange