Rio Tinto sells Fortaleza

Rio Tinto PLC
23 December 2003



Rio Tinto sells Fortaleza nickel mine to Votorantim Metais


Rio Tinto announced today that it has agreed to sell its 100 per cent interest
in the nickel mining company Mineracao Serra da Fortaleza Ltda (MSF) to
Votorantim Metais, a Brazilian-controlled mining company. Closure of the
transaction will take place in early January 2004.


Votorantim Metais will purchase Rio Tinto's interests in Fortaleza for cash
which will include an adjustment for future nickel prices. The total cash
consideration is expected to be at least $90 million based on current forward
nickel prices.





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