Sale of interest in gold mine

Rio Tinto PLC
04 January 2005

Sale of interest in gold mine



Rio Tinto and Kinross Gold Corporation completed the previously announced sale
of Rio Tinto's 51 per cent interest in Rio Paracatu Mineracao (RPM), the
owner of the Morro do Ouro mine in Brazil, on 31 December 2004.  The
consideration of US$260 million, which was paid in cash on completion, is
subject to an adjustment on the basis of the working capital of the target
companies as at 31 December 2004.


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


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