Sale of Somincor completed

Rio Tinto PLC
18 June 2004

Rio Tinto completes sale of interest in Somincor

Rio Tinto and Empresa de Desenvolvimento ('EDM') have concluded the sale of
their interests in the Neves Corvo copper mine in Portugal to EuroZinc for a
cash consideration of 128 million euros. Rio Tinto's share of the consideration
for its 49 per cent share of the mine is 58 million euros.

Under the terms of the agreement there is a price participation clause whereby,
for a period of four years, EDM and Rio Tinto together will share equally with
EuroZinc the marginal revenue from the sale of copper concentrates when the
average price of copper (calculated on a quarterly basis) exceeds US$0.90/lb for
the first year and US$0.95/lb for the three years thereafter.



For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                            AUSTRALIA

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Lisa Cullimore                                    Ian Head
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Investor Relations                                Investor Relations

Peter Cunningham                                  Dave Skinner
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Richard Brimelow                                  Susie Creswell
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Website: www.riotinto.com




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