Senior Exe. Appointments

Rio Tinto PLC
28 February 2001

   
                        Senior Executive Appointments                         

 
Rio Tinto has announced a number of senior executive appointments following
the sad and untimely death of Comalco's chief executive, Terry Palmer.
 
Sam Walsh (51) is appointed chief executive of Comalco. Currently managing
director - Hamersley Iron and vice president - Rio Tinto Iron Ore, he joined
the Rio Tinto Group in 1991 as managing director of Comalco Foundry Products.
In 1994 he was appointed Hamersley's managing director of sales and marketing
before moving to his present position in 1997. Before joining Rio Tinto, Mr.
Walsh held senior positions in the Australian automotive industry.
 
David Smith (47), currently managing director, Rossing Uranium in Namibia,
replaces Mr. Walsh as managing director - Hamersley Iron. Mr. Smith, who
joined the Rio Tinto Group in 1979, has held senior positions with Comalco,
Dampier Salt and Pacific Coal.
 
David Salisbury (49), Rossing's general manager operations, becomes acting
managing director of Rossing Uranium. He has held a number of senior
positions with Kennecott Energy and Kennecott Minerals since joining the
Group in 1992.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
 
LONDON 
 
Media Relations                   Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                    Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305             + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
                                  Jonathan Murrin
                                  + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326
AUSTRALIA 
 
Media Relations                   Investor Relations 
Ian Head                          Dave Skinner
[phone]               [phone]
                              
                                  Daphne Morros
                                  [phone]
Website: www.riotinto.com