Statement re: Board change

Rio Tinto PLC
04 December 2002



                       Rio Tinto Announces Board Changes


Rio Tinto is pleased to announce that Mr Andrew Gould, President and Chief
Operating Officer of Schlumberger Limited, has been appointed a non executive
director of the boards of Rio Tinto plc and Rio Tinto Limited with immediate
effect.

Mr Gould started his international career at Schlumberger in 1975 after working
for Ernst & Young. Since then he has held a succession of financial and
operational management positions in the company based in locations worldwide. He
will become Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schlumberger Limited on
February 1, 2003.


For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                                  AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                         Media Relations
Hugh Leggatt                                            Ian Head
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2273                                   [phone]

Investor Relations                                      Investor Relations
Peter Cunningham                                        Dave Skinner
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2401                                   [phone]

                                                        Daphne Morros
                                                         [phone]

Website: www.riotinto.com




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