Stmnt re HIsmelt(R) Project

Rio Tinto PLC
5 October 2001

                     HIsmelt(R) Project points to Kwinana                     

 
Rio Tinto Iron Ore has announced that Kwinana, Western Australia, has been
selected as the preferred location for the next step in the development of
the HIsmelt(R) project, should the project be approved by the Rio Tinto Board.
 
The HIsmelt expansion project has been referred to the Western Australian
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), triggering the formal environmental
impact assessment process.
 
 
 
For further information, please contact:
                                                                  
              LONDON                     AUSTRALIA                
              Media Relations            Media Relations          
              Lisa Cullimore             Ian Head                 
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2305      [phone]      
              Investor Relations         Investor Relations       
              Peter Cunningham           Dave Skinner             
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401      [phone]      
              Jonathan Murrin            Daphne Morros            
              + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326      [phone]      
 
Website: www.riotinto.com