Stmt re Bond Issue

Rio Tinto PLC
25 April 2002



                              Bond Issue launched


Rio Tinto today launched a Euro €750 million 5-year bond issue in the Euro
market. This represents Rio Tinto's first transaction in euros, the proceeds of
which have been swapped into US$ and will be used to refinance short-term
commercial paper borrowings.

The transaction was arranged jointly by ABN AMRO, Barclays Capital and Morgan
Stanley.





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]
Richard Brimelow                                        Daphne Morros
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2326                                    [phone]



Website: www.riotinto.com





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