Stmt re West Angeles project

Rio Tinto PLC
31 July 2002



                 Robe concludes long-term supply contracts for

                       West Angelas marra mamba iron ore





Another major milestone in Robe River Iron Associates' West Angelas project has
been reached, with the conclusion of five-year full scale contracts for West
Angelas marra mamba iron ore with six Japanese steel mills.



The six steel mills are Nippon Steel Corporation, NKK, Kawasaki Steel, Sumitomo
Metal Industries, Kobe Steel, and Nisshin Steel.



The first commercial shipment under the contract, comprising 50,000 tonnes of
West Angelas lump ore and 45,000 tonnes of West Angelas fines ore, will leave
Robe's Cape Lambert port on 31 July on the vessel 'New Honor', for Nippon Steel
Corporation's Oita works. The inaugural commercial shipment follows several
successful trial shipments to Japan.



Robe's Managing Director, Clive Latcham said: 'The conclusion of the long-term
supply contract and the commencement of commercial shipments cements Robe's
position as the market-leading supplier of marra mamba ore. It also represents
the culmination of the efforts of many people, since the prospect of developing
West Angelas was first raised 25 years ago.'



'West Angelas marra mamba ore is the first to be produced at full-scale and
available as a separate product. It is higher in calcined iron and has lower
impurities than other Australian ores, with the low silica content making it
attractive to modern iron making processes. As a result, there is plenty of
excitement among customers about its introduction to the market'.



Robe is also making good progress towards finalising long term sales contracts
with other Asian customers.



The $US450 million West Angelas project was completed on schedule and within
budget earlier this year. The mine became fully operational in April and will be
officially opened by the Premier of Western Australia, Dr. Geoff Gallop, on 24
August in a ceremony involving representatives of the major Asian and European
steel companies, project investors and local government and community
stakeholders.



Production at the mine is planned to increase from seven million tonnes per
annum in the first year to 20 million tonnes per annum by 2006, in line with
market demand.



Robe River Iron Associates is 53% owned by Rio Tinto. Other joint venture
partners are Mitsui Iron ore Development P/L (33%), Nippon Steel Australia P/L
(10.5%) and Sumitomo Metal Australia P/L (3.5%).





For further information, please contact:


LONDON                                                  AUSTRALIA
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Hugh Leggatt                                            Ian Head
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Peter Cunningham                                        Dave Skinner
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Richard Brimelow                                        Daphne Morros
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2326                                    [phone]



Website: www.riotinto.com




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