West Angelas expansion

Rio Tinto PLC
10 December 2003


West Angelas expansion receives joint venture approval


Rio Tinto and its Joint Venture Participants in Robe River Iron Associates have
formally approved an approximate US$105 million expansion of Robe's West Angelas
mine to a nominal capacity of 25 million tonnes per year.


Market acceptance in the key markets of Japan, Korea and China for West Angelas
Marra Mamba iron ore products has been excellent, and demand continues to grow.


The 20 million tonne per year West Angelas mine was commissioned in 2002 and is
expected to be operating at full capacity during the first half of 2004.


Work on the expansion to 25 million tonnes per year is expected to commence in
early 2004, subject to receipt of all necessary Government approvals and is
expected to be complete by mid 2005.


The expansion comprises additional mobile mining fleet, a train, minor
modifications to the existing plant and some additional infrastructure for
office and village accommodation.


The West Angelas mine is a fly-in fly-out operation located in the Eastern
Pilbara, approximately 100 kilometres west of Newman.


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


For further information, please contact:

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Website: www.riotinto.com


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