3Qtr Production Report-Pt 1

Rio Tinto PLC
25 October 2000



Part 1

                   Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report
                 For the Quarter ending 30 September 2000

                                     
Rio Tinto's production of most commodities in the third quarter of 2000
was up substantially on the previous quarter helped by the full ownership
of Comalco Limited and the acquisition of North Limited midway through the
quarter.

*Iron ore production for the quarter was up 39% on the previous
 quarter.  Much of this increase came from the first contribution from the
 iron ore assets of North but Hamersley Iron's production at 17.4 million
 tonnes was up 13% compared with the previous quarter.  Hamersley Iron
 shipped a record 17.3 million tonnes during the quarter.

*Aluminium production was up 20% on the previous quarter and was also
 up 20% for the year to date compared with the same period in 1999
 reflecting full ownership of Comalco and continuing strong performance at
 all the smelters.
 
*Copper mined production was 9% higher than the previous quarter,
 helped by higher production at Escondida, Chile and Grasberg, Indonesia.

*Coal production was 11% higher than the previous quarter, mainly due
 to higher production in the US.  However, coal production for the first
 nine months of 2000 was 7% lower than the same period in 1999.
 
*Gold production increased by 13% compared with the previous quarter
 due to higher grades at Kennecott Utah Copper, US and higher production at
 Kelian, Indonesia.

*Borate production increased by 19% in the quarter, primarily
 reflecting the timing of maintenance and resulting in a 3% increase year
 to date compared with 1999.  Titanium dioxide feedstock production
 increased by 10% during the quarter after the reinstatement of full
 production capability following completion of repairs to the furnace at
 QIT, Canada which was damaged in 1999, although the year to date
 production is 7% lower than the same period in 1999.


For further information contact:

Media Relations                 Investor Relations

Lisa Cullimore                  Peter Jarvis
[phone]            [phone]

Website: www.riotinto.com

                                                                              
                         RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY                         
                      
RIO TINTO share of production

                                                         % Change
               Quarter               9 Months       Q300    Q300   9 Mths00
           1999    2000    2000     1999    2000    vs      vs     vs
           Q3      Q2      Q3                       Q200    Q399   9 Mths99

Principal Commodities

Copper - mined
('000 t)   213.2   204.1   223.0    648.0   631.6   9%      5%     -3%
Copper - refined
('000 t)    99.7   88.2    99.1     283.9   285.6   12%     -1%     1%
Gold - mined
('000
ozs)       770     589     664      2,202   1,893   13%     -14%   -14%
Gold - refined
('000
ozs)       86      110     102      251     293     -7%      20%    17%
Iron ore
('000 t)   13,785  14,630  20,343   38,241  49,294  39%     48%     29%
Coal
('000 t)   36,073  30,769  34,296   103,273 96,309  11%     -5%     -7%
Aluminium
('000 t)   141.6   161.4   193.5    414.2   497.4   20%     37%     20%
Borates
('000 t)   141     135     161      428     441     19%     14%      3%
Titanium dioxide
feedstock
('000 t)   347     310     341      1,078   1,000   10%     -2%     -7%


Other Metals & Minerals

Bauxite
('000 t)   2,055   2,657   3,101    6,208   7,894   17%     51%     27%
Alumina
('000 t)   303     363     430      881     1,093   19%     42%     24%
Diamonds
('000 cts) 4,720   4,494   4,034    13,300  12,510  -10%    -15%    -6%
Lead - mined
('000 t)   5.4     3.6     7.6      16.1    14.7    111%    40%     -9%
Molybdenum
('000 t)   1.3     3.0     2.5      4.8     7.8     -19%    97%     65%
Nickel in matte
(tonnes)   2,620   2,170   1,333    6,517   6,064   -39%    -49%    -7%
Nickel - refined
(tonnes)   1,010   939     1,047    2,970   2,960   12%     4%       0%
Salt
('000 t)   835     869     742      2,490   2,275   -15%    -11%    -9%
Silver - mined
('000 ozs) 4,099   3,450   3,550    11,880  10,444  3%      -13%   -12%
Silver - refined
('000 ozs) 1,160   709     912      3,516   2,397   29%     -21%   -32%
Talc
('000 t)   321     315     323      955     959     3%      1%       0%
Tin
(tonnes)   448     275     187      908     572     -32%    -58%   -37%
Uranium
(tonnes)   567     507     954      1,712   2,028   88%     68%     18%
Zinc - mined
('000 t)   19.2    11.2    24.2     57.4    45.3    115%    26%    -21%
Zinc - refined
('000 t)   21.6    16.5    17.6     63.7    51.9    7%      -19%   -19%


NB  Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made
    since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.

    The figures shown for production are sometimes more precise than the
    rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the
    total of the quarter figures and the nine months figures.
    
                            PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES                             
                            
Rio Tinto Share of Production


                         3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
         Interest        1999    1999    2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

COPPER
Mine production
('000 tonnes)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            67.2    63.7    69.7    74.1    70.5   215.6   214.2
Grasberg -
FCX (a)
         14%             21.7    20.5    18.5    17.5    23.3   63.8     59.3
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             23.1    27.4    24.5    23.1    24.8   67.9     72.5
Escondida
         30%             75.8    71.4    67.0    63.7    70.9   228.3   201.6

Neves Corvo
         49%             12.3    11.8    11.9    11.7    8.1    37.5     31.7
Palabora
         46%             12.9    17.0    13.0    13.9    15.1   35.0     42.0
Alumbrera (b)
         25%             -       -       -       -       5.0    -         5.0
Northparkes (b)
         80%             -       -       -       -       5.2    -         5.2
Rio Tinto total
mine production          213.2   211.8   204.5   204.1  223.0  648.0    631.6

Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            69.2    70.3    69.9    61.1    65.8   195.1   196.8
Atlantic Copper (a)
         16%             8.8     9.5     9.7     9.9     10.6   27.2    30.2
Escondida
         30%             10.4    10.5    10.5    10.5    10.4   29.0    31.4
Palabora
         46%             11.3    13.9    8.3     6.7     12.2   32.6    27.2
Rio Tinto total
refined production       99.7    104.3   98.3    88.2    99.1   283.9   285.6

At the end of the quarter, the Group had provisionally priced sales of
copper in concentrates and intermediate product as follows:

Million lbs of payable copper:
Kennecott
         100%            -       -       -       11      5      -       5
Grasberg (a)
         14%             40      56      58      45      54     40      54
Escondida
         30%             96      104     115     100     99     96      99
Neves Corvo
         49%             9       9       11      9       9      9       9
Northparkes (b)
         80%             -       -       -       -       6      -       6

Rio Tinto total          145     169     184     165     173    145     173

Priced at US
c/lb average             81      84      78      81      88     81      88

GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            95      88      111     142     154    278     407
Barneys Canyon
         100%            25      43      33      35      37     69      105
Grasberg -
FCX (a)
         14%             83      72      59      48      54     236     161
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             140     196     113     87      88     437     288
Escondida
         30%             12      10      10      8       11     35      29
Alumbrera (b)
         25%             -       -       -       -       19     -       19
Rawhide
         51%             16      14      14      14      14     44      41
Ridgeway
         100%            26      12      -       -       -      69      -
Cortez/Pipeline
         40%             143     127     125     86      76     404     286
Greens Creek
         70%             14      12      15      15      13     44      44
Peak
         100%            33      38      32      35      37     102     104
Northparkes (b)
         80%             -       -       -       -       2      -       2
Morro do Ouro
         51%             26      28      30      30      28     69      88
Kelian
         90%             111     102     68      55      93     294     216
Lihir (c)
         16%             32      28      20      23      25     79      68
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
         56%             10      10      9       10      11     30      30

Others (d)               5       6       2       1       2      10      5
Rio Tinto total
mine production          770     785     640     589    664     2,202   1,893

Refined production
('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            86      96      80      110     102    251     293

Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal
produced in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these
products are then refined on-site.
See footnotes on page 6.

IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hamersley
         100%            11,778  11,780  12,618  12,978  14,642 33,207  40,238
Channar
         60%             1,772   1,705   1,556   1,479   1,639  4,361    4,675
Robe River (b)
         53%             -       -       -       -       2,560  -        2,560
Iron Ore Company
Of Canada (b)
         56%             -       -       -       -       1,221  -        1,221
Corumba
         100%            235     94      147     173     281    673        600

Rio Tinto
total mine production   13,785   13,579  14,321  14,630  20,343 38,241  49,294

                                                                            
PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES (continued)                                             
Rio Tinto Share of Production

                   Coal  3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9MTHS
      Interest     Type  1999    1999    2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

COAL
US coal operations
('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy:

Antelope
         100%      S     5,548   5,258   5,076   5,035   5,486  15,321  15,597
Colowyo (e)
         100%      S     1,197   1,417   1,168   1,225   1,268  3,636   3,661
Cordero Rojo
         100%      S     10,352  11,129  8,899   7,204   9,018  30,307  25,121
Decker   50%       S     1,253   1,574   1,056   1,148   1,220  3,403   3,424
Jacobs Ranch
         100%      S     6,416   7,016   5,726   5,965   7,352  19,355  19,043
Spring Creek
         100%      S     2,490   2,495   2,650   2,668   2,397  7,480   7,715

Total US coal            27,256  28,889  24,575  23,245  26,741 79,502  74,561

Australian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Pacific Coal:

Blair Athol (f)
         71%       S     2,088   1,817   1,733   1,848   1,877  6,098   5,458
Kestrel Coal (g)
         80%       S     183     171     176     246     256    253     678
         80%       M     503     284     348     472     532    599     1,352
Tarong   Coal
         100%      S     1,325   1,176   1,256   1,049   1,268  3,941   3,573

Coal & Allied Industries:
Hunter Valley
Operations (h)
         71%       S     1,257   829     869     1,101   1,011  3,454   2,982
         71%       M     661     443     546     637     424    1,675   1,607
Mount Thorley
         57%       S     336     253     246     239     368    999     853
         57%       M     348     294     348     273     306    1,091   926

Total Australian coal    6,701   5,267   5,522   5,865   6,042  18,110  17,429

Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima
Coal (i)
         50%       S     2,018   1,631   1,146   1,660   1,514  5,376   4,319

South American coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Carbones
del Cerrejon (j)
         0%        S     98      118     -       -       -      285     -

Rio Tinto total
coal production          36,073  35,904  31,243  30,769  34,296 103,273 96,309

BAUXITE/ALUMINA/ALUMINIUM
Bauxite ('000 tonnes)
Weipa (k)
         100%            2,016   2,170   2,011   2,513   2,990  6,018   7,515
Boke (k)
         4%              38      128     125     144     111    189     380

Rio Tinto total
bauxite production       2,055   2,298   2,137   2,657   3,101  6,208   7,894

Alumina ('000 tonnes)
Queensland
Alumina (k)
         30%             201     202     198     246     284    590     727
Eurallumina (k)
         56%             103     102     103     117     146    291     366
Rio Tinto total
Alumina production       303     304     301     363     430    881     1,093

Aluminium ('000 tonnes)
Comalco (k)
         100%            124.3   125.9   124.7   143.4   175.5  362.0   443.6
Anglesey
         51%             17.3    17.7    17.8    18.0    18.0   52.2    53.8

Rio Tinto total
aluminium production     141.6   143.6   142.5   161.4   193.5  414.2   497.4

Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal
produced in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these
products are then refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which
represent production of selable quantities of ore plus pellets.
Key to coal type:  S = Steaming/thermal coal,  M = Metallurgical/coking
coal

BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total
borate production
         100%            141     132     145     135     161    428     441


TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron
& Titanium
         100%            347     350     349     310     341    1,078   1,000

OTHER METALS & MINERALS
Rio Tinto Share of Production

                         3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9MTHS
         Interest        1999    1999    2000    2000   2000    1999    2000

DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle
         60%             4,720   4,430   3,983   4,494   4,034  13,300  12,510

LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
   Greens Creek
         70%             3.9     3.1     3.5     3.6     3.7    11.4    10.8
   Zinkgruvan (b)
         100%            -       -       -       -       3.9    -       3.9
Others (d) -             1.5     1.6     -       -       -      4.8     -

Rio Tinto
Total mine
Production               5.4     4.7     3.5     3.6     7.6    16.1    14.7

MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Utah
Copper
         100%            1.3     1.6     2.3     3.0     2.5    4.8     7.8

NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza
         100%            2,620   2,928   2,561   2,170   1,333  6,517   6,064

Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto
Zimbabwe - Empress
         56%             1,010   968     973     939     1,047  2,970   2,960

SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier
         65%             835     920     665     869     742    2,490   2,275

SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            959     886     916     952     1,066  2,972   2,934
Grasberg - FCX (a)
         14%             147     147     128     122     159    416     410
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             194     133     75      48      47     304     171
Escondida
         30%             256     215     231     265     258    842     754

Greens Creek
         70%             1,810   1,902   1,758   1,779   1,390  5,312   4,927
Zinkgruvan (b)
         100%            -       -       -       -       271    -       271

Others (d)
         -               733     810     335     283     359    2,033   977
Rio Tinto total
mine production          4,099   4,093   3,443   3,450  3,550   11,880  10,444

Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            1,160   775     776     709     912    3,516   2,397

Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal
produced in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these
products are then refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects
the contained tonnage of nickel.  See footnotes on page 6.


TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group
         99.9%           321     313     321     315     323    955    959

TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo
         49%             448     150     109     275     187    908    572

                                                                              
OTHER METALS & MINERALS (continued)                                           
Rio Tinto Share of Production


                         3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9MTHS
         Interest        1999    1999    2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Rossing        69%       557     493     561     498     563    1,682   1,622
Palabora       46%       10      11      7       9       16     31      31
Energy Resources
Of Australia (b)
               68%       -       -       -       -       375    -       375

Rio Tinto total
uranium production       567     504     567     507     954    1,712   2,028


ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek
               70%       10.5    8.6     9.9     11.2    11.4   31.5    32.5
Zinkgruvan (b)
               100%      -       -       -       -       12.8   -       12.8
Others(d)      -         8.6     8.5     -       -       -      25.9    -

Rio Tinto total
Mine production          19.2    17.1    9.9     11.2   24.2    57.4    45.3

Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Norzink  50%             18.2    17.9    17.8    16.5    17.6   54.2    51.9
Others (d)     -         3.5     3.4     -       -       -      9.5     -

Rio Tinto total
refined zinc production  21.6    21.2    17.8    16.5    17.6   63.7    51.9

Wood Fibre
Production ('000 tonnes)
North Forest
Products (b)   100%      -       -       -       -       509    -       509


(a)  Rio Tinto's initial interests in the Grasberg mine and in the
     Atlantic Copper smelter were acquired in 1995 by virtue of an acquisition
     of shares in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX). As a result of FCX
     share buy-backs, Rio Tinto's interest in FCX has changed and, as of 30
     September 2000, Rio Tinto had, by virtue of its FCX shareholding, a 13.8%
     share in Grasberg and a 16.1% share in Atlantic Copper. Under the Joint
     Venture agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional
     material mined as a consequence of the expansion of the Grasberg
     facilities. The additional entitlement is shown separately in the above
     tables.
(b)  Rio Tinto's share of production from the assets owned by North
     Limited is shown with effect from 11 August 2000, the effective date of
     the acquisition.
(c)  Effective 14 February 2000, Rio Tinto's interest in Lihir decreased
     from 17.15% to 16.3% following a placement of shares by Lihir Gold.
(d)  Up until 31 December 1999, the above table included Rio Tinto's share
     of production from its one third interest in Minera S.A. This was sold at
     the end of 1999.
(e)  Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine, but
     as it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of 
     the mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of
     production.
(f)  On 10 January 1999, Rio Tinto increased its beneficial interest in
     the Blair Athol mine from 57.2% to 71.2%.
(g)  Rio Tinto acquired Kestrel Coal, formerly Gordonstone, in February
     1999 and production commenced in June 1999.
(h)  With effect from 1 July 1999, Coal & Allied purchased the Rio Tinto
     coal interests in New South Wales that were previously held under the
     Novacoal name. Coal & Allied also purchased Mitsubishi Development Pty
     Ltd's 40% interest in the Howick mine. The restructuring of Coal &
     Allied's shareholdings left Rio Tinto with a 70.9% interest. Rio Tinto's
     share of production for quarters prior to 1 July 1999 is reported in line
     with the pre-merger shareholdings.
(i)  Rio Tinto has a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its
     Coal Agreement, the Indonesian Government is entitled to a 13.5% share of
     Kaltim Prima's production. Rio Tinto's share of production shown is 
     before deduction of the Government share.
(j)  Rio Tinto disposed of its interest in Carbones del Cerrejon in early
     January 2000.
(k)  Rio Tinto progressively increased its interest in Comalco from 70.4%
     to 72.4% during the first half of 1999. During the first half of 2000,
     Rio Tinto offered to acquire all the shares in Comalco and now holds 100%. 
     Rio Tinto's share of production has been calculated using the weighted     
     average of Rio Tinto's interest over the relevant periods.
     

COPPER & GOLD
                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS 9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999   2000


Kennecott Utah Copper
Total production at Kennecott's Bingham Canyon mine, smelter and refinery
(Rio Tinto 100%) and Barneys Canyon mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Utah, US.

Bingham Canyon Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      14,523  13,191   15,440  14,281  13,839 43,303  43,560
Average ore grade:
Copper (%)         0.53    0.53     0.52    0.58    0.58   0.56    0.56
Gold (g/t)         0.30    0.30     0.32    0.47    0.54   0.29    0.44
Silver (g/t)       2.85    2.67     2.54    2.78    3.09   2.91    2.78
Molybdenum
(%)                0.031   0.031    0.035   0.050   0.043  0.034   0.043
Copper concen-
trates produced
('000 tonnes)      257     248      275     262     274    803     811
Average concentrate
grade (% Cu)       25.7    25.5     25.2    28.1    25.6   26.3    26.3
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper
('000 tonnes)
(a)                67.2    63.7     69.7    74.1    70.5   215.6   214.2
Gold
('000 ounces)      95      88       111     142     154    278     407
Silver
('000 ounces)      959     886      916     952     1,066  2,972   2,934
Molybdenum concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes):     2.4     2.9      4.3     5.4     4.5    8.9     14.2
Molybdenum in
concentrates
('000 tonnes)      1.3     1.6      2.3     3.0     2.5    4.8     7.8

Kennecott Smelter & Refinery
Copper concentrates
smelted
('000 tonnes)      300     266      279     246     251    800     776
Copper anodes produced
('000 tonnes)
(b)                72.5    66.8     70.5    58.0    66.3   198.4   194.9
Production of refined metal:
Copper
('000 tonnes)      69.2    70.3     69.9    61.1    65.8   195.1   196.8
Gold
('000 ounces) (c)  86      96       80      110     102    251     293
Silver
('000 ounces) (c)  1,160   775      776     709     912    3,516   2,397

(a)  Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(b)  New metal excluding recycled material.
(c)  Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

In the third quarter of 2000, production of all metals in concentrate
exceeded the third quarter of 1999, primarily due to higher ore grade.
Compared with the second quarter of 2000, gold and silver production was
greater mainly due to higher ore grade, conversely, copper and molybdenum
output was lower largely as a result of lower ore grade and harder ore.

Smelter copper output was lower in the third quarter of 2000 compared with
the third quarter of 1999 primarily due to acid plant availability.
Compared with the second quarter of 2000, production was slightly higher.

In the third quarter of 2000, refined gold production compared with the
third quarter of 1999, was higher mainly due to higher ore grade.  Refined
silver in the third quarter of 2000 was lower than the third quarter of
1999 primarily due to lower smelter anode copper production and timing of
production from intermediate products. Compared with the second quarter
2000, refined silver output was better largely due to timing of production
from intermediate products.

Barneys Canyon Mine
Ore treated
('000  tonnes)     676     542      461     599     649    1,789    1,709
Average ore grade:
Gold (g/t)         2.31    3.69     2.44    2.99    3.44   1.98     3.02
Gold produced in
dore and concentrates
('000 ounces)      25      43       33      35      37     69       105

Gold production in the third quarter of 2000 was higher than the third
quarter of 1999 and second quarter of 2000, principally due to higher ore
grade.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
Total production and sales at the Grasberg mine (Rio Tinto 13.8% (a)) in
Papua, Indonesia, and the Atlantic Copper smelter (Rio Tinto 16.1%) in
Spain.

(100% basis)
Grasberg Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      20,410  20,468   21,073  19,885  20,377 60,093  61,335
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%)         1.11    1.09     0.94    0.94    1.09   1.14    0.99
Gold (g/t)         1.40    1.37     0.99    0.86    0.89   1.37    0.91
Silver (g/t)       2.74    2.69     2.83    2.72    2.62   2.81    2.72

Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in
concentrates
('000 tonnes)      196.0   190.2    169.6   158.2   195.2  576.3   523.0
Gold in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      804     766      574     457     485    2,320   1,516
Silver in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      1,365   1,301    1,082   992     1,210  3,616   3,284
Sales of payable metals
in concentrates: (b)
Copper in
concentrates
('000 tonnes)      187.1   198.1    162.4   136.2   202.1  549.3   500.7
Gold in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      788     795      551     408     517    2,252   1,476
Silver in concentrates
('000 ounces)      1,043   1,061    824     684     993    2,768   2,501

(a) See note (a) on page 6 for details of Rio Tinto's 13.8% interest in
   Grasberg and 40% interest in the expansion.
(b) Net of smelter deductions.

In the third quarter of 2000,production of copper and gold in concentrates
increased compared with the second quarter of 2000 due largely to an
increase in ore throughput and higher ore grades. Gold production in the
third quarter was below that achieved in the corresponding period of 1999
due to significantly lower gold ore grades.

Atlantic Copper
Concentrate smelted
('000 tonnes)      230.9   254.8    244.7   238.5   245.2  694.6   728.4
Copper anodes
produced
('000 tonnes) (c)  70.0    79.4     80.9    76.1    74.5   214.1   231.5
Copper cathodes
produced
('000 tonnes)      60.6    65.5     65.2    65.6    66.8   187.0   197.6
Copper cathode
sales
('000 tonnes) (d)  62.1    65.7     62.2    66.7    65.0   187.6   193.9

(c)  New metal excluding recycled material.
(d)  Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.


Minera Escondida Limitada
Total production at the Escondida mine (Rio Tinto 30%) in Chile.
(100% basis)

Escondida Mine
Sulphide ore treated
('000 tonnes)      11,510  11,678   11,484  11,528  12,358 34,335  35,370
Average copper
grade (%)          2.06     1.84    1.99    1.83    1.85   2.12    1.89

Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper
('000 tonnes)      206.7   187.1    203.8   184.6   197.4  639.7   585.7
Contained gold
('000 ounces)      39      32       32      28      38     118     98
Contained silver
('000 ounces)      854     718      771     883     859    2,807   2,513

Oxide ore treated
('000 tonnes)      3,777   4,020    1,796   2,813   3,740  10,718  8,349
Average copper
grade (%)          1.22    1.26     1.08    0.99    1.04   1.13    1.03
Contained copper in
leachate/mined material
('000 tonnes)      46      51       19      28      39     121     86

Refined production:
Oxide plant
production
('000 tonnes)      34.6    35.1     34.9    35.0    34.7   96.7    104.7

Ore treated for the nine months to September was comparable with 1999,
however contained copper declines with the planned decrease in ore grade.
Contained gold and silver were also down.  The decline in oxide ore
processed in the first nine months of 2000 reflected a slow first quarter
where buffer stocks or crushed ore on the pads exceeded leach
requirements. The oxide plant continued to produce consistently at 140,000
tonnes per annum capacity.

Somincor
Total production at the Neves Corvo mine (Rio Tinto 49%) in Portugal.
(100% basis)

Neves Corvo Mine
Total ore treated
('000
tonnes)(a)         592     517      499     538     402    1,693   1,439
Of which, treated to
extract tin
('000 tonnes)      97      55       64      80      63     1,693   1,439
Average ore grades:
Copper (%)         4.95    5.20     5.47    5.14    4.77   5.10    5.15
Tin (%)            1.43    1.25     1.18    1.83    1.64   1.28    1.55
Copper production:
Copper concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      104.4   101.1    102.7   99.7    68.7   316.7   271.2
Copper concentrate
grade
(% copper)         24.1    23.8     23.7    23.9    24.0   24.2    23.9
Copper in concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      25.2    24.0     24.3    23.9    16.5   76.5    64.7
Tin production:
Tin concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      1.8     0.6      0.4     1.0     0.7    3.7     2.2
Tin concentrate
grade (% tin)      49.9    53.2     50.5    54.2    52.0   50.4    52.7
Tin in concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      0.9     0.3      0.2     0.6     0.4    1.9     1.2

(a)  Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.

The quarter's production was affected by a planned maintenance shutdown in
July and a shaft motor failure in September.

COPPER & GOLD (continued)
                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999    2000


Palabora
Total production at the Palabora mine, smelter and refinery (Rio Tinto
46.5%) in South Africa.

(100% basis)

Palabora Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      7,419   7,053    5,862   6,547   6,814  21,290  19,223
Average ore grade
(copper %)         0.46    0.62     0.59    0.58    0.59   0.42    0.59
Copper concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      82.4    108.7    86.9    89.3    101.6  224.7   277.8
Average concentrate
grade
(copper %)         33.8    33.7     32.2    33.6    32.0   33.5    32.6
Copper in concentrates
('000 tonnes)      27.9    36.6     27.9    30.0    32.6   75.3    90.5

Palabora Smelter/Refinery
New concentrate
smelted on site
('000 tonnes)      79.6    80.2     58.9    51.3    87.8   204.9   198.0
New copper anodes
produced
('000 tonnes)(a)   24.7    31.3     17.6    14.6    27.7   69.7    59.9
Refined new copper
produced
('000 tonnes)      24.3    29.9     17.8    14.4    26.3   70.2    58.5

By-products:
Magnetite concentrate
('000 tonnes)      41      70       60      70      60     120     190
Uranium oxide
(tonnes)           21      24       14      19      34     66      67
Baddeleyite (several grades)
('000 tonnes)      2.6     3.1      1.9     2.2     1.6    8.0     5.7
Refined nickel sulphate
(tonnes)           57      106      103     32      46     140     181

Vermiculite Plant
Vermiculite produced
('000 tonnes)      49.4    52.1     39.4    48.0    56.9   156.5   144.3

(a) Contained copper in anodes; anode production includes a small amount
    produced from purchased material.


High head-grades associated with the revised mining strategy have improved
concentrate production well above 1999 levels.  Operational problems in
the converter and anode sections combined with the smelter shutdown during
June reduced anode output and hence refined copper production.

Nickel sulphate production for the year to date was higher reflecting the
high electrolyte inventory level carried over from December 1999.
Magnetite production was higher for the nine month period in order to meet
market demand.

The drop in baddeleyite feed from the Heavy Minerals Plant due to the
revised copper pit mining strategy and lower feed grades received from
Foskor had a negative effect on gross baddeleyite production during the
third quarter.  This flowed through to the other grades of baddeleyite.
This situation is expected to continue for the rest of the year.

Vermiculite production during the third quarter improved substantially,
following the negative effects of excessive rain during the first and
second quarters.


Minera Alumbrera

Production and sales at the Bajo de la Alumbrera mine (25% Rio Tinto (a)
in Argentina.

(100% basis)

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       3,835   -       3,835
Average ore grade:
Copper (%)         -       -        -       -       0.60    -       0.60
Gold (%)           -       -        -       -       0.9     -       0.9

Concentrate produced
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       72.1    -       72.1

Copper in concentrates:
Production
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       20.0    -       20.0
Sales
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       17.7    -       17.7

Production of gold
In concentrates
('000 ounces)      -       -        -       -       71.3    -       71.3
Production of gold
In dore
('000 ounces)      -       -        -       -       4.4     -       4.4
Total gold sales
('000 ounces)      -       -        -       -       65.6    -       65.6

(a)  Rio Tinto acquired its interest in Alumbrera as part of the purchase
     of North Limited. Production data are shown from 11 August 2000, the
     effective date of the acquisition.

COPPER & GOLD (continued)
                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

Kennecott Minerals Company
Total production at the mines of Kennecott Minerals Company in the US;
Rawhide (Rio Tinto 51%) in Nevada; Ridgeway (Rio Tinto 100%) in South
Carolina, Cortez/Pipeline (Rio Tinto 40%) in Nevada and Greens Creek (Rio
Tinto 70%)in Alaska.

(100% basis)

Rawhide Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      1,559   1,427    1,488   1,529   1,477  4,692   4,494
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         0.75    0.99     0.99    0.93    0.75   0.82    0.89
Silver (g/t)       10.2    18.7     13.6    16.0    9.2    9.6     13.0
Metals produced in dore:
Gold
('000 ounces)      31      27       27      27      27     86      81
Silver
('000 ounces)      169     184      235     206     215    467     656

Mill throughput rates varied due to changing ore hardness, maintenance
requirements and haulage distance. Ore grades for both gold and silver
fluctuated as a result of mining sequence. The gold and silver production
reflects delays in recovery from the leach pads due to higher stacking
resulting in intermixing of leach solutions which inhibits high grade
solution segregation.

Ridgeway
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      871     435      -       -       -      2,725   -
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         1.18    1.10     -       -       -      1.10    -
Silver (g/t)       1.1     1.1      -       -       -      1.1     -
Metals produced in dore:
Gold
('000 ounces)      26      12       -       -       -      69      -
Silver
('000 ounces)      15      9        -       -       -      49      -
Gold production ceased in November 1999.
Cortez / Pipeline
Ore treated
Milled
('000 tonnes)      1,022   901      861     772     837    2,934   2,470
Leached
('000 tonnes)      554     725      718     1,458   2,625  2,708   4,801
Sold for roasting
('000 tonnes)      -       -        13      -       26     -       39
Average ore grade:
gold
Milled(g/t)        11.58   11.94    12.19   9.54    6.52   10.96   9.44
Leached (g/t)      0.86    0.83     0.72    0.62    0.90   0.99    0.79
Sold for
(g/t) roasting     -       -        15.10   -       19.75  -       18.18
Gold produced
('000 ounces)      358     318      312     214     189    1,011   715

Mill throughput was lower in 2000 as the Cortez Mill (No. 1) was shut down
during the fourth quarter of 1999 with ore being shifted from milling to
leaching.  Higher leach recoveries and reduced leaching costs accounted
for the shift.  Mining grades temporarily declined, as expected, as mining
moved into a new area.  Roast ore sales began in September under an
agreement with AngloGold for processing at their Jerrit Canyon roaster.  A
test parcel of roast ore was also sold in the first quarter of 2000.

Greens Creek
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      131     135      136     142     145    390     423
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         7.31    6.00     7.44    6.97    7.00   7.71    7.13
Silver (g/t)       809     820      747     723     597    808     688
Zinc (%)           14.2    11.4     13.4    13.7    14.1   14.2    13.7
Lead (%)           5.9     4.8      5.3     5.2     5.3    5.9     5.3

Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold
('000 ounces)      20      17       22      21      19     63      62
Silver
('000 ounces)      2,575   2,705    2,500   2,531   1,977  7,556   7,008
Zinc
('000 tonnes)      15.0    12.2     14.1    16.0    16.2   44.8    46.3
Lead
('000 tonnes)      5.5     4.4      5.0     5.1     5.2    16.2    15.3

The mine and mill continued to implement productivity improvements and
consistently exceeded previous throughput rates. Metal grades varied with
the  mining sequence. Production was also affected in the third quarter of
2000 as a result of mining in areas with high iron content which had an
adverse affect on recoveries.

Peak Gold Mine
Total production and sales from the Peak Gold mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in New
South Wales, Australia.

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      152     148      148     147     150    450     445
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         7.11    8.10     6.82    8.04    8.06   7.42    7.64
Silver (g/t)       3.81    4.63     5.22    6.15    5.23   5.62    5.53
Copper (%)         0.56    0.40     0.41    0.36    0.37   0.54    0.38
Lead (%)           0.51    0.85     0.84    0.74    0.79   0.55    0.79
Zinc (%)           0.43    0.87     0.76    0.78    0.99   0.53    0.84

Bullion produced
('000 ounces)      33      38       31      41      39     104     111
Containing:
Gold
('000 ounces)      28      35       28      34      35     92      97
Silver
('000 ounces)      3       3        3       6       4      9       13
Gold recovered in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      4       3        4       1       2      10      7
Total gold production
('000 ounces)      33      38       32      35      37     102     104

Bullion sales
(fine gold)
('000 ounces)      27      31       32      34      30     91      95

Copper in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
Production         0.5     0.3      1.6     0.6     0.2    1.4     2.5
Sales              -       -        -       5.0     -      0.9     5.0

Lead/zinc in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
Production         0.2     1.0      1.7     2.2     1.1    1.1     5.0
Sales              0.8     0.5      -       1.4     1.0    1.2     2.4

Northparkes Joint Venture

Total production and sales at the Northparkes mine (Rio Tinto 80% (a) in
New South Wales, Australia.
(100% basis)

Sulphide ore treated
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       692     -       692
Average ore grade:
Copper (%)         -       -        -       -       1.07    -       1.07
Gold (g/t)         -       -        -       -       0.17    -       0.17

Copper concentrates
Produced
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       16.8    -       16.8

Contained copper in
concentrates:
Saleable production
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       6.5     -       6.5
Sales
('000 tonnes)(b)   -       -        -       -       6.6     -       6.6

Contained gold in
concentrates:
Saleable production
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       2.8     -       2.8
Sales
('000 tonnes) (b)  -       -        -       -       2.8     -       2.8

(a)  Rio Tinto acquired its interest in Northparkes as part of the
     purchase of North Limited.  Production data are shown from 11 August
     2000, the effective date of the acquisition.
(b)  Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.

Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Total production at the Morro do Ouro gold mine (Rio Tinto 51%) in Minas
Gerais, Brazil.

(100% basis)

Morro do Ouro Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      4,487   4,853    4,976   4,933   5,051  12,622  14,960
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         0.45    0.46     0.47    0.49    0.48   0.45    0.48
Refined gold
produced
('000 ounces)      50      54       59      58      55     135     172

Kelian Equatorial Mining
Total production and sales from the Kelian gold mine (Rio Tinto 90%) in
East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

(100% basis)

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      1,900   2,014    1,425   1,044   1,910  5,659   4,379
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         2.62    2.30     2.43    2.53    2.39   2.34    2.44
Silver (g/t)       4.25    4.22     7.96    6.74    6.41   4.16    6.99

Production:
Gold
('000 ounces)      123     113      76      61      103    327     240
Silver
('000 ounces)      87      85       86      55      90     260     231

Sales:
Gold
('000 ounces)      115     122      77      53      102    326     232
Silver
('000 ounces)      90      80       80      -       100    299     180

Gold production was higher this quarter due to the absence of any major
production interruptions. Previous quarters this year were adversely
affected by industrial action (first quarter) and community actions
through roadblocks halting critical supplies to the minesite (second
quarter).


                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999    2000
Lihir Gold
Total production at the Lihir gold mine (Rio Tinto 16.3%(a)) in Papua New
Guinea.

(100% basis)

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      841     812      791     841     838    2,099   2,470
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         7.38    6.62     5.27    5.64    6.37   7.20    5.77
Gold produced
('000 ounces) (b)  188     166      121     142     152    458     415

 (a)  Effective 14 February 2000, Rio Tinto's interest in Lihir decreased
      from 17.15% to 16.3% following a placement of shares by Lihir Gold.
 (b)  Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.

Gold production during the first nine months was lower than in the
equivalent period last year due to lower ore grades and scheduled
maintenance.

Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total production at Rio Tinto Zimbabwe's gold operations (Rio Tinto 56.0%)
in Zimbabwe.

(100% basis)

Renco Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      81      74       70      77      77     235     224
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         5.33    5.21     5.30    5.74    6.90   5.32    5.83
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      12      11       10      13      13     35      36

Patchway Mine (a)
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      25      26       26      25      26     72      77
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         5.58    5.34     4.70    4.79    5.67   5.63    5.06
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      4       4        4       3       5      12      12

Cam Dump Reprocessing
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      237     226      200     219     249    736     668
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         1.21    1.21     1.08    1.08    1.18   1.16    1.12
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      2       3        2       2       2      6       6

Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      18      18       16      17      20     53      53

(a) Includes low grade material.

IRON ORE

                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

Hamersley Iron
Total production and shipments are for all the mines operated by Hamersley
Iron (Rio Tinto 100%).  These mines are Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman (all Rio Tinto 100%) and Channar (Rio
Tinto 60%) all in Western Australia.

(100% basis)

Saleable iron ore produced
('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
Marandoo, Brockman and
Yandicoogina       11,778  11,780   12,618  12,978  14,642 33,207  40,238
Channar            2,953   2,841    2,594   2,465   2,732  7,269   7,791

Total
production         14,731  14,621   15,212  15,443  17,374 40,486  48,029
Total shipments
('000 tonnes)      16,485  16,732   15,162  16,870  17,301 42,861  49,333

Hamersley is running at record production and shipment rates; this
reflects the upturn in the Asian steel industry.  Iron ore production in
the nine months to September 2000 was 19% higher than for the same period
last year. Shipments over the nine months increased by 15% compared with
the corresponding period of 1999.

Robe River Iron Associates

Total production from the Pannawonica mine (Rio Tinto 53% (a)) in Western
Australia.

(100% basis)

Saleable production
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       4,831   -       4,831
Shipments
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       5,600   -       5,600

(a)  Rio Tinto acquired its interest in Robe River as part of the purchase
     of North Limited. Production data are shown from 11 August 2000, the
     effective date of the acquisition.

The figures are only given for the period since Rio Tinto took control,
but for reference the third quarter sales increased by 25% compared with
the previous quarter reflecting bouyant market conditions.  Production
increased by 5% compared with the corresponding quarter of 1999 due to
increased sales.

Iron Ore Company of Canada

Total production from the Carol Lake operations (Rio Tinto 56.1% (a) in
Labrador, Canada.

(100% basis)

Saleable production:
Concentrates
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       567     -       567
Pellets
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       1,609   -       1,609

Shipments:
Concentrate
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       718     -       718
Pellets
('000 tonnes)      -       -        -       -       1,781   -       1,781

(a)  Rio Tinto acquired its interest in Iron Ore Company of Canada as part
     of the purchase of North Limited. Production data are shown from 11
     August 2000, the effective date of the acquisition.
     

The figures are only given for the period since Rio Tinto took control,
but for reference the third quarter 2000 sales increased by 18% and
production increased by 29% compared with the corresponding quarter last
year due to improved market conditions.

Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada

Total production at the Corumba mine (Rio Tinto 100% (a)) in Corumba, Mato
Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

(100% basis)

Total iron ore
production
('000 tonnes) (a)  235     94       147     173     281     673     600

(a)  Production includes by-product fines.


COAL
                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

Kennecott Energy and Coal Company
Total production from the mines operated by Kennecott Energy and Coal
Company in the US: Antelope (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Cordero Rojo (Rio
Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Jacobs Ranch (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Spring
Creek (Rio Tinto 100%) in Montana; Decker (Rio Tinto 50%) in Montana and
Colowyo in Colorado, where Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest and
full management responsibility (see footnote (e) on page 6).
(100% basis)

Thermal coal production
('000 tonnes)
Antelope           5,548   5,258    5,076   5,035   5,486  15,321  15,597

Colowyo            1,197   1,417    1,168   1,225   1,268  3,636   3,661

Cordero Rojo       10,352  11,129   8,899   7,204   9,018  30,307  25,121

Decker             2,506   3,148    2,112   2,296   2,439  6,806   6,847

Jacobs Ranch       6,416   7,016    5,726   5,965   7,352  19,355  19,043
Spring
Creek              2,490   2,495    2,650   2,668   2,397  7,480   7,715
Total Kennecott Energy
Total coal
production
('000 tonnes)      28,509  30,463   25,631  24,393  27,960 82,905  77,984

Third quarter 2000 production was slightly lower than in the same period
in 1999. This was primarily due to reduced sales at the Cordero Rojo mine,
as a consequence of lower spot prices experienced in late 1999 and early
2000, and a related decision to reduce production.

Kaltim Prima Coal
Total production and shipments from Kaltim Prima Coal (Rio Tinto 50%) in
Indonesia, including the share of production attributed to the Indonesian
Government (see footnote (i)on page 6).

(100% basis)

Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      4,036   3,261    2,292   3,319   3,027  10,752  8,638
Shipments
('000 tonnes)      3,717   3,302    2,562   3,287   2,178  10,713  8,027
Production in the third quarter 2000 was affected by an industrial dispute
in July and August.

COAL (Continued)

                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   2000    2000

Pacific Coal
Total production and sales from the Blair Athol mine (Rio Tinto 71.2%
(a)), the Kestrel Coal mine (Rio Tinto 80% (b)) and the Tarong Coal mine
(Rio Tinto 100%) in Queensland, Australia.

(100% basis)

Blair Athol
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      2,931   2,550    2,432   2,594   2,635  8,560   7,662
Sales
('000 tonnes)      2,636   2,885    2,324   2,957   2,639  8,539   7,919

Kestrel Coal
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      229     214      220     307     320    316     847
Sales
('000 tonnes)      64      223      127     158     253    64      539
Coking coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      629     355      435     590     665    749     1,690
Sales
('000 tonnes)      338     297      506     418     733    338     1,657
Semi-hard coking
coal: (c)
Sales
('000 tonnes)      146     94       265     152     232    146     648

Tarong Coal
Thermal coal:
Production
and sales
('000 tonnes)      1,325   1,176    1,256   1,049   1,268  3,941   3,573

Total Pacific Coal
Total coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      5,114   4,295    4,343   4,540   4,888  13,566  13,772

(a)  On 10 January 1999, Rio Tinto acquired an additional 14% beneficial
   interest in Blair Athol.
(b)  Rio Tinto acquired Kestrel Coal, formerly Gordonstone, in February
   1999 and production commenced in June 1999.
(c)  Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal.
   The product mix is customer dependant.

Year to date 2000 production at Blair Athol is below comparative 1999
levels due to problems associated with mining through areas that contain
old underground workings.  This has had a flow-on effect on sales.

Kestrel continued to build up its production rate since recommencing
operation in June 1999.


Coal & Allied Industries Limited (a)
Total production and sales from the Hunter Valley Operations (Rio Tinto
71%)and Mount Thorley mine (Rio Tinto 57%), both in New South Wales,
Australia.

(100% basis)

Hunter Valley Operations (b)

Thermal coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      1,773   1,170    1,226   1,554   1,427   5,148   4,207
Coking coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      933     624      771     898     598     2,380   2,267

Mount Thorley
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      593     447      435     423     650    1,766    1,508
Coking coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      615     520      615     482     540    1,928    1,637

Total Coal & Allied
Total coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      3,914   2,762    3,047   3,357   3,225  11,222   9,629

Total sales
('000 tonnes) (c)  3,722   2,728    2,893   3,616   3,654  10,934   10,163

(a)  Effective from 1 July 1999, Coal & Allied purchased the Rio Tinto
   Group's coal interests in New South Wales. The restructuring of Coal &
   Allied's shareholding left Rio Tinto with a 70.9% interest.
(b)  Hunter Valley Operations consist of the now merged Howick and Hunter
   Valley mines.
(c)  Sales relate only to coal mined by the operation and exclude traded
   coal.
   
Coal production for Hunter Valley Operations in the third quarter of 2000,
when compared with the second quarter of 2000, was limited by major
maintenance on the coal preparation plant and by industrial action. Coal
production, year to date, was lower than in the comparable period of 1999
due to a dispute with a significant domestic customer.

Coal production at Mount Thorley in the third quarter 2000 was higher
compared than in the second quarter 2000, which was affected by industrial
action, wet weather and a planned shutdown of the dragline for 28 days.

COAL (Continued)

                   3Q      4Q       1Q      2Q      3Q     9 MTHS  9 MTHS
                   1999    1999     2000    2000    2000   1999    2000



Carbones del Cerrejon SA
Total production at the Carbones del Cerrejon SA mine (Rio Tinto 0% (a)).
(100% basis)

Carbones del Cerrejon SA
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      295     352      -       -       -      855     -

(a) Rio Tinto disposed of its interest in Carbones del Cerrejon in early
   January 2000.

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