Acquisition

Rio Tinto PLC
20 December 2000


The following was released by Coal & Allied in Australia earlier today.
 
 
                                Lemington Mine                                
 
Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd has completed the purchase of the Lemington
Mine and its related interests today, pursuant to a Sale and Purchase
Agreement signed with Esso Australia Resources Pty Limited on 17 November
2000.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
 
 
LONDON 
 
Media Relations                  Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                   Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305            + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
AUSTRALIA 
 
Media Relations                  Investor Relations 
Fiona Powell                     Dave Skinner
[phone] (office)      [phone] (office)
[phone] (mobile)      [phone] (mobile)
                    
                                 Daphne Morros
                                 [phone] (office)
                                 [phone] (mobile)
Website: www.riotinto.com
 

Note 
 
Rio Tinto owns 71 per cent of Coal & Allied Industries Limited.