Compulsory Acqn of Shares

Rio Tinto PLC
1 June 2000

 
                Rio Tinto achieves 94.73 % interest in Comalco                
 
 
Since filing a Substantial Shareholder Notice with Australian Stock Exchange
this morning, Rio Tinto has received further acceptances which take its
interest in Comalco to 94.73%.
 
Rio Tinto has now acquired sufficient Comalco shares to enable it to elect to
proceed to compulsory acquisition under section 661A of the Corporations Law.
This section deals with compulsory acquisition following a takeover bid.
 
Rio Tinto's offer is due to close on Monday 5 June at 7:00pm. As previously
announced, Rio Tinto intends to pay Comalco shareholders who accept the offer
within three business days of receipt of a valid acceptance for those
accepting for cash, and for those accepting for share or cash and share
alternatives within five business days of receipt of a valid acceptance.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
     
Media Relations       
                
John Hughes                    
+ 44 20 7753 2331                    
 
 
Website: www.riotinto.com