Cortez Hills gold project

Rio Tinto PLC
15 September 2005

The following replaces the Cortez Hills project announcement released at 07.01
under RNS number 2981R.


A footnote has now been included.


The full amended version is shown below.



Rio Tinto approves development of Cortez Hills

Rio Tinto has approved its share of the development costs of the Cortez Hills
gold project.

Cortez Hills is part of the Cortez Joint Venture property in Nevada, which is
40% owned by Rio Tinto and 60% by Placer Dome.

Rio Tinto's share of the investment capital totals $182 million (1).

The development of Cortez Hills reflects a successful brownfield exploration
programme undertaken by the Joint Venture partners.




For further information, please contact:

LONDON                                            AUSTRALIA

Media Relations                                   Media Relations

Lisa Cullimore                                    Ian Head
Office:  [phone]                     Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]

Investor Relations                                Investor Relations
Nigel Jones                                       Dave Skinner
Office: [phone]                      Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]
Richard Brimelow                                  Susie Creswell
Office:  [phone]                     Office:  [phone]
Mobile: [phone]                      Mobile: [phone]


Website: www.riotinto.com


Notes


(1) In 2005 dollars, excludes forecast escalation of US$15 million.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange