Diavik Diamonds Project - Land Use Permit

Rio Tinto PLC
10 March 2000


          DIAVIK DIAMONDS PROJECT - LAND USE PERMIT
                              
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (DDMI), a wholly owned subsidiary
of Rio  Tinto, has announced the Department of Indian
Affairs and Northern  Development (DIAND) issued on 9  March
a  land  use permit  for  the Diavik Diamonds Project. This
permit  allows DDMI  to  commence site preparation work in
order  to  receive materials transported over this year's
winter road to its  Lac de  Gras  project site. The issuance
of this land  use  permit follows  on  from  the conclusion
of the Diavik  Environmental Agreement yesterday.

The Diavik Diamonds Project is an unincorporated joint
venture between  DDMI (60%) and Aber Diamond Mines Ltd.
(40%).   Both companies are headquartered in Yellowknife.
DDMI is  a  wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc of
London, England, and Aber Diamond  Mines  Ltd.  is  a wholly
owned  subsidiary  of  Aber Resources Ltd. of Toronto,
Ontario.


For further information contact:


Media Relations                    Investor Relations

John Hughes                        Peter Jarvis
+ 44 207 753 2331                  + 44 207 753 2401

Website: www.riotinto.com