Offer Document

Rio Tinto PLC
13 July 2000


                      Rio Tinto's North cash offer open                       

 
Rio Tinto released its Offer Document (Bidder's Statement) to shareholders of
North Limited today. The A$3.80 cash offer is now open. The offer is
scheduled to close at 7:30 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Monday 14
August 2000.
 
The Offer Document is available on the Rio Tinto website: www.riotinto.com 
 
Rio Tinto also has been advised that the waiting period under the United
States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 expired on 11
July 2000. Accordingly, this condition of the Rio Tinto bid has been
satisfied. This is an important step towards the completion of Rio Tinto's
acquisition of North.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
     
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
 
Lisa Cullimore                      Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305               + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
Website: www.riotinto.com