Part 1 - 4th Qtr Prod Figures

Rio Tinto PLC
24 January 2001


PART 1


                   Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report
                  For the Quarter ending 31 December 2000
        
                             
*Iron  ore production for the full year was 40% higher than in  1999.
 Half  of  the increase arose from record production at Hamersley for  the
 year  with  the other half arising from the acquisition of North  Limited
 which also had record production at its Robe River operations during 2000.
 Both Hamersley and Robe River had record shipments during 2000.

*Aluminium production for the full year was 24% higher than  in  1999
 helped  by  the purchase of the Comalco minorities during  the  year  and
 continued improvements at the smelters.

*Mined copper production for the full year was 4% higher than in 1999.
 However, it was 18% higher in the fourth quarter of 2000 compared with the
 third  quarter  due  to higher copper grades at Bingham  Canyon,  US  and
 Grasberg, Indonesia.

*Mined  gold  production  for the full year  was  down  9%  on  1999.
 However, it was 26% higher in the fourth quarter of 2000 compared with the
 third quarter due mainly to significantly higher gold grades at Grasberg.
 
*Coal production for the full year was down 5% on 1999 due mainly to a
 decision  to reduce US production in the first half of the year following
 lower spot prices experienced in late 1999 and early 2000.

*Borates production for the full year was up 5% on 1999, but down  7%
 in  the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter when production
 had been high due to timing of maintenance work.

*Titanium dioxide feedstock production for the full year was down  4%
 on  1999  but  8%  higher in the fourth quarter compared with  the  third
 quarter following the return to full production at QIT, Canada.

*The  preliminary  financial results for 2000  are  scheduled  to  be
 released on 5 February 2001.

For further information contact:
         
Media Relations              Investor Relations
                                      
Lisa Cullimore               Peter Jarvis
+ 44 20 7753 2305            + 44 20 7753 2401
                             Jonathan Murrin
                             + 44 20 7753 2326
Melbourne                    
Ian Head                     Dave Skinner
+ 61 3 92833620              + 61 3 92833628
                             Daphne Morros
                             + 61 3 92833639
Website: www.riotinto.com             



RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY

RIO TINTO share
of production

                                                         % Change
               Quarter                 Full Year    Q400    Q400   2000
           1999    2000    2000     1999    2000    vs      vs     vs
           Q4      Q3      Q4                       Q300    Q499   1999

Principal Commodities

Copper - mined
('000 t)   211.8   223.0   264.0    859.8   895.6   18%     25%    4%
Copper - refined
('000 t)   104.3   99.1    106.3    388.2   392.0   7%      2%     1%
Gold - mined
('000
ozs)       785     664     836      2,987   2,730   26%     6%     -9%
Gold - refined
('000
ozs)       96      102     121      346     413     18%     26%    19%
Iron ore
('000 t)   13,579  20,343  23,159   51,830  72,453  14%     71%    40%
Coal
('000 t)   35,904  34,303  35,390   139,177 131,706 3%      -1%    -5%
Aluminium
('000 t)   143.6   193.5   194.9    557.8   692.3   1%      36%    24%
Borates
('000 t)   132     161     149      561     590     -7%     13%    5%
Titanium dioxide
feedstock
('000 t)   350     341     368      1,428   1,368   8%      5%     -4%


Other Metals & Minerals

Bauxite
('000 t)   2,298   3,101   3,111    8,506   11,005  0%      35%    29%
Alumina
('000 t)   304     430     436      1,185   1,530   1%      43%    29%
Diamonds
('000 cts) 4,430   4,034   4,694    17,730  17,205  16%     6%     -3%
Lead - mined
('000 t)   4.7     7.6     10.0     20.9    24.7    33%     113%   18%
Molybdenum
('000 t)   1.6     2.5     2.3      6.3     10.1    -8%     44%    60%
Nickel in matte
(tonnes)   2,928   1,333   2,674    9,445   8,738   101%    -9%    -7%
Nickel - refined
(tonnes)   968     1,047   927      3,938   3,887   -12%    -4%    -1%
Salt
('000 t)   920     742     711      3,409   2,987   -4%     -23%   -12%
Silver - mined
('000 ozs) 4,093   3,541   3,993    15,973  14,427  13%     -2%    -10%
Silver - refined
('000 ozs) 775     912     821      4,291   3,218   -10%    6%     -25%
Talc
('000 t)   313     323     302      1,268   1,260   -7%     -4%    -1%
Tin
(tonnes)   150     187     39       1,057   611     -79%    -74%   -42%
Uranium
(tonnes)   504     954     1,418    2,217   3,446   49%     181%   55%
Zinc - mined
('000 t)   17.1    24.2    28.8     74.5    74.2    19%     69%    0%
Zinc - refined
('000 t)   21.2    17.6    17.3     84.9    69.2    -1%     -18%   -19%


NB  Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made
    since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.

    The figures shown for production are sometimes more precise than the
    rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the
    total of the quarter figures and the full year figures.
    


PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES

Rio Tinto
Share of Production

                                                                Full    Full
                         4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q     Year    Year
         Interest        1999    2000    2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

COPPER
Mine production
('000 tonnes)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            63.7    69.7    74.1    70.5    81.4   279.3   295.7
Grasberg -
FCX (a)
         14%             20.5    18.5    17.5    23.3    27.7   84.3    87.0
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             27.4    24.5    23.1    24.8    44.3   95.2    116.8
Escondida
         30%             71.4    67.0    63.7    70.9    71.9   299.7   273.5

Neves Corvo
         49%             11.8    11.9    11.7    8.1     5.7    49.3    37.4
Palabora (b)
         49%             17.0    13.0    13.9    15.1    12.7   52.0    54.7
Alumbrera (c)
         25%               -     -       -       5.0     10.3   -       15.3
Northparkes (c)
         80%               -     -       -       5.2     10.0   -       15.2
Rio Tinto total
mine production          211.8   204.5   204.1   223.0  264.0   859.8   895.6
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            70.3    69.9    61.1    65.8    71.9   265.4   268.7
Atlantic Copper (a)
         17%             9.5     9.7     9.9     10.6    9.8    36.8    40.1
Escondida
         30%             10.5    10.5    10.5    10.4    10.7   39.5    42.1
Palabora
         49%             13.9    8.3     6.7     12.2    14.0   46.5    41.1
Rio Tinto total
refined production       104.3   98.3    88.2    99.1    106.3  388.2   392.0

At the end of the quarter, the Group had provisionally priced sales of copper
in concentrates and intermediate product as follows:
Million lbs of payable copper:
Kennecott
         100%            -       -       11      11      37     -       37
Grasberg (a)
         14%             56      58      45      54      65     56      65
Escondida
         30%             104     115     100     99      110    104     110
Neves Corvo
         49%             9       11      9       9       8      9       8
Alumbrera (c)
         25%             -       -       -       -       13     -       13
Northparkes (c)
         80%             -       -       -       6       15     -       15

Rio Tinto total          169     184     165     179     248    169     248

Priced at US
c/lb average             84      78      81      89      83     84      83

GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            88      111     143     154     121    367     529
Barneys Canyon
         100%            43      33      35      37      48     112     153
Grasberg -
FCX (a)
         14%             72      59      48      54      100    308     261
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             196     113     87      88      190    633     478
Escondida
         30%             10      10      8       11      9      45      39
Alumbrera (c)
         25%             -       -       -       19      33     -       52
Rawhide
         51%             14      14      14      14      12     58      53
Ridgeway
         100%            12      -       -       -       -      81      -
Cortez/Pipeline
         40%             127     125     86      76      118    532     404
Greens Creek
         70%             12      15      15      13      15     56      58
Peak
         100%            38      32      35      37      26     140     130
Northparkes (c)
         80%             -       -       -       2       4      -       6
Morro do Ouro
         51%             28      30      30      28      29     96      117
Kelian
         90%             102     68      55      93      88     396     304
Lihir (d)
         16%             28      20      23      25      31     107     99
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
         56%             10      9       10      11      10     40      39

Others:
      (e)                6       2       1       2       2      16      7
Rio Tinto total
mine production          785     640     590     664    836     2,987   2,730

Refined production
('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            96      80      110     102     121    346     413

Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal
produced in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these
products are then refined on-site.
See footnotes on page 6.

IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hamersley
         100%            11,780  12,618  12,978  14,642  14,857 44,997  55,095
Channar
         60%             1,705   1,556   1,479   1,639   1,687  6,066   6,361
Robe River (c)
         53%             -       -       -       2,560   4,216  -       6,776
Iron Ore Company
Of Canada (c)
         56%             -       -       -       1,221   2,222  -       3,442
Corumba
         100%            94      147     173     281     178    767     778

Rio Tinto
total mine production    13,579  14,321  14,630  20,343  23,159 51,830  72,453



PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES (continued)
Rio Tinto
Share of Production

                                                              Full     Full
                   Coal 4Q     1Q      2Q      3Q     4Q     Year     Year
      Interest     Type 1999   2000    2000    2000   2000   1999     2000

COAL
US coal operations
('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy:

Antelope
         100%      S    5,258  5,076   5,035   5,486  5,240  20,579   20,837
Colowyo (f)
         100%      S    1,417  1,168   1,225   1,268  1,030  5,053    4,691
Cordero Rojo
         100%      S    11,129 8,899   7,204   9,018  9,917  41,436   35,038
Decker    50%      S    1,574  1,056   1,148   1,220  1,105  4,977    4,529
Jacobs Ranch
         100%      S    7,016  5,726   5,965   7,352  6,635  26,371   25,678
Spring Creek
         100%      S    2,495  2,650   2,668   2,397  2,538  9,975    10,253


Total US coal           28,889 24,575  23,245  26,741 26,465 108,391  101,026

Australian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Pacific Coal:

Blair Athol (g)
         71%       S    1,817   1,733   1,848   1,877   2,406  7,915   7,864
Kestrel Coal (h)
         80%       S    171     176     246     256     226    424     904
         80%       M    284     348     472     532     381    883     1,733
Tarong   Coal
         100%      S    1,176   1,256   1,049   1,268   1,470  5,116   5,043

Coal & Allied Industries:
Hunter Valley
Operations (i)
         71%       S    829     869     1,101   1,019   1,095  4,284   4,084
         71%       M    443     546     637     424     394    2,118   2,001
Mount Thorley
         57%       S    253     246     239     368     371    1,252   1,224
         57%       M    294     348     273     306     333    1,385   1,259

Total Australian coal   5,267   5,522   5,865   6,049   6,676  23,377  24,113

Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima
Coal (j)
         50%       S    1,631   1,146   1,660   1,514   2,249  7,007   6,568

South American coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Carbones
del Cerrejon (k)
         0%        S    118     -       -       -       -      402     -

Rio Tinto total
coal production         35,904  31,243  30,769  34,303 35,390  139,177 131,706

BAUXITE/ALUMINA/ALUMINIUM
Bauxite ('000 tonnes)
Weipa (l)
         100%           2,170   2,011   2,513   2,990   2,992  8,188   10,507
Boke (l)
         4%             128     125     144     111     119    317     499

Rio Tinto total
bauxite production      2,298   2,137   2,657   3,101   3,111  8,506   11,005

Alumina ('000 tonnes)
Queensland
Alumina (l)
         30%            202     198     246     284     290    792     1,017
Eurallumina (l)
         56%            102     104     117     146     146    393     512

Rio Tinto total
Alumina production      304     301     363     430     436    1,185   1,530

Aluminium ('000 tonnes)
Comalco (l)
         100%           125.9   124.7   143.4   175.5   175.4  487.9   619.0
Anglesey
         51%            17.7    17.8    18.0    18.0    19.5   69.9    73.3

Rio Tinto total
aluminium production    143.6   142.5   161.4   193.5   194.9  557.8   692.3

Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal
produced in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these
products are then refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which
represent production of selable quantities of ore plus pellets.
Key to coal type:  S = Steaming/thermal coal,  M = Metallurgical/coking coal
See footnotes on page 6.

BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total
borate production
         100%            132     145     135     161     149    561     590


TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron
& Titanium
         100%            350     349     310     341     368    1,428   1,368



OTHER METALS & MINERALS
Rio Tinto
Share of Production

                                                                Full    Full
                         4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q     Year    Year
         Interest                1999    2000    2000    2000   2000    1999
2000

DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle   (m)
         99.8%           4,430   3,983   4,494   4,034   4,657  17,730  17,168
Other (m)  -             -       -       -       -       37     -       37

Rio Tinto
Total Diamond
production               4,430   3,983   4,494   4,034   4,694  17,730  17,205

LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
   Greens Creek
         70%             3.1     3.5     3.6     3.7     3.4    14.5    14.2
   Zinkgruvan (c)
         100%            -       -       -       3.9     6.6    -       10.5

Others (e) -             1.6     -       -       -       -      6.4     -

Rio Tinto
Total mine
Production               4.7     3.5     3.6     7.6     10.0   20.9    24.7

MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Utah
Copper
         100%            1.6     2.3     3.0     2.5     2.3    6.3     10.1


NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza
         100%            2,928   2,561   2,170   1,333   2,674  9,445   8,738

Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto
Zimbabwe - Empress
         56%             968     973     939     1,047   927    3,938   3,887

SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier
         65%             920     665     869     742     711    3,409   2,987

SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            886     916     952     1,066   1,005  3,859   3,939
Grasberg - FCX (a)
         14%             147     128     122     159     205    563     615
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             133     75      48      47      208    438     378
Escondida
         30%             215     231     265     258     231    1,057   985

Greens Creek
         70%             1,902   1,758   1,779   1,390   1,567  7,213   6,494
Zinkgruvan (c)
         100%            -       -       -       271     431    -       702

Others: (e)
         -               810     335     283     350     347    2,843   1,315
Rio Tinto total
mine production          4,093   3,443   3,450   3,541  3,993   15,973  14,427

Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            775     776     709     912     821    4,291   3,218

Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal
produced in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these
products are then refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the
contained tonnage of nickel.  See footnotes on page 6.


TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group
         99.9%           313     321     315     323     302    1,268   1,260

TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo
         49%             150     109     275     187     39     1,057   611


OTHER METALS & MINERALS (continued)
Rio Tinto
Share of Production

                                                                Full    Full
                         4Q      1Q      2Q      3Q      4Q     Year    Year
         Interest        1999    2000    2000    2000    2000   1999    2000

URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Rossing        69%       493     561     498     563     573    2,175   2,195
Palabora       49%       11      7       9       16     13      42      45
Energy Resources
Of Australia (c)
               68%       -       -       -       375     832    -       1,207

Rio Tinto total
uranium production       504     567     507     954     1,418  2,217   3,446


ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek
               70%       8.6     9.9     11.2    11.4    10.1   40.1    42.7

Zinkgruvan (c)
               100%      -       -       -       12.8    18.7   -       31.5
Others(e)      -         8.5     -       -       -      -       34.4    -

Rio Tinto total
Mine production          17.1    9.9     11.2    24.2   28.8    74.5    74.2

Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Norzink  50%             17.9    17.8    16.5    17.6    17.3   72.0    69.2
Others:(e)     -         3.4     -       -       -       -      12.9    -

Rio Tinto total
refined zinc production  21.2    17.8    16.5    17.6    17.3   84.9    69.2

Wood Fibre
Production ('000 tonnes)
North Forest
Products (c)   100%      -       -       -       516     853    -       1,369

(a)  Rio Tinto's initial interests in the Grasberg mine and in the Atlantic
     Copper smelter were acquired in 1995 by virtue of an acquisition of      
     shares in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX). As a result of FCX share 
     buy-backs, Rio Tinto's interest in FCX has changed and, as of 31 December
     2000, Rio Tinto had, by virtue of its FCX shareholding, a 14.3% share in 
     Grasberg and a 16.6% share in Atlantic Copper. Under the Joint Venture   
     agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material  
     mined as a consequence of the expansion of the Grasberg facilities. The  
     additional entitlement is shown separately in the above tables.
(b)  Rio Tinto increased its holding in Palabora from 46.5% to 48.6% during
     November 2000.
(c)  Rio Tinto's share of production from the assets owned by North Limited is
     shown with effect from 11 August 2000, the effective date of the         
     acquisition.
(d)  Effective 14 February 2000, Rio Tinto's interest in Lihir decreased from
     17.15% to 16.3% following a placement of shares by Lihir Gold.
(e)  Up until 31 December 1999, the above table included Rio Tinto's share of
     production from its one third interest in Minera S.A. This was sold at   
     the end of 1999.
(f)  Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine, but as  
     it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the  
     mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of        
     production.
(g)  On 10 January 1999, Rio Tinto increased its beneficial interest in the
     Blair Athol mine from 57.2% to 71.2%.
(h)  Rio Tinto acquired Kestrel Coal, formerly Gordonstone, in February 1999
     and production commenced in June 1999.
(i)  With effect from 1 July 1999, Coal & Allied purchased the Rio Tinto coal
     interests in New South Wales that were previously held under the Novacoal
     name.  Coal & Allied also purchased Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd's 40% 
     interest in the Howick mine. The restructuring of Coal & Allied's        
     shareholdings left Rio Tinto with a 70.9% interest. Rio Tinto's share of 
     production for quarters prior to 1 July 1999 is reported in line with the
     pre-merger shareholdings.  Production from the Lemington mine, acquired  
     by Coal & Allied with effect from 20 December 2000, is included in the   
     Hunter Valley Operations numbers.
(j)  Rio Tinto has a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its    
     Coal Agreement, the Indonesian Government is entitled to a 13.5% share of
     Kaltim Prima's production. Rio Tinto's share of production shown is      
     before deduction of the Government share.
(k)  Rio Tinto disposed of its interest in Carbones del Cerrejon in early
     January 2000.
(l)  Rio Tinto progressively increased its interest in Comalco from 70.4% to
     72.4% during the first half of 1999. During the first half of 2000, Rio  
     Tinto offered to acquire all the shares in Comalco and now holds 100%.   
     Rio Tinto's share of production has been calculated using the weighted   
     average of Rio Tinto's interest over the relevant periods.
(m)  During the second half of 2000, Rio Tinto acquired Ashton Mining.  On 10
     November 2000, Rio Tinto acquired control of Ashton and, as of 17 January
     2001,now owns 100%.  As a result of this purchase, with effect from 10   
     November, Rio Tinto's effective interest in Argyle Diamonds increased    
     from 59.7% to 99.8%.  Shown separately is Rio Tinto's share of production
     from Ashton's diamond interests apart from Argyle.


MORE TO FOLLOW