Quarterly Production Report

Rio Tinto PLC
26 July 2000


                   Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report
                    For the Quarter ending 30 June 2000

  * Record iron ore production for the first half of 2000 was 18% higher
    than the comparable period in 1999. Shipments of 32 million tonnes were
    a first half record and 21% higher than the comparable period in 1999.
 
  * Aluminium production increased 11% in the first half of 2000 compared
    with  the first half of 1999, helped by the increase in Rio Tinto's stake
    in Comalco during the second quarter of 2000.

  * Mined copper production for the second quarter of 2000 was similar to
    that in the first quarter but production for the half year was down 6% on
    the  comparable half in 1999 due to lower grades, primarily at Escondida,
    Chile and Grasberg, Indonesia.

  * Mined gold production was 14% lower for the half year compared  with
    the first half of 1999.  Gold grades were higher at Kennecott Utah copper,
    USA  but  these were more than offset by lower grades at Grasberg,  lower
    production at Kelian, Indonesia and the end of mining at Ridgeway, USA.
 
  * Coal production for the half year was 8% lower than the first half of
    1999 with lower production in the US due to reduced customer requirements
    and at Kaltim Prima, Indonesia due to adverse weather in the first quarter
    and a pit reconfiguration.

  * Borates  production  for the half year was down marginally  compared
    with  the  first half of 1999. Titanium dioxide feedstock production  was
    down 10%, partly as a consequence of the damage caused by the fire at QIT,
    Canada in June 1999.



For further information contact:

         Media Relations              Investor Relations
                                      
         Lisa Cullimore               Peter Jarvis
         + 44 20 7753 2305            + 44 20 7753 2401
                                      
                                      
Website: www.riotinto.com             


Rio  Tinto's financial results for the first half of 2000 will be released
on 3rd August 2000.


RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY

RIO TINTO share of production

                                       Half              % Change
               Quarter                 Year         Q200    Q200   1H00
           1999    2000    2000     1999    2000    vs      vs     vs
           Q2      Q1      Q2                       Q100    Q299   1H99

Principal Commodities

Copper - mined
('000 t)   214.7   204.5   204.4    434.8   409.0   -       -5%    -6%
Copper - refined
('000 t)   100.4   98.3    88.0     184.2   186.3   -10%    -12%   1%
Gold - mined
('000
ozs)       720     640     591      1,432   1,231   -8%     -18%   -14%
Gold - refined
('000
ozs)       83      80      110      165     190     38%     32%    15%
Iron ore
('000 t)   12,932  14,321  14,630   24,467  28,951  2%      13%    18%
Coal
('000 t)   34,583  31,243  30,769   67,200  62,013  -2%     -11%   -8%
Aluminium
('000 t)   139.3   142.5   161.4    272.7   303.9   13%     16%    11%
Borates
('000 t)   142     145     135      288     280     -7%     -5%    -3%
Titanium dioxide
feedstock
('000 t)   354     349     310      730     659     -11%    -12%   -10%


Other Metals & Minerals

Bauxite
('000 t)   2,010   2,137   2,657    4,153   4,794   24%     32%    15%
Alumina
('000 t)   294     301     363      578     664     20%     23%    15%
Diamonds
('000 cts) 4,337   3,983   4,494    8,581   8,476   13%     4%     -1%
Lead - mined
('000 t)   5.4     3.5     3.6      10.7    7.1     2%      -34%   -34%
Molybdenum
('000 t)   1.4     2.3     3.0      3.5     5.4     31%     118%   53%
Nickel in matte
(tonnes)   1,726   2,561   2,170    3,897   4,731   -15%    26%    21%
Nickel - refined
(tonnes)   1,036   973     939      1,962   1,912   -3%     -9%    -3%
Salt
('000 t)   941     665     869      1,655   1,534   31%     -8%    -7%
Silver - mined
('000 ozs) 3,994   3,443   3,453    7,781   6,896   -       -14%   -11%
Silver - refined
('000 ozs) 1,154   776     709      2,356   1,485   -9%     -39%   -37%
Talc
('000 t)   325     321     315      634     636     -2%     -3%    -
Tin
(tonnes)   241     109     275      460     384     154%    14%    -16%
Uranium
(tonnes)   559     567     507      1,146   1,074   -11%    -9%    -6%
Zinc - mined
('000 t)   18.9    9.9     11.2     38.3    21.2    13%     -40%   -45%
Zinc - refined
('000 t)   20.6    17.8    16.5     42.0    34.3    -8%     -20%   -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 half year figures.



PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES

Rio Tinto Share of Production


                         2Q      3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
         Interest        1999    1999    1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

COPPER
Mine production
('000 tonnes)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            68.9    67.2    63.7    69.7    74.1   148.4   143.8
Escondida
         30%             77.8    75.8    71.4    67.0    63.7   152.5   130.7
Grasberg -
FCX (a)
         13%             21.2    21.7    20.5    18.5    17.9   42.1    36.3
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             24.8    23.1    27.4    24.5    23.1   44.7    47.7
Neves Corvo
         49%             12.2    12.3    11.8    11.9    11.7   25.2    23.6
Palabora
         46%             9.8     12.9    17.0    13.0    13.9   22.0    26.9
Rio Tinto total
mine production          214.7   213.2   211.8   204.5  204.4   434.8   409.0
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            71.9    69.2    70.3    69.9    61.1   125.9   131.0
Palabora
         46%             9.6     11.3    13.9    8.3     6.7    21.4    15.0
Atlantic Copper (a)
         16%             9.2     8.8     9.5     9.7     9.7    18.4    19.4
Escondida
         30%             9.7     10.4    10.5    10.5    10.5   18.6    21.0
Rio Tinto total
refined production       100.4   99.7    104.3   98.3    88.0   184.2   186.3

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%            0       0       0       0       11     0       11
Escondida
         30%             105     96      104     115     100    105     100
Grasberg (a)
         13%             59      40      56      58      45     59      45
Neves Corvo
         49%             9       9       9       11      9      9       9

Rio Tinto total          173     145     169     184     165    173     165

Priced at US
c/lb average             75      81      84      78      81     78      81

GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            87      95      88      111     143    183     254
Grasberg -
FCX (a)
         13%             77      83      72      59      49     153     108
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             150     140     196     113     87     298     200
Kelian
         90%             91      111     102     68      55     184     123
Ridgeway
         100%            23      26      12      -       -      43      -
Barneys Canyon
         100%            26      25      43      33      35     44      68
Morro do Ouro
         51%             22      26      28      30      30     43      60
Rawhide
         51%             15      16      14      14      14     28      28
Peak
         100%            32      33      38      32      35     70      67
Cortez/Pipeline
         40%             135     143     127     125     86     261     210
Escondida
         30%             12      12      10      10      8      24      18
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
         56%             10      10      10      9       10     20      19
Lihir (b)
         16%             25      32      28      20      23     46      43
Greens Creek
         70%             14      14      12      15      15     30      30

Others:
      (c)                3       5       6       2       1      6       3
Rio Tinto total
mine production          720     770     785    640      591    1,432   1,231

Refined production
('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            83      86      96     80       110    165     190

IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hamersley
         100%            11,437  11,778  11,780  12,618  12,978 21,439  25,596
Channar
         60%             1,268   1,772   1,705   1,556   1,479  2,590   3,035
Corumba  (d)
         100%            227     235     94      147     173    438     319

Rio Tinto
total mine production    12,932  13,785  13,579  14,321  14,630 24,467  28,951

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 onsite, except for the data for iron ore which
represent production of saleable quantities of ore.

See footnotes below


PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES (continued)
Rio Tinto
Share of Production


                   Coal  2Q      3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
      Interest     Type  1999    1999    1999    2000    2000   1999    2000


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

Cordero Rojo
         100%      S     10,369  10,352  11,129  8,899   7,204  19,955  16,103
Antelope
         100%      S     5,183   5,548   5,258   5,076   5,035  9,773   10,111
Spring Creek
         100%      S     2,490   2,490   2,495   2,650   2,668  4,990   5,318
Decker   50%       S     988     1,253   1,574   1,056  1,148   2,150   2,204
Colowyo (e)
         100%      S     1,284   1,197   1,417   1,168   1,225  2,439   2,393
Jacobs Ranch
         100%      S     6,750   6,416   7,016   5,726   5,965  12,939  11,691

Total US coal            27,064  27,256  28,889  24,575  23,245 52,246  47,820

Australian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Pacific Coal:

Blair Athol (f)
         71%       S     2,011   2,088   1,817   1,733   1,848  4,010   3,581
Kestrel Coal (g)
         80%       S     70      183     171     176     246    70      422
         80%       M     96      503     284     348     472    96      820
Tarong   Coal
         100%      S     1,461   1,325   1,176   1,256   1,049  2,616   2,305

Coal & Allied Industries:
Hunter Valley
Operations (h)
         71%       S     1,076   1,257   829     869     1,101  2,198   1,970
         71%       M     458     661     443     546     637    1,014   1,183
Mount Thorley
         57%       S     281     336     253     246     239    663     485
         57%       M     391     348     294     348     273    743     621

Total Australian coal    5,844   6,701   5,267   5,522   5,865  11,409  11,387

Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima
Coal (i)
         50%       S     1,582   2,018   1,631   1,146   1,660  3,358   2,806

South American coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Carbones
del Cerrejon (j)
         0%        S     93      98      118     -       -      187     -

Rio Tinto total
coal production          34,583  36,073  35,904  31,243  30,769 67,200  62,013

BAUXITE/ALUMINA/ALUMINIUM
Bauxite ('000 tonnes)
Weipa (k)
         100%            1,934   2,016   2,170   2,011   2,513  4,002   4,525
Boke  (k)
         4%              75      38      128     125     144    151     269

Rio Tinto total
bauxite production       2,010   2,055   2,298   2,137   2,657  4,153   4,794

Alumina ('000 tonnes)
Queensland
Alumina (k)
         30%             198     201     202     198     246    390     443
Eurallumina (k)
         56%             96      103     102     104     117    188     221
Rio Tinto total
Alumina production       294     303     304     301     363    578     664

Aluminium ('000 tonnes)
Comalco (k)
         100%            121.8   124.3   125.9   124.7   143.4  237.7   268.1
Anglesey
         51%             17.4    17.3    17.7    17.8    18.0   34.9    35.8

Rio Tinto total
aluminium production     139.3   141.6   143.6   142.5   161.4  272.7   303.9

BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total
borate production
         100%            142     141     132     145     135    288     280


TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron
& Titanium
         100%            354     347     350     349     310    730     659

Key to coal type:  S = Steaming/thermal coal, M = Metallurgical/coking coal
See footnotes below


OTHER METALS & MINERALS

Rio Tinto
Share of Production


                         2Q      3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
         Interest                1999    1999    1999    2000   2000    1999
2000

DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle
         60%             4,337   4,720   4,430   3,983   4,494  8,581   8,476

LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Various (c)-             5.4     5.4     4.7     3.5     3.6    10.7    7.1

MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Utah
Copper
         100%            1.4     1.3     1.6     2.3     3.0    3.5     5.4

NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza
         100%            1,726   2,620   2,928   2,561   2,170  3,897   4,731

Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto
Zimbabwe - Empress
         56%             1,036   1,011   969     973     939    1,962   1,912

SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier
         65%             941     835     920     665     869    1,655   1,534


SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            905     959     886     916     952    2,014   1,869
Greens Creek
         70%             1,954   1,810   1,902   1,758   1,779  3,502   3,537
Grasberg - FCX (a)
         13%             148     147     147     128     125    269     253
Grasberg -
Joint Venture (a)
         40%             61      194     133     75      48     111     123
Others: (c)
         -               927     989     1,025   566     548    1,887   1,114
Rio Tinto total
mine production          3,994   4,099   4,093   3,443  3,453   7,781   6,896

Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott
Utah Copper
         100%            1,154   1,160   775     776     709    2,356   1,485


TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group
         99.9%           325     321     313     321     315    634     636


TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo
         49%             241     448     150     109     275    460     384

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 below.

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


                         2Q      3Q      4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
         Interest        1999    1999    1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

URANIUM
Production (tonnes U308)
Rossing        69%       549     557     493     561     498    1,125   1,059
Palabora       46%       11      10      11      7       9      21      15

Rio Tinto total
uranium production       559     567     504     567     507    1,146   1,074


ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Various(c)     -         18.9    19.2    17.1    9.9     11.2   38.3    21.2

Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Norzink  50%             17.5    18.2    17.9    17.8    16.5   36.0    34.3
Others:(c)     -         3.1     3.5     3.4     -       -      6.0     -

Rio Tinto total
refined zinc production  20.6    21.6    21.2    17.8    16.5   42.0    34.3

(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 30 June      
    2000, Rio Tinto had, by virtue of its FCX shareholding, a 13.4% share in    
   Grasberg and a 15.7% share in Atlantic Copper. From 1 January 1998, 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)  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.
(c)  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.
(d)  Rio Tinto increased its interest in the Corumba mine, Brazil, from 80% to
     100% during June 1999. Rio Tinto's share of production has been increased
      to 100% from 1 January 1999, in accordance with the purchase agreement.
(e)  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.
(f)  On 10 January 1999, Rio Tinto increased its beneficial interest in the
     Blair Athol mine from 57.2% to 71.2%.
(g)  Rio Tinto acquired Kestrel Coal, formerly Gordonstone, in February 1999  
     and production commenced in June 1999.
(h)  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.
(i)  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.
(j)  Rio Tinto disposed of its interest in Carbones del Cerrejon in early
     January 2000.
(k)  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.


COPPER & GOLD
                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H     1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999   2000


Kennecott Utah Copper
Total production at Kennecott's Bingham Canyon mine, smelter and refinery
(Rio Tinto 100%) and Barneys Canyon mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in Utah, US.

Bingham Canyon Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      14,563  14,523   13,191  15,440  14,281 28,880  29,721
Average ore grade:
Copper (%)         0.53    0.53     0.53    0.52    0.58   0.57    0.55
Gold (g/t)         0.28    0.30     0.30    0.32    0.47   0.29    0.39
Silver (g/t)       2.71    2.85     2.67    2.54    2.78   2.95    2.64
Molybdenum
(%)                0.033   0.031    0.031   0.035   0.050  0.034   0.043
Copper concen-
trates produced
('000 tonnes)      263     257      248     275     262    547     537
Average concentrate
grade (% Cu)       25.6    25.7     25.5    25.2    28.1   26.6    26.6
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper
('000 tonnes)
(a)                68.9    67.2     63.7    69.7    74.1   148.4   143.8
Gold
('000 ounces)      87      95       88      111     143    183     254
Silver
('000 ounces)      905     959      886     916     952    2,014   1,869
Molybdenum concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes):     2.7     2.4      2.9     4.3     5.4    6.5     9.7
Molybdenum in
concentrates
('000 tonnes)      1.4     1.3      1.6     2.3     3.0    3.5     5.4
Kennecott Smelter & Refinery
Copper concentrates
smelted
('000 tonnes)      264     300      266     279     246    500     525
Copper anodes produced
('000 tonnes)
(b)                73.1    72.5     66.8    70.5    58.0   125.9   128.6
Production of refined metal:
Copper
('000 tonnes)      71.9    69.2     70.3    69.9    61.1   125.9   131.0
Gold
('000 ounces) (c)  83      86       96      80      110    165     190
Silver
('000 ounces) (c)  1,154   1,160    775     776     709    2,356   1,485

(a)  Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(b)  New metal excluding recycled material.
(c)  Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

In the second quarter of 2000, production of all metals in concentrate
exceeded both the second quarter of 1999 and the first quarter of 2000;
primarily due to higher ore grade.

Refined copper production was lower in the second quarter of 2000 compared
with the second quarter of 1999 and the first quarter of 2000, principally
due to the planned smelter maintenance shutdown in the second quarter of
2000.

Refined gold, compared with the second quarter of 1999 and first quarter
of 2000, was higher mainly due to increased ore grade.  Refined silver in
the second quarter of 2000 was lower than the second quarter of 1999
primarily due to timing of production from intermediate products.

Barneys Canyon Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      623     676      542     461     599    1,113    1,060
Average ore grade:
Gold (g/t)         1.63    2.31     3.69    2.44    2.99   1.78     2.75
Gold produced in
dore and concentrates
('000 ounces)      26      25       43      33      35     44       68

Gold production in the second quarter of 2000 was higher than the second
quarter of 1999 and first quarter of 2000, principally due to increased
ore grade.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
Total production and sales at the Grasberg mine (Rio Tinto 13.4% (a)) in
Papua, Indonesia, and the Atlantic Copper smelter (Rio Tinto 15.7%) in
Spain.


Grasberg Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      19,730  20,410   20,468  21,073  19,885 39,683  40,958
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%)         1.16    1.11     1.09    0.94    0.94   1.15    0.94
Gold (g/t)         1.39    1.40     1.37    0.99    0.86   1.35    0.93
Silver (g/t)       2.91    2.74     2.69    2.83    2.72   2.84    2.78

Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in
concentrates
('000 tonnes)      193.8   196.0    190.2   169.6   158.2  380.3   327.7
Gold in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      762     804      766     574     457    1,516   1,031
Silver in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      1,235   1,365    1,301   1,082   992    2,251   2,074
Sales of payable metals
in concentrates: (b)
Copper in
concentrates
('000 tonnes)      184.8   187.1    198.1   162.4   136.2  362.2   298.6
Gold in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      741     788      795     551     408    1,464   959
Silver in concentrates
('000 ounces)      951     1,043    1,061   824     684    1,725   1,508

(a) See note (a) in the summary section above for details of Rio Tinto's
    13.4% interest in Grasberg and 40% interest in the expansion.
(b) Net of smelter deductions.

In the second quarter of 2000,production of copper and gold in
concentrates decreased compared with the first quarter of 2000 due largely
to a reduction in ore throughput and lower gold ore grades. Copper and
gold production in the second quarter was below that achieved in the
corresponding period of 1999 due to significantly lower ore grades.

Atlantic Copper
Concentrate smelted
('000 tonnes)      225.1   230.9    254.8   244.7   238.5  463.7   483.2
Copper anodes
produced
('000 tonnes) (c)  69.7    70.0     79.4    80.9    76.1   144.1   157.0
Copper cathodes
produced
('000 tonnes)      63.3    60.6     65.5    65.2    65.6   126.4   130.8
Copper cathode
sales
('000 tonnes) (d)  62.7    62.1     65.7    62.2    66.7   125.5   128.9

(c)  New metal excluding recycled material.
(d)  Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.


Minera Escondida Limitada
Total production at the Escondida mine (Rio Tinto 30%) in Chile.
(100% basis)

Escondida Mine
Sulphide ore treated
('000 tonnes)      11,435  11,510   11,678  11,484  11,528 22,835  23,012
Average copper
grade (%)          2.15     2.06    1.84    1.99   1.83    2.15    1.91

Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper
('000 tonnes)      217.4   206.7    187.1   203.8   184.6  433.0   388.4
Contained gold
('000 ounces)      40      39       32      32      28     79      60
Contained silver
('000 ounces)      1,038   854      718     771     883    1,953   1,654

Oxide ore treated
('000 tonnes)      3,595   3,777    4,020   1,796   2,813  6,941   4,609
Average copper
grade (%)          1.16     1.22    1.26    1.08   0.99    1.08    1.02
Contained copper in
leachate/mined material
('000 tonnes)      42      46       51      19      28     75      47

Refined production:
Oxide plant
production
('000 tonnes)      32.4    34.6     35.1    34.9    35.0   62.0    69.9

Contained copper in concentrate during the first half was lower than in
the corresponding period in 1999 reflecting the expected decrease in
copper head grade in line with the long term mine plan. Process
improvement increased oxide plant cathode production from the
corresponding period in 1999, even though this was already above design
capacity.  Oxide ore crushed was reduced as buffer stocks of crushed ore
on the pads exceeded leach requirements.

Somincor
Total production at the Neves Corvo mine (Rio Tinto 49%) in Portugal.

(100% basis)

Neves Corvo Mine
Total ore treated
('000
tonnes)(a)         543     592      517     499     538    1,101   1,037
Of which, treated to
extract tin
('000 tonnes)      85      97       55      64      80     198     144
Average ore grades:
Copper (%)         5.00    4.95     5.20    5.47    5.14   5.18    5.30
Tin (%)            1.29    1.43     1.25    1.18    1.83   1.20    1.51
Copper production:
Copper concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      103.0   104.4    101.1   102.7   99.7   212.2   202.4
Copper concentrate
grade
(% copper)         24.1    24.1     23.8    23.7    23.9   24.2    23.8
Copper in concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      24.9    25.2     24.0    24.3    23.9   51.3    48.2
Tin production:
Tin concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      0.9     1.8      0.6     0.4     1.0    1.8     1.5
Tin concentrate
grade (% tin)      51.9    49.9     53.2    50.5    54.2   51.0    53.1
Tin in concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      0.5     0.9      0.3     0.2     0.6    0.9     0.8

(a)  Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.

COPPER & GOLD (continued)
                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H    1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999  2000


Palabora
Total production at the Palabora mine, smelter and refinery (Rio Tinto
46.5%) in South Africa.

(100% basis)

Palabora Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      7,080   7,419    7,053   5,862   6,547  13,871  12,409
Average ore grade
(copper %)         0.35    0.46     0.62    0.59    0.58   0.40    0.58
Copper concentrates
produced
('000 tonnes)      61.5    82.4     108.7   86.9    89.3   142.3   176.2
Average concentrate
grade
(copper %)         34.2    33.8     33.7    32.2    33.6   33.5    32.9
Copper in concentrates
('000 tonnes)      21.0    27.9     36.6    27.9    30.0   47.5    57.9

Palabora Smelter/Refinery
New concentrate
smelted on site
('000 tonnes)      51.5    79.6     80.2    58.9    51.3   125.4   110.2
New copper anodes
produced
('000 tonnes)(a)   20.9    24.7     31.3    17.6    14.6   45.0    32.2
Refined new copper
produced
('000 tonnes)      20.6    24.3     29.9    17.8    14.4   46.0    32.2

By-products:
Magnetite concentrate
('000 tonnes)      49      41       70      60      70     79      130
Uranium oxide
(tonnes)           23      21       24      14      19     45      33
Baddeleyite (several grades)
('000 tonnes)      3.0     2.6      3.1     1.9     2.2    5.4     4.1
Refined nickel sulphate
(tonnes)           52      57       106     103     32     82      135

Vermiculite Plant
Vermiculite produced
('000 tonnes)      54.1    49.4     52.1    39.4    48.0   107.1   87.4

(a) Contained copper in anodes; anode production includes a small amount
    produced from purchased material.

Poor availability in the secondary crusher plant and downtime associated
with the commissioning of the pebble crushers reduced mill throughput
during the first half of 2000.  However, higher head-grades associated
with the revised mining strategy improved concentrate production well
above 1999 levels.  Operational problems in the converter and anode
sections combined with the smelter shutdown during June reduced anode
output and hence refined copper production.

Uranium production was impacted by the low mill throughput and the
variability of the ore types being processed. Nickel sulphate production
was also impacted by low refinery throughput during the second quarter,
although the high electrolyte inventory level carried over from December
1999 boosted the first half results.  Vermiculite production was adversely
affected by the excessive rain experienced during the first quarter 2000.

Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Total production at the Morro do Ouro gold mine (Rio Tinto 51%) in Minas
Gerais, Brazil.

(100% basis)

Morro do Ouro Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      4,176   4,487    4,853   4,976   4,933  8,135   9,909
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         0.45    0.45     0.46    0.47    0.49   0.45    0.48
Refined gold
produced
('000 ounces)      43      50       54      59      58     85      117

COPPER & GOLD (continued)
                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

Kennecott Minerals Company
Total production at the mines of Kennecott Minerals Company in the US;
Rawhide (Rio Tinto 51%) in Nevada; Ridgeway (Rio Tinto 100%) in South
Carolina, Cortez/Pipeline (Rio Tinto 40%) in Nevada and Greens Creek (Rio
Tinto 70%)in Alaska.

(100% basis)

Rawhide Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      1,611   1,559    1,437   1,488   1,529  3,133   3,017
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         0.82    0.75     0.99    0.99    0.93   0.86    0.96
Silver (g/t)       9.7     10.2     18.7    13.6    16.0   9.3     14.8
Metals produced in dore:
Gold
('000 ounces)      29      31       27      27      27     55      54
Silver
('000 ounces)      157     169      184     235     206    298     441

Mill throughput rates varied due to changing ore hardness and maintenance
requirements. Ore grades for both gold and silver fluctuated as a result
of mining sequence. The gold and silver production reflects delays in
recovery from the leach pads due to higher stacking resulting in
intermixing of leach solutions which inhibits high grade solution
segregation.

Ridgeway
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      981     871      435     -       -      1,854   -
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         1.12    1.18     1.10    -       -      1.06    -
Silver (g/t)       1.1     1.1      1.1     -       -      1.1     -
Metals produced in dore:
Gold
('000 ounces)      23      26       12      -       -      43      -
Silver
('000 ounces)      14      15       9       -       -      34      -
Gold production ceased in November 1999. Efforts are now focused on
reclamation.

Cortez / Pipeline
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      980     1,022    901     861     785    1,912   1,646
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         11.02   11.58    11.94   12.19   9.63   10.63   10.97
Gold produced in dore
('000 ounces)      337     358      318     312     214    653     526

Mill throughput has been lower in 2000 as the Cortez Mill (No.1) was shut
down during the fourth quarter 1999 with ore being shifted from milling to
leaching. Higher leach recoveries and reduced leaching costs accounted for
the shift. Mining grades temporarily declined, as expected, as mining
moved into a new area.

Greens Creek
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      131     131      135     136     143    259     279
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         7.29    7.31     6.00    7.44    6.97   7.92    7.20
Silver (g/t)       877     809      820     747     723    807     735
Zinc (%)           13.7    14.2     11.4    13.4    13.7   14.2    13.6
Lead (%)           5.9     5.9      4.8     5.3     5.2    5.9     5.2

Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold
('000 ounces)      20      20       17      22      21     43      43
Silver
('000 ounces)      2,780   2,575    2,705   2,500   2,531  4,981   5,031
Zinc
('000 tonnes)      14.4    15.0     12.2    14.1    16.0   29.8    30.1
Lead
('000 tonnes)      5.4     5.5      4.4     5.0     5.1    10.7    10.1

The mine and mill continued to implement productivity improvements and
consistently exceeded design throughput. Metal grades varied with the
mining sequence.

Peak Gold Mine
Total production and sales from the Peak Gold mine (Rio Tinto 100%) at
Cobar, New South Wales, Australia.

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      145     152      148     148     147    298     295
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         7.16    7.11     8.10    6.82    8.04   7.58    7.43
Silver (g/t)       5.46    3.81     4.63    5.22    6.15   6.47    5.68
Copper (%)         0.51    0.56     0.40    0.41    0.36   0.54    0.38
Lead (%)           0.48    0.51     0.85    0.84    0.74   0.57    0.79
Zinc (%)           0.37    0.43     0.87    0.76    0.78   0.58    0.77

Bullion produced
('000 ounces)      33      33       38      31      41     72      72
Containing:
Gold
('000 ounces)      29      28       35      28      34     64      62
Silver
('000 ounces)      3       3        3       3       6      6       9
Gold recovered in
concentrates
('000 ounces)      3       4        3       4       1      5       5
Total gold production
('000 ounces)      32      33       38      32      35     70      67

Bullion sales
(fine gold)
('000 ounces)      29      27       31      32      34     63      66

Copper in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
Production         0.4     0.5      0.3     1.6     0.6    0.9     2.3
Sales              0.9     -        -       -       5.0    0.9     5.0

Lead/zinc in concentrate ('000 tonnes):
Production         0.5     0.2      1.0     1.7     2.2    0.9     3.9
Sales              -       0.8      0.5     -       1.4    0.4     1.4


Kelian Equatorial Mining
Total production and sales from the Kelian gold mine (Rio Tinto 90%) in
East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

(100% basis)

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      1,918   1,900    2,014   1,435   1,044  3,759   2,479
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)         2.13    2.62     2.30    2.43    2.53   2.19    2.47
Silver (g/t)       4.00    4.25     4.22    7.96    6.74   4.12    7.45

Production:
Gold
('000 ounces)      101     123      113     76      61     204     137
Silver
('000 ounces)      84      87       85      86      55     173     141

Sales:
Gold
('000 ounces)      103     115      122     77      53     211     130
Silver
('000 ounces)      97      90       80      80      -      209     80

Gold production was lower in the second quarter of 2000 than in the
previous quarter due to a community roadblock, related to land
compensation claims, which stopped the transportation of critical supplies
to site. This led to the suspension of production for 37 days during the
quarter.
COPPER & GOLD (Continued)

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000
Lihir Gold
Total production at the Lihir gold mine (Rio Tinto 16.3%(a)) in Papua New
Guinea.

(100% basis)

Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      655     841      812     791     841    1,258   1,632
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         6.95    7.38     6.62    5.27    5.64   7.09    5.46
Gold produced
('000 ounces) (b)  143     188      166     121     142    271     263

 (a)  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.
 (b)  Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.

Gold production during the first half 2000 was affected by the relining of
the third, and final, autoclave.
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total production at Rio Tinto Zimbabwe's gold operations (Rio Tinto 56.0%)
in Zimbabwe.

(100% basis)

Renco Mine
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      75      81       74      70      77     154     147
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         5.23    5.33     5.21    5.30    5.74   5.33    5.53
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      11      12       11      10      13     23      23

Patchway Mine (a)
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      24      25       26      26      25     47      51
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         5.51    5.58     5.34    4.70    4.79   5.66    4.74
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      4       4        4       4       3      8       7

Cam Dump Reprocessing
Ore treated
('000 tonnes)      248     237      226     200     219    499     419
Average ore grade:
gold (g/t)         1.11    1.21     1.21    1.08    1.08   1.13    1.08
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      2       2        3       2       2      4       4

Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced
('000 ounces)      17      18       18      16      17     35      33

(a) Includes low grade material.
IRON ORE

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

Hamersley Iron
Total production and shipments are for all the mines operated by Hamersley
Iron (Rio Tinto 100%).  These mines are Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman (all Rio Tinto 100%) and Channar (Rio
Tinto 60%) all in Western Australia.

(100% basis)

Saleable iron ore produced
('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
Marandoo, Brockman and
Yandicoogina       11,437  11,778   11,780  12,618  12,978 21,439  25,596
Channar            2,113   2,953    2,841   2,594   2,465  4,316   5,059

Total
production         13,550  14,731   14,621  15,212  15,443 25,755  30,655
Total shipments
('000 tonnes)      15,666  16,485   16,732  15,162  16,870 26,376  32,032

Hamersley achieved record first half production and shipments, reflecting
the upturn in the Asian steel industry.

Iron ore production in the first half of 2000 was 19% higher than for the
same period last year.

Shipments increased by 21% compared with the corresponding period of 1999.
Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Total production at the Corumba mine (Rio Tinto 100% (a)) in Corumba, Mato
Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

(100% basis)

Total iron ore
production
('000 tonnes) (b)  227     235      94      147     173     438     319

(a)  Rio Tinto increased its interest in the Corumba mine, Brazil, from
     80% to 100% during June 1999.
(b)  Production includes by-product fines.


COAL
                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

Kennecott Energy and Coal Company
Total production from the mines operated by Kennecott Energy and Coal
Company in the US: Antelope (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Cordero Rojo (Rio
Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Jacobs Ranch (Rio Tinto 100%) in Wyoming; Spring
Creek (Rio Tinto 100%) in Montana; Decker (Rio Tinto 50%) in Montana and
Colowyo in Colorado, where Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest and
full management responsibility (see footnote (e) above).
(100% basis)

Thermal coal production
('000 tonnes)
Antelope           5,183   5,548    5,258   5,076   5,035  9,773   10,111

Cordero Rojo       10,369  10,352   11,129  8,899   7,204  19,955  16,103

Spring
Creek              2,490   2,490    2,495   2,650   2,668  4,990   5,318

Decker             1,976   2,506    3,148   2,112   2,296  4,300   4,408

Colowyo            1,284   1,197    1,417   1,168   1,225  2,439   2,393

Jacobs Ranch       6,750   6,416    7,016   5,726   5,965  12,939  11 ,691
Total Kennecott Energy
Total coal
production
('000 tonnes)      28,052  28,509   30,463  25,631  24,393 54,396  50,024

Second quarter 2000 production was slightly lower than in the same period
in 1999, primarily due to reduced sales at the Cordero Rojo and Jacobs
Ranch mines as a consequence of an unusually warm winter and spring, which
reduced demand.

Kaltim Prima Coal
Total production and shipments from Kaltim Prima Coal (Rio Tinto 50%) in
Indonesia, including the share of production attributed to the Indonesian
Government (see footnote (i) above).

(100% basis)

Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      3,164   4,036    3,261   2,292   3,319  6,716   5,611
Shipments
('000 tonnes)      3,165   3,717    3,302   2,562   3,287  6,996   5,849
COAL (Continued)

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

During late 1999 and early 2000 KPC has been implementing a major shift in
mining sequence.  Significant equipment was committed to developing access
to new low strip ratio areas and initial clearing. This, plus heavy
rainfall, mainly in the first quarter, affected productivity.

Pacific Coal
Total production and sales from the Blair Athol mine (Rio Tinto 71.2%
(a)), the Kestrel Coal mine (Rio Tinto 80% (b)) and the Tarong Coal mine
(Rio Tinto 100%) in Queensland, Australia.

(100% basis)

Blair Athol
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      2,823   2,931    2,550   2,432   2,594  5,629   5,026
Sales
('000 tonnes)      3,334   2,636    2,885   2,324   2,957  5,904   5,281

Kestrel Coal
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      87      229      214     220     307    87      527
Sales
('000 tonnes)      -       64       223     127     158    -       285
Coking coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      120     629      355     435     590    120     1,025
Sales
('000 tonnes)      -       338      297     506     418    -       924
Semi-hard coking
coal: (c)
Sales
('000 tonnes)      -       146      94      265     152    -       416

Tarong Coal
Thermal coal:
Production
and sales
('000 tonnes)      1,461   1,325    1,176   1,256   1,049  2,616   2,305

Total Pacific Coal
Total coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      4,491   5,114    4,295   4,343   4,540  8,452   8,884

(a)  On 10 January 1999, Rio Tinto acquired an additional 14% beneficial
     interest in Blair Athol.
(b)  Rio Tinto acquired Kestrel Coal, formerly Gordonstone, in February
     1999 and production commenced in June 1999.
(c)  Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal.
     The product mix is customer dependant.

Production at Blair Athol in the first half of 2000 was below first half
1999 levels due to mining through areas that contain old underground
workings.  This had a flow-on effect on sales.

Kestrel has continued to build up its production rate since recommencing
production.

Tarong production in the first half of 2000 was below first half 1999
levels due to reduced purchases by the Tarong power station as inventory
levels were run down.

Coal & Allied Industries Limited (a)
Total production and sales from the Hunter Valley Operations (Rio Tinto
71%)and Mount Thorley mine (Rio Tinto 57%), both in New South Wales,
Australia.

(100% basis)

Hunter Valley Operations (b)

Thermal coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      1,649   1,773    1,170   1,226   1,554   3,375   2,780
Coking coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      654     933      624     771     898     1,447   1,669

Mount Thorley
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      497     593      447     435     423     1,173   858
Coking coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      691     615      520     615     482     1,313   1,097

Total Coal & Allied
Total coal
Production
('000 tonnes)      3,492   3,914    2,762   3,047   3,357   7,308   6,404

Total sales
('000 tonnes) (c)  3,326   3,722    2,728   2,893   3,616   7,213   6,509

(a)  Effective from 1 July 1999, Coal & Allied purchased the Rio Tinto
     Group's coal interests in New South Wales. The restructuring of Coal &
     Allied's shareholding left Rio Tinto with a 70.9% interest.
(b)  Hunter Valley Operations consist of the now merged Howick and Hunter
     Valley mines.
(c)  Sales relate only to coal mined by the operation and exclude traded
     coal.
Thermal coal production for Hunter Valley Operations in the first half of
2000 was limited by a contractual dispute with a significant domestic
customer. Deliveries were suspended by the customer during the third
quarter of 1999. Deliveries under the long-term contract have ceased,
however deliveries to this customer under an unrelated short term contract
commenced on 31 March 2000.

Coal production at Mount Thorley Operations in the second quarter 2000 was
lower compared with the first quarter 2000 due to industrial action, wet
weather and the shutdown of the dragline for 28 days.


COAL (Continued)


                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000



Carbones del Cerrejon SA
Total production at the Carbones del Cerrejon SA mine (Rio Tinto 0% (a)).
(100% basis)

Carbones del Cerrejon SA
Thermal coal:
Production
('000 tonnes)      280     295      352     -       -      560     -

(a) Rio Tinto disposed of its interest in Carbones del Cerrejon in early
    January 2000.



ALUMINIUM

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

Comalco
Production and sales from operations owned by Comalco (Rio Tinto 100% (a))
including Comalco's share of primary aluminium production from partly
owned smelters.

(100% of Comalco's share)

('000 tonnes)
Weipa mine, Queensland (Comalco 100%):
Beneficiated bauxite
production         2,675   2,784    2,997   2,777   3,008  5,606   5,785
Metal grade bauxite
shipments          2,665    3,019   2,997   2,729  2,766   5,178   5,495
Calcined bauxite
production         32      27       34      33      36     51      69


Boke mine, Guinea
(Comalco 4%):
Bauxite production 104     53       177     173     172    212     345

Queensland Alumina Limited,
Queensland
(Comalco 30.3%):
Alumina production 274     277      279     273     294     546    567

Eurallumina SpA,
Sardinia
(Comalco 56.2%):
Alumina production 133     142      141     143     140     263    283
Primary aluminium production:
Bell Bay, Tasmania
(Comalco 100%)     37.2    37.9     39.0    37.1    38.8    74.2   75.9
Boyne Island, Queensland
(Comalco 54.2%)    66.8    68.0     68.7    69.9    68.2   131.0   138.1
Tiwai Point, New Zealand
(Comalco 79.4%)    64.5    65.6     66.1    65.2    64.6   127.6   129.8
Total Comalco
share              168.5   171.6    173.8   172.2   171.6  332.8   343.8
Total sales of Comalco
produced aluminium 166.6   169.3    173.3   169.6   182.5  333.9   352.1


(a)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%.

Weipa bauxite production for the first half 2000 was better than the first
half 1999 due to more favourable seasonal conditions and ongoing process
improvements.

Queensland Alumina Limited and Eurallumina SpA production remained strong
as process improvements continued.

Overall daily production at the aluminium smelters remains strong due to
ongoing improvements.

Anglesey Aluminium
Total production at Anglesey Aluminium (Rio Tinto 51%) in the UK.

(100% basis)

Aluminium hot metal production
('000 tonnes)      34.2    33.9     34.7    35.0    35.3   68.5    70.3


INDUSTRIAL MINERALS

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000
BORATES

Rio Tinto Borax
Total production at the Boron mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in California, US and
at the Tincalayu, Sijes and Porvenir mines (Rio Tinto 100%) in Argentina.

(100% basis)

Borates
('000 tonnes) (a)  142     141      132     145     135    288     280

(a)  Production is expressed as B2O3 content.


TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium
Total Rio Tinto share of titanium dioxide feedstock production in Canada
and South Africa.

(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide
feedstock
production
('000 tonnes)      354     347      350     349     310    730     659


Production in recent periods has been affected by the consequences of the
fire at QIT's Canadian smelter in June 1999.

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000
DIAMONDS

Argyle Diamonds
Total production from mining operations at Argyle Diamonds (Rio Tinto
59.7%) in Western Australia.

(100% basis)
Ore processed
('000 tonnes):
AK1 ore            2,435   1,992    2,552   2,575   2,780  4,959   5,356
Alluvial ore       1,282   1,527    1,488   1,260   1,108  2,928   2,368
Total ore
processed          3,717    3,519   4,040   3,835  3,888   7,888   7,723

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats):
AK1                6,886   7,433    6,876   6,384   7,247  13,451  13,630
Alluvial           378     473      544     287     281    922     568
Total
recovered          7,264    7,906   7,420   6,671  7,527   14,373  14,198

AK1 ore processed for the second quarter 2000 was 14% more than the
corresponding period last year as a result of increased plant utilisation
and feed rate.

The recovered grade was lower in the second quarter 2000 but this was
offset by an increase in the AK1 tonnes processed.  Lower alluvial carats
produced reflect both lower feed rates and lower ore grade.

SALT

Dampier Salt

Total production of salt from Dampier and Lake MacLeod (Rio Tinto 64.9%)
in Western Australia.

(100% basis)

Salt production
('000 tonnes)      1,449   1,286    1,416   1,024   1,338  2,548   2,362

The effect of Cyclone Steve and related flooding has had an adverse effect
on production in the first half of 2000.

TALC

The Luzenac Group
Total talc production from Luzenac Group operations in Europe (Rio Tinto
99.9%) and North America (Rio Tinto 100%).

(100% basis)
Talc
production
('000 tonnes)      325     321      313     321     315    635     636
OTHER METALS

                   2Q      3Q       4Q      1Q      2Q     1H      1H
                   1999    1999     1999    2000    2000   1999    2000

NICKEL

Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada

Total nickel in matte production at the Fortaleza mine (Rio Tinto 100%) in
Brazil.

Production
(tonnes)           1,726   2,620    2,928   2,561   2,170  3,897   4,731

Fortaleza brought forward their annual shutdown from August to May/June
2000; this reduced second quarter 2000 production accordingly.
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe

Total refined metal production at the Empress nickel refinery (Rio Tinto
56.0%) in Zimbabwe.

(100% basis)

Production
(tonnes)           1,847   1,802    1,728   1,736   1,676  3,497   3,412

URANIUM

Rossing Uranium Ltd
Total uranium production at the Rossing Uranium mine (Rio Tinto 68.58%) in
Namibia.

(100% basis)

Production
(tonnes U3O8)      800     812      719     818     726    1,640   1,544

ZINC

Norzink AS
Total zinc production at Norzink AS (Rio Tinto 50%) in Norway.
(100% basis)

Production
('000 tonnes)      35.0    36.3     35.7    35.6    32.9   72.0    68.5


Expenditure

Total pre-tax exploration expenditure charged to the profit and loss
account for the first half of 2000 was US$58 million compared with US$64
million for the first half of 1999.

Global prioritisation of the exploration programme continued.  New
programmes for a variety of commodities were initiated in prospective
terrain around the world and other less prospective programmes were
terminated.

Major Developments

Grasberg, Indonesia

Delineation drilling commenced on newly recognised gold-copper
mineralisation within the Ertsberg intrusion on Freeport.

Other Programmes

Country     Commodity   Programme Summary
                        
Australia   Diamonds    Delineation drilling continued at the Argyle mine.
                        
Guinea      Iron Ore    Delineation drilling continued at the Simandou
                        iron ore project.
                        
Canada      Diamonds    A diamondiferous kimberlite pipe was identified on
                        the Tahera option in Nunavut.
                        
Canada      Uranium     Uranium mineralisation was identified on the JNR
                        alliance in Saskatchewan.
                        
USA         Gold        Encouraging results were received in Alaska.
                        
Turkey      Copper-     Encouraging results were received from the
            Gold        Anatolia alliance.
                        
Iran        General     Encouraging results were received.