Re Agreement

Rio Tinto PLC
31 January 2001


                  SALE OF NORZINK ZINC SMELTER TO OUTOKUMPU                   

A sale and purchase agreement by Rio Tinto and Boliden to sell the Norzink
zinc smelter in Norway to Outokumpu for US$180 million cash was signed on
January 31 2001.
 
The sale is subject to EU, Norwegian and other European competition approval.
Rio Tinto and Boliden each own 50% of Norzink.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
 
LONDON 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                      Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305               + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
                                    Jonathan Murrin
                                    + 44 (0) 20 7753 2326
AUSTRALIA 
 
Media Relations                     Investor Relations 
Ian Head                            Dave Skinner
[phone]                 [phone]
                              
Daphne Morros
[phone]
 
Website: www.riotinto.com