Rio Tinto's Offer for Ashton

Rio Tinto PLC
5 October 2000


Dispatch of Rio Tinto's offer for Ashton

Rio Tinto has commenced dispatch of its Offer Document to
shareholders of Ashton Mining Limited.  The offer is now open
for acceptance and is scheduled to close at 7:30 pm AEDT on
Monday, 6 November 2000.

The Offer Document is available on the Rio Tinto website:
www.riotinto.com



For further information contact:

Media Relations                    Investor Relations
Lisa Cullimore                     Peter Jarvis
+ 44 20 7753 2305                  + 44 20 7753 2401