Stmnt re DiavikDiamondProject

Rio Tinto PLC
20 December 2000


The following was released by Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. and Aber Diamond
Corporation in Canada yesterday. 

                           
                           DIAVIK PROJECT APPROVED                            
                       
December 19, 2000 - Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (DDMI) and Aber Diamond
Corporation (TSE-ABZ; NASDAQ-ABERF) announce the decision to proceed with the
development of the Diavik Diamonds Project.
 
This decision clears the way for DDMI to begin the process of bringing into
effect the following agreements:
 
* The Environmental Agreement between the Government of Canada, the
Government of the Northwest Territories, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the
Lutsel K'e Dene Band, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the North Slave
Metis Alliance and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, and Diavik Diamond Mines
Inc.  

* The Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement between the Government of the
Northwest Territories and Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.  

* Participation Agreements with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Dogrib
Treaty 11 Council, and the North Slave Metis Alliance, which cover
opportunities and benefits specific to each of these aboriginal groups. DDMI
is continuing its discussions with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and the
Lutsel K'e Dene Band to conclude similar Participation Agreements.  

DDMI and its contractors are currently preparing to ship approximately 4,000
truckloads of fuel, equipment and construction materials to the project site
on the seasonal winter road, which traditionally opens in late January. DDMI
and Aber have approved a budget to cover the costs of goods and materials to
be shipped over the winter road and project construction expenditures during
the first quarter of 2001.
 
The Diavik Diamonds Project is an unincorporated joint venture between DDMI
(60%) and Aber Diamond Mines Ltd. (40%). Both companies are headquartered in
Yellowknife. DDMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc of London,
England, and Aber Diamond Mines Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aber
Diamond Corporation of Toronto, Ontario.
 
For further information, please contact:

LONDON 
 
Media Relations                          Investor Relations 
Lisa Cullimore                           Peter Jarvis
+ 44 (0) 20 7753 2305                    + 44 (0) 20 7753 2401
 
AUSTRALIA 
 
Media Relations                          Investor Relations 
Fiona Powell                             Dave Skinner
[phone] (office)              [phone] (office)
[phone] (mobile)              [phone] (mobile)
                    
                                         Daphne Morros
                                         [phone] (office)
                                         [phone] (mobile)
 
Rio Tinto Website: www.riotinto.com 
Diavik Website: www.diavik.ca