Transaction in Own Shares

Rio Tinto PLC
05 January 2006

Rio Tinto plc today acquired through Credit Suisse First Boston Europe Ltd
140,000 of its ordinary shares at an average price of 2692.76 pence per ordinary
share.  The purchased shares will all be held as treasury shares.

Following the above purchase, Rio Tinto plc holds 3,030,000 ordinary shares as
treasury shares.  The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 1,067,994,621.


For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations
Nigel Jones
Office: [phone]
Mobile: [phone]

Secretarial Department
Matthew Whyte
Office: [phone]

Website: www.riotinto.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
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