Transaction in Own Shares

Rio Tinto PLC
20 October 2005

Rio Tinto plc - Transaction in Own Shares
Purchase of own securities

Rio Tinto plc today acquired through JPMorgan Cazenove Limited 300,000 of its
ordinary shares at an average price of 2164.95 pence per ordinary share.  The
purchased shares will all be held as treasury shares.

Following the above purchase, Rio Tinto plc holds 300,000 ordinary shares as
treasury shares.  The total number of ordinary shares in issue (excluding shares
held as treasury shares) is 1,070,000,854.


For further information, please contact:

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

Secretarial Department
Matthew Whyte
Office: [phone]

Website: www.riotinto.com



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