Press Release

Date: 13 November 2003

Ref: PR327g

Lihir Gold Limited issued thefollowing news release in Australia earlier today. All dollar amounts are in Australian currency. Rio Tinto held a 16.3% interest in LihirGold prior to this announcement.

CAPITAL RAISING

Lihir Gold Limited (Lihir) announcedtoday the successful completion of its overnight placement involving the issueof 140 million shares.

The placement closed significantlyoversubscribed, reflecting very strong demand from a combination of domesticand international institutions. Thefinal price of A$1.55 per share represents a discount of 8.8% to Wednesdaysclosing price. The issue raised A$217million (equivalent to approximately US$155 million).

The shares will be allotted onWednesday 19 November 2003, with quotation expected to occur on Thursday 20November 2003. The placement increases the number of ordinary fully paid sharesin Lihir to 1,282.3 million.

The new shares will rank equally withexisting ordinary shares in all respects.

The Company has signalled itsintention to offer shareholders in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealandthe opportunity to purchase up to $5,000 of Lihir shares through a SharePurchase Plan (SPP). Subject to the grant of waivers by the SecuritiesCommission of Papua New Guinea and the Australian Stock Exchange, the SPP willproceed at an issue price of A$1.55 per share. The record date for the SPP willbe Tuesday 25 November 2003 and details will be mailed to shareholders inapproximately two weeks.

This announcement has been prepared for use inAustralia and may not be released or distributed in the United States. It does not constitute an offer of anysecurities for sale in Australia, the United States or any otherjurisdiction. Any securities describedin this document may not be offered or sold in the United States in the absenceof registration under the US Securities Act of 1933 or an exemption fromregistration.

For further information, please contact:

LONDON	AUSTRALIA
Media Relations Lisa Cullimore Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2305 Mobile: +44 (0) 7730 418 385	Media Relations Ian Head Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101
Investor Relations Peter Cunningham Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2401 Mobile: +44 (0) 7711 596 570 Richard Brimelow Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2326 Mobile: +44 (0) 7753 783 825	Investor Relations Dave Skinner Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309 Daphne Morros Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3639 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 764

Website: www.riotinto.com