J P Morgan Chase Bank, formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee 450 West 33rd Street 15th Floor, New York NY 10001 Attention: Institutional Trust Services USA Ladies and Gentlemen:

Exhibit 99.1

6 January 2003

X X Xxxxxx Xxxxx Bank, formerly
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx XX 00000
Attention: Institutional Trust Services
USA

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Each of Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited (the “Company”), Rio Tinto Limited (“Rio Tinto Limited”) and Rio Tinto plc (together with Rio Tinto Limited, the “Guarantors”) has severally appointed Rio Tinto Services Inc., located at 0000 Xxxxx 0000 Xxxx, Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxx 00000 (the “Successor Agent”), as its agent for service of process under Section 115 of the Indenture dated as of July 2, 2001 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors, and you, as Trustee. The Successor Agent replaces Rio Tinto Services Inc., previously located at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000.

     Please acknowledge your consent to the appointment of the Successor Agent by countersigning this letter.

	Very truly yours,
	RIO TINTO FINANCE (USA) LIMITED
	By:	/s/ I C Ratnage
	Name:	I C Ratnage
	Title:	Authorised Person
	RIO TINTO LIMITED
	By:	/s/ X X Xxxxxxx
	Name:	X X Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Assistant Secretary
	RIO TINTO PLC
	By:	/s/ X X Xxxxxxx
	Name:	X X Xxxxxxx
	Title:	Secretary

Rio Tinto plc 0 Xx Xxxxx’x Xxxxxx  Xxxxxx  XX0X 0XX
Telephone 000 0000 0000  Direct line 000 0000     Fax 000 0000 0000
REGISTERED OFFICE: 0 Xx Xxxxx’x Xxxxxx Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX Registered in England 719885

In acknowledgement of its consent to the appointment of the Successor Agent.
	JPMORGAN CHASE BANK (formerly THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK), as Trustee
	By:	/s/ L Xxxxxxxxx
	Name:	L Xxxxxxxxx
	Title:	Vice President