Rio Tinto Alcan partners in new research facility dedicated to aluminium products and processes in Quebec

    MONTREAL, May 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto Alcan, along with local
partners, officially inaugurated the CURAL (Centre universitaire de recherche
sur l'aluminium), an integrated research and development laboratory dedicated
to aluminium products and processes. The Centre is located on the campus of
the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, in Saguenay, Quebec.
    "I am very pleased to reconfirm Rio Tinto Alcan's commitment to an
integrated research and development strategy with CURAL," said Jean Simon,
president, Primary Metal, North America, Rio Tinto Alcan. "This initiative is
another step in our efforts to contribute to economic diversification and the
development of new industrial applications and value-added activities in the
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region."
    Announced in November 2005, Rio Tinto Alcan's share of the total
investment of more than CAN$9 million cost was approximately CAN$2 million.
"This new infrastructure and equipments at the university are significant,"
declared Jacynthe Côté, president and chief executive officer, Primary Metal,
Rio Tinto Alcan. "They increase considerably research synergy between the
university and our organization, in line with the strategic needs of Rio Tinto
Alcan."
    The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Honourable Jean-Pierre
Blackburn, Federal Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development
Agency of Canada for the region of Quebec, and Claude Béchard, Minister of
Natural Resources and Wildlife for the Quebec government and Minister in
charge of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
    CURAL aims at intensifying research in the treatment of bauxite and metal
fabrication processes, particularly forging and assembling. Working in
conjunction with the nearby National Research Council's Aluminium Technology
Centre, the new university laboratory will promote fundamental research at
levels allowing easier large scale technological transfer and increased use of
aluminium.

    About Rio Tinto

    Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the
UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto
Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
    Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral
resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and
uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and
iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia
and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe
and southern Africa.

For further information: Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Montreal:
Stefano Bertolli, [phone], [e-mail]; Rio Tinto
Alcan Media Relations, Saguenay: Claudine Gagnon, [phone],
[e-mail], www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan