Sohar Aluminium reaches full production using Rio Tinto Alcan's benchmark AP technology

Sohar Aluminium reaches full production using Rio Tinto Alcan's benchmark AP
technology

MONTREAL, April 29 /PRNewswire/ - Rio Tinto Alcan and Sohar Aluminium have now
reached full production at their joint venture facility in the Sultanate of
Oman. The newly inaugurated aluminium smelter has an initial production
capacity of 360,000 tonnes per year and is positioned in the first quartile of
the industry cost curve.
"The Sohar Aluminium project is an example of a mutually beneficial
partnership," said Tom Albanese, Chief executive, Rio Tinto. "With access to
an ongoing, competitively priced power supply, this facility will create
concrete economic diversification opportunities throughout the region."
"I would like to thank everyone involved in the success of the Sohar Aluminium
project and in ramping up the smelter both on schedule and on budget," said
Jacynthe Cote, Chief executive, Rio Tinto Alcan. "With Rio Tinto Alcan's
benchmark AP 36 technology in place, this inauguration marks another example
of how our proven power-to-product solutions contribute to maintaining our
competitive edge."
More than six million tonnes of global aluminium capacity is already equipped
with AP technology, generating exceptional value and sustainability for
operators around the world. AP technology is the most energy efficient and
environmentally friendly smelter technology commercially available.
Rio Tinto Alcan's partners in the Sohar Aluminium project are the Oman Oil
Company S.A.O.C. and the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority. This joint
venture strengthens Rio Tinto Alcan's presence in the Middle East and will
enable it to explore other opportunities in this important region.
In addition to its equity interest in the Sohar Aluminium project, Rio Tinto
Alcan assumes responsibility for technical and operational support as well as
sales and marketing of all metal exported.

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.
SOURCE RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN

Stefano Bertolli, Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada, (514) 848-8151,
stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com; www.riotintoalcan.com; www.sohar-aluminium.com