Alcan Packaging Starts Production Trials at Food Packaging Facility in the Czech Republic

PARIS, December 9 - Alcan Packaging - a business unit of Rio Tinto - has started production
trials in its new (euro)17 million packaging facility in Novy Bydzov, Czech
Republic. The new plant, which will employ 110 people when in full
production, is the fourth Alcan Packaging Food Europe plant located in
Eastern Europe and produces printed flexible packaging for key food
customers.

"This state-of-the-art facility is another important step in our strategy
to follow our customers to the growth markets of Central and Eastern Europe,"
said Michael Cronin, President, Alcan Packaging Food Europe. "The remarkable
pace of our planning and project execution, moving in 17 months from decision
to start up, clearly demonstrates our ability to respond rapidly to our
customers' demands and requirements. Building on the success of the Skrivany
plant, Novy Bydzov will also benefit from our network of Best Practice
Transfer teams and our World Class Lean Six Sigma programme."

The new facility will focus primarily on the production and printing of
high quality rotogravure flexible packaging. It will supply emerging food
markets in Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Germanic and Nordic
regions.

Alcan Packaging Food Europe is the European leader in flexible packaging
for the food and beverages market, operating 31 plants in 18 countries.
Headquartered in Paris, France, Alcan Packaging is a global leader in
value-added specialty packaging. It delivers multi-material innovative
solutions to customers around the world for the flexible food,
pharmaceutical, beauty, and tobacco markets.

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: Alcan Packaging Food Europe: Lynne Quincey,
+44(0)1946-839638, Mobile: +44(0)7792-148-218, lynnequincey@alcan.com;
www.alcanpackagingfood.com, www.riotintoalcan.com

For further information: Alcan Packaging Food Europe: Lynne Quincey, +44(0)1946-839638, Mobile: +44(0)7792-148-218, lynnequincey at alcan.com