Sohar Aluminium Reaches Full Production Using Rio Tinto Alcan’s Benchmark AP Technology

MONTREAL, Canada - 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 Côté, 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.

For further information: Stefano Bertolli, Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada, +1-514-848-8151, stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com; www.riotintoalcan.com; www.sohar-aluminium.com/

Source: Rio Tinto Alcan

For further information: Stefano Bertolli, Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada, +1-514-848-8151, stefano.bertolli at riotinto.com