🕐16.11.11 - 14:54 Uhr

RIO TINTO ALCAN ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO CLOSE LYNEMOUTH ALUMINIUM SMELTER



Rio Tinto media release Web versionhttp://riotinto.msgfocus.com/q/1MtPh8aQYZqWmr/wv If you have problems viewing images in Outlook, please add us to your safe list 16 Nov 2011 Rio Tinto Alcan announces intention to close Lynemouth aluminium smelter Rio Tinto Alcan intends to close the Lynemouth aluminium smelter, subject to the completion of a 90-day consultation process with employee and union representatives.

The company is also in exclusive discussions regarding the potential sale of the power station at the site. The Lynemouth smelter in Northumberland, England opened in 1972.

It employs 515 people and an additional 111 are employed at the power station.

All affected employees will receive support, including re-training and job-search assistance, in order to mitigate the impact of any closure. Jacynthe Côté, chief executive of Rio Tinto Alcan, said, “This decision follows a thorough strategic review which explored every possible option for continuing to operate the smelter and power station.

However, it is clear the smelter is no longer a sustainable business because its energy costs are increasing significantly, due largely to emerging legislation.

We are hopeful that the power station can remain in operation under new ownership. “For 40 years, the Lynemouth smelter and power station have been important parts of the community and we will work with our employees and other key stakeholders to ensure that the social and environmental consequences of today’s announcement are managed in the most sensitive way.

We are also committed to supporting local initiatives to identify and develop alternative opportunities that promote regional economic development.

Finally, we will also continue to support our valued customers.” About Rio Tinto Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Rio Tintos business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources.

Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore.

Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. Contacts: Media Relations, EMEA / Americas John McCabe Office: +44(0)1670 393534 Alternate: +44(0)1670 393837 Mobile: +44 (0)7736 103158 Illtud Harri Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 503 600 Tony Shaffer Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Christina Mills Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154 Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605 Media Relations, Australia / Asia David Luff Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205 Karen Halbert Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627 Mobile: +61 (0) 412 119 389 Bruce Tobin Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454 Media Relations, Canada Bryan Tucker Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151 Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319 Investor Relations, London Mark Shannon Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1178 Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576 597 David Ovington Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Investor Relations, North America Jason Combes Office: +1 (0) 801 204 2919 Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645 Investor Relations, Australia Dave Skinner Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309 Christopher Maitland Office +61 (0) 3 9283 3063 Mobile +61 (0) 459 800 131 Further information: If you have been forwarded this email, you may wish to click here to signup for our media releases http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1329kSFR1TjADZr5XNjWE9GJ directly. Follow us on Twitter http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1329mVpDpPUe58wPuSE6KNYc Website: www.riotinto.com http://riotinto.msgfocus.com/c/1329oY9pNMuRwhCz1XYgRsfF LEGAL INFORMATION - Copyright © 2010 Rio Tinto.

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