Rio Tinto Alcan announces a US$10 million investment at its Vaudreuil alumina facility in Quebec, Canada

Rio Tinto Alcan will invest US$10 million in the expansion of the bauxite residue containment site at its Vaudreuil Works alumina refinery in Jonquière, Quebec, Canada.

"The decision to expand the bauxite residue containment site is excellent news for Vaudreuil Works," said Gervais Jacques, Rio Tinto Alcan's chief operating officer, Atlantic, Bauxite and Alumina. "This investment will help us extend the life cycle of Vaudreuil Works. Profitability and cost effectiveness remain the most effective ways to ensure the facility's competitive edge."

The site expansion project, which will be implemented according to the most stringent safety and environmental protection standards, is of considerable importance to Rio Tinto Alcan. Work will begin at the end of November 2010 and is slated to be carried out over three years.

"This is a very important project for each and every one of us," said Guy Gaudreault, general manager, Vaudreuil Works. "It is therefore essential that we ensure the ongoing improvement of the facility's economic strength, which can be achieved by pursuing the implementation of a customised business model and commitment to operational excellence."

Located in Jonquière, Vaudreuil Works is the largest inorganic chemicals centre in Canada, with an annual production of 1.5 million tonnes of alumina and specialty chemicals. Most of the alumina produced is smelter-grade alumina to be used for further processing into primary aluminium. Vaudreuil Works ranks as the world leader in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and second for energy efficiency.

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.