Rio Tinto to invest additional US$300 million to advance the Kitimat Modernisation Project

Rio Tinto to invest additional US$300 million to advance the Kitimat Modernisation Project

Rio Tinto to invest additional US$300 million to advance the Kitimat Modernisation Project

Rio Tinto is to invest an additional US$300 million in the modernisation of the Kitimat
aluminium smelter in British Columbia, Canada, bringing the current project funding total
to over US$500 million.

“The Kitimat Modernisation Project leverages two of our greatest competitive advantages
– clean, self-generated hydropower and internationally renowned AP smelting technology. This investment continues construction and maintains critical paths for the project, while we seek opportunities to reduce capital costs in the currently challenging economic climate” said Dick Evans, Chief executive, Rio Tinto Alcan.

This stage of funding will secure the launch of an anode baking furnace, substation, casthouse, and construction workers’ camp, as well as ancillary services.

“The Kitimat Modernisation Project remains a priority for Rio Tinto Alcan and this investment allows us to continue building on what the project team has already accomplished,” said Jacynthe Côté, President and chief executive officer, Primary Metal, Rio Tinto Alcan. “We will progress with construction and driving further value from the project.”

The modernisation of the Kitimat aluminium smelter will increase its current production
from 245,000 tonnes per year to approximately 400,000 tonnes per year, representing growth of more than 60 per cent. Rio Tinto Alcan’s proprietary AP technology is the most cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly smelting technology available, allowing the modernised plant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 per cent per year.

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto’s financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto’s products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio
Tinto’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will
operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto’s actual
results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forwardlooking
statements include, among others, levels of actual production during any period,
levels of demand and market prices, the ability to produce and transport products
profitably, the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on market prices and operating
costs, operational problems, political uncertainty and economic conditions in relevant
areas of the world, the actions of competitors, activities by governmental authorities such
as changes in taxation or regulation and such other risk factors identified in Rio Tinto’s
most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or Form 6-Ks furnished to the SEC. Forward-looking
statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance
should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the City Code on
Takeovers and Mergers (the “Takeover Code”), the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Services Authority and the Listing Rules of the
Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto’s
expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on
which any such statement is based.

Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per
share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical
published earnings per share.

Subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code, none of Rio Tinto, any of its officers or
any person named in this announcement with their consent or any person involved in the
preparation of this announcement makes any representation or warranty (either express
or implied) or gives any assurance that the implied values, anticipated results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied in forward-looking statements
contained in this announcement will be achieved.

For further information, please contact:

Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Canada
Stefano Bertolli
Tel.: +1 514 848 8151
stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com

Rio Tinto Alcan, Primary Metal B.C.
Colleen Nyce
Tel.: +1 250 639 8760
colleen.nyce@riotinto.com

Media Relations, Australia

Amanda Buckley
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349

Ian Head
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101

Media Relations, London

Christina Mills
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154
Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605

Nick Cobban
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003

Media Relations, US & South America

Nancy Ives
Mobile: +1 619 540 3751

Investor Relations, North America
Jason Combes
Office: +1 801 204 2919
Mobile: +1 801 558 2645

Investor Relations, Australia
Dave Skinner
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628
Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309
Simon Ellinor
Office: +61 (0) 7 3867 1607
Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811

Investor Relations, London
Nigel Jones
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2049
Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227365
David Ovington
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978

Email: questions@riotinto.com

Websites:

www.riotinto.com
www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan
www.kitimatworksmodernization.com

High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk