Rio Tinto Alcan to Accelerate Quebec Smelter Project

Rio Tinto’s chief executive Tom Albanese announced that Rio Tinto Alcan will proceed a pre-feasibility study for an expansion of the Alma smelter in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec on an accelerated basis. The expansion would add approximately 170,000 tonnes to the current Alma smelter capacity of slightly over 400,000 tonnes. Furthermore, the company has projected another $2 billion investment program in Quebec, "Rio Tinto intends to follow Alcan's lead as a champion of Canada and Quebec and build upon its positive economic and social legacy by continuing with investments that will create value and opportunity."Said Mr. Albanese. Alma is one of Rio Tinto Alcan's most modern and efficient smelters, which would have a capacity of around 570,000 tonnes and be one of the largest in North America. The study will evaluate the cost, timetable and conditions for completing the expansion, which is part of Rio Tinto Alcan's Quebec investment program announced in December 2006. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of WAM News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of WAM.