30
January 2008
Download PR604g released
at 12.30pm
Rio Tinto Alcan has announced a �45 (US$90) million
investment in the modernisation of its Lochaber plant, in Scotland.
The modernisation project will see new hydroelectric
turbo-generators installed to power the smelter, ensuring the
increased use of clean renewable energy for aluminium production at
the plant. The modernisation project is set to begin in 2009 and
should be completed by 2012.
�The �45 million investment to power our Lochaber
plant not only secures its future but shows our commitment to
improving energy efficiency, increasing our usage of fully renewable
energy and in turn, our levels of production,� said Jacynthe C�t�,
Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal President. �36% of our smelter energy
needs are met by clean, self-generated hydroelectricity, a
tremendous competitive advantage.�
The existing hydro generators at the Lochaber
aluminium plant have been in use since their installation in 1929.
The new modern hydroelectric generators will have an enhanced
capacity to generate the electricity the plant needs, as well as the
potential to generate additional power. As a result of the
increased power generation, it is expected that aluminium production
at Lochaber will increase from 43,000 tonnes per year to 50,000
tonnes per year.
�Making aluminium with hydroelectricity has been a
vital part of the Highlands economy for over 100 years, with generations of families having worked in the industry, so we�re
delighted to confirm a long-term and sustainable future for the
plant today,� said Wyn Jones, Alcan Aluminium UK Managing Director.
�Today�s announcement underlines the company�s commitment to remain
an integral part of the Lochaber community and to continue to
produce high quality competitive products in Scotland.�
The Rio Tinto Alcan plant in Lochaber contributes
over �8 million a year to the Highlands economy and employs 180
people, making it one of the Highlands� largest private sector
employers. It also helps underpin an additional 400 jobs
through indirect employment and supply chain opportunities.
This repowering project will offer much needed long-term job security in the region.
John Hutton, Secretary of State, Business, Enterprise
& Regulatory Reform commented: "I welcome the announcement of
this investment in Rio Tinto Alcan�s Lochaber aluminium smelter. I
am aware of the importance of the smelter to the region and the
investment will also make a valuable contribution to helping us meet
our renewable energy targets.�
Rio Tinto Alcan, created in November 2007, is the
global leader in aluminium. It holds the number one position in
bauxite and aluminium production and is a major producer of alumina,
with a clear pathway to the top through its options for
expansion.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group
headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London 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 and production forecasts), 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 forward-looking 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:
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
Rio Tinto Alcan, Lochaber
John McCabe Office: +44 (0)1670 393 534
Mobile: +44 (0)7736 103 158
Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations,
Montreal
Stefano Bertolli Tel.: +1-514-848-8151 stefano.bertolli@alcan.com
Media Relations, US
Nancy Ives Mobile: +1 619 540 3751
Media Relations, Australia
Ian Head Office: +61 (0) 3 9283
3620 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101
Amanda Buckley Office: +61 (0) 3 9283
3627 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349
Investor Relations, London
Nigel Jones Office: +44 (0) 20 7753
2401 Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227 365
David Ovington Office: +44 (0) 20 7753
2326 Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978
Investor Relations, North
America
Jason Combes Office: +1 (0) 801 685
4535 Mobile: +1 (0) 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 1068
Email: questions@riotinto.com
Websites: www.riotinto.com www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan
A full copy of the press release is also available on
the Rio Tinto website: www.riotinto.com/media
High resolution photographs available at Newscast www.newscast.co.uk
Bryan
Smith Principal
adviser, digital media Communications and
External Relations |
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