Dick Evans Appointed Chairman of the International Aluminium Institute

MONTREAL, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Rio Tinto Alcan is pleased to announce that Dick Evans, chief executive of Rio Tinto Alcan and executive director of Rio Tinto, has been appointed Chairman of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). The IAI is the global forum of the world's alumina and aluminium producers. Through the IAI, the aluminium industry aims to promote a wider understanding of its activities and demonstrate its responsibility in relation to all key sustainability issues - environmental, health, safety and recycling.

Dick Evans has served as a director of the IAI since 2001 and previously acted as Chairman in 2006, following the incumbent Chairman's retirement. "I am honoured to once again be serving the IAI as Chairman and will continue its substantial work towards improving the global sustainability of the aluminium industry, as well as the promotion of aluminium's benefits to society and the environment," commented Mr. Evans.

IAI Secretary General Robert Chase welcomed the news of Mr Evans' appointment. "Dick has played a strong leadership role on the IAI's Board for some years now. The Institute looks forward to his Chairmanship, as the industry embarks on a set of challenging climate change and sustainability objectives, while managing the growth that comes from an ever increasing demand for its high quality, safe and recyclable products."

Mr. Evans has an extensive background in general and executive management within the aluminium industry. He joined Rio Tinto in 2007, following 11 years with Alcan - where he was CEO from 2006 - and 27 years of American and international postings with Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation.

Mr. Evans is currently a director of Abitibi-Bowater Incorporated and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Conference Board of Canada. He is also the past chairman of the U.S. Aluminum Association's Board of Directors. He has served as co-chairman of the Environmental and Climate Change Committee of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and as member of the Board of the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a Washington- based coalition concerned with climate change.

In 2007, the International Aluminium Institute celebrated its 35th year of existence - having been incorporated on 28 April 1972. The Institute has more than 25 member companies and they are represented on the IAI Board of Directors by their CEO's. Together the IAI member companies represent more than 80% of world primary aluminium production. For more information, please visit http://www.world-aluminium.org

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.

http://www.riotinto.com/riotintoalcan/

For further information: Rio Tinto Alcan Media Relations, Stefano Bertolli, +1-514-848-8151, stefano.bertolli@riotinto.com; International Aluminium Institute, Chris Bayliss, +44(0)20-7930-0528, bayliss@world-aluminium.org