Employees at Rio Tinto Alcan's Kitimat operations ratify new labour agreement

MONTREAL, July 27, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Employees at Rio Tinto Alcan's Kitimat aluminium smelter and Kemano hydroelectric plant in northwest British Columbia have ratified the labour agreement that was reached on 24 July 2012.

"We are pleased that the employees voted in favour of the tentative agreement reached earlier this week. This is an important step, one that will allow us to pursue the transition between the current plant and the modernisation project that is underway. This agreement meets our long-term commitments to our employees, customers and community in British Columbia", said Etienne Jacques, chief operating officer Rio Tinto Alcan Primary Metal, North America.

The Kitimat smelter produced 168,000 tonnes in 2011. The ongoing US $3.3 billion modernisation project of the smelter will bring the production capacity to 420,000 tonnes 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) 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.

SOURCE: RIO TINTO ALCAN - EN