Alcan Cable receives qualification to manufacture and sell ACCC(R) conductor
in North American utility market

ATLANTA, GA, Aug. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Cable, a business of Rio Tinto, announced today it has been granted qualification by CTC Cable - a subsidiary of Composite Technology Corporation - to manufacture ACCC(R) conductor. Alcan Cable can now supply product to its existing utility customers in North America as well as to CTC Cable Corporation. The ACCC(R) conductor certification was attained by successfully completing qualification tests at Alcan Cable's Technology Center located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. ACCC(R) composite core production will continue at CTC Cable's certified facilities in Irvine, California.

"We are excited about the opportunity to offer aluminum conductor composite core (ACCC(R)) to our Utility customers as a unique cable solution for new transmission line construction and upgrades to the electrical grid," said Steve Waller, Director of Utility Sales in North America. "The strategic agreement between Alcan Cable and CTC Cable combines Alcan Cable's position as a leading cable supplier to the Investor Owned Utility market with CTC Cable's innovative conductor technology."

ACCC(R) conductor offers an energy efficient, high temperature, low sag solution for power transmission line applications. Under equivalent load conditions, ACCC(R) conductor reduces line losses by 30% to 40% compared to other conductors of the same diameter and weight, which translates into savings in the installation and the operation of the line over its lifetime. The reduction in line losses can provide significant reductions in fuel consumption and their associated emissions from fossil fuel sources. ACCC(R) conductor's ability to operate at high temperatures with very little sag increase makes it an ideal solution for increasing capacity of constrained transmission lines.

Alcan Cable has provided its customers with quality products and outstanding customer service for over 100 years. With its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Alcan Cable is a leading manufacturer of aluminum cable, modular wiring systems, and rod and strip products and has seven manufacturing operations - six in North America and one in China.

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.

About CTC

Composite Technology Corporation, based in Irvine, California, USA, develops, manufactures and sells innovative, high performance, energy efficient electrical transmission conductors through its subsidiary, CTC Cable Corporation. CTC Cable produces composite core rod for use in its patented high efficiency ACCC(R) conductors, which are used in electrical transmission and distribution grids.

ACCC(R) is a registered trademark of CTC Cable Corporation.

For further information: Alcan Cable, Atlanta: Rhonda Buckley, Tel.: [phone]; Rio Tinto, Montreal: Bryan Tucker, Tel.: [phone]; Composite Technology Corporation: Investor Relations: James Carswell, Tel: [phone]; Websites: www.cable.alcan.com, www.compositetechcorp.com