Alcan Cable signs distribution agreement with Promethean Devices LLC to sell
new transmission line monitoring technology

PARIS, France, March 17 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Cable, part of Alcan Engineered Products - a business unit of Rio Tinto - has entered into a distribution agreement with Promethean Devices, LLC of Fort Mill, South Carolina, to supply Promethean Real-time, Non-contact Transmission Line Monitoring technology to utility companies and entities building transmission lines in North America. The Promethean monitoring technology will enable utilities to safely and reliably push more power through new or existing transmission lines thus relieving congestion of the electrical grid.

"We are pleased to offer such a high value product to our customers who experience congestion on the grid and, as a result, must bear the enormous operational costs associated with conventional static line ratings," said Steve Waller, Director of Utility Sales - North America.

"We have completed beta testing of Promethean line monitoring technology with a number of utility companies over several years, and are now ready to offer this new non-contact monitoring technology to the market," said Steven Syracuse, President and Chief Technology Officer of Promethean Devices. "With Alcan Cable's extensive experience, capabilities, and position in utility markets, we are confident that we can grow our business and provide this best-in-class solution as part of a Smart Grid offering."

The Promethean non-contact, real time monitoring system provides the transmission line operator with the electrical conductor's temperature, clearance-to-ground, and maximum ampacity available above the static rating. Transmission lines almost universally use static ratings that are based on very conservative assumptions about sun and wind speed. The Promethean system does not contact the monitored lines resulting in a fast installation and deployment of the system, and avoiding costly transmission line outages.

Promethean Devices, LLC is located in Fort Mill, SC and offers a real time, non-contact transmission line monitoring system and line optimization solution. Promethean Devices has been in business since 2004 with manufacturing and testing facilities in Fort Mill, SC.

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

For further information: Alcan Cable, Atlanta: Rhonda Buckley, [phone], [email protected]; Alcan Engineered Products, Paris: Christine Chanet, [phone], [email protected]; www.cable.alcan.com; www.riotinto.com