Alcan Cable to consolidate North American cable production

ATLANTA, GA, Aug. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Alcan Cable, a business of Rio Tinto, announced today that it will consolidate its cable production facilities to improve the performance of its cable business. As a result, Alcan will close its Roseburg, Oregon facility by the end of the year.

"This decision is difficult, but has been made necessary by the prolonged poor market conditions and outlook in the market," stated Jack Miller, President of Alcan Cable. "Moving forward, Alcan Cable will focus on its North American production at its remaining cable facilities and continue to provide high quality cable products and service to our customers."

Alcan Cable's focus remains on meeting the cable needs of its North American customers and ensuring a seamless transition during the plant closure process. The realignment of manufacturing operations will address the realities of the current and projected market conditions and provide Alcan Cable the flexibility to expand production capacity at its remaining cable plants.

Alcan Cable has established a severance program and an on-site out-placement center to assist employees in their transition.

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 is recognized as the only fully integrated aluminum cable supplier in North America.

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, Tel.: [phone]; Rio Tinto, Montreal: Bryan Tucker, Tel.: [phone]; Website: www.cable.alcan.com