11.26.2007 - 02:00pm ET

(CSRwire) CONAKRY - November 26, 2007 - Rio Tinto Alcan announced today, during an official ceremony held in Conakry, that it will support Guinea's efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through a Partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and Guinea's National Ministry of the Interior and Security. The Partnership will fund a project to strengthen the planning capacity of elected officials and civil servants in the Boké region, where Rio Tinto Alcan holds an interest in Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée (CBG) and is studying development of an alumina refinery.

"Rio Tinto Alcan is pleased to enhance its long-standing relationship with Guinea and Guineans through this Partnership designed to help them achieve the Millennium Development Goals," said Steve Hodgson, President and chief executive officer, Bauxite and Alumina, Rio Tinto Alcan. "This Partnership underlines Rio Tinto Alcan's commitment to engage and partner with multiple stakeholders in our operating
communities, to establish and work towards common objectives that aim to deliver prosperous and sustainable futures," he concluded.

The Partnership has engaged the Association des volontaires pour le développement en Guinée — an NGO whose main areas of focus include rural development and decentralization in upper and central Guinea — to train approximately 150 elected officials and civil servants to produce five-year development plans in support of the Government’s efforts to achieve the MDGs. In addition to the Partnership, Rio Tinto Alcan will help elected officials identify financial partners that can provide rural communities with assistance in implementing their plans in areas such as health, education and income-generating activities. The number of people expected to benefit directly and indirectly from this Partnership is approximately 500,000.

"Rio Tinto Alcan recognises that in order to be successful, it needs healthy and productive operating communities," said Robert Théorêt, Managing Director, Rio Tinto Alcan Guinea. "Similarly, Rio Tinto Alcan’s operating communities and civil society need the Company to create employment, wealth and innovation that improves socio-economic conditions," continued Théorêt. "It is this interdependence that offers infinite potential to create real and sustainable value for both Rio Tinto Alcan and Guineans," he concluded.

The Partnership, just one part of a broader Rio Tinto Alcan sustainability strategy planned for Guinea, is also aligned with the Government’s decentralization strategy, which is supported by the World Bank, the Agence Française de Développement and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, via le Programme d'Appui aux Communautés Villageoises. It will allow rural communities to participate in and direct their own development to establish effective local governance.

Rio Tinto Alcan has held an interest in CBG since it began operations in 1973. CBG directly employs 2,500 people and is one of the largest bauxite mines in the world and the leading company in Guinea. Since its inception, CBG has been a major contributor to the socio-economic well-being of its operating communities (Kamsar and Sangaredi) in the areas of education, health, potable water, energy, infrastructure and tax revenue.

The eight MDGs were drawn from the Millennium Declaration, which was endorsed by all Member States of the United Nations in 2001. The MDGs, which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, must be achieved by 2015.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London 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 more information please contact: