Montreal, Canada -- Alcan has launched its global Indigenous Peoples policy, a critical component within Alcan's commitment to stakeholder engagement. The Policy, which will be distributed and apply to Alcan's more than 440 sites, is the result of consultations with Indigenous peoples and aims to promote constructive and sustainable relationships with local communities.

"Through its commitment to being a responsible and recognized international leader in its relationships with Indigenous communities, Alcan aims to provide a sustainable environment for future generations - guided by its core values, principles of non-discrimination, and respect for fundamental human rights," said Daniel Gagnier, Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs, Alcan Inc. "This Policy will act as a guiding framework, reinforcing existing relationships as well as creating new partnerships with Indigenous communities through open, positive, and respectful communication," he added.

In forming the Policy, Alcan embarked in a process of dialogue and engagement in places such as Kitimat, British Columbia and Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, in Canada as well as Gove, Australia. Existing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and relationship protocol agreements between Alcan and Indigenous communities have assisted in the Company's comprehensive approach toward open and transparent communication, while complementing Alcan's commitment toward stakeholder engagement practices.

Alcan is committed to working with Indigenous communities to enhance mutually beneficial relationships that create economic value as well as innovative partnerships. Today, Alcan is involved in a number of business initiatives with Indigenous peoples and communities that range from land, forestry and environmental stewardship, education and training, to regional industrial development.

For example, Alcan signed an agreement with "Le Conseil des Montagnais du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean" in 2003 to promote partnership and mutual respect. This agreement provides a framework and principles that has help to establish sustainable partnerships.

The Company also established a Regional Industrial Development Centre in Kitimat, British Columbia to facilitate Northwest B.C.'s economic growth; the partnership is between Alcan, KT Industrial Development Society (KTIDS), and the Haisla Business Development Corporation.

At Alcan's Gove, Australia alumina operations the Company designed, funded and delivered a course in Cross-Cultural Awareness in conjunction with the Yothu Yinidi Foundation - a non-profit local group. The course has been attended by 1,000 Alcan employees, 1,200 members of the local and Yolgnu population and 1,500 project workers from across Australia.

Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSX: AL) is a leading global materials company, delivering high quality products and services worldwide. With world-class technology and operations in bauxite mining, alumina processing, primary metal smelting, power generation, aluminium fabrication, engineered solutions as well as flexible and speciality packaging, today's Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs. Alcan is represented by 65,000 employees in 61 countries and regions, and in 2005 posted revenues of US$ 20.3 billion. The Company has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index consecutively since 2003. For more information, please visit: www.alcan.com.

Rio Tinto Alcan

Rio Tinto Alcan

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.

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