MONTREAL, January 19, 2007 - Alcan will support the centennial celebrations of the CHU Sainte-Justine hospital through an official year-long partnership. The official launch of the celebration took place today at Montreal’s City Hall in the presence of Mayor Gérald Tremblay.

"Alcan is honored to be a part of this special celebration commemorating an important milestone for one of Montreal’s most respected and recognized institutions," said Daniel Gagnier, Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs, Alcan Inc. "Like Alcan, Sainte-Justine’s Hospital is a cornerstone of the Montreal community and an international leader in its field. We are proud to highlight the outstanding service the Hospital has offered to Montrealers over the last hundred years." he added.

As part of the Centennial, the CHU will offer a diversified, packed program of activities on a variety of topics that will provide both the general public and healthcare professionals with insights into the realities, problems, and issues associated with mother and child health. Shows, exhibitions, telecasts, concerts, and information sessions on children’s health will take place throughout the year.

The CHU Sainte-Justine is the largest mother-child center in Canada. It numbers 450 beds and over 4,000 employees, admits 19,000 patients annually, and welcomes 260,000 patients at its outpatient clinic. It is one of the four largest pediatric centers in North America. Affiliated with Université de Montréal, the CHU Sainte-Justine is by far the largest pediatric training center in Québec and a leader in Canada, welcoming about 4,000 students each year. The CHU Sainte-Justine and its research center enjoy an impressive international reputation.

Alcan has been an integral contributor to Montreal’s social fabric and well-being since it established its headquarters in the city’s downtown core more than 80 years ago. The Company supports more than 200 local Montreal organizations, most recently highlighted through its sponsorship of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in 2006 and the 2005 FINA World Aquatic Championships.

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, aluminum fabrication, engineered solutions as well as flexible and specialty 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 posted revenues of US$20.3 billion in 2005. 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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