Offer for Alcan extended to October 23, 2007

17 September 2007

Rio Tinto Canada Holding Inc. ("RTCH") announces that the expiry date for the offer by RTCH to acquire all of the common shares of Alcan Inc. is being extended from September 24, 2007 to October 23, 2007.  The extension is necessary to permit conditions to the offer to be satisfied, including obtaining various regulatory approvals.  A formal notice of extension is being mailed today to all Alcan common shareholders.

As of the close of business on September 14, 2007, 495,139 shares had been deposited with the depositary under the offer and not withdrawn, representing less than 0.2 per cent of Alcan's outstanding common shares on a fully-diluted basis. The offer is conditional on acceptances representing 66 2/3 per cent of Alcan shares.

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.