About SALCO
Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) and Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) are undertaking studies to develop an aluminium smelter in Sarawak, Malaysia to be owned by the joint venture known as SALCO. RTA owns bauxite mines, alumina refineries and aluminium smelters, and has extensive experience in the design, engineering, construction, commissioning and operation of world class aluminium smelters. With over 40 subsidiaries, CMS is the largest conglomerate in Sarawak. Its operations span construction and property development, construction materials, road maintenance, financial services, trading, technology and education. For more information, please visit www.salco.com.my

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.

About CMS
CMS is Sarawak’s largest company in infrastructure development with business interests in construction, road maintenance, cement manufacturing, quarrying, construction materials and property development. The Group is also involved in trading of construction materials, technology, education and financial services.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto’s financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto’s products, production forecasts and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.