Investments continue at Rio Tinto, Fer et Titane's Steel Plant

MONTREAL, June 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto, Fer et Titane (RTFT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto and part of the Group's sector leading titanium dioxide business, has announced plans to invest CAD$7.2 million to upgrade the water filtration system used at its steel plant located at RTFT's metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy.

"We are employing new water filtering technology that will help improve equipment reliability and performance, optimise production and lower our environmental impact", said Mr. Dominique Bouchard, RTFT's President.

The investment is part of RTFT's TiO₂₀₅₀ program, announced in May 2011, which calls for an investment of CAD$800 million over the next five years to extend the life of the mine at Havre-Saint-Pierre until 2050, and to upgrade equipment that will improve efficiency and environmental performance at the mine and at RTFT's metallurgical complex in Sorel-Tracy. This latest investment follows a number of projects announced by RTFT in 2011 and earlier this year totalling CAD$ 91 million.

Engineering has begun and the new system is expected to be operating by the end of 2013.

About Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium
Rio Tinto's global titanium dioxide business, Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium (RTIT), includes its wholly-owned RTFT operations in Quebec; Richards Bay Minerals in South Africa (37 per cent interest); and QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) operations (80 per cent interest). RTIT produces titanium dioxide feedstocks, high purity iron, steel, metal powders, zircon and rutile. Titanium dioxide is the world's most commonly used white pigment, and adds opacity to paper, paints and plastics.

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange 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, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

SOURCE RIO TINTO GROUP