Rio Tinto Alcan is the global leader in the aluminium business and one of five product groups operated by Rio Tinto, a leading international mining group.

In October 2007, Rio Tinto acquired Alcan Inc. for US$38.1 billion - the biggest ever mining sector takeover up to that time. Rio Tinto Alcan emerged out of Alcan Inc. and Rio Tinto's existing aluminium business.

The combination has created one of the world's biggest producer of bauxite, alumina and aluminium.

Rio Tinto Alcan owns, operates or has interests in six bauxite mines and deposits, nine alumina refineries, 23 aluminium smelters and 13 power generating plants, nine of them hydroelectric.Â

Rio Tinto Alcan is built around Rio Tinto's and Alcan's existing strengths worldwide, with a significant presence in Australia, Canada and France. Its global headquarters and the smelting division are located in Montreal, Canada.