Alcan restart production inBC

RNS Number:2400X
Alcan Inc
13 June 2002



Press Release

----------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



                          ALCAN TO RE-START 60,000 TONNES

                   OF ALUMINUM PRODUCTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA


MONTREAL, CANADA - June 13, 2002 - Alcan Inc. (NYSE, TSE: AL) today announced
that it will re-start 60,000 tonnes of idled aluminum production capacity at its
Kitimat smelter in northern British Columbia, Canada bringing the production to
240,000 tonnes. The Company cited aluminum market conditions and an improved
outlook for water levels in the Nechako Reservoir as reasons for restoring
production.

Alcan had reduced its Kitimat smelter production in December 2000 and again in
June 2001, from an annual production rate of 277,000 tonnes to 180,000 tonnes,
in response to a critical water shortage in the Nechako Reservoir, which
supplies water to Alcan's power generating station at nearby Kemano, B.C.

The re-start is scheduled to begin in August 2002.

Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum
and specialty packaging with 2001 revenues of US$12.6 billion. With world-class
operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and
specialty packaging, Alcan is well positioned to meet and exceed its customers'
needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs 48,000 people and has
operating facilities in 38 countries.



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Media Contact:     Marc Osborne
                   [phone]

Investor Contact:  Jo-Ann Longworth
                   [phone]






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