Exhibit 99

Editorial Contacts:    Joseph C. Vagi
                       Alcoa Inc.
                       804-281-4646

                       Francis McAllister
                       BHP Billiton United States
                       Tel: +1 713 961 8625
                       Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
                       email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
                              ------------------------------------

Investor Relations:    Charles D. McLane
                       Alcoa Inc.
                       212-836-2674

                       Francis McAllister
                       BHP Billiton United States
                       Tel: +1 713 961 8625
                       Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
                       email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
                              ------------------------------------

ALCOA AND BHP BILLITON AGREE TO MERGE NORTH AMERICAN METALS DISTRIBUTION
BUSINESSES

     PITTSBURGH and MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, August 19, 2001 -- Alcoa Inc. and BHP
Billiton today announced agreement had been reached regarding the merger of
Alcoa's North American metals distribution business, Reynolds Aluminum Supply
Company (RASCO), with the BHP Billiton Group's North American metals
distribution business, Vincent Metals Goods in the U.S. and Atlas Ideal Metals
in Canada, collectively known as (NAMD).

     Alcoa and BHP Billiton will each own 50% of the independent company. The
combined company will have 3,000 employees and 90 metals distribution service
centers across North America. Combined revenues of the distribution businesses
would have been $2.1 billion for the fiscal year 2000.

     Chief executive officer of the new company, Harry Jones, said: "We expect
to find opportunities to leverage technologies and synergies in processing
equipment, information systems, engineering, technical support and the expertise
of our combined workforces." Mr. Jones is currently CEO of NAMD.

     Mike Goldberg, chief operating officer (COO) of NAMD, will be COO at the
new company. Everett Chesley, vice president of Finance at RASCO, will be chief
financial officer of the combined company.

     Both shareholders as well as the executive management team are committed to
ensure that the new company benefits from strong leadership and employee
participation drawn equally from both companies.

                                     -more-


     Don Cowles, president of RASCO, noted that, "The metals distribution/supply
chain management industry is in a period of change. We feel that combining RASCO
with NAMD will result in the best outcome for customers, employees, suppliers
and owners." Mr. Cowles will chair the integration committee made up of
representatives from both companies.

     The merger, subject to necessary regulatory approvals, is expected to close
in October 2001.

     NAMD, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is one of the largest
distributors of stainless steel and aluminum in North America, serving more than
25,000 customers through 52 service centers in Canada and the United States. BHP
Billiton acquired NAMD in October 2000 as part of its acquisition of Rio Algom
Ltd.

     RASCO is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and provides supply chain
management of aluminum, stainless steel and other specialty metals to more than
15,000 customers through 38 locations across the United States, Canada and
Mexico. RASCO is an Alcoa company.

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