Areva says to supply Rio Tinto plant in S.Africa

PARIS (Reuters) - French nuclear power group Areva (CEPFi.PA) said on Thursday it had won a 80 million euros (61 million pounds) contract to supply power equipment for a new aluminium smelter in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, owned by Rio Tinto Alcan (RIO.L).

The contract was announced on the margins of a visit to South African by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Areva is also bidding to supply South Africa with new nuclear reactors.

(Reporting by Nick Antonovics)