**Exhibit 10.4 Employment Agreement dated 14 January 2002 with David McAusland.**31 December 2001**PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL**Mr. David McAuslandDear David:I wish to confirm my discussion with you pertaining to the position of Senior Vice President,Mergers and Acquisitions and Chief Legal Officer, effective on 1 January 2002. You will report tome.**Salary**Your base salary will be US$320,000 per annum, effective 1 January 2002. Your salary will bereviewed annually on the basis of competitive US compensation data. Your job grade will beadministered at 50 under Alcan’s structure.**Annual Bonus**You will participate in Alcan’s Executive Performance Award Plan (EPA) with a guideline bonus of70% of the mid-point salary (US$363,000). Under the modified EPA program, award payment will berelated to the global performance of Alcan as well as your own personal performance.**Long Term Incentive (Stock Option and Relative TSR Program)**At this point in time, we cannot provide you with all the specific details of the new Long TermIncentive Program. These should be available to you over the next few months.On the other hand we can confirm that the combined target compensation value of the two Plans(Stock Option and TSR Performance Plan) will be equal to approximately US$700,000 for 2002 withhalf this value provided in stock options and the other half provided under the new TSR PerformancePlan. The compensation value of approximately US$700,000 will be revised annually on the basis ofcompetitive US compensation data. The Awards under both Plans are subject to approval by thePersonnel Committee of the Board.**Pension Plan**We are currently reviewing the pension coverage of senior executives and may propose somemodifications pertaining to the different top hat programs in existence. Changes, if any, will beeffective from 1 January 2002, but are not likely to be known before the end of the 1stQuarter 2002.Thus, on an interim basis, from 1 January 2002, you will continue to participate in your currentpension plan, at the pensionable earnings level in existence on 31 December 2001. As soon as wecomplete the design of the executive top hat plan and its valuation, we will communicate theproposed changes. We intend to have this work completed by the end of the 1st Quarter2002.
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**Pay Disbursement**Alcan Inc. will disburse all payments and as such you will participate in all Employee BenefitsPrograms and the Flexperk Program available to Canadian based employees.**Termination**Should your employment be terminated without cause, Alcan will pay you a termination allowanceequal to 24 months base salary and EPA guideline, calculated at the date of termination. Theamount will be paid as a lump sum or as salary continuance at your choice. In the event you electsalary continuance, you will continue to participate in the benefit programs for the period ofsalary continuance except that the long-term disability plan and the accrual of vacation cease ontermination date. No option grants are made during the salary continuance period.**Change of Control/Confidentiality/Non-Competition**Your Change of Control Agreement continues to be in force. Furthermore, you are asked to sign theattached confidentiality and non-competitive agreements.**Acceptance**Please sign and return a copy of this letter indicating your acceptance of the terms and conditionsdescribed in it.The terms and conditions outlined in this letter replace any previous contractual arrangements andconstitute the full terms and conditions of employment.         /s/ Travis Engen   Travis Engen   Chief Executive Officer   I accept the terms and conditions described above.   /s/ David McAusland 14 January 2002   David McAusland date
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