Exhibit 16

Contacts:         Thomas R. Hagley
                  Director, Public Affairs
                  (404) 846-4642  Fax:  (404) 846-4691

                  R. Daniel Loh
                  Alumax Inc.
                  (404) 846-4752  Fax:  (404) 846-4691

ALUMAX TO COMPLY WITH REQUEST FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM DOJ

         ATLANTA, April 1, 1998 -- Alumax Inc. (NYSE: AMX; Toronto: AXI)
announced today that it has received a civil investigative demand from the
Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking information and documents about the company
in connection with Aluminum Company of America's (Alcoa; NYSE:AA) previously
announced acquisition of Alumax.

         On March 13, 1998 Alcoa  commenced a cash tender  offer for one-half of
the  outstanding  Alumax  shares  at $50  per  share.  The  second  step  of the
transaction  will be a merger in which each of the  remaining  50 percent of the
outstanding  Alumax  shares  will be  converted  into 0.6975 of a share of Alcoa
common stock. In the event less than one-half of the Alumax shares are tendered,
the remaining  shares will be exchanged in the merger for a combination  of cash
and Alcoa common stock on a pro rata basis.

         The   tender   offer  is   conditioned   on  the   expiration   of  the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  waiting period and other customary conditions.  The merger is
also subject to customary conditions,  including approval by the stockholders of
Alumax owning a majority of Alumax shares.

         Alumax said that it intends to cooperate with the Department of Justice
and respond to the civil investigative demand as quickly as possible.

         Alumax is a world  leader  in  aluminum  with  assets of more than $3.4
billion and 1997 revenues of more than $2.9 billion.