Commission file number: 001-10533 | Commission file number: 001-34121 |
Rio Tinto plc | Rio Tinto Limited |
ABN 96 004 458 404 | |
(Translation of registrant’s name into English) | (Translation of registrant’s name into English) |
6 St. James’s Square | Level 7, 360 Collins Street |
London, SW1Y 4AD, United Kingdom | Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Address of principal executive offices) |
1. | Stock Exchange announcement dated 16 July 2019 entitled ‘Rio Tinto releases third quarter production results' |
Rio Tinto plc | Rio Tinto Limited | ||
(Registrant) | (Registrant) | ||
By | /s/ Steve Allen | By | /s/ Steve Allen |
Name | Steve Allen | Name | Steve Allen |
Title | Company Secretary | Title | Joint Company Secretary |
Date | 16 October 2019 | Date | 16 October 2019 |
Q3 2019 | vs Q3 2018 | vs Q2 2019 | 9 mths 2019 | vs 9mths 2018 | |||||
Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis) | Mt | 86.1 | +5 | % | +1 | % | 240.6 | -4 | % |
Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis) | Mt | 87.3 | +6 | % | +10 | % | 243.1 | -3 | % |
Bauxite | Mt | 13.8 | +9 | % | +3 | % | 40.0 | +3 | % |
Aluminium | kt | 789 | -3 | % | -2 | % | 2,388 | -1 | % |
Mined copper | kt | 157.8 | -1 | % | +15 | % | 437.6 | -4 | % |
Titanium dioxide slag | kt | 321 | +8 | % | +6 | % | 920 | +12 | % |
IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate | Mt | 3.0 | +3 | % | +17 | % | 8.0 | +30 | % |
• | Pilbara iron ore shipments of 86.1 million tonnes (100% basis) in the third quarter were 5% higher than the third quarter of 2018. Pilbara iron ore production of 87.3 million tonnes (100% basis) was 6% higher than the third quarter of 2018 and 10% higher than the previous quarter, reflecting a good recovery from the operational and weather challenges experienced earlier in the year. |
• | Third quarter bauxite production and shipments to third parties were 9% and 23% higher, respectively, than the same period of 2018. Bauxite production from non-managed Joint Ventures was lower than planned year to date. |
• | Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 3% lower than the third quarter of 2018, primarily reflecting a preventive safety shutdown at one of the three pot-lines at ISAL in Iceland and earlier than planned pot relining at Kitimat in British Columbia, Canada. |
• | Mined copper production of 158 thousand tonnes was 1% lower than the third quarter of 2018, but 15% higher than the second quarter, reflecting higher grades at Kennecott and improved throughput at Escondida. |
• | At the Oyu Tolgoi underground project, the primary production shaft (shaft 2) remains on track for commissioning this month. Since July 2019, we have completed key infrastructure, including the central heating plant, the shaft 2 jaw crusher system and the surface discharge conveyor. Work continues on the mine re-design. |
• | Titanium dioxide slag production of 321 thousand tonnes was 8% higher than the third quarter of 2018, reflecting a continued improvement in operational performance and the restart of furnaces in 2019. |
• | Third quarter production at Iron Ore Company of Canada was 3% higher than the corresponding quarter of 2018 and 17% higher than the previous quarter, reflecting a return to normal operating conditions following the flooding incident which impacted June. |
• | Guidance is unchanged, with the exception of bauxite production, which has been revised to around 54 million tonnes (previously 56 to 59 million tonnes), and alumina production, which has been revised to around 7.7 million tonnes (previously 8.1 to 8.4 million tonnes). |
• | On 25 September 2019, Rio Tinto announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with China Baowu Steel Group and Tsinghua University to develop and implement new methods to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental performance across the steel value chain. |
• | Third quarter exploration and evaluation spend was $177 million, 62% higher than the same period of 2018, primarily reflecting increased activity on advanced projects. |
Q3 2019 | vs Q3 2018 | vs Q2 2019 | 9 mths 2019 | vs 9mths 2018 | ||||
Pilbara Blend Lump | 21.0 | +2 | % | +6 | % | 60.8 | -4 | % |
Pilbara Blend Fines | 31.7 | +6 | % | +11 | % | 89.0 | -2 | % |
Robe Valley Lump | 1.6 | +12 | % | +37 | % | 3.5 | -22 | % |
Robe Valley Fines | 3.1 | +12 | % | +44 | % | 6.4 | -24 | % |
Yandicoogina Fines (HIY) | 14.7 | +2 | % | +5 | % | 42.2 | -1 | % |
Total Pilbara production | 72.2 | +4 | % | +10 | % | 201.9 | -4 | % |
Total Pilbara production (100% basis) | 87.3 | +6 | % | +10 | % | 243.1 | -3 | % |
Total Pilbara shipments (a) (100% basis) | 86.1 | +5 | % | +1 | % | 240.6 | -4 | % |
(a) | Pilbara Blend sales include 6.7 million tonnes of alternate products in Q3 2019 and 10.7 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2019 |
Q3 2019 | vs Q3 2018 | vs Q2 2019 | 9 mths 2019 | vs 9mths 2018 | ||||
Rio Tinto Aluminium | ||||||||
Bauxite | 13,796 | +9 | % | +3 | % | 39,967 | +3 | % |
Bauxite third party shipments | 10,361 | +23 | % | +9 | % | 28,680 | +13 | % |
Alumina | 1,826 | -7 | % | -3 | % | 5,713 | -4 | % |
Aluminium | 789 | -3 | % | -2 | % | 2,388 | -1 | % |
Q3 2019 | vs Q3 2018 | vs Q2 2019 | 9 mths 2019 | vs 9mths 2018 | ||||
Mined copper | ||||||||
Rio Tinto Kennecott | 57.8 | -2 | % | +40 | % | 151.4 | +4 | % |
Escondida | 90.5 | +4 | % | +9 | % | 248.1 | -8 | % |
Oyu Tolgoi | 9.5 | -28 | % | -27 | % | 38.0 | -4 | % |
Refined copper | ||||||||
Rio Tinto Kennecott | 40.3 | -26 | % | -36 | % | 133.2 | +2 | % |
Escondida | 16.8 | +1 | % | -12 | % | 54.5 | -7 | % |
Diamonds (‘000 carats) | ||||||||
Argyle | 3,558 | -7 | % | +8 | % | 9,636 | -11 | % |
Diavik | 994 | -7 | % | -16 | % | 3,191 | -3 | % |
Q3 2019 | vs Q3 2018 | vs Q2 2019 | 9 mths 2019 | vs 9mths 2018 | ||||
Iron ore pellets and concentrate (million tonnes) | ||||||||
IOC | 3.0 | +3 | % | +17 | % | 8.0 | +30 | % |
Minerals (‘000 tonnes) | ||||||||
Borates – B2O3 content | 138 | +1 | % | 0 | % | 391 | -1 | % |
Titanium dioxide slag | 321 | +8 | % | +6 | % | 920 | +12 | % |
Uranium (‘000 lbs) | ||||||||
Energy Resources of Australia | 585 | -29 | % | -6 | % | 1,998 | -4 | % |
Rössing | 170 | -83 | % | -85 | % | 2,114 | -24 | % |
Commodities | Studies Stage | Advanced projects | Greenfield/ Brownfield programmes |
Aluminium | Cape York, Australia | Amargosa, Brazil Sanxai, Laos | Cape York, Australia |
Copper & Diamonds | Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US | Copper: Winu, Australia, La Granja, Peru Nickel: Tamarack, US Diamonds: Falcon, Canada | Copper Greenfield: Australia, Chile, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, US, Zambia Copper Brownfield: Resolution, US Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia Nickel Greenfield: Canada, Finland, Uganda Diamonds Greenfield: Canada Diamonds Brownfield: Diavik, Canada |
Energy & Minerals | Lithium borates: Jadar, Serbia Potash: KP405, Canada Heavy mineral sands: Mutamba, Mozambique | Uranium: Roughrider, Canada | Heavy mineral sands: Tanzania Industrial Minerals: Serbia |
Iron Ore | Pilbara, Australia | Pilbara, Australia | Brownfield: Pilbara, Australia |
Media Relations, United Kingdom Illtud Harri M +44 7920 503 600 David Outhwaite T +44 20 7781 1623 M +44 7787 597 493 Media Relations, Americas Matthew Klar T +1 514 608 4429 Media Relations, Asia Grant Donald T +65 6679 9290 M +65 9722 6028 | Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose T +61 3 9283 3088 M +61 447 028 913 Matt Chambers T +61 (0) 3 9283 3087 M +61 433 525 739 Jesse Riseborough T +61 8 6211 6013 M +61 436 653 412 |
Investor Relations, United Kingdom Menno Sanderse T +44 20 7781 1517 M +44 7825 195 178 David Ovington T +44 20 7781 2051 M +44 7920 010 978 | Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley T +61 3 9283 3063 M +61 409 210 462 Amar Jambaa T +61 3 9283 3627 M +61 472 865 948 |
Rio Tinto plc 6 St James’s Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 | Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 |
Rio Tinto production summary | ||||||||||||||
Rio Tinto share of production | ||||||||||||||
Quarter | 9 Months | % Change | ||||||||||||
2018 Q3 | 2019 Q2 | 2019 Q3 | 2018 9 MTHS | 2019 9 MTHS | Q3 19 vs Q3 18 | Q3 19 vs Q2 19 | 9 MTHS 19 vs 9 MTHS 18 | |||||||
Principal Commodities | ||||||||||||||
Alumina | ('000 t) | 1,972 | 1,878 | 1,826 | 5,960 | 5,713 | -7 | % | -3 | % | -4 | % | ||
Aluminium | ('000 t) | 814 | 803 | 789 | 2,414 | 2,388 | -3 | % | -2 | % | -1 | % | ||
Bauxite | ('000 t) | 12,700 | 13,407 | 13,796 | 38,631 | 39,967 | 9 | % | 3 | % | 3 | % | ||
Borates | ('000 t) | 137 | 138 | 138 | 394 | 391 | 1 | % | 0 | % | -1 | % | ||
Copper - mined | ('000 t) | 159.7 | 137.1 | 157.8 | 455.8 | 437.6 | -1 | % | 15 | % | -4 | % | ||
Copper - refined | ('000 t) | 70.8 | 82.3 | 57.1 | 188.6 | 187.7 | -19 | % | -31 | % | 0 | % | ||
Diamonds | ('000 cts) | 4,896 | 4,481 | 4,551 | 14,137 | 12,828 | -7 | % | 2 | % | -9 | % | ||
Iron Ore | ('000 t) | 72,010 | 68,141 | 75,117 | 215,782 | 209,839 | 4 | % | 10 | % | -3 | % | ||
Titanium dioxide slag | ('000 t) | 297 | 303 | 321 | 822 | 920 | 8 | % | 6 | % | 12 | % | ||
Uranium | ('000 lbs) | 1,814 | 1,762 | 755 | 4,860 | 4,111 | -58 | % | -57 | % | -15 | % | ||
Other Metals & Minerals | ||||||||||||||
Gold - mined | ('000 oz) | 101.4 | 111.6 | 87.8 | 253.7 | 314.8 | -13 | % | -21 | % | 24 | % | ||
Gold - refined | ('000 oz) | 50.3 | 52.9 | 60.8 | 139.5 | 155.4 | 21 | % | 15 | % | 11 | % | ||
Molybdenum | ('000 t) | 1.4 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 6.6 | 56 | % | -18 | % | 86 | % | ||
Salt | ('000 t) | 1,481 | 1,269 | 1,392 | 4,657 | 3,972 | -6 | % | 10 | % | -15 | % | ||
Silver - mined | ('000 oz) | 1,384 | 1,403 | 1,320 | 4,070 | 4,203 | -5 | % | -6 | % | 3 | % | ||
Silver - refined | ('000 oz) | 730 | 734 | 664 | 2,058 | 2,014 | -9 | % | -10 | % | -2 | % | ||
Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page. Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and the year to date figures. |
Rio Tinto share of production | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
ALUMINA | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Jonquière (Vaudreuil) | 100 | % | 363 | 354 | 373 | 336 | 360 | 1,090 | 1,069 |
Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty Alumina plant | 100 | % | 31 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 28 | 95 | 85 |
Queensland Alumina | 80 | % | 748 | 742 | 711 | 668 | 669 | 2,216 | 2,047 |
São Luis (Alumar) | 10 | % | 85 | 92 | 86 | 86 | 99 | 259 | 271 |
Yarwun | 100 | % | 744 | 803 | 813 | 757 | 671 | 2,300 | 2,241 |
Rio Tinto total alumina production | 1,972 | 2,020 | 2,008 | 1,878 | 1,826 | 5,960 | 5,713 | ||
ALUMINIUM | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Australia - Bell Bay | 100 | % | 48 | 48 | 45 | 47 | 48 | 141 | 141 |
Australia - Boyne Island | 59 | % | 75 | 74 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 221 | 222 |
Australia - Tomago | 52 | % | 78 | 77 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 228 | 227 |
Canada - six wholly owned | 100 | % | 407 | 408 | 400 | 400 | 399 | 1,208 | 1,198 |
Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles) | 40 | % | 59 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 175 | 179 |
Canada - Bécancour | 25 | % | 8 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 12 |
Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik) | 100 | % | 53 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 36 | 158 | 141 |
New Zealand - Tiwai Point | 79 | % | 68 | 70 | 71 | 69 | 70 | 200 | 210 |
Oman - Sohar | 20 | % | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 56 | 58 |
Rio Tinto total aluminium production | 814 | 817 | 796 | 803 | 789 | 2,414 | 2,388 | ||
BAUXITE | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes) (a) | |||||||||
Gove | 100 | % | 2,893 | 3,250 | 3,004 | 2,957 | 2,968 | 9,290 | 8,929 |
Porto Trombetas | 12 | % | 342 | 489 | 285 | 287 | 385 | 1,087 | 956 |
Sangaredi | (b) | 1,261 | 1,204 | 1,558 | 1,630 | 1,749 | 4,664 | 4,938 | |
Weipa | 100 | % | 8,204 | 6,847 | 7,917 | 8,533 | 8,695 | 23,590 | 25,144 |
Rio Tinto total bauxite production | 12,700 | 11,790 | 12,763 | 13,407 | 13,796 | 38,631 | 39,967 | ||
(a) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets. | |||||||||
(b) Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but benefits from 45.0% of production. |
Rio Tinto share of production | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
BORATES | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content) | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Borates - borates | 100 | % | 137 | 118 | 115 | 138 | 138 | 394 | 391 |
COPPER | |||||||||
Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a) | |||||||||
Bingham Canyon | 100 | % | 59.1 | 58.3 | 52.5 | 41.1 | 57.8 | 145.7 | 151.4 |
Escondida | 30 | % | 87.4 | 79.7 | 74.8 | 82.9 | 90.5 | 270.7 | 248.1 |
Oyu Tolgoi (b) | 34 | % | 13.2 | 13.9 | 15.4 | 13.1 | 9.5 | 39.4 | 38.0 |
Rio Tinto total mine production | 159.7 | 151.9 | 142.7 | 137.1 | 157.8 | 455.8 | 437.6 | ||
Refined production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Escondida | 30 | % | 16.6 | 21.6 | 18.7 | 19.0 | 16.8 | 58.5 | 54.5 |
Rio Tinto Kennecott | 100 | % | 54.2 | 64.6 | 29.6 | 63.3 | 40.3 | 130.2 | 133.2 |
Rio Tinto total refined production | 70.8 | 86.1 | 48.3 | 82.3 | 57.1 | 188.6 | 187.7 | ||
(a) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets. | |||||||||
(b) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. | |||||||||
DIAMONDS | |||||||||
Production ('000 carats) | |||||||||
Argyle | 100 | % | 3,830 | 3,211 | 2,786 | 3,292 | 3,558 | 10,857 | 9,636 |
Diavik | 60 | % | 1,066 | 1,078 | 1,010 | 1,188 | 994 | 3,280 | 3,191 |
Rio Tinto total diamond production | 4,896 | 4,290 | 3,796 | 4,481 | 4,551 | 14,137 | 12,828 | ||
GOLD | |||||||||
Mine production ('000 ounces) (a) | |||||||||
Bingham Canyon | 100 | % | 56.6 | 57.1 | 53.0 | 65.1 | 64.6 | 139.6 | 182.6 |
Escondida | 30 | % | 19.1 | 22.1 | 22.2 | 22.4 | 14.6 | 57.6 | 59.3 |
Oyu Tolgoi (b) | 34 | % | 25.8 | 39.1 | 40.2 | 24.1 | 8.6 | 56.6 | 72.9 |
Rio Tinto total mine production | 101.4 | 118.4 | 115.4 | 111.6 | 87.8 | 253.7 | 314.8 | ||
Refined production ('000 ounces) | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Kennecott | 100 | % | 50.3 | 58.6 | 41.7 | 52.9 | 60.8 | 139.5 | 155.4 |
(a) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets. | |||||||||
(b) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. |
Rio Tinto share of production | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
IRON ORE | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes) (a) | |||||||||
Hamersley mines | (b) | 54,583 | 56,364 | 51,218 | 50,087 | 55,567 | 164,248 | 156,871 | |
Hamersley - Channar | 60 | % | 604 | 1,337 | 931 | 1,451 | 947 | 2,967 | 3,330 |
Hope Downs | 50 | % | 5,713 | 5,845 | 5,957 | 6,051 | 6,077 | 16,839 | 18,085 |
Iron Ore Company of Canada | 59 | % | 2,880 | 2,836 | 2,481 | 2,532 | 2,960 | 6,116 | 7,972 |
Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A) | 53 | % | 4,208 | 4,004 | 1,870 | 3,329 | 4,725 | 12,928 | 9,924 |
Robe River - West Angelas | 53 | % | 4,021 | 4,631 | 4,125 | 4,692 | 4,840 | 12,685 | 13,657 |
Rio Tinto iron ore production ('000 tonnes) | 72,010 | 75,018 | 66,581 | 68,141 | 75,117 | 215,782 | 209,839 | ||
Breakdown of Production: | |||||||||
Pilbara Blend Lump | 20,554 | 21,674 | 19,978 | 19,842 | 21,015 | 63,169 | 60,836 | ||
Pilbara Blend Fines | 29,921 | 31,652 | 28,779 | 28,463 | 31,713 | 90,930 | 88,955 | ||
Robe Valley Lump | 1,470 | 1,409 | 635 | 1,201 | 1,650 | 4,488 | 3,486 | ||
Robe Valley Fines | 2,738 | 2,595 | 1,235 | 2,128 | 3,075 | 8,441 | 6,438 | ||
Yandicoogina Fines (HIY) | 14,446 | 14,852 | 13,473 | 13,975 | 14,704 | 42,639 | 42,151 | ||
Pilbara iron ore production ('000 tonnes) | 69,129 | 72,182 | 64,101 | 65,610 | 72,156 | 209,666 | 201,867 | ||
IOC Concentrate | 1,131 | 1,433 | 890 | 1,193 | 1,400 | 2,501 | 3,483 | ||
IOC Pellets | 1,750 | 1,403 | 1,590 | 1,339 | 1,560 | 3,615 | 4,489 | ||
IOC iron ore production ('000 tonnes) | 2,880 | 2,836 | 2,481 | 2,532 | 2,960 | 6,116 | 7,972 | ||
Breakdown of Sales: | |||||||||
Pilbara Blend Lump | 17,967 | 18,439 | 15,772 | 18,644 | 18,633 | 55,453 | 53,049 | ||
Pilbara Blend Fines | 31,432 | 35,205 | 28,406 | 33,912 | 34,088 | 97,336 | 96,406 | ||
Robe Valley Lump | 1,174 | 1,219 | 457 | 1,037 | 1,290 | 3,661 | 2,784 | ||
Robe Valley Fines | 2,839 | 2,996 | 1,308 | 2,577 | 3,349 | 9,089 | 7,234 | ||
Yandicoogina Fines (HIY) | 14,583 | 14,831 | 12,294 | 15,212 | 14,286 | 42,549 | 41,791 | ||
Pilbara iron ore sales ('000 tonnes) (c) | 67,995 | 72,690 | 58,236 | 71,382 | 71,646 | 208,088 | 201,264 | ||
IOC Concentrate | 1,521 | 1,558 | 516 | 1,315 | 1,425 | 2,329 | 3,256 | ||
IOC Pellets | 1,659 | 1,516 | 1,576 | 1,423 | 1,229 | 3,435 | 4,228 | ||
IOC Iron ore sales ('000 tonnes) | 3,180 | 3,073 | 2,092 | 2,738 | 2,654 | 5,763 | 7,484 | ||
Rio Tinto iron ore sales ('000 tonnes) | 71,175 | 75,763 | 60,328 | 74,119 | 74,300 | 213,851 | 208,748 | ||
(a) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets. (b) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass and the Eastern Range mines. Whilst Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine, under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. (c) Pilbara Blend sales include 6.7 million tonnes of alternate products in Q3 2019 and 10.7 million tonnes in YTD 2019. |
Rio Tinto share of production | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
MOLYBDENUM | |||||||||
Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a) | |||||||||
Bingham Canyon | 100 | % | 1.4 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 6.6 |
(a) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets. | |||||||||
SALT | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Dampier Salt | 68 | % | 1,481 | 1,496 | 1,310 | 1,269 | 1,392 | 4,657 | 3,972 |
SILVER | |||||||||
Mine production ('000 ounces) (a) | |||||||||
Bingham Canyon | 100 | % | 708 | 736 | 741 | 700 | 768 | 1,784 | 2,210 |
Escondida | 30 | % | 599 | 771 | 657 | 622 | 488 | 2,059 | 1,767 |
Oyu Tolgoi (b) | 34 | % | 77 | 80 | 83 | 80 | 64 | 227 | 227 |
Rio Tinto total mine production | 1,384 | 1,586 | 1,481 | 1,403 | 1,320 | 4,070 | 4,203 | ||
Refined production ('000 ounces) | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Kennecott | 100 | % | 730 | 807 | 617 | 734 | 664 | 2,058 | 2,014 |
(a) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets. (b) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd | |||||||||
TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG | |||||||||
Production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (a) | 100 | % | 297 | 294 | 296 | 303 | 321 | 822 | 920 |
(a) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's 74% interest in Richards Bay Minerals (RBM). | |||||||||
URANIUM | |||||||||
Production ('000 lbs U3O8) (a) | |||||||||
Energy Resources of Australia | 68 | % | 820 | 924 | 793 | 620 | 585 | 2,090 | 1,998 |
Rössing (b) | 0 | % | 994 | 979 | 802 | 1,142 | 170 | 2,771 | 2,114 |
Rio Tinto total uranium production | 1,814 | 1,904 | 1,595 | 1,762 | 755 | 4,860 | 4,111 | ||
(a) ERA and Rössing production reported are drummed U3O8. (b) On 16 July 2019, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its entire 68.62% interest in the Rossing mine in Namibia to China National Uranium Corporation Limited. Production is reported up to the date of completion. | |||||||||
Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and the year to date figures. | |||||||||
The Rio Tinto percentage shown above is at 30 September 2019. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto's interest in the Kestrel, Hail Creek, Dunkerque and Grasberg operations were sold in 2018. No data for these operations are included in the Share of production table. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
ALUMINA | |||||||||
Smelter Grade Alumina - Aluminium Group | |||||||||
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Australia | |||||||||
Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland | 80.0 | % | 935 | 927 | 888 | 834 | 836 | 2,770 | 2,559 |
Yarwun refinery - Queensland | 100.0 | % | 744 | 803 | 813 | 757 | 671 | 2,300 | 2,241 |
Brazil | |||||||||
São Luis (Alumar) refinery | 10.0 | % | 851 | 918 | 859 | 864 | 989 | 2,592 | 2,713 |
Canada | |||||||||
Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (a) | 100.0 | % | 363 | 354 | 373 | 336 | 360 | 1,090 | 1,069 |
(a) Jonquière’s (Vaudreuil’s) production shows smelter grade alumina only and excludes hydrate produced and used for specialty alumina. | |||||||||
Specialty Alumina - Aluminium Group | |||||||||
Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Canada | |||||||||
Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant – Quebec | 100.0 | % | 31 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 28 | 95 | 85 |
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
ALUMINIUM | |||||||||
Primary Aluminium | |||||||||
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Australia | |||||||||
Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania | 100.0 | % | 48 | 48 | 45 | 47 | 48 | 141 | 141 |
Boyne Island smelter - Queensland | 59.4 | % | 126 | 125 | 122 | 126 | 125 | 371 | 374 |
Tomago smelter - New South Wales | 51.6 | % | 151 | 149 | 144 | 147 | 149 | 443 | 440 |
Canada | |||||||||
Alma smelter - Quebec | 100.0 | % | 117 | 118 | 115 | 118 | 119 | 347 | 352 |
Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec | 40.0 | % | 148 | 146 | 144 | 150 | 153 | 438 | 447 |
Arvida smelter - Quebec | 100.0 | % | 43 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 129 | 131 |
Arvida AP60 smelter - Quebec | 100.0 | % | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 39 | 44 |
Bécancour smelter - Quebec | 25.1 | % | 32 | 30 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 105 | 49 |
Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec | 100.0 | % | 59 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 174 | 174 |
Kitimat smelter - British Columbia | 100.0 | % | 110 | 109 | 106 | 102 | 96 | 327 | 304 |
Laterrière smelter - Quebec | 100.0 | % | 65 | 65 | 64 | 64 | 65 | 191 | 193 |
France | |||||||||
Dunkerque smelter (a) | 0 | % | 66 | 57 | - | - | - | 170 | - |
Iceland | |||||||||
ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter | 100.0 | % | 53 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 36 | 158 | 141 |
New Zealand | |||||||||
Tiwai Point smelter | 79.4 | % | 85 | 88 | 89 | 87 | 88 | 252 | 264 |
Oman | |||||||||
Sohar smelter | 20.0 | % | 98 | 99 | 97 | 97 | 98 | 281 | 292 |
(a) On 14 December 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Dunkerque smelter. Production is reported up to the date of completion. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
BAUXITE | |||||||||
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Australia | |||||||||
Gove mine - Northern Territory | 100.0 | % | 2,893 | 3,250 | 3,004 | 2,957 | 2,968 | 9,290 | 8,929 |
Weipa mine - Queensland | 100.0 | % | 8,204 | 6,847 | 7,917 | 8,533 | 8,695 | 23,590 | 25,144 |
Brazil | |||||||||
Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine | 12.0 | % | 2,848 | 4,073 | 2,372 | 2,393 | 3,205 | 9,061 | 7,970 |
Guinea | |||||||||
Sangaredi mine (a) | 23.0 | % | 2,803 | 2,675 | 3,463 | 3,623 | 3,887 | 10,364 | 10,973 |
Rio Tinto share of bauxite shipments | |||||||||
Share of total bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) | 12,427 | 11,622 | 12,725 | 13,122 | 13,912 | 37,914 | 39,758 | ||
Share of third party bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) | 8,441 | 7,387 | 8,842 | 9,477 | 10,361 | 25,427 | 28,680 | ||
(a) Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but benefits from 45.0% of production. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
BORATES | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Borates - borates | 100.0 | % | |||||||
US | |||||||||
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) | 137 | 118 | 115 | 138 | 138 | 394 | 391 | ||
(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content. | |||||||||
COAL | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Coal Australia | |||||||||
Hail Creek Coal mine (a) | 0.0 | % | |||||||
Queensland | |||||||||
Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes) | 396 | - | - | - | - | 2,700 | - | ||
Thermal coal ('000 tonnes) | 449 | - | - | - | - | 2,760 | - | ||
Kestrel Coal mine (b) | 0.0 | % | |||||||
Queensland | |||||||||
Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes) | 484 | - | - | - | - | 2,217 | - | ||
Thermal coal ('000 tonnes) | 35 | - | - | - | - | 329 | - | ||
Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) | 880 | - | - | - | - | 4,917 | - | ||
Total thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) | 485 | - | - | - | - | 3,089 | - | ||
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) | 1,365 | - | - | - | - | 8,007 | - | ||
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) | 1,725 | - | - | - | - | 8,492 | - | ||
Rio Tinto Coal Australia share (c) | |||||||||
Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) | 650 | - | - | - | - | 4,246 | - | ||
Share of thermal coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) | 754 | - | - | - | - | 2,664 | - | ||
(a) On 1 August 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 82% interest in the Hail Creek mine. Production is reported up to the date of completion. (b) On 1 August 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 80% interest in the Kestrel mine. Production is reported up to the date of completion. (c) Kestrel and Hail Creek produce hard coking coal and thermal coal through their mining operations. Both mines may blend coal types at ports. (d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
COPPER & GOLD | |||||||||
Escondida | 30.0 | % | |||||||
Chile | |||||||||
Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes) | 30,513 | 30,507 | 32,027 | 32,519 | 33,956 | 94,449 | 98,502 | ||
Average copper grade (%) | 0.94 | 0.87 | 0.82 | 0.86 | 0.86 | 0.95 | 0.85 | ||
Mill production (metals in concentrates): | |||||||||
Contained copper ('000 tonnes) | 241.9 | 219.9 | 212.4 | 231.7 | 245.1 | 748.1 | 689.2 | ||
Contained gold ('000 ounces) | 64 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 49 | 192 | 198 | ||
Contained silver ('000 ounces) | 1,997 | 2,570 | 2,189 | 2,074 | 1,626 | 6,863 | 5,889 | ||
Recoverable copper in ore stacked for leaching ('000 tonnes) (a) | 49.4 | 45.7 | 36.8 | 44.5 | 56.7 | 154.2 | 137.9 | ||
Refined production from leach plants: | |||||||||
Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes) | 55.4 | 71.9 | 62.4 | 63.5 | 55.9 | 194.9 | 181.8 | ||
(a) The calculation of copper in material mined for leaching is based on ore stacked at the leach pad. | |||||||||
Freeport-McMoRan | |||||||||
Grasberg mine (a) | 0.0% (b) | ||||||||
Papua, Indonesia | |||||||||
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) | 17,535 | 14,049 | - | - | - | 50,261 | - | ||
Average mill head grades: | |||||||||
Copper (%) | 1.00 | 0.73 | - | - | - | 1.06 | - | ||
Gold (g/t) | 1.77 | 1.08 | - | - | - | 1.73 | - | ||
Silver (g/t) | 4.49 | 2.09 | - | - | - | 4.75 | - | ||
Production of metals in concentrates: | |||||||||
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 158.7 | 85.4 | - | - | - | 484.3 | - | ||
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 842 | 402 | - | - | - | 2,377 | - | ||
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 1,439 | 545 | - | - | - | 4,500 | - | ||
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (c) | |||||||||
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 170.6 | 82.7 | - | - | - | 473.3 | - | ||
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 903 | 399 | - | - | - | 2,320 | - | ||
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 1,221 | 426 | - | - | - | 3,502 | - | ||
(a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. The Q4 2018 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan. On 21 December 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its entire interest in the Grasberg mine in Indonesia to PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (Inalum). Production is reported up to the date of completion. (b) Rio Tinto share of Grasberg production is 40% of the expansion. (c) Net of smelter deduction. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
COPPER & GOLD (continued) | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Kennecott | |||||||||
Bingham Canyon mine | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Utah, US | |||||||||
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) | 11,173 | 10,853 | 10,685 | 10,123 | 10,084 | 29,407 | 30,892 | ||
Average ore grade: | |||||||||
Copper (%) | 0.58 | 0.59 | 0.55 | 0.46 | 0.64 | 0.55 | 0.55 | ||
Gold (g/t) | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.25 | 0.33 | 0.30 | 0.25 | 0.29 | ||
Silver (g/t) | 2.62 | 2.76 | 2.76 | 2.84 | 2.74 | 2.53 | 2.78 | ||
Molybdenum (%) | 0.030 | 0.032 | 0.032 | 0.039 | 0.039 | 0.027 | 0.037 | ||
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) | 233 | 222 | 207 | 161 | 207 | 598 | 575 | ||
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) | 25.3 | 26.0 | 25.3 | 25.5 | 27.8 | 24.3 | 26.3 | ||
Production of metals in copper concentrates: | |||||||||
Copper ('000 tonnes) (a) | 59.1 | 58.3 | 52.5 | 41.1 | 57.8 | 145.7 | 151.4 | ||
Gold ('000 ounces) | 57 | 57 | 53 | 65 | 65 | 140 | 183 | ||
Silver ('000 ounces) | 708 | 736 | 741 | 700 | 768 | 1,784 | 2,210 | ||
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes): | 2.8 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 4.3 | 7.0 | 13.0 | ||
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 1.4 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 6.6 | ||
Kennecott smelter & refinery | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) | 246 | 262 | 204 | 207 | 160 | 670 | 571 | ||
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b) | 58.1 | 62.4 | 33.3 | 60.3 | 39.3 | 144.9 | 132.9 | ||
Production of refined metal: | |||||||||
Copper ('000 tonnes) | 54.2 | 64.6 | 29.6 | 63.3 | 40.3 | 130.2 | 133.2 | ||
Gold ('000 ounces) (c) | 50.3 | 58.6 | 41.7 | 52.9 | 60.8 | 139.5 | 155.4 | ||
Silver ('000 ounces) (c) | 730 | 807 | 617 | 734 | 664 | 2,058 | 2,014 | ||
(a) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates. (b) New metal excluding recycled material. (c) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
COPPER & GOLD (continued) | |||||||||
Turquoise Hill Resources | |||||||||
Oyu Tolgoi mine (a) | 33.5 | % | |||||||
Mongolia | |||||||||
Ore Treated ('000 tonnes) | 9,652 | 9,361 | 9,255 | 10,394 | 10,040 | 29,377 | 29,689 | ||
Average mill head grades: | |||||||||
Copper (%) | 0.51 | 0.55 | 0.57 | 0.46 | 0.37 | 0.50 | 0.46 | ||
Gold (g/t) | 0.38 | 0.56 | 0.58 | 0.31 | 0.14 | 0.29 | 0.34 | ||
Silver (g/t) | 1.19 | 1.22 | 1.25 | 1.20 | 1.03 | 1.22 | 1.16 | ||
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) | 179.8 | 189.0 | 210.1 | 180.6 | 131.3 | 535.9 | 522.1 | ||
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) | 21.9 | 21.9 | 21.8 | 21.7 | 21.7 | 21.9 | 21.7 | ||
Production of metals in concentrates: | |||||||||
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 39.4 | 41.5 | 45.8 | 39.2 | 28.4 | 117.6 | 113.4 | ||
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 77.0 | 116.7 | 120.1 | 71.8 | 25.6 | 168.8 | 217.5 | ||
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 230 | 238 | 247 | 239 | 191 | 676 | 677 | ||
Sales of metals in concentrates: | |||||||||
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 36.0 | 40.2 | 38.5 | 46.6 | 32.5 | 116.4 | 117.6 | ||
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 55 | 111 | 98 | 116 | 35 | 137 | 249 | ||
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) | 201 | 216 | 200 | 245 | 207 | 657 | 652 | ||
(a) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources. | |||||||||
DIAMONDS | |||||||||
Argyle Diamonds | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Western Australia | |||||||||
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) | 1,465 | 1,292 | 1,248 | 1,427 | 1,716 | 4,153 | 4,390 | ||
AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) | 3,830 | 3,211 | 2,786 | 3,292 | 3,558 | 10,857 | 9,636 | ||
Diavik Diamonds | 60.0 | % | |||||||
Northwest Territories, Canada | |||||||||
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) | 670 | 651 | 620 | 671 | 628 | 1,879 | 1,919 | ||
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) | 1,776 | 1,797 | 1,683 | 1,980 | 1,656 | 5,467 | 5,319 | ||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
IRON ORE | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Iron Ore | |||||||||
Western Australia | |||||||||
Pilbara Operations | |||||||||
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) | |||||||||
Hamersley mines | (a) | 54,583 | 56,364 | 51,218 | 50,087 | 55,567 | 164,248 | 156,871 | |
Hamersley - Channar | 60.0 | % | 1,007 | 2,228 | 1,552 | 2,419 | 1,579 | 4,945 | 5,549 |
Hope Downs | 50.0 | % | 11,426 | 11,691 | 11,913 | 12,101 | 12,155 | 33,677 | 36,169 |
Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A) | 53.0 | % | 7,940 | 7,555 | 3,529 | 6,282 | 8,914 | 24,393 | 18,725 |
Robe River - West Angelas | 53.0 | % | 7,587 | 8,738 | 7,783 | 8,853 | 9,133 | 23,933 | 25,768 |
Total production ('000 tonnes) | 82,542 | 86,576 | 75,995 | 79,741 | 87,347 | 251,196 | 243,083 | ||
Breakdown of total production: | |||||||||
Pilbara Blend Lump | 24,461 | 26,084 | 24,068 | 24,291 | 25,434 | 75,545 | 73,793 | ||
Pilbara Blend Fines | 35,696 | 38,085 | 34,924 | 35,194 | 38,296 | 108,620 | 108,413 | ||
Robe Valley Lump | 2,774 | 2,659 | 1,198 | 2,266 | 3,113 | 8,467 | 6,578 | ||
Robe Valley Fines | 5,166 | 4,896 | 2,331 | 4,015 | 5,802 | 15,926 | 12,148 | ||
Yandicoogina Fines (HIY) | 14,446 | 14,852 | 13,473 | 13,975 | 14,704 | 42,639 | 42,151 | ||
Breakdown of total sales: | |||||||||
Pilbara Blend Lump | 21,644 | 22,161 | 18,968 | 22,287 | 22,014 | 66,054 | 63,269 | ||
Pilbara Blend Fines | 38,100 | 42,497 | 34,558 | 41,105 | 41,004 | 118,058 | 116,667 | ||
Robe Valley Lump | 2,215 | 2,301 | 863 | 1,957 | 2,433 | 6,908 | 5,253 | ||
Robe Valley Fines | 5,356 | 5,652 | 2,468 | 4,862 | 6,318 | 17,149 | 13,648 | ||
Yandicoogina Fines (HIY) | 14,583 | 14,831 | 12,294 | 15,212 | 14,286 | 42,549 | 41,791 | ||
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b) (c) | 81,898 | 87,442 | 69,150 | 85,423 | 86,055 | 250,718 | 240,628 | ||
(a) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass and the Eastern Range mines. Whilst Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine, under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. (b) Pilbara Blend sales include 6.7 million tonnes of alternate products in Q3 2019 and 10.7 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2019. (c) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports. | |||||||||
Iron Ore Company of Canada | 58.7 | % | |||||||
Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada | |||||||||
Saleable iron ore production: | |||||||||
Concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 1,926 | 2,441 | 1,516 | 2,031 | 2,384 | 4,260 | 5,932 | ||
Pellets ('000 tonnes) | 2,979 | 2,389 | 2,709 | 2,280 | 2,657 | 6,156 | 7,646 | ||
IOC Total production ('000 tonnes) | 4,905 | 4,830 | 4,225 | 4,311 | 5,041 | 10,416 | 13,577 | ||
Sales: | |||||||||
Concentrates ('000 tonnes) | 2,590 | 2,653 | 878 | 2,239 | 2,427 | 3,966 | 5,544 | ||
Pellets ('000 tonnes) | 2,825 | 2,581 | 2,684 | 2,424 | 2,093 | 5,849 | 7,201 | ||
IOC Total Sales ('000 tonnes) | 5,415 | 5,234 | 3,562 | 4,663 | 4,520 | 9,815 | 12,745 | ||
Global Iron Ore Totals | |||||||||
Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes) | 87,448 | 91,406 | 80,219 | 84,052 | 92,389 | 261,612 | 256,660 | ||
Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes) | 87,314 | 92,676 | 72,712 | 90,085 | 90,576 | 260,533 | 253,373 | ||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |
Rio Tinto operational data | |||||||||
Rio Tinto interest | Q3 2018 | Q4 2018 | Q1 2019 | Q2 2019 | Q3 2019 | 9 MTHS 2018 | 9 MTHS 2019 | ||
SALT | |||||||||
Dampier Salt | 68.4 | % | |||||||
Western Australia | |||||||||
Salt production ('000 tonnes) | 2,167 | 2,188 | 1,917 | 1,856 | 2,036 | 6,813 | 5,810 | ||
TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG | |||||||||
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Canada and South Africa | |||||||||
(Rio Tinto share) (a) | |||||||||
Titanium dioxide slag ('000 tonnes) | 297 | 294 | 296 | 303 | 321 | 822 | 920 | ||
(a) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's 74% interest in Richards Bay Minerals' production. Ilmenite mined in Madagascar is being processed in Canada. | |||||||||
URANIUM | |||||||||
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd | |||||||||
Ranger mine (a) | 68.4 | % | |||||||
Northern Territory, Australia | |||||||||
U3O8 Production ('000 lbs) | 1,199 | 1,351 | 1,160 | 906 | 855 | 3,056 | 2,921 | ||
(a) ERA production data are drummed U3O8. | |||||||||
Rössing Uranium Ltd (a) (b) | 0.0 | % | |||||||
Namibia | |||||||||
U3O8 Production ('000 lbs) | 1,449 | 1,427 | 1,168 | 1,665 | 247 | 4,038 | 3,080 | ||
(a) Rössing production data are drummed U3O8. (b) On 16 July 2019, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its entire 68.62% interest in the Rossing mine in Namibia to China National Uranium Corporation Limited. Production is reported up to the date of completion. | |||||||||
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. |