Rio Tinto - 3QOR 2006
Rio Tinto PLC
17 January 2007
Fourth quarter 2006 operations review
• Fourth quarter iron ore production was two per cent lower compared
with the previous quarter, primarily due to the impact of maintenance
activities.
• Mined copper production increased by 15 per cent during the quarter
compared with the previous quarter following industrial action at Escondida.
Grasberg benefited from access to higher grades during the quarter.
• Refined copper production for the quarter was 29 per cent lower than the
third quarter mainly due to the effects of the extended, scheduled
maintenance shutdown at the Kennecott Utah Copper smelter.
• Fourth quarter molybdenum production declined by 11 per cent at Kennecott
Utah Copper compared with the third quarter attributable to lower grades
and recoveries.
• Yarwun (the renamed Comalco Alumina Refinery) reached design capacity
during the fourth quarter and achieved a production record for the
quarter and the year.
• Titanium dioxide feedstock production increased by 12 per cent compared
with the previous quarter, reflecting strong demand and the successful
completion of the expansion of the UGS plant in the fourth quarter.
• US coal production set quarterly and annual production records as
the capacity expansions at several mines ramped up.
• Production of hard coking coal declined by 12 per cent compared with
the third quarter, attributable to lower volumes at Kestrel from operating
in the zone of a known fault line.
• At the end of the quarter the Group had 324 million pounds of copper sales
that were provisionally priced at US 287 cents per pound. The final price
of these sales will be determined in 2007. This compared with 343 million
pounds of open shipments at 30 June 2006 provisionally priced at US 337
cents per pound.
*All currency figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated
IRON ORE AND IRON
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Hamersley 24,667 +10% -2% 93,302 +8%
Robe River 7,321 -1% -3% 28,054 +1%
IOC (pellets and concentrate) 2,519 +4% +4% 9,442 +3%
Global iron ore demand remained strong in all markets during 2006. This strength
was reflected in Hamersley's 9.5 per cent increase in the price of lump and fine
ores supplied to China's Baosteel for the 2007 contract year, announced on 22
December.
In the Pilbara, annual production was impacted by the extreme weather conditions
early in the year, and the challenge of recovering and expanding production when
operating at full capacity. Ongoing acute shortages of mining inputs in the
region continue to put pressure on costs.
Hamersley
Fourth quarter production was two per cent lower than the previous quarter,
following extended maintenance work at the Yandicoogina, Marandoo and Mount Tom
Price mines. Year on year production was eight per cent higher, attributable to
the ongoing expansion at Yandicoogina, the commissioning of the Nammuldi mine
and the brownfield expansions.
Robe River
Production for the fourth quarter at the Robe River mines was three per cent
lower than the third quarter with wet feed and unscheduled crusher maintenance
experienced at West Angelas. Production for 2006 was in line with the prior
year.
HIsmelt
HIsmelt produced a total of 31,300 tonnes of pig iron during the quarter, a 21
per cent increase compared with the previous quarter. This was achieved despite
a scheduled shutdown in November for a refractory reline of the smelt reduction
vessel which was completed on time. The plant continued to make progress
reaching a record monthly utilisation rate in December.
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Pellet and concentrate production increased by four per cent in the fourth
quarter, driven by improved equipment availability across the board. Capacity
improvement initiatives resulted in annual production for 2006 being three per
cent higher than the prior year.
ENERGY
US thermal coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Rio Tinto Energy America 32,797 +13% +5% 125,260 +8%
Annual and quarterly production records were set at Rio Tinto Energy America.
This performance, together with improved rail availability following maintenance
activity in 2005, contributed to an eight per cent increase in production for
the year. Expansions at Antelope and Spring Creek increased output to record
annual levels. The new dragline commissioned at Jacobs Ranch during the year
enabled a new record to be set. These expansions and capacity increases resulted
in a 13 per cent increase in fourth quarter production compared with the same
quarter of 2005.
Australian coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Hard coking coal 1,516 -4% -12% 5,909 -18%
Other coal 7,782 +3% +2% 31,159 +1%
Production of hard coking coal in the fourth quarter was impacted by lower
volumes at Kestrel where mining was operating in the zone of a known fault line.
Short term weakness in the coking coal market, with China using more
intermediate quality domestic coals, led to production being 18 per cent lower
in 2006 compared with the prior year.
Production of Australian thermal and other coal was marginally higher year on
year, in part due to higher output from Mount Thorley/Warkworth and Tarong. This
helped to compensate for lower production at the Hunter Valley Operations and
Bengalla which were affected by significant congestion at Port of Newcastle
causing delayed shipments and impacts throughout the production process.
In January 2007, Rio Tinto announced the approval of the development of the $750
million Clermont Mine as the successor to the Blair Athol Mine, with first
production expected in the second quarter of 2010.
Uranium
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Energy Resources of Australia 1,152 +11% +54% 3,217 -20%
Rossing 696 -7% +17% 2,481 -3%
Production at the Ranger mine recovered further in the fourth quarter as access
to higher grade ores was restored following the heavy rains and throughput
issues experienced in the second quarter of the year. This was the main
contributing factor to the 13 per cent decrease in Rio Tinto's share of total
uranium production for 2006. Fourth quarter production at Rossing increased by
17 per cent compared with the third quarter due to higher grades and higher
throughput. Average grades for the full year were lower than 2005 accounting for
the three per cent year on year decline.
In October, ERA announced an increase in total reserves of 11,100 tonnes
contained uranium oxide at its Ranger mine, as a result of screening and
processing stockpiled material with a lower grade than previously processed,
increasing its predicted life by six years to 2020.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Borates 146 -3% +7% 554 -1%
Titanium dioxide feedstocks 380 +13% +12% 1,415 +8%
Borates production for the fourth quarter and the full year was slightly below
the corresponding periods of 2005.
Titanium dioxide feedstock production rose by 12 per cent in the fourth quarter
compared with the previous quarter and by eight per cent for 2006 compared with
the prior year. Market demand in the chloride sector continued to be strong and
the recent completion of the UGS expansion from 325,000 to 375,000 tonnes per
annum enabled the company to take advantage of this strength.
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Bauxite 4,444 -3% +10% 16,139 +4%
Alumina 795 +6% -3% 3,247 +10%
Aluminium 215.8 +0% +0% 844.7 -1%
Fourth quarter bauxite production was ten per cent higher than the previous
quarter due to a high level of equipment availability and minimal plant
downtime. 2006 bauxite production was at a record level.
Production at Yarwun (formerly known as Comalco Alumina Refinery) was a record
for the fourth quarter attributable to increased plant stability and process
improvements. As planned, the refinery reached design capacity during the
quarter. Rio Tinto's share of alumina production declined by three per cent in
the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter following the sale of its
interest in Eurallumina effective at the end of October.
Aluminium production from the four smelters was consistent with previous
quarters. Production at Bell Bay for the full year was a record.
COPPER
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Kennecott Utah Copper
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 66.4 +29% -4% 265.6 +20%
Refined copper (000 tonnes) 24.2 -63% -56% 217.9 -6%
Molybdenum (000 tonnes) 4.2 -8% -11% 16.8 +8%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 121 +17% -11% 537 +29%
Refined gold (000 ozs) 67 -39% -51% 462 +25%
Escondida
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 99.8 -1% +23% 394.0 +3%
Grasberg JV
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 15.8 -59% +90% 46.2 -58%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 59 -76% +645% 95 -86%
Kennecott Utah Copper
Higher ore grades and mill throughput resulted in higher production of copper
and gold in copper concentrates for the fourth quarter and the full year 2006
compared with the same periods of 2005. Lower molybdenum grades and recovery
rates in the fourth quarter led to lower production compared with the previous
quarter and the corresponding period of 2005. Annual molybdenum production was
eight per cent higher than 2005, with higher recovery rates more than
compensating for marginally lower grades.
Smelter and refinery production were lower in the fourth quarter compared with
both the prior quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2005, attributable to
the scheduled major shutdown of the smelter that took place during the quarter.
This was extended by a further 18 days beyond the original schedule to 63 days
due to an increase in the scope of the work required.
Escondida
Mined copper production for the fourth quarter returned to normal levels
following the strike action which impacted production in the third quarter. Year
on year production benefited from higher grades and the commencement of sulphide
leaching.
Grasberg
Fourth quarter production of copper and gold at Grasberg benefited from access
to higher grades compared with the previous three quarters of the year. Grades
for copper and gold for the full year were 25 per cent and 49 per cent below
those of 2005 resulting in lower production for 2006, despite higher throughput.
Other copper operations
At Northparkes, higher grades, increased throughput and improved recoveries all
contributed to a 54 per cent rise in production of copper contained in
concentrate for 2006 compared with the prior year, setting an annual record. In
November, Rio Tinto announced the decision to develop the E48 block cave project
at Northparkes, costing $160 million and extending mine life to 2016.
The conversion of debentures into shares at Palabora resulted in Rio Tinto
increasing its share of production during the fourth quarter. 2006 copper
production on a 100 per cent basis was consistent with 2005 in line with stable
grades.
DIAMONDS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats)
Q4 06 vs Q4 05 vs Q3 06 FY 06 vs FY 05
Argyle 8,026 +24% -4% 29,078 -5%
Diavik 1,495 +36% -12% 5,897 +19%
Argyle
Production was consistent with the previous quarter and 24 per cent above the
same quarter of 2005, attributable to continued high grades. Production for 2006
was five per cent lower than 2005 due to wet conditions impacting production in
the first half of 2006. Continued variability in production is to be expected as
the mine approaches the end of the open-pit life and the transition to an
underground operation continues to progress. Argyle held in excess of $100
million of surplus rough diamonds in inventory at the end of 2006.
Diavik
The onset of winter weather conditions at Diavik resulted in a 30 per cent
decline in ore processed in the fourth quarter compared with the previous
quarter. However, this impact was partly mitigated by higher grades with all ore
originating from the A154 South pipe. Despite the challenges of the early
closure of the ice road, Diavik achieved record production for 2006.
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss
account in the twelve months of 2006 was $283 million compared with $250 million
in the same period of 2005. $53 million of this expenditure was charged against
business unit earnings ($57 million in 2005).
The following exploration projects and programmes were progressed during the
period:
Commodity Projects of note Greenfield programmes
Iron ore Pilbara projects including West Africa and Western Australia
Caliwingina North: drilling
continued
Thermal and Chapudi project, South Africa: Colombia, North America, South Africa
coking coal definition drilling continued and Mongolia
Industrial Jarandol project, Serbia (borates): Many areas worldwide including Europe, southern
minerals drilling commenced Africa and South America
Bauxite Brazil and Australia
Copper US, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Peru and Argentina
Diamonds Bunder project, India: bulk sampling India, Brazil, Canada, Botswana, Russia, Mauritania
and order of magnitude study and Mali
underway
Exploration in Russia continues as part of the RioNor Joint Venture.
Prioritisation of prospects is underway. In December, a purchase agreement was
signed for the Namekara vermiculite deposit in Uganda.
Brownfield exploration is underway at a number of Rio Tinto businesses,
including the Pilbara iron ore operations, Kennecott Utah Copper, the Freeport
and Cortez Joint Ventures, Greens Creek and Northparkes.
Evaluation work continued on a number of projects including Eagle (nickel/
copper, US), Resolution (copper/gold, US), Potasio Rio Colorado (potash,
Argentina), La Granja (copper, Peru) and Simandou (iron ore, Guinea). Rio Tinto
is monitoring the work by Northern Dynasty Minerals at the Pebble
copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Alaska. Contract of Work negotiations continue
at La Sampala nickel in Indonesia.
CORPORATE ACTIVITY
In October 2006 Rio Tinto reached an agreement to acquire a holding of 19.9 per
cent in Ivanhoe Mines in order to jointly develop and operate Ivanhoe's Oyu
Tolgoi copper-gold complex in Mongolia. The first 9.95 per cent shareholding was
taken up immediately with the second 9.95 per cent holding contingent on the
conclusion of a satisfactory investment agreement with the government of
Mongolia, where discussions are currently underway. Rio Tinto has the option to
increase its holding to 33.35 per cent, which, if exercised, will represent a
total investment of approximately $1.5 billion. It also has the right to
increase its stake up to 40 per cent through on market share purchases.
Rio Tinto concluded the sale of its 56.2 per cent interest in the Eurallumina
refinery in Sardinia with an effective date of 31 October 2006.
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
The weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period was as
follows:
2006 2005
Rio Tinto Ltd and Plc 1,333.4 million 1,364.1 million
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RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
QUARTER FULL YEAR % CHANGE
2005 2006 2006 2005 2006 Q4 06 Q4 06 2006
Q4 Q3 Q4 vs vs vs
Principal Commodities Q3 06 Q4 05 2005
Alumina ('000 t) 748 821 795 2,963 3,247 -3% 6% 10%
Aluminium ('000 t) 215.6 215.2 215.8 853.7 844.7 0% 0% -1%
Borates ('000 t) 151 136 146 560 554 7% -3% -1%
Coal - hard ('000 t) 1,585 1,732 1,516 7,195 5,909 -12% -4% -18%
coking coal
Coal - other ('000 t) 7,576 7,665 7,782 30,863 31,159 2% 3% 1%
Australian
Coal - US ('000 t) 29,135 31,302 32,797 115,580 125,260 5% 13% 8%
Copper - mined ('000 t) 210.7 182.8 209.8 784.4 803.5 15% 0% 2%
Copper - refined ('000 t) 85.5 75.6 54.0 314.5 299.2 -29% -37% -5%
Diamonds ('000 cts) 7,598 10,071 9,561 35,635 35,162 -5% 26% -1%
Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 469 249 294 1,726 1,003 18% -37% -42%
Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 110 137 67 369 462 -51% -39% 25%
Iron ore ('000 t) 32,522 35,740 35,057 124,494 132,780 -2% 8% 7%
Titanium dioxide ('000 t) 335 338 380 1,312 1,415 12% 13% 8%
feedstock
Uranium (tonnes) 1,785 1,344 1,848 6,582 5,698 38% 4% -13%
Other Metals & Minerals
Bauxite ('000 t) 4,576 4,036 4,444 15,474 16,139 10% -3% 4%
Lead ('000 t) 2.7 3.2 3.4 11.9 11.9 5% 26% 0%
Molybdenum ('000 t) 4.6 4.7 4.2 15.6 16.8 -11% -8% 8%
Pig Iron ('000 t) 5 15 19 5 53 21% 247% 884%
Salt ('000 t) 1,610 1,447 1,307 5,507 5,405 -10% -19% -2%
Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 3,982 3,543 3,975 14,926 13,968 12% 0% -6%
Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 814 1,148 598 3,538 4,152 -48% -27% 17%
Talc ('000 t) 346 340 325 1,364 1,392 -4% -6% 2%
Zinc ('000 t) 8.7 7.6 10.2 37.2 33.4 35% 17% -10%
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 full year figures.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Eurallumina (a) 0% 153 152 152 158 52 601 513
Queensland Alumina 39% 375 369 381 361 384 1,526 1,494
Yarwun (b) 100% 220 257 322 302 360 835 1,240
Rio Tinto total alumina production 748 778 854 821 795 2,963 3,247
ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Anglesey 51% 18.7 18.5 18.1 18.7 18.1 73.4 73.3
Bell Bay 100% 43.6 43.2 43.7 45.1 45.5 173.8 177.5
Boyne Island 59% 82.7 80.4 80.9 82.7 81.0 326.2 325.0
Tiwai Point 79% 70.6 65.0 63.9 68.8 71.2 280.3 268.9
Rio Tinto total aluminium production 215.6 207.1 206.6 215.2 215.8 853.7 844.7
BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Weipa 100% 4,576 3,843 3,815 4,036 4,444 15,474 16,139
BORATES
Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 100% 151 130 142 136 146 560 554
COAL - HARD COKING
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (c) ('000 tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal 82% 1,270 617 797 1,119 1,193 4,838 3,726
Kestrel Coal 80% 315 508 739 613 324 2,357 2,183
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production 1,585 1,126 1,535 1,732 1,516 7,195 5,909
COAL - OTHER *
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (c) ('000 tonnes)
Bengalla 30% 622 330 426 490 434 1,806 1,679
Blair Athol Coal 71% 1,876 1,730 1,778 1,840 1,911 7,551 7,259
Hunter Valley Operations 76% 2,293 2,124 2,639 2,161 2,180 9,369 9,104
Kestrel Coal 80% 89 125 232 213 121 619 691
Mount Thorley Operations 61% 491 763 549 452 595 2,400 2,359
Tarong Coal 100% 1,549 1,803 1,685 1,713 1,778 6,470 6,979
Warkworth 42% 657 744 784 796 764 2,647 3,089
Total Australian other coal 7,576 7,618 8,093 7,665 7,782 30,863 31,159
Rio Tinto Energy America (d) ('000 tonnes)
Antelope 100% 6,413 7,501 7,849 7,760 7,640 27,174 30,749
Colowyo (e) 1,477 1,468 1,497 1,431 1,358 5,325 5,754
Cordero Rojo 100% 8,642 8,675 9,121 8,775 9,524 34,234 36,094
Decker 50% 890 776 807 775 866 3,144 3,225
Jacobs Ranch 100% 8,590 8,513 8,879 9,220 9,646 33,823 36,258
Spring Creek 100% 3,122 2,549 3,527 3,341 3,764 11,881 13,181
Total US coal 29,135 29,481 31,680 31,302 32,797 115,580 125,260
Rio Tinto total other coal production 36,710 37,099 39,773 38,967 40,580 146,443 156,418
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 51.6 61.6 68.7 68.9 66.4 220.6 265.6
Escondida 30% 100.4 107.2 105.9 81.1 99.8 381.1 394.0
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 38.2 11.9 10.2 8.3 15.8 109.6 46.2
Northparkes 80% 13.3 15.5 16.5 16.8 17.8 43.2 66.6
Palabora (g) 58% 7.2 7.2 6.1 7.8 10.0 30.0 31.1
Rio Tinto total mine production 210.7 203.4 207.4 182.8 209.8 784.4 803.5
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Escondida 30% 10.4 8.0 6.1 9.1 17.1 43.2 40.3
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 65.1 70.9 67.7 55.1 24.2 232.0 217.9
Palabora (g) 58% 9.9 6.7 10.2 11.4 12.7 39.3 40.9
Rio Tinto total refined production 85.5 85.6 83.9 75.6 54.0 314.5 299.2
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle 100% 6,455 5,214 7,509 8,330 8,026 30,476 29,078
Diavik 60% 1,098 1,073 1,632 1,697 1,495 4,963 5,897
Murowa 78% 44 38 66 44 39 195 187
Rio Tinto total diamond production 7,598 6,324 9,206 10,071 9,561 35,635 35,162
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site.
* Coal - other includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.
See footnotes on page 11.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Barneys Canyon 100% 4 4 3 5 3 16 15
Bingham Canyon 100% 99 129 146 131 118 401 523
Cortez/Pipeline 40% 74 35 27 55 61 361 178
Escondida 30% 13 12 15 11 14 55 51
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 248 9 19 8 59 670 95
Greens Creek 70% 12 11 9 11 13 51 44
Kelian (h) 90% - - - - - 38 -
Lihir (i) 0% - - - - - 61 -
Northparkes 80% 13 16 16 23 21 46 76
Rawhide 51% 4 4 3 3 3 18 13
Others - 2 2 2 3 3 7 9
Rio Tinto total mine production 469 221 240 249 294 1,726 1,003
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 110 118 141 137 67 369 462
IRON ORE & IRON
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar 60% 980 1,211 1,486 1,591 1,591 5,186 5,879
Corumba 100% 290 440 455 538 549 1,410 1,982
Eastern Range (j) 1,536 1,756 2,021 2,326 2,112 6,559 8,215
Hamersley 100% 19,931 17,404 19,536 21,304 20,964 74,387 79,208
Iron Ore Company of Canada 59% 2,424 1,871 2,640 2,412 2,519 9,188 9,442
Robe River 53% 7,362 5,986 7,178 7,570 7,321 27,764 28,054
Rio Tinto total mine production 32,522 28,668 33,315 35,740 35,057 124,494 132,780
Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)
HIsmelt(R) (k) 60% 5 2 17 15 19 5 53
LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 2.7 3.0 2.2 3.2 3.4 11.9 11.9
MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 4.6 4.4 3.5 4.7 4.2 15.6 16.8
SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - salt 65% 1,610 1,209 1,441 1,447 1,307 5,507 5,405
SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon 100% 884 1,036 1,217 1,033 928 3,958 4,214
Escondida 30% 593 457 565 439 533 1,970 1,994
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 718 19 30 87 534 1,364 670
Greens Creek 70% 1,562 1,451 1,231 1,794 1,754 6,791 6,230
Others - 226 216 228 190 226 843 861
Rio Tinto total mine production 3,982 3,180 3,270 3,543 3,975 14,926 13,968
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 814 1,398 1,008 1,148 598 3,538 4,152
TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - talc 100% 346 381 346 340 325 1,364 1,392
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 335 344 353 338 380 1,312 1,415
URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia 68% 1,040 938 376 750 1,152 4,037 3,217
Rossing 69% 745 569 622 593 696 2,545 2,481
Rio Tinto total uranium production 1,785 1,508 998 1,344 1,848 6,582 5,698
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 8.7 8.6 7.1 7.6 10.2 37.2 33.4
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of
saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.
See footnotes on page 11.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Production data notes
(a) Rio Tinto sold its 56.2% share in Eurallumina with an effective date of
31 October 2006 and production data are shown up to that date.
(b) Yarwun was previously known as Comalco Alumina Refinery.
(c) Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages all the operations below; including the
mines which were previously reported separately under the Coal & Allied
name.
(d) Rio Tinto Energy America was previously known as Kennecott Energy.
(e) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management
agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output
is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.
(f) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
(FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a
consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since
1998.
(g) During the second half of 2005, the conversion of debentures into ordinary
shares resulted in a dilution of Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora from
49.2% to 47.2%. The conversions, which continued during 2006, were
completed during the third quarter when Rio Tinto also participated. The
Rio Tinto shareholding on 31 December 2006 was 57.7%.
(h) Kelian ceased processing ore on 7 February 2005 and the final gold pour
was on 27 May 2005.
(i) On 30 November 2005, Rio Tinto sold its interest in Lihir Gold; it had
agreed in September 2005 to relinquish the management agreement for Lihir.
The production data are shown up to 30 September 2005, from which date the
Rio Tinto interest in Lihir was held as an investment rather than being
equity accounted.
(j) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from 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.
(k) HIsmelt(R) commenced production during September 2005.
Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicated
above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average
interest over the relevant periods. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is
at 31 December 2006.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Weipa mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 4,576 3,843 3,815 4,036 4,444 15,474 16,139
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) 4,034 3,788 3,596 4,023 4,451 14,952 15,857
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 22 47 40 49 43 130 180
Eurallumina refinery (a) 0.0%
Sardinia, Italy
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 273 271 270 281 92 1,070 914
Queensland Alumina refinery 38.6%
Queensland, Australia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 972 956 986 936 993 3,953 3,871
Yarwun alumina refinery (b) 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 220 257 322 302 360 835 1,240
Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0%
United Kingdom
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 36.7 36.2 35.5 36.6 35.4 143.9 143.8
Bell Bay smelter 100.0%
Tasmania, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 43.6 43.2 43.7 45.1 45.5 173.8 177.5
Boyne Island smelter 59.4%
Queensland, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 138.4 134.7 135.9 138.0 136.5 544.9 545.1
Tiwai Point smelter 79.4%
New Zealand
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 88.1 81.6 79.9 86.5 89.3 351.4 337.3
Rio Tinto Aluminium share
Share of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes) 225.0 200.2 208.0 208.5 233.3 858.6 850.0
(a) Rio Tinto sold its 56.2% share in Eurallumina with an effective date of
31 October 2006 and production data are shown up to that date.
(b) Yarwun alumina refinery was previously known as Comalco Alumina Refinery.
BORATES
Rio Tinto Minerals - Borax 100.0%
California, US and Argentina
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) 151 130 142 136 146 560 554
(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
COAL
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a)
Bengalla mine 30.3%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,053 1,088 1,406 1,618 1,433 5,965 5,544
Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,634 2,429 2,496 2,583 2,682 10,600 10,190
Hail Creek Coal mine 82.0%
Queensland, Australia
Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,549 753 971 1,365 1,455 5,900 4,544
Hunter Valley Operations 75.7%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,651 2,386 3,136 2,435 2,264 10,341 10,221
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 378 419 350 419 616 2,033 1,804
Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 112 156 290 266 151 774 863
Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 393 635 923 766 404 2,946 2,729
Mount Thorley Operations 60.6%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 529 969 582 494 857 2,695 2,902
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 281 291 325 253 125 1,267 993
Tarong Coal mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,549 1,803 1,685 1,713 1,778 6,470 6,979
Warkworth mine 42.1%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,495 1,759 1,766 1,803 1,686 5,946 7,014
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 67 11 96 90 130 347 327
Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,943 1,388 1,895 2,131 1,859 8,846 7,273
Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,684 1,220 1,471 1,779 1,962 7,526 6,432
Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (b) 11,746 11,309 12,133 11,673 11,722 46,438 46,837
Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (c) (d) 11,816 11,860 11,882 11,845 11,173 47,463 46,760
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 13,689 12,698 14,027 13,804 13,581 55,283 54,110
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 13,500 13,080 13,353 13,624 13,135 54,989 53,193
Rio Tinto Coal Australia share
Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,374 994 1,196 1,450 1,603 6,131 5,243
Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (c) (d) 7,719 7,986 8,022 7,743 7,525 31,666 31,276
(a) Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages all the operations below; the mines in
New South Wales were previously reported separately under the Coal & Allied
name.
(b) Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.
(c) Other coal sales includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and
semi-hard coking coal (a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal).
(d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.
Rio Tinto Energy America (a)
Antelope mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 6,413 7,501 7,849 7,760 7,640 27,174 30,749
Colowyo mine (b)
Colorado, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,477 1,468 1,497 1,431 1,358 5,325 5,754
Cordero Rojo mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,642 8,675 9,121 8,775 9,524 34,234 36,094
Decker mine 50.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,781 1,552 1,614 1,551 1,733 6,288 6,449
Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,590 8,513 8,879 9,220 9,646 33,823 36,258
Spring Creek mine 100.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,122 2,549 3,527 3,341 3,764 11,881 13,181
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 30,025 30,257 32,487 32,077 33,664 118,724 128,484
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 30,025 30,257 32,487 32,077 33,661 118,724 128,482
(a) Rio Tinto Energy America was previously known as Kennecott Energy.
(b) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under a management
agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo's output is
included in Rio Tinto's share of production.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
COPPER & GOLD
Escondida 30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes) 22,161 21,843 21,473 18,258 22,585 86,054 84,158
Average copper grade (%) 1.58 1.62 1.63 1.55 1.55 1.53 1.59
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 304.0 302.8 295.9 234.0 289.4 1,127.3 1,122.2
Contained gold ('000 ounces) 43 40 49 35 46 183 170
Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,975 1,522 1,882 1,464 1,777 6,565 6,646
Ore to leach ('000 tonnes) (a) 4,261 16,158 15,536 14,712 9,659 16,930 56,064
Average copper grade (%) 0.72 0.34 0.37 0.25 0.45 0.84 0.34
Contained copper in leachate/mined material 31 55 57 36 43 143 191
('000 tonnes)
Refined production from leach plants:
Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes) 34.8 26.8 20.3 30.4 56.9 143.9 134.4
(a) Escondida has recently commenced leaching of sulphide ore. The figures
for 2006 show aggregate feed to and production from both the oxide and sulphide
leach processes.
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (a)
Grasberg mine 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 21,791 19,512 20,353 21,170 22,681 78,907 83,716
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%) 1.31 0.72 0.72 0.85 1.08 1.13 0.85
Gold (g/t) 2.33 0.92 0.67 0.83 0.95 1.65 0.85
Silver (g/t) 5.36 4.21 3.84 3.46 3.87 4.88 3.84
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 260.8 115.9 121.7 152.9 220.3 793.9 610.8
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,400 485 336 471 589 3,546 1,880
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 2,489 903 1,170 1,453 2,083 7,531 5,609
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 249.0 114.0 108.8 155.5 211.3 766.3 589.7
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,342 486 294 487 564 3,438 1,831
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,897 711 844 1,167 1,592 5,795 4,315
(a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
(FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a
consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since
1998.
(b) Net of smelter deductions.
Kelian Equatorial Mining (a) 90.0%
East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 826 -
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) - - - - - 1.68 -
Silver (g/t) - - - - - 2.29 -
Production:
Gold ('000 ounces) - - - - - 43 -
Silver ('000 ounces) - - - - - 32 -
Sales:
Gold ('000 ounces) - 42 - - - 100 42
Silver ('000 ounces) - - - - - 304 -
(a) Kelian ceased processing ore on 7 February 2005 and the final gold pour
was on 27 May 2005. Mine closure programmes including reclamation,
rehabilitation and sustainable monitoring continue.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company
Cortez/Pipeline mine 40.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000 tonnes) 798 756 745 956 842 3,247 3,298
Leached ('000 tonnes) 3,352 3,812 4,464 7,452 7,312 23,059 23,040
Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes) 73 35 - - - 277 35
Average ore grade: gold
Milled (g/t) 4.71 2.33 2.13 2.89 2.64 5.00 2.52
Leached (g/t) 0.49 0.39 0.37 0.43 0.42 0.58 0.41
Sold for roasting (g/t) 8.89 6.50 - - - 7.33 6.50
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 186 87 68 136 153 904 444
Greens Creek mine 70.3%
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 151 158 157 162 187 651 664
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 5.02 4.54 3.97 4.39 4.82 5.12 4.45
Silver (g/t) 615 533 471 619 540 623 541
Zinc (%) 10.4 10.0 8.4 8.9 10.1 10.3 9.4
Lead (%) 3.9 4.0 3.1 4.0 3.6 4.0 3.7
Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold ('000 ounces) 17 16 13 16 19 73 63
Silver ('000 ounces) 2,222 2,065 1,751 2,553 2,497 9,664 8,866
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 12.4 12.2 10.1 10.8 14.5 52.9 47.5
Lead ('000 tonnes) 3.8 4.3 3.1 4.6 4.8 16.9 16.9
Rawhide mine (a) 51.0%
Nevada, US
Metals produced in dore:
Gold ('000 ounces) 8 7 6 7 6 35 26
Silver ('000 ounces) 67 63 55 64 50 320 232
(a) Mining operations were completed in October 2002 and processing of
stockpiled ores was completed in May 2003. Residual gold and silver production
continues from the leach pads.
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 4 4 3 5 3 16 15
(a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to
be recovered from leach pads.
Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 11,369 11,702 11,739 12,333 12,083 46,664 47,857
Average ore grade:
Copper (%) 0.51 0.62 0.67 0.62 0.63 0.53 0.63
Gold (g/t) 0.38 0.52 0.56 0.47 0.44 0.37 0.49
Silver (g/t) 3.02 3.73 3.98 3.22 3.09 3.23 3.50
Molybdenum (%) 0.058 0.060 0.055 0.057 0.055 0.058 0.057
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 213 242 263 269 245 881 1,019
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 24.1 25.3 26.1 25.5 27.1 25.0 26.0
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 51.6 61.6 68.7 68.9 66.4 220.6 265.6
Gold ('000 ounces) 99 129 146 131 118 401 523
Silver ('000 ounces) 884 1,036 1,217 1,033 928 3,958 4,214
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes): 8.6 8.2 6.3 8.3 7.4 29.5 30.2
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 4.6 4.4 3.5 4.7 4.2 15.6 16.8
Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 300 270 272 220 156 1,042 918
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 67.3 66.4 65.7 50.4 33.3 229.3 215.8
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes) 65.1 70.9 67.7 55.1 24.2 232.0 217.9
Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 110 118 141 137 67 369 462
Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 814 1,398 1,008 1,148 598 3,538 4,152
(b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(c) New metal excluding recycled material.
(d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Lihir Gold (a) 0.0%
Papua New Guinea
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 2,771 -
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) - - - - - 5 -
Gold produced ('000 ounces) (b) - - - - - 424 -
(a) On 30 November 2005, Rio Tinto sold its interest in Lihir Gold; it had
agreed in September 2005 to relinquish the management agreement for Lihir. The
production data are shown up to 30 September 2005, from which date the Rio Tinto
interest in Lihir was held as an investment rather than being equity accounted.
(b) Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.
Northparkes Joint Venture 80.0%
New South Wales, Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,421 1,425 1,438 1,427 1,499 5,453 5,789
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 1.27 1.45 1.53 1.57 1.57 1.12 1.53
Gold (g/t) 0.49 0.56 0.58 0.69 0.71 0.46 0.64
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 43.9 48.4 52.5 52.4 54.2 147.2 207.4
Contained copper in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 tonnes) 16.7 19.4 20.7 21.0 22.2 54.0 83.3
Sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 13.1 14.3 17.1 14.4 15.6 43.4 61.4
Contained gold in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 ounces) 16.1 19.6 19.9 29.3 26.0 57.0 94.7
Sales ('000 ounces) (a) 14.7 13.3 16.4 16.1 17.0 49.9 62.7
(a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.
Palabora (a) 57.7%
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 2,349 2,646 2,633 2,668 2,783 9,536 10,730
Average ore grade: copper (%) 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.71
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 47.8 51.5 43.0 53.4 61.0 197.1 208.9
Average concentrate grade: copper (%) 31.2 29.9 30.5 29.4 28.5 31.0 29.4
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 14.9 15.4 13.1 15.7 17.4 61.2 61.5
Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes) 82.2 42.0 83.3 87.7 75.5 304.4 288.5
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) 22.4 10.0 24.0 22.4 22.2 84.5 78.6
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes) 20.6 14.3 21.9 22.9 22.1 80.3 81.2
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes) 231 251 296 299 281 888 1,127
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes) 57 35 28 25 32 186 120
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes) 55 48 48 52 50 210 198
(a) During the second half of 2005, the conversion of debentures into
ordinary shares resulted in a dilution of Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora
from 49.2% to 47.2%. The conversions, which continued during 2006, were
completed during the third quarter when Rio Tinto also participated. The Rio
Tinto shareholding on 31 December 2006 was 57.7%.
DIAMONDS
Argyle Diamonds 100.0%
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,158 1,956 2,131 2,162 2,192 8,969 8,441
AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) 6,455 5,214 7,509 8,330 8,026 30,476 29,078
Diavik Diamonds 60.0%
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 497 492 608 722 509 2,222 2,331
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 1,831 1,788 2,720 2,829 2,492 8,272 9,829
Murowa Diamonds 77.8%
Zimbabwe
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 73 66 61 44 47 178 216
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 57 48 85 57 50 251 240
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
IRON ORE & IRON
Hamersley Iron
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, Marandoo,
Yandicoogina, Brockman and 100.0% 19,931 17,404 19,536 21,304 20,964 74,387 79,208
Nammuldi
Channar 60.0% 1,634 2,018 2,476 2,652 2,652 8,644 9,798
Eastern Range (a) 1,536 1,756 2,021 2,326 2,112 6,559 8,215
Total production ('000 tonnes) 23,101 21,178 24,033 26,282 25,728 89,590 97,221
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b) 25,793 20,982 22,611 26,680 27,830 90,090 98,103
(a) 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) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports.
HIsmelt(R) (a) 60.0%
Western Australia
Pig iron production ('000 tonnes) 9 4 28 26 31 9 89
(a) HIsmelt(R) commenced production during September 2005.
Iron Ore Company of Canada 58.7%
Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada
Saleable iron ore production:
Concentrates ('000 tonnes) 683 341 1,291 983 747 2,316 3,362
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 3,445 2,846 3,205 3,124 3,543 13,331 12,718
Sales:
Concentrate ('000 tonnes) 755 316 555 651 1,392 2,123 2,914
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 4,230 2,150 3,282 3,198 4,305 12,851 12,935
Rio Tinto Brasil
Corumba mine 100.0%
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a) 290 440 455 538 549 1,410 1,982
Sales ('000 tonnes) 276 418 413 462 479 1,303 1,771
(a) Production includes by-product fines.
Robe River Iron Associates
Pannawonica mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 7,998 6,481 7,273 7,501 8,018 30,981 29,273
Sales ('000 tonnes) 8,203 6,756 7,135 7,619 7,607 31,062 29,118
West Angelas mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 5,891 4,813 6,270 6,781 5,795 21,403 23,659
Sales ('000 tonnes) 6,187 4,745 5,833 6,117 6,621 21,491 23,316
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio Tinto 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005 2006
SALT
Rio Tinto Minerals - Salt 64.9%
Western Australia
Salt production ('000 tonnes) 2,480 1,862 2,219 2,229 2,013 8,480 8,323
TALC
Rio Tinto Minerals - Talc 100.0%
Australia, Europe, and North America
Talc production ('000 tonnes) 346 381 346 340 325 1,364 1,392
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%
Canada and South Africa
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production 335 344 353 338 380 1,312 1,415
('000 tonnes)
URANIUM
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Ranger mine 68.4%
Northern Territory, Australia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 1,521 1,372 550 1,097 1,685 5,903 4,704
Rossing Uranium Ltd 68.6%
Namibia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 1,086 830 908 865 1,014 3,711 3,617
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2006. The data represent full production and sales on a
100% basis unless otherwise stated.
This information is provided by RNS
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