Rio Tinto 4 QOR 2005
Rio Tinto PLC
18 January 2006
Fourth quarter 2005 operations review
• The strong operational performance seen in the first nine months of the
year continued with many operations setting production records for the
full year.
• Hamersley's shipments of iron ore set a new record for both the quarter
and the full year. The ramp-up of the new shiploading facilities at
Dampier boosted export capacity and handled their first shipment of
lump ore.
• Kennecott Utah Copper continued its focus on the higher grade molybdenum
ore to take advantage of higher margin production afforded by strong
molybdenum markets. Fourth quarter molybdenum production was 16 per cent
higher than the previous record set in the third quarter, and full year
production was 130 per cent above prior year. This resulted in lower
mined copper units in line with lower grades.
• Gold and copper production at the Grasberg mine increased further during
the quarter, benefiting from increased access to higher grade ore and
improvements in mill throughput.
• Full year alumina production for 2005 was 33 per cent higher than 2004.
However, fourth quarter production at the Comalco Alumina Refinery
continued to be impacted by digestion pump performance. Annual
production at the Queensland Alumina Refinery was a record.
• The underground development at the Argyle diamond mine and the life
extension at the Rossing uranium mine were approved during the quarter.
• Favourable market conditions enabled the sale of Rio Tinto's interest
in Lihir Gold to take place in November.
• Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation in 2005 was $60 million
higher than in 2004 reflecting increased brownfield exploration to expand
existing resources and continued evaluation work on advanced projects. In
December Rio Tinto won the tender to evaluate the La Granja copper project
in northern Peru.
All currency figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated
IRON ORE
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Hamersley 22,447 +11% +1% 86,132 +16%
Robe River 7,362 +17% +0% 27,764 +8%
IOC (pellets and concentrate) 2,424 +18% +6% 9,188 +40%
Demand remained strong from all markets throughout the year. Further expansions
of Hamersley's wholly owned Yandicoogina mine and of the Dampier port in Western
Australia were announced in October 2005 to take the capacity of Rio Tinto's
ports in the Pilbara to close to 200 million tonnes by 2008.
Hamersley
Production remained at near record levels this quarter contributing to a record
production year for Hamersley, up 16 per cent on 2004.
Record quarterly sales, up 15 per cent on the previous quarter, contributed to a
yearly sales total up 18 per cent on 2004. Export capacity was boosted by the
ramp-up of new shiploading facilities at Dampier, which handled 5.7 million
tonnes this quarter, including their first shipment of lump ore.
Robe River
Production and sales of West Angelas ore reached record levels, following the
completion of the expansion project last quarter. Pannawonica mine production
remained steady this quarter, with sales lifting slightly in response to
increased demand.
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Annual production of pellets reached record levels, with total saleable
production up 40 per cent on 2004. Fourth quarter sales and production were
substantially higher than 2004 due to improved plant reliability and throughput
rates.
ENERGY
US Thermal Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Kennecott Energy 29,135 -6% +3% 115,580 -2%
Fourth quarter production improved on the third quarter performance. Cordero
Rojo recovered from the third quarter when spoil pile instability caused by
severe weather conditions curtailed production.
Two train derailments in May 2005 and the subsequent major rail maintenance
programme instituted by the operators of the Joint Rail Line resulted in
disappointing coal volumes shipped from KEC's Powder River Basin operations in
2005. The rail maintenance programme was completed in early December.
Australian Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Hard coking coal 1,585 +14% -10% 7,195 +6%
Other coal 7,576 -8% -5% 30,863 -6%
Production at Hail Creek continued to ramp up to a six million tonnes per annum
rate accounting for the year-on-year increase in hard coking coal production.
Production at Kestrel was lower in the current quarter compared with the
previous quarter due to a longwall changeover.
Production at Blair Athol was reduced due to wet weather and coal plant
maintenance. Tarong production for the quarter was consistent with demand levels
from the Tarong Energy Corporation.
Other Energy
In October, Energy Resources of Australia announced an increase in total
reserves of 6,285 tonnes contained uranium oxide at its Ranger mine, as a result
of a reduction in cut-off grade, which added three years to the predicted
operational life. In December, Rio Tinto approved the life extension at the
Rossing uranium mine in Namibia. This project will extend the life of the mine
at current production levels through to approximately 2016 and will involve
additional capital expenditure of $82 million.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Borates 151 +10% +7% 560 -1%
Titanium dioxide feedstock 335 +5% +2% 1,312 +10%
Production of borates was above both the preceding quarter and the corresponding
quarter of 2004 reflecting increased demand for end use products and
debottlenecking productivity improvements. Titanium dioxide feedstock production
for the full year was 10 per cent higher than the prior year following the
completed ramp-up to 325,000 tonnes of QIT's Upgraded Slag (UGS) expansion. A
new monthly record was set in October for the UGS plant as it approaches full
nameplate capacity.
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Bauxite 4,576 +37% +21% 15,474 +21%
Alumina 748 +11% +3% 2,963 +33%
Aluminium 215.6 +3% -0% 853.7 +2%
Bauxite production continued to increase due to the successful commissioning of
Project NeWeipa. 2005 production was a record as a result of increased
production from both the East Weipa and Andoom mines.
The new Comalco Alumina Refinery produced 220,000 tonnes in the quarter, as
efforts continued to improve the reliability of the pumps feeding the digestion
circuit. Queensland Alumina Refinery continued its strong performance and
achieved record annual production.
The Bell Bay, Boyne Island and Tiwai Point smelters also achieved annual
production records.
COPPER
Rio Tinto share of production
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Kennecott Utah Copper
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 51.6 -30% +3% 220.6 -16%
Refined copper (000 tonnes) 65.1 +6% -4% 232.0 -6%
Molybdenum (000 tonnes) 4.6 +63% +16% 15.6 +130%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 103 -9% +8% 418 +27%
Refined gold (000 ozs) 110 +63% +20% 369 +23%
Escondida
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 100.4 +9% -1% 381.1 +5%
Grasberg JV
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 38.2 +59% +62% 109.6 +128%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 248 +608% +103% 670 +710%
Kennecott Utah Copper
With molybdenum prices remaining strong throughout the quarter, the optimisation
of mine production in favour of molybdenum has continued, with a corresponding
impact on operating costs. Copper concentrate volumes therefore reduced in line
with lower copper grades compared with the fourth quarter and full year 2004.
Improved recoveries following the completion of the moly plant expansion project
boosted molybdenum production further. Annual gold production improved in line
with the associated grade profile.
Smelter and refinery production were higher in the fourth quarter of 2005
compared with the same period of 2004, which was impacted by a ten day smelter
maintenance shutdown.
Escondida
Year on year production at Escondida benefited from the commissioning of the
Norte crusher and ore handling system in September and continued improvements in
mill performance. Tonnage for the fourth quarter fell back slightly in line with
lower grades and declining output from the existing oxide leach pads.
Grasberg
Fourth quarter production benefited significantly from increased access to the
high grade ore in 6 South and improvements in mill throughput. The superior
grades from 6 South also favourably impacted the 2005 full year production
relative to the prior year. There was a minor revision to the metal strip, which
determines the allocation of volumes between the joint venture partners,
resulting in an additional 8,500 tonnes of copper being attributed to Rio Tinto
during the fourth quarter.
Other
Production at Northparkes continued to increase, being 13 per cent above the
third quarter with the full year 80 per cent above the previous year. The
successful ramp up of Lift 2 has provided higher copper feed grades and allowed
increased throughput.
At Palabora fourth quarter production fell 11 per cent compared with the third
quarter. This was caused by loader availabilities and a number of unscheduled
downtime events. 2005 tonnage was 12 per cent higher than 2004, as a result of
higher overall throughput rates and improved recoveries.
DIAMONDS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats)
Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04
Argyle 6,455 -28% +8% 30,476 +48%
Diavik 1,098 +22% -16% 4,963 +9%
Argyle
Tonnes processed at Argyle for the quarter were in line with previous quarter
performance but lower than the same quarter last year. This reflects timing of
maintenance activities as well as a reduction in throughput, due to changes in
processing plant operational practices designed to improve recovery and lower
costs. Carat production is reflective of the grade of current face positions in
the open pit consistent with mine planning and the tight pit configuration.
In December, Rio Tinto announced the decision to develop a $760 million block
cave underground project at the Argyle diamond mine, with an additional $150
million to be spent on a related open pit cutback. This will extend the life of
the operation to 2018.
Diavik
The decline in carat production from the prior quarter was attributable to a
higher proportion of lower grade A154N ore being accessed following the
completion of a new mine plan. In addition, higher than planned maintenance
activity in the plant reduced throughput.
OTHER OPERATIONS
In November Rio Tinto agreed to sell its 14.5 per cent investment in Lihir Gold
for approximately $295 million.
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss
account in the twelve months of 2005 was $250 million compared with $190 million
in the same period of 2004. $57 million of this expenditure was charged against
business unit earnings.
Exploration drilling continued on copper targets in Chile, Mexico and in Turkey.
Diamond exploration continued in Canada, Botswana, Mauritania, India and
Brazil. Iron ore exploration continued in the Hamersley Basin (Western
Australia) and in West Africa. Exploration for thermal and coking coal
opportunities continued in southern Africa, Australia, Mongolia and Canada. At
La Sampala (nickel, Indonesia), negotiations for a Contract of Work continued.
In December Rio Tinto received confirmation of success in two tenders. The first
was the award of the La Granja copper project located in the Region of Cajamarca
in northern Peru. The second was a successful bid for the Jarandol concession
hosting the Piskanja borate deposit located in southern Serbia. Both projects
will now enter a period of ongoing exploration and evaluation.
Brownfield exploration is underway at a number of Rio Tinto businesses, with
notable efforts to expand resources continuing in the Pilbara, at Kennecott Utah
Copper, on the Freeport and Cortez Joint Ventures, at Greens Creek and at
Northparkes.
Evaluation work continued at Eagle (nickel/copper, US), Sari Gunay (gold, Iran),
Resolution (copper/gold, US), Potasio Rio Colorado (potash, Argentina) and
Simandou (iron ore, Guinea).
For further information, please contact:
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Website: www.riotinto.com
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RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
QUARTER FULL YEAR % CHANGE
2004 2005 2005 2004 2005 Q4 05 Q4 05 2005
Q4 Q3 Q4 vs vs vs
Principal Commodities Q3 05 Q4 04 2004
Alumina ('000 t) 671 725 748 2,231 2,963 3% 11% 33%
Aluminium ('000 t) 209.1 216.6 215.6 836.5 853.7 0% 3% 2%
Borates ('000 t) 137 141 151 565 560 7% 10% -1%
Coal - hard coking coal ('000 t) 1,389 1,755 1,585 6,760 7,195 -10% 14% 6%
Coal - other Australian ('000 t) 8,255 7,996 7,576 32,943 30,863 -5% -8% -6%
Coal - US ('000 t) 31,072 28,290 29,135 117,734 115,580 3% -6% -2%
Copper - mined ('000 t) 204.9 195.4 210.7 753.1 784.4 8% 3% 4%
Copper - refined ('000 t) 81.1 89.2 85.5 332.6 314.5 -4% 5% -5%
Diamonds ('000 cts) 9,946 7,349 7,598 25,202 35,635 3% -24% 41%
Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 428 376 469 1,552 1,726 25% 10% 11%
Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 68 92 110 300 369 20% 63% 23%
Iron ore ('000 t) 28,903 32,187 32,522 107,757 124,494 1% 13% 16%
Titanium dioxide feedstock ('000 t) 319 327 335 1,192 1,312 2% 5% 10%
Other Metals & Minerals
Bauxite ('000 t) 3,333 3,781 4,576 12,828 15,474 21% 37% 21%
Lead - mined ('000 t) 3.4 2.5 2.7 25.1 11.9 8% -21% -53%
Molybdenum ('000 t) 2.8 3.9 4.6 6.8 15.6 16% 63% 130%
Salt ('000 t) 1,131 1,121 1,610 4,792 5,507 44% 42% 15%
Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 4,031 3,197 3,982 14,830 14,926 25% -1% 1%
Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 944 830 814 3,344 3,538 -2% -14% 6%
Talc ('000 t) 354 336 356 1,443 1,412 6% 0% -2%
Uranium (tonnes) 1,575 1,747 1,785 5,974 6,582 2% 13% 10%
Zinc - mined ('000 t) 11.7 8.1 8.7 73.8 37.2 7% -25% -50%
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 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Comalco Alumina Refinery (a) 100% 175 196 228 191 220 175 835
Eurallumina 56% 154 148 150 150 153 597 601
Queensland Alumina 39% 342 366 401 384 375 1,459 1,526
Rio Tinto total alumina production 671 710 779 725 748 2,231 2,963
ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Anglesey 51% 18.4 18.2 18.2 18.3 18.7 73.8 73.4
Bell Bay 100% 41.2 42.8 43.5 43.9 43.6 162.0 173.8
Boyne Island 59% 79.1 79.5 81.6 82.4 82.7 321.2 326.2
Tiwai Point 79% 70.4 67.8 70.0 72.0 70.6 279.5 280.3
Rio Tinto total aluminium production 209.1 208.3 213.3 216.6 215.6 836.5 853.7
BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Boke (b) 0% - - - - - 179 -
Weipa 100% 3,333 3,443 3,674 3,781 4,576 12,649 15,474
Rio Tinto total bauxite production 3,333 3,443 3,674 3,781 4,576 12,828 15,474
BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total borate production 100% 137 122 146 141 151 565 560
COAL - HARD COKING
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (c) ('000 tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal (d) 82% 1,100 1,136 1,223 1,208 1,270 4,633 4,838
Kestrel Coal 80% 289 766 729 547 315 2,127 2,357
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production 1,389 1,902 1,952 1,755 1,585 6,760 7,195
COAL - OTHER *
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (c) ('000 tonnes)
Bengalla 30% 295 433 386 366 622 1,609 1,806
Blair Athol Coal 71% 2,157 1,892 1,789 1,994 1,876 8,712 7,551
Hunter Valley Operations 76% 2,762 2,525 2,292 2,259 2,293 10,046 9,369
Kestrel Coal 80% 61 160 227 143 89 499 619
Mount Thorley Operations 61% 573 597 648 664 491 2,149 2,400
Tarong Coal 100% 1,651 1,784 1,334 1,804 1,549 7,004 6,470
Warkworth 42% 757 602 622 766 657 2,926 2,647
Total Australian other coal 8,255 7,993 7,298 7,996 7,576 32,943 30,863
Kennecott Energy ('000 tonnes)
Antelope 100% 7,229 6,687 6,788 7,287 6,413 26,928 27,174
Colowyo (e) 1,412 1,315 1,315 1,219 1,477 5,788 5,325
Cordero Rojo 100% 9,358 9,170 8,736 7,687 8,642 35,233 34,234
Decker 50% 1,235 540 872 841 890 3,916 3,144
Jacobs Ranch 100% 8,792 9,032 8,188 8,014 8,590 34,979 33,823
Spring Creek 100% 3,046 2,497 3,018 3,243 3,122 10,892 11,881
Total US coal 31,072 29,240 28,916 28,290 29,135 117,734 115,580
Rio Tinto total other coal production 39,327 37,233 36,214 36,286 36,710 150,677 146,443
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 73.9 62.1 56.7 50.2 51.6 263.7 220.6
Escondida 30% 91.8 84.9 94.1 101.7 100.4 362.1 381.1
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% - - - - - 5.5 -
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 24.0 25.7 22.0 23.6 38.2 48.0 109.6
Neves Corvo (g) 0% - - - - - 23.0 -
Northparkes 80% 7.4 8.6 9.5 11.8 13.3 24.0 43.2
Palabora (h) 47% 7.9 6.9 7.7 8.2 7.2 26.8 30.0
Rio Tinto total mine production 204.9 188.2 190.1 195.4 210.7 753.1 784.4
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper (f) 0% - - - - - 7.0 -
Escondida 30% 11.6 11.4 11.2 10.2 10.4 45.6 43.2
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 61.6 57.2 41.5 68.1 65.1 246.7 232.0
Palabora (h) 47% 8.0 9.2 9.3 10.8 9.9 33.2 39.3
Rio Tinto total refined production 81.1 77.8 62.0 89.2 85.5 332.6 314.5
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 10.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle 100% 9,011 8,633 9,393 5,995 6,455 20,620 30,476
Diavik 60% 901 1,049 1,509 1,306 1,098 4,545 4,963
Murowa (i) 78% 34 51 52 48 44 36 195
Rio Tinto total diamond production 9,946 9,733 10,954 7,349 7,598 25,202 35,635
GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Barneys Canyon 100% 5 4 4 4 4 22 16
Bingham Canyon 100% 109 115 95 92 99 308 401
Cortez/Pipeline 40% 87 88 110 89 74 421 361
Escondida 30% 15 16 13 13 13 65 55
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% - - - - - 14 -
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 35 159 140 122 248 83 670
Greens Creek 70% 14 15 14 11 12 61 51
Kelian (j) 90% 90 31 8 - - 295 38
Lihir (k) 0% 24 15 19 28 - 87 61
Morro do Ouro (l) 0% 23 - - - - 96 -
Northparkes 80% 18 10 11 12 13 63 46
Rawhide 51% 6 6 5 3 4 25 18
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (m) 0% - - - - - 6 -
Others - 1 2 2 2 2 7 7
Rio Tinto total mine production 428 460 420 376 469 1,552 1,726
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 68 90 76 92 110 300 369
IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar 60% 1,312 1,524 1,311 1,371 980 5,855 5,186
Corumba 100% 375 377 372 371 290 1,301 1,410
Eastern Range (n) 1,272 1,295 1,831 1,897 1,536 2,970 6,559
Hamersley 100% 17,587 15,836 19,704 18,915 19,931 65,407 74,387
Iron Ore Company of Canada (o) 59% 2,058 2,014 2,459 2,292 2,424 6,541 9,188
Robe River 53% 6,299 6,572 6,489 7,341 7,362 25,684 27,764
Rio Tinto total mine production 28,903 27,618 32,166 32,187 32,522 107,757 124,494
LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 3.4 3.4 3.3 2.5 2.7 13.9 11.9
Zinkgruvan (p) 0% - - - - - 11.2 -
Rio Tinto total mine production 3.4 3.4 3.3 2.5 2.7 25.1 11.9
MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 2.8 3.9 3.3 3.9 4.6 6.8 15.6
NICKEL
Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress (m) 0% - - - - - 1,619 -
SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt 65% 1,131 1,383 1,392 1,121 1,610 4,792 5,507
SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon 100% 1,121 1,140 1,050 884 884 3,584 3,958
Escondida 30% 427 434 439 505 593 1,724 1,970
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% - - - - - 79 -
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 583 118 249 280 718 784 1,364
Greens Creek 70% 1,664 2,120 1,797 1,313 1,562 6,821 6,791
Zinkgruvan (p) 0% - - - - - 651 -
Others - 235 209 193 216 226 1,187 843
Rio Tinto total mine production 4,031 4,020 3,726 3,197 3,982 14,830 14,926
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 944 755 1,138 830 814 3,344 3,538
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 10.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group 100% 354 357 363 336 356 1,443 1,412
TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo (g) 0% - - - - - 59 -
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 319 321 328 327 335 1,192 1,312
URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia 68% 1,026 1,025 936 1,035 1,040 3,517 4,037
Rossing 69% 549 592 497 712 745 2,457 2,545
Rio Tinto total uranium production 1,575 1,617 1,434 1,747 1,785 5,974 6,582
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 11.7 10.0 10.4 8.1 8.7 44.1 37.2
Zinkgruvan (p) 0% - - - - - 29.7 -
Rio Tinto total mine production 11.7 10.0 10.4 8.1 8.7 73.8 37.2
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.
See footnotes below.
a) Comalco Alumina Refinery started production in the fourth quarter of 2004.
b) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Boke mine on
25 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
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 reduced its shareholding in Hail Creek from 92.0% to 82.0% on
15 November 2004.
e) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as
it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the
mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of
production.
f) From mid 1995 until 30 March 2004, Rio Tinto held 23.93 million shares of
Freeport-McMoRan-Copper & Gold (FCX) common stock from which it derived a
share of production. This interest was sold to FCX on 30 March 2004. Also,
through a joint venture agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled, as shown
separately in the above tables, to 40% of additional material mined as a
consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since
1998.
g) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 49% interest in Somincor on 18 June
2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
h) 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%.
i) Ore mining and processing at Murowa commenced during the third quarter of
2004.
j) Kelian ceased processing ore on 7 February 2005 and the final gold pour was
on 27 May 2005.
k) On 30 November 2005, Rio Tinto sold its interest in Lihir Gold; it had
previously relinquished the management contract for Lihir at the end of
September 2005. 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.
l) Rio Tinto sold its interest in Morro do Ouro on 31 December 2004. Production
data are shown up to the date of sale.
m) As a result of the corporate restructuring completed on 8 July 2004, Rio
Tinto has ceased to be an ordinary shareholder in the renamed RioZim but
will retain a reduced cash participation in its gold and nickel assets for
a period of ten years.
n) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from the
Eastern Range mine, which commenced production in March 2004. 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.
o) Rio Tinto sold its 19% interest in the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund
on 23 March 2005. The Fund has a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada
but this was not included in the calculation of tonnage attributable to
Rio Tinto.
p) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Zinkgruvan mine on
2 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
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 2005.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Weipa mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 3,333 3,443 3,674 3,781 4,576 12,649 15,474
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) 3,242 3,466 3,472 3,979 4,034 12,298 14,952
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 44 32 42 34 22 168 130
Boke mine (a) 0.0%
Guinea
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 5,773 -
Comalco Alumina Refinery (b) 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 175 196 228 191 220 175 835
Eurallumina refinery 56.2%
Sardinia, Italy
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 274 264 267 267 273 1,064 1,070
Queensland Alumina refinery 38.6%
Queensland, Australia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 887 948 1,038 995 972 3,778 3,953
Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0%
United Kingdom
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 36.1 35.6 35.8 35.8 36.7 144.8 143.9
Bell Bay smelter 100.0%
Tasmania, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 41.2 42.8 43.5 43.9 43.6 162.0 173.8
Boyne Island smelter 59.4%
Queensland, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 135.8 132.5 136.1 137.9 138.4 540.5 544.9
Tiwai Point smelter 79.4%
New Zealand
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 88.6 85.4 87.7 90.2 88.1 350.3 351.4
Rio Tinto Aluminium share
Share of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes) 210.2 196.7 215.3 221.6 225.0 840.7 858.6
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Boke mine on 25
June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
(b) Comalco Alumina Refinery started production in the fourth quarter of 2004.
BORATES
Rio Tinto Borax 100.0%
California, US and Argentina
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) 137 122 146 141 151 565 560
(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
COAL
Kennecott Energy and Coal Company
Antelope mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,229 6,687 6,788 7,287 6,413 26,928 27,174
Colowyo mine (a)
Colorado, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,412 1,315 1,315 1,219 1,477 5,788 5,325
Cordero Rojo mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 9,358 9,170 8,736 7,687 8,642 35,233 34,234
Decker mine 50.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,471 1,080 1,745 1,683 1,781 7,831 6,288
Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,792 9,032 8,188 8,014 8,590 34,979 33,823
Spring Creek mine 100.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,046 2,497 3,018 3,243 3,122 10,892 11,881
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 32,307 29,780 29,789 29,131 30,025 121,649 118,724
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 32,307 29,780 29,789 29,131 30,025 121,649 118,724
(a) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as
it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the
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 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
COAL (continued)
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a)
Bengalla mine 30.3%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 975 1,430 1,274 1,208 2,053 5,312 5,965
Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,027 2,655 2,512 2,799 2,634 12,229 10,600
Hail Creek Coal mine (b) 82.0%
Queensland, Australia
Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,264 1,386 1,492 1,473 1,549 5,104 5,900
Hunter Valley Operations 75.7%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,340 2,765 2,497 2,429 2,651 11,172 10,341
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 308 570 530 555 378 2,097 2,033
Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 76 200 283 179 112 623 774
Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 361 957 912 683 393 2,659 2,946
Mount Thorley Operations 60.6%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 817 718 612 836 529 2,762 2,695
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 129 268 458 261 281 785 1,267
Tarong Coal mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,651 1,784 1,334 1,804 1,549 7,004 6,470
Warkworth mine 42.1%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,560 1,380 1,335 1,736 1,495 5,552 5,946
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 239 50 145 85 67 1,403 347
Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,625 2,343 2,403 2,157 1,943 7,763 8,846
Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,734 1,973 2,312 1,557 1,684 6,864 7,526
Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (c) 12,122 11,821 10,979 11,891 11,746 48,939 46,438
Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e) 11,526 12,409 10,813 12,424 11,816 48,780 47,463
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 13,748 14,164 13,382 14,048 13,689 56,702 55,283
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 13,260 14,382 13,126 13,981 13,500 55,644 54,989
Rio Tinto Coal Australia share
Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,481 1,608 1,881 1,268 1,374 5,987 6,131
Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e) 7,767 8,306 7,241 8,399 7,719 32,804 31,666
(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) Rio Tinto reduced its shareholding in Hail Creek from 92.0% to 82.0% on
15 November 2004.
(c) Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.
(d) Other coal sales includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and
semi-hard coking coal (a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal).
(e) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded
coal.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
COPPER & GOLD
Escondida 30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 20,925 19,913 21,725 22,255 22,161 82,378 86,054
Average copper grade (%) 1.47 1.41 1.51 1.59 1.58 1.51 1.53
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 265.1 241.1 277.8 304.4 304.0 1,045.6 1,127.3
Contained gold ('000 ounces) 51 55 44 42 43 217 183
Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,424 1,446 1,462 1,682 1,975 5,747 6,565
Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 4,282 4,236 4,218 4,214 4,261 15,643 16,930
Average copper grade (%) 0.96 0.99 0.85 0.82 0.72 1.03 0.84
Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000 41 42 36 35 31 162 143
tonnes)
Refined production:
Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes) 38.5 37.9 37.2 34.1 34.8 152.1 143.9
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (a)
Grasberg mine 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 21,142 17,946 19,271 19,899 21,791 67,750 78,907
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%) 1.17 1.14 0.98 1.06 1.31 0.87 1.13
Gold (g/t) 1.20 1.62 1.43 1.16 2.33 0.88 1.65
Silver (g/t) 4.32 5.26 4.54 4.36 5.36 3.85 4.88
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 223.1 183.5 164.1 185.5 260.8 516.4 793.9
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 684 788 750 609 1,400 1,584 3,546
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,956 1,805 1,576 1,662 2,489 5,037 7,531
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 213.1 173.0 164.4 179.9 249.0 495.6 766.3
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 652 743 759 594 1,342 1,524 3,438
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,490 1,358 1,257 1,284 1,897 3,857 5,795
(a) See note (f) on page 10 concerning Rio Tinto's previous direct interest
in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and its continuing 40% interest in the
expansion of Grasberg.
(b) Net of smelter deductions.
Atlantic Copper smelter 0.0%
Spain
Concentrates and scrap smelted ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 187.1 -
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) - - - - - 57.5 -
Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 58.4 -
Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d) - - - - - 50.8 -
(c) New metal excluding recycled material.
(d) Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.
Kelian Equatorial Mining (a) 90.0%
East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 2,141 826 - - - 8,451 826
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 2.15 1.68 - - - 1.78 1.68
Silver (g/t) 4.61 2.29 - - - 4.15 2.29
Production:
Gold ('000 ounces) 100 34 8 - - 328 43
Silver ('000 ounces) 86 27 4 - - 295 32
Sales:
Gold ('000 ounces) 19 90 10 - - 278 100
Silver ('000 ounces) - - 304 - - 148 304
(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 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company
Cortez/Pipeline mine 40.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000 tonnes) 759 823 868 759 798 3,093 3,247
Leached ('000 tonnes) 8,619 8,021 5,962 5,725 3,352 34,649 23,059
Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes) 109 42 72 90 73 423 277
Average ore grade: gold
Milled (g/t) 3.82 4.78 5.62 4.81 4.71 5.43 5.00
Leached (g/t) 0.66 0.67 0.60 0.49 0.49 0.71 0.58
Sold for roasting (g/t) 7.95 7.26 6.52 6.73 8.89 6.76 7.33
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 217 220 274 223 186 1,051 904
Greens Creek mine 70.3%
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 189 168 178 154 151 731 651
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 4.95 5.46 5.22 4.71 5.02 5.60 5.12
Silver (g/t) 533 735 608 527 615 571 623
Zinc (%) 10.9 10.8 10.5 9.6 10.4 11.1 10.3
Lead (%) 3.9 4.3 4.1 3.6 3.9 4.1 4.0
Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold ('000 ounces) 20 21 20 15 17 86 73
Silver ('000 ounces) 2,368 3,016 2,557 1,869 2,222 9,707 9,664
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 16.6 14.2 14.7 11.6 12.4 62.7 52.9
Lead ('000 tonnes) 4.8 4.8 4.7 3.5 3.8 19.8 16.9
Rawhide mine (a) 51.0%
Nevada, US
Metals produced in dore:
Gold ('000 ounces) 12 11 9 7 8 50 35
Silver ('000 ounces) 121 103 88 63 67 462 320
(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.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 5 4 4 4 4 22 16
(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) 12,219 11,664 11,757 11,875 11,369 45,712 46,664
Average ore grade:
Copper (%) 0.67 0.60 0.53 0.47 0.51 0.63 0.53
Gold (g/t) 0.38 0.42 0.35 0.34 0.38 0.29 0.37
Silver (g/t) 3.60 3.75 3.36 2.81 3.02 3.04 3.23
Molybdenum (%) 0.055 0.063 0.057 0.052 0.058 0.033 0.058
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 291 243 231 193 213 1,106 881
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 25.3 25.5 24.4 26.0 24.1 23.8 25.0
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 73.9 62.1 56.7 50.2 51.6 263.7 220.6
Gold ('000 ounces) 109 115 95 92 99 308 401
Silver ('000 ounces) 1,121 1,140 1,050 884 884 3,584 3,958
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes): 5.3 7.1 6.3 7.6 8.6 12.9 29.5
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 2.8 3.9 3.3 3.9 4.6 6.8 15.6
Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 229 217 224 300 300 1,098 1,042
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 54.8 50.4 43.1 68.6 67.3 239.6 229.3
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes) 61.6 57.2 41.5 68.1 65.1 246.7 232.0
Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 68 90 76 92 110 300 369
Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 944 755 1,138 830 814 3,344 3,538
(b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(c) New metal excluding recycled material.
(d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.
Northparkes Joint Venture 80.0%
New South Wales, Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,306 1,300 1,360 1,372 1,421 5,008 5,453
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 0.93 1.06 0.97 1.17 1.27 0.79 1.12
Gold (g/t) 0.59 0.46 0.43 0.47 0.49 0.66 0.46
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 25.5 30.2 33.7 39.5 43.9 83.0 147.2
Contained copper in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 tonnes) 9.3 10.7 11.9 14.7 16.7 30.0 54.0
Sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 6.9 9.4 9.8 11.0 13.1 20.0 43.4
Contained gold in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 ounces) 22.5 12.5 13.4 15.0 16.1 79.4 57.0
Sales ('000 ounces) (a) 18.1 15.5 9.0 10.6 14.7 59.9 49.9
(a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Palabora (a) 47.2%
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 2,314 2,156 2,459 2,572 2,349 8,657 9,536
Average ore grade: copper (%) 0.73 0.72 0.71 0.71 0.72 0.74 0.72
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 52.2 48.0 48.4 52.9 47.8 187.7 197.1
Average concentrate grade: copper (%) 30.6 29.3 32.2 31.3 31.2 29.0 31.0
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 16.0 14.1 15.6 16.6 14.9 54.4 61.2
Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes) 67.0 75.2 71.7 75.2 82.2 253.4 304.4
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) 17.3 20.0 19.4 22.7 22.4 67.2 84.5
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes) 16.2 18.7 19.0 22.1 20.6 67.5 80.3
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes) 165 201 189 267 231 574 888
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes) 41 34 57 37 57 167 186
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes) 51 48 54 53 55 193 210
(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%.
Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Morro do Ouro mine (a) 0.0%
Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 4,163 - - - - 17,342 -
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 0.46 - - - - 0.45 -
Refined gold produced ('000 ounces) 46 - - - - 188 -
(a) Rio Tinto sold its interest in Morro do Ouro on 31 December 2004.
Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (a)
Renco mine 0.0%
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 146 -
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) - - - - - 3.30 -
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) - - - - - 11 -
(a) As a result of the corporate restructuring completed on 8 July 2004, Rio
Tinto has ceased to be an ordinary shareholder in the renamed RioZim but
will retain a reduced cash participation in its gold and nickel assets for
a period of ten years.
Somincor (a)
Neves Corvo mine 0.0%
Portugal
Total ore treated ('000 tonnes) (b) - - - - - 878 -
of which, treated to extract tin ('000 - - - - - 13 -
tonnes)
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) - - - - - 6.04 -
Tin (%) - - - - - 1.93 -
Copper production:
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 198.3 -
Copper concentrate grade: copper (%) - - - - - 23.7 -
Copper in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 46.9 -
Tin production:
Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 0.2 -
Tin concentrate grade: tin (%) - - - - - 65.9 -
Tin in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 0.1 -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 49% interest in Somincor on 18 June
2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
(b) Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
DIAMONDS
Argyle Diamonds 100.0%
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,618 2,342 2,358 2,111 2,158 9,576 8,969
AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) 9,011 8,633 9,393 5,995 6,455 20,620 30,476
Diavik Diamonds 60.0%
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 455 495 612 619 497 1,950 2,222
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 1,502 1,749 2,515 2,177 1,831 7,575 8,272
Murowa Diamonds (a) 77.8%
Zimbabwe
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 27 29 28 49 73 30 178
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 44 66 67 61 57 47 251
(a) Ore mining and processing commenced during the third quarter of 2004.
IRON ORE
Hamersley Iron
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price,
Marandoo, Yandicoogina and Brockman 100.0% 17,587 15,836 19,704 18,915 19,931 65,407 74,387
Channar 60.0% 2,187 2,540 2,185 2,284 1,634 9,759 8,644
Eastern Range (a) 1,272 1,295 1,831 1,897 1,536 2,970 6,559
Total production ('000 tonnes) 21,046 19,671 23,720 23,097 23,101 78,135 89,590
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b) 20,913 20,024 21,885 22,387 25,793 76,512 90,090
(a) Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine which commenced production in
March 2004. 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.
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada
Carol Lake operations 58.7%
Saleable iron ore production:
Concentrates ('000 tonnes) 155 307 745 581 683 1,225 2,316
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 3,349 3,122 3,442 3,322 3,445 9,914 13,331
Sales:
Concentrate ('000 tonnes) 432 204 612 552 755 1,638 2,123
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 2,517 2,344 3,326 2,951 4,230 9,841 12,851
Rio Tinto Brasil
Corumba mine 100.0%
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a) 375 377 372 371 290 1,301 1,410
Sales ('000 tonnes) 362 392 243 391 276 1,381 1,303
(a) Production includes by-product fines.
Robe River Iron Associates
Pannawonica mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 7,610 7,333 7,574 8,076 7,998 29,970 30,981
Sales ('000 tonnes) 9,260 7,939 7,118 7,802 8,203 31,202 31,062
West Angelas mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 4,276 5,067 4,670 5,775 5,891 18,490 21,403
Sales ('000 tonnes) 4,764 4,932 4,469 5,902 6,187 19,226 21,491
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL FULL
Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR
Tinto
interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005
NICKEL
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (a)
Empress Nickel refinery 0.0%
Zimbabwe
Production (tonnes) - - - - - 2,889 -
(a) As a result of the corporate restructuring completed on 8 July 2004, Rio
Tinto has ceased to be an ordinary shareholder in the renamed RioZim but
will retain a reduced cash participation in its gold and nickel assets for
a period of ten years.
SALT
Dampier Salt 64.9%
Western Australia
Salt production ('000 tonnes) 1,742 2,130 2,144 1,726 2,480 7,380 8,480
TALC
The Luzenac Group 100.0%
Australia, Europe, and North America
Talc production ('000 tonnes) 355 357 363 336 356 1,444 1,412
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%
Canada and South Africa
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 tonnes) 319 321 328 327 335 1,192 1,312
URANIUM
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Ranger mine 68.4%
Northern Territory, Australia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 1,500 1,499 1,369 1,514 1,521 5,143 5,903
Rossing Uranium Ltd 68.6%
Namibia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 801 863 725 1,038 1,086 3,582 3,711
ZINC
Zinkgruvan Mining AB 0.0%
Sweden
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 335 -
Average ore grades:
Zinc (%) - - - - - 9.6 -
Lead (%) - - - - - 3.9 -
Silver (g/t) - - - - - 86 -
Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 53.5 -
Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 15.8 -
Production of metal in concentrates:
Zinc ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 29.7 -
Lead ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 11.2 -
Silver ('000 ounces) - - - - - 651 -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Zinkgruvan mine
on 2 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%
basis unless otherwise stated.
This information is provided by RNS
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