Third quarter operations review

RNS Number : 4597C
Rio Tinto PLC
15 October 2015
 



 

Rio Tinto releases strong third quarter production results

 

16 October 2015

 

Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said "We continue to deliver efficient production, rigorous cost control and sound allocation of capital. This approach is ensuring that our tier one assets generate substantial free cash flow even during a challenging economic environment. Our expanded Pilbara infrastructure is in place, and the Iron Ore Product Group is successfully commissioning and testing the system, reflected in the increased iron ore shipments to our customers during the period. Our cash generated from operations will enable us to deliver strong returns to shareholders through the cycle and our balance sheet will be further strengthened by recent divestment activity."

 



Q3 2015

vs Q3 2014

vs Q2 2015

9 mths

2015

vs 9 mths 2014

Global iron ore shipments (100% basis)

Mt

91.3

+17%

+12%

245.3

+11%

Global iron ore production (100% basis)

Mt

86.1

+12%

+8%

240.4

+11%

Bauxite

kt

11,287

+4%

+6%

32,466

+4%

Aluminium

kt

830

+1%

+1%

2,457

0%

Mined copper

kt

115

-24%

-14%

393

-17%

Hard coking coal

kt

1,856

+5%

-12%

5,959

+10%

Semi-soft and thermal coal

kt

5,546

-8%

+9%

16,306

-3%

Titanium dioxide slag

kt

243

-34%

-19%

866

-23%

 

Highlights

·      The key elements of the Pilbara infrastructure expansion are now complete, with the ramp-up of iron ore mined capacity continuing to generate maximum value from the integrated system.

·      Global iron ore production increased compared to last year through productivity gains and the ramp-up of operations, with shipments on track to meet full year guidance.

Third quarter production of iron ore was 12 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2014 and was eight per cent above the second quarter of 2015.

·    Sustained strong performance in bauxite with third party shipments reaching close to 20 million tonnes to date this year following record production at Weipa. 

·    Mined copper on schedule to meet full year guidance, with Oyu Tolgoi benefiting from higher grades and Kennecott continuing its focus on the east wall de-weighting and de-watering.

·      The group further refined its portfolio with the agreed sale on 30 September 2015 of its interest in the Bengalla thermal coal Joint Venture for $606 million.

 

 

 

 

 

All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share of production, unless otherwise stated. To allow production numbers to be compared on a like-for-like basis, production from asset divestments completed in 2014 have been excluded from Rio Tinto share of production data but assets sold in 2015 remain in comparisons.

IRON ORE

 

Rio Tinto share of production (million tonnes)


Q3 2015

vs Q3 2014

vs Q2 2015

9 mths

2015

vs 9 mths 2014

Pilbara Blend Lump

19.7

+31%

+13%

53.2

+24%

Pilbara Blend Fines

28.5

+15%

+12%

78.6

+17%

Robe Valley Lump

1.5

-7%

-2%

4.5

0%

Robe Valley Fines

3.0

-7%

+5%

8.4

-8%

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

13.8

+2%

-1%

40.4

0%

IOC (pellets and concentrate)

2.8

+21%

+6%

7.5

+17%

 

Pilbara operations

Pilbara operations produced 227.6 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 185.1 million tonnes) in the first nine months of 2015, 11 per cent higher than the same period of 2014. Third quarter production of 81.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 66.5 million tonnes) was 12 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2014. These new milestones were achieved through the continued ramp-up of the Nammuldi operations, as well as a number of productivity improvements, which resulted in incremental gains across most sites. Favourable weather conditions meant that there was minimal disruption compared with the first and second quarters of 2015. 

 

Pilbara sales

​Sales of 232.1 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 189.0 million tonnes) in the first nine months were 11 per cent higher than the same period of 2014, while third quarter sales of 85.6 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 70.7 million tonnes) were 16 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2014.

Sales in the quarter exceeded production by 4.2 million tonnes, primarily drawing down on inventories at the mines. This draw-down has been a key focus in 2015 and inventories built up during the  infrastructure expansion phase are expected to be largely utilised by early 2016.

The additional tonnes produced in the quarter were incorporated into the Pilbara Blend, which provides customers with reliable, long-term supply of consistent quality. The Yandicoogina and Robe Valley products remained in high demand from major steel mills in Asia.

Approximately 22 per cent of sales in the first nine months of 2015 were priced with reference to the prior quarter's average index lagged by one month. The remainder was sold either on current quarter average, current month average or on the spot market.

 

Pilbara projects

The key elements of the Pilbara infrastructure expansion were completed in the second quarter of 2015, with the ramp-up of brownfield mined capacity continuing to generate maximum value from the integrated system. Around 40 Mt/a of very low-cost brownfield expansions were completed in the first half of 2015, principally at the West Angelas, Nammuldi and Brockman mines, at an average capital intensity of around $9 per tonne.

 

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

During the first nine months of 2015, IOC demonstrated a significant shift in operational performance, attributable to improved haul truck and mill availability and enhanced productivity rates for haul trucks and shovels. This resulted in a 21 per cent increase in concentrates produced to 5.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 3.2 million tonnes) and a 14 per cent rise in pellet production to 7.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 4.3 million tonnes).

Higher production flowed through to a 24 per cent improvement in sales to 13.2 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 7.7 million tonnes) in the first nine months of 2015. Third quarter sales were particularly strong, with concentrate sales of 3.2 million tonnes and pellet shipments of 2.6 million tonnes.

 

2015 guidance

Rio Tinto's expected 2015 global shipments are unchanged at around 340 million tonnes (100 per cent basis), from its operations in Australia and Canada.



ALUMINIUM

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)


Q3 2015

vs Q3 2014

vs Q2 2015

9 mths

2015

vs 9 mths 2014

Rio Tinto Aluminium






Bauxite

11,287

+4%

+6%

32,466

+4%

Alumina

1,957

+4%

+2%

5,777

+5%

Aluminium

830

+1%

+1%

2,457

0%

 

Bauxite

The strong performance in bauxite was sustained into the third quarter, driven by record quarterly and nine month production at Weipa, which gave rise to a nine month record for the Group.

Weipa benefited from increased plant throughput while Gove continued to ramp up its export capability, running at just under an eight million tonne run-rate in the third quarter of 2015.

Third quarter and year to date bauxite production was four per cent higher than the corresponding periods of 2014 and enabled the group to ship close to 20 million tonnes to third parties in the first nine months of 2015, a 19 per cent improvement on the same period of 2014.

 

Alumina

Alumina production for the first nine months of 2015 was up by five per cent compared with the same period of 2014 (excluding production from the Gove refinery which was curtailed in May 2014), reflecting improved productivity at Queensland Alumina and Yarwun.

 

Aluminium

Year to date and third quarter aluminium production was marginally higher than the same periods of 2014. Record quarterly production at eight of the smelters more than offset lower production from Kitimat as it commissioned the modernised smelter. Kitimat has started to ramp up towards nameplate capacity of 420 thousand tonnes (a 48 per cent increase over previous nameplate capacity), which is expected to be achieved in early 2016.

 

2015 guidance

Rio Tinto's expected share of production of bauxite and aluminium are unchanged at 43 million tonnes and 3.3 million tonnes, respectively. The expected share of alumina production has been revised to 7.8 million tonnes (previously 8.0 million tonnes).

 

 



 

COPPER & COAL

 

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)


Q3 2015

vs Q3 2014

vs Q2 2015

9 mths

2015

vs 9 mths 2014

Mined copper






Kennecott Utah Copper

22.2

-58%

+28%

66.3

-64%

Escondida

73.8

-12%

-25%

278.5

+10%

Grasberg

0.0

n/a

n/a

0.0

n/a

Oyu Tolgoi

18.8

+53%

+1%

48.6

+48%







Refined copper






Kennecott Utah Copper

14.3

-77%

-57%

92.5

-50%

Escondida

21.5

+3%

-19%

71.3

+5%







Coal






Hard coking coal

1,856

+5%

-12%

5,959

+10%

Semi-soft coking coal

928

+44%

-9%

2,850

+15%

Thermal coal

4,618

-14%

+13%

13,456

-6%

 

Kennecott Utah Copper

Mined copper production for the first nine months was substantially lower than the same period of 2014 due to the continuing focus on de-weighting and de-watering the east wall of Bingham Canyon. The 28 per cent improvement on the second quarter was primarily attributable to higher head grades.

Lower mine production was partly mitigated by an inventory drawdown, resulting in refined production in the first nine months of 2015 being 50 per cent lower than in the same period of 2014. To optimise smelter utilisation, Kennecott continues to toll third party concentrate, with 288 thousand tonnes received for processing in the first nine months of 2015. Tolled copper concentrate, smelted and returned to customers, is excluded from reported production figures.

 

Escondida

Mined copper production at Escondida in the first nine months of 2015 was ten per cent higher than the same period of 2014, primarily due to higher grades and throughput. Third quarter production was 25 per cent lower than the second quarter due to lower grades and the planned shutdown of the Laguna Seca concentrator for maintenance activities. In conjunction with lower grades, production may also be impacted by water availability in the last quarter of 2015.

 

Oyu Tolgoi

Mined copper production for the first nine months of 2015 was 48 per cent higher than the same period of 2014, attributable to higher grades and improved throughput.

On 18 May 2015, the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd and Rio Tinto signed the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan which provides a pathway forward in addressing shareholder matters to restart underground development. Next steps include approval of the updated underground feasibility study and project financing, as well as securing all necessary permits for operating the underground mine.

 

Grasberg

Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (Freeport), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40 per cent of material mined above an agreed threshold, as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. Rio Tinto does not expect 2015 production to exceed the metal attributable to Freeport and, accordingly, expects its share of joint venture production to be zero during the year. Freeport is due to announce its third quarter results on 22 October 2015.

 



 

Coal

Hard coking coal production in the first nine months was ten per cent higher than the same period of 2014 following improved production rates at Kestrel. Third quarter tonnage was 12 per cent lower than the second quarter due to a scheduled longwall changeover at Kestrel.

Thermal coal production, which was six per cent lower than in the corresponding nine months of 2014, was impacted by wet weather in the Hunter Valley earlier in the year. This was partly offset by increased tonnage at Hail Creek.

Semi-soft coking coal production was 15 per cent higher than in the corresponding nine months of 2014 reflecting mine production sequencing at Hunter Valley Operations.

On 30 September 2015, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached a binding agreement for the sale of its interest in the Bengalla Joint Venture to New Hope Corporation Limited for $606 million. The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.

 

2015 guidance

In 2015, Rio Tinto expects its share of mined copper production to be around 510 thousand tonnes (previously between 500 and 535 thousand tonnes), and refined copper production to be around 215 thousand tonnes (previously between 190 and 220 thousand tonnes).

For coal, Rio Tinto's share of production is unchanged and is expected to be 18 to 19 million tonnes of thermal coal, 3.0 to 3.4 million tonnes of semi-soft coking coal and 7.1 to 8.1 million tonnes of hard coking coal.

 

 

DIAMONDS & MINERALS

 

Rio Tinto share of production


Q3 2015

vs Q3 2014

vs Q2 2015

9 mths

2015

vs 9 mths 2014

Diamonds ('000 carats)






Argyle

3,514

+43%

+4%

10,105

+37%

Diavik

761

-24%

-41%

2,945

-14%







Minerals ('000 tonnes)






Borates - B2O3 content

 

115

-9%

-7%

369

-4%

Titanium dioxide slag

243

-34%

-19%

866

-23%







Salt ('000 tonnes)

1,281

-18%

+7%

3,892

-21%







Uranium ('000 lbs)






Energy Resources of Australia

689

-19%

+17%

2,015

+136%

Rössing

379

-38%

-30%

1,194

-30%

 

Diamonds

At Argyle, the ramp-up of production from the underground mine remained the key operational focus. As a result, carats produced were 43 per cent higher in the third quarter and 37 per cent higher year to date compared with the corresponding periods of 2014.

At Diavik, third quarter carats recovered were lower than the same quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2015 due to lower processing volumes and lower recovered grades from the A418 and A154N pipes.

 

Minerals

Borates production in the first nine months of 2015 was four per cent lower than in the same period of 2014 driven primarily by lower market demand.

 

Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium (RTIT)

Titanium dioxide slag production was 23 per cent lower in the first nine months of 2015 than in the same period of 2014. RTIT has taken the following actions to optimise production, align it with market demand and deliver further free cash flow:

·      two of the nine furnaces have been idled at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) in Quebec since April 2015.

·      one of the four furnaces at Richards Bay Minerals has been idled since mid-September 2015 to align the smelter rebuild schedule with market conditions.

·      the normal winter shutdown at the Havre Saint Pierre hard rock ilmenite mine in Quebec has been extended, with operations suspended from late October 2015 until March 2016.

 

Salt

Salt production in the first nine months of 2015 was lower than the same period of 2014 as a result of weaker demand.

 

Uranium

Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) continues to process existing stockpiles. Third quarter production was 17 per cent higher than the second quarter due to higher mill head grade, improved recoveries and increased throughput.   

Year to date production at Rössing was 30 per cent lower than the same period of 2014, largely as a result of lower grades and recoveries.

 

2015 guidance

Rio Tinto is maintaining its expected share of titanium dioxide slag production in 2015 at 1.0 to 1.1 million tonnes, as announced on 7 September 2015, while its expected share of boric acid equivalent production is unchanged at 0.5 million tonnes. Rio Tinto now expects its share of diamond production to be 18 million carats (previously 20 million carats), reflecting the decision to pause final product processing in the fourth quarter at Argyle in light of current market conditions.

Rio Tinto's share of uranium production is unchanged and is expected to be approximately five million pounds.

 

 

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

 

Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first nine months of 2015 was $392 million (of which $149 million was spent in the third quarter), compared with $566 million in the same period of 2014. Approximately 37 per cent of this expenditure was incurred by Copper & Coal, six per cent by Iron Ore, 21 per cent by Diamonds & Minerals and 36 per cent by central exploration.

There were no significant divestments of central exploration properties in the quarter.

 

Exploration highlights

Rio Tinto has a strong portfolio of projects with activity in 18 countries across some eight commodities.  The bulk of our exploration spend in the period was focused on copper targets in Botswana, Chile, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Russia, the United States and Zambia.  Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto managed businesses including Pilbara Iron, Rio Tinto Coal Australia, Richards Bay Minerals, Oyu Tolgoi, Weipa and Kennecott.

 



 

A summary of activity for the period is as follows:

 

Product Group

Evaluation

projects

Advanced

projects

Greenfield

programmes

Aluminium

South of Embley and Cape York, Australia

Amargosa orbit, Brazil

Australia, Brazil, Laos

Copper & Coal

Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US

Copper: La Granja, Peru

Copper/gold: Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia

Coal: Mt Pleasant and Hail Creek, Australia

Nickel: Tamarack, US

Coal: Bowen Basin, Hunter Valley, Australia

 

Copper: Australia, Botswana, Chile, China, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Peru, Russia, US, Zambia

Nickel: Canada

Diamonds & Minerals

Diamonds: Bunder, India;

Lithium borates: Jadar, Serbia

Heavy mineral sands: Mutamba, Mozambique; Zulti South, South Africa

Iron Ore: Simandou, Guinea

Uranium: Roughrider, Canada

Potash: KP405, Canada

Diamonds: Canada, India

Heavy mineral sands: Gabon

Uranium: Australia, Canada, US

Iron Ore

Pilbara, Australia

Pilbara, Australia

Botswana

 



 

Contacts

 

media.enquiries@riotinto.com

 

www.riotinto.com

 

 Follow @riotinto on Twitter

 

 

 

Media Relations, EMEA/Americas

Illtud Harri

T +44 20 7781 1152

M +44 7920 503 600

 

David Outhwaite

T +44 20 7781 1623

M +44 7787 597 493

 

David Luff
T + 44 20 7781 1177
M + 44 7780 226 422

 

Investor Relations, EMEA/Americas

John Smelt

T +44 20 7781 1654

M +44 7879 642 675

 

David Ovington

T +44 20 7781 2051

M +44 7920 010 978

 

Grant Donald

T +44 20 7781 1262

M +44 7920 587 805

Media Relations, Australia/Asia

Ben Mitchell

T +61 3 9283 3620

M +61 419 850 212

 

Bruce Tobin

T +61 3 9283 3612

M +61 419 103 454

 

Matt Klar

T + 61 7 3625 4244
M + 61 457 525 578

 

Investor Relations, Australia/Asia

Natalie Worley

T +61 3 9283 3063

M +61 409 210 462

 

Rachel Storrs

T +61 3 9283 3628

M +61 417 401 018

 

 



 

 

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

120 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


2014
Q3

2015
Q2

2015
Q3


2014
9 MTHS

2015
9 MTHS


Q3 15 
vs
Q3 14

Q3 15 
vs
Q2 15

9 MTHS 15 
vs
9 MTHS 14

Principal Commodities












Alumina

('000 t)

1,877

1,925

1,957


6,203

5,777


4%

2%

-7%

Aluminium

('000 t)

825

818

830


2,452

2,457


1%

1%

0%

Bauxite

('000 t)

10,889

10,695

11,287


31,077

32,466


4%

6%

4%

Borates

('000 t)

127

124

115


385

369


-9%

-7%

-4%

Coal - hard coking

('000 t)

1,773

2,101

1,856


5,416

5,959


5%

-12%

10%

Coal - semi-soft coking

('000 t)

645

1,024

928


2,484

2,850


44%

-9%

15%

Coal - thermal

('000 t)

5,355

4,075

4,618


14,322

13,456


-14%

13%

-6%

Copper - mined

('000 t)

151.8

134.3

114.9


474.7

393.3


-24%

-14%

-17%

Copper - refined

('000 t)

83.5

59.9

35.8


253.8

163.8


-57%

-40%

-35%

Diamonds

('000 cts)

3,549

4,696

4,275


11,031

13,126


20%

-9%

19%

Iron ore

('000 t)

60,450

63,892

69,316


170,318

192,620


15%

8%

13%

Titanium dioxide slag

('000 t)

365

301

243


1,127

866


-34%

-19%

-23%

Uranium

('000 lbs)

1,467

1,131

1,068


2,567

3,209


-27%

-6%

25%

Other Metals & Minerals












Gold - mined

('000 oz)

138.4

116.9

79.3


355.8

276.0


-43%

-32%

-22%

Gold - refined

('000 oz)

79.3

51.6

34.1


201.1

148.0


-57%

-34%

-26%

Molybdenum

('000 t)

5.6

2.6

1.8


8.9

7.0


-68%

-32%

-21%

Salt

('000 t)

1,567

1,193

1,281


4,942

3,892


-18%

7%

-21%

Silver - mined

('000 oz)

1,390

804

846


3,959

2,604


-39%

5%

-34%

Silver - refined

('000 oz)

759

501

296


2,175

1,495


-61%

-41%

-31%













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

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










ALUMINA









Production ('000 tonnes)









  Jonquière (Vaudreuil)

100%

358

373

360

359

369

1,070

1,089

  Queensland Alumina

80%

741

748

739

741

765

2,106

2,245

  São Luis (Alumar)

10%

94

95

86

94

93

269

273

  Yarwun

100%

656

687

683

700

703

2,001

2,087

  Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty alumina plant

100%

28

27

27

30

27

81

84

Aluminium Product Group total


1,877

1,931

1,896

1,925

1,957

5,527

5,777

Other Aluminium - Gove refinery (a)

100%

0

0

0

0

0

676

0

Rio Tinto total alumina production


1,877

1,931

1,896

1,925

1,957

6,203

5,777










ALUMINIUM









Production ('000 tonnes)









  Australia - Bell Bay

100%

48

48

46

47

48

141

142

  Australia - Boyne Island

59%

85

86

84

86

87

242

257

  Australia - Tomago

52%

73

74

73

75

76

215

224

  Canada - six wholly owned

100%

320

317

306

305

316

962

927

  Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)

40%

58

59

59

61

61

174

181

  Canada - Bécancour

25%

28

28

26

28

27

83

82

  France - Dunkerque

100%

68

68

67

68

69

202

205

  Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)

100%

51

52

51

51

48

153

151

  New Zealand - Tiwai Point

79%

65

65

65

66

67

194

197

  Oman - Sohar

20%

18

19

19

19

19

54

56

  UK - Lochaber

100%

10

11

12

12

12

31

35

Rio Tinto total aluminium production


825

827

809

818

830

2,452

2,457










BAUXITE









Production ('000 tonnes) (b)









   Gove

100%

1,725

1,574

1,710

1,863

1,966

4,954

5,538

   Porto Trombetas

12%

501

556

438

447

522

1,409

1,407

   Sangaredi

   (c)

1,819

1,721

1,632

1,444

1,681

5,391

4,757

   Weipa

100%

6,844

6,944

6,704

6,941

7,119

19,322

20,764

Rio Tinto total bauxite production


10,889

10,794

10,484

10,695

11,287

31,077

32,466



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










BORATES









Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)









  Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100%

127

123

129

124

115

385

369










COAL - hard coking









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









  Hail Creek Coal

82%

1,277

1,520

1,189

1,349

1,427

3,804

3,965

  Kestrel Coal

80%

497

119

813

752

429

1,611

1,994

Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production


1,773

1,639

2,002

2,101

1,856

5,416

5,959










COAL - semi-soft coking









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









  Hunter Valley

80%

292

440

460

780

585

1,108

1,825

  Mount Thorley

64%

317

213

311

168

254

1,037

732

  Warkworth

44%

36

76

128

76

90

340

293

Rio Tinto total semi-soft coking coal production


645

728

898

1,024

928

2,484

2,850










COAL - thermal









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









  Bengalla (d)

32%

667

660

749

568

652

2,079

1,969

  Hail Creek Coal

82%

702

524

725

601

634

1,366

1,959

  Hunter Valley

80%

2,732

2,275

2,184

1,579

1,925

7,264

5,687

  Kestrel Coal

80%

45

249

94

143

87

202

324

  Mount Thorley

64%

499

128

353

517

547

1,306

1,417

  Warkworth

44%

711

923

658

667

774

2,105

2,099

Rio Tinto total thermal coal production


5,355

4,759

4,762

4,075

4,618

14,322

13,456



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










COPPER









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (b)









  Bingham Canyon

100%

52.8

20.5

26.6

17.4

22.2

183.8

66.3

  Escondida

30%

84.2

88.9

106.2

98.4

73.8

252.4

278.5

  Grasberg - Joint Venture (e)

40%

2.5

2.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

5.6

0.0

  Oyu Tolgoi (f)

34%

12.3

16.9

11.3

18.5

18.8

32.9

48.6

Rio Tinto total mine production


151.8

128.3

144.1

134.3

114.9

474.7

393.3

Refined production ('000 tonnes)









  Escondida

30%

20.8

22.5

23.2

26.6

21.5

68.0

71.3

  Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

62.7

18.3

45.0

33.2

14.3

185.9

92.5

Rio Tinto total refined production


83.5

40.7

68.2

59.9

35.8

253.8

163.8










DIAMONDS









Production ('000 carats)









  Argyle

100%

2,455

1,813

3,217

3,374

3,514

7,375

10,105

  Diavik

60%

1,004

927

899

1,285

761

3,413

2,945

  Murowa (g)

0%

90

101

40

37

-

243

77

Rio Tinto total diamond production


3,549

2,841

4,155

4,696

4,275

11,031

13,126










GOLD









Mine production ('000 ounces) (b)









  Barneys Canyon

100%

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.4

0.0

  Bingham Canyon

100%

86.7

33.2

44.7

29.5

31.0

226.6

105.2

  Escondida

30%

6.6

3.8

6.4

7.7

7.1

23.2

21.2

  Grasberg - Joint Venture (e)

40%

0.8

0.7

0.0

0.0

0.0

1.5

0.0

  Oyu Tolgoi (f)

34%

44.2

93.2

28.7

79.8

41.1

104.1

149.6

Rio Tinto total mine production


138.4

131.0

79.8

116.9

79.3

355.8

276.0

Refined production ('000 ounces)









  Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

79.3

51.1

62.2

51.6

34.1

201.1

148.0



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










IRON ORE









Production ('000 tonnes) (b)









  Hamersley mines

   (h)

41,837

45,239

42,177

45,807

50,113

117,924

138,097

  Hamersley - Channar

60%

1,763

1,501

1,287

1,675

1,811

5,047

4,773

  Hope Downs

50%

5,646

5,839

5,679

5,259

5,589

15,519

16,528

  Iron Ore Company of Canada

59%

2,299

2,247

2,109

2,616

2,784

6,429

7,510

  Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

53%

4,846

4,599

4,020

4,402

4,520

13,705

12,943

  Robe River - West Angelas

53%

4,058

3,815

4,139

4,133

4,497

11,695

12,769

Rio Tinto iron ore production ('000 tonnes)


60,450

63,239

59,412

63,892

69,316

170,318

192,620

Breakdown of Production:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


14,986

16,103

16,057

17,490

19,697

42,778

53,244

  Pilbara Blend Fines


24,721

25,185

24,607

25,466

28,497

67,005

78,570

  Robe Valley Lump


1,617

1,591

1,482

1,541

1,505

4,548

4,528

  Robe Valley Fines


3,229

3,008

2,538

2,861

3,015

9,157

8,415

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


13,597

15,105

12,618

13,918

13,818

40,402

40,353

  IOC Concentrate


936

845

804

1,245

1,197

2,694

3,247

  IOC Pellets


1,364

1,402

1,305

1,372

1,587

3,735

4,264

Breakdown of Sales:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


13,730

13,778

13,231

14,620

17,178

37,432

45,029

  Pilbara Blend Fines


26,496

30,627

26,004

30,200

34,922

75,017

91,126

  Robe Valley Lump


1,405

1,435

1,257

1,320

1,405

4,070

3,983

  Robe Valley Fines


3,246

3,453

2,568

2,797

3,246

9,435

8,610

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14,198

14,628

12,336

14,004

13,934

41,642

40,274

  IOC Concentrate


1,343

732

417

1,112

1,850

2,833

3,379

  IOC Pellets


1,172

1,410

1,462

1,344

1,553

3,407

4,359

Rio Tinto iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)


61,590

66,063

57,276

65,397

74,088

173,837

196,760



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










MOLYBDENUM









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (b)









  Bingham Canyon

100%

5.6

2.6

2.7

2.6

1.8

8.9

7.0










SALT









Production ('000 tonnes)









  Dampier Salt

68%

1,567

1,852

1,418

1,193

1,281

4,942

3,892










SILVER









Mine production ('000 ounces) (b)









  Bingham Canyon

100%

970

356

486

310

362

2,578

1,158

  Escondida

30%

348

288

407

394

354

1,177

1,155

  Grasberg - Joint Venture (e)

40%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

  Oyu Tolgoi (f)

34%

72

96

62

100

130

204

291

Rio Tinto total mine production


1,390

740

954

804

846

3,959

2,604

Refined production ('000 ounces)









  Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

759

636

698

501

296

2,175

1,495










TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG









Production ('000 tonnes)









  Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (i)

100%

365

316

322

301

243

1,127

866










URANIUM









Production ('000 lbs U3O8)









  Energy Resources of Australia (j)

68%

853

904

737

589

689

853

2,015

  Rössing

69%

615

618

272

543

379

1,714

1,194

Rio Tinto total uranium production


1,467

1,523

1,010

1,131

1,068

2,567

3,209

 



 

 

Production data notes:

 

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.

(a) The curtailment of production at the Gove refinery was completed on 28 May 2014.

 

(b) 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.

 

(c) Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but benefits from 45.0% of production.

 

(d) On 30 September 2015, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached a binding agreement for the sale of its interest in the Bengalla Joint Venture.

 

(e) 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.

 

(f) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

 

(g) Rio Tinto sold its 77.8% interest in Murowa Diamonds with an effective date of 17 June 2015. Production data are shown up to that date.

 

(h) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi 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.

 

(i) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's 74% interest in Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).

 

(j) ERA production reported is 'drummed' U3O8.



The Rio Tinto percentage shown above is at 30 September 2015.


 

Rio Tinto's interest in the Benga and Clermont mines and the Alucam and SØRAL smelters were sold in 2014.  No data for these operations are included in the Share of Production table.



 

 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










ALUMINA









Smelter Grade Alumina - Aluminium Group









Alumina production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









  Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland

80.0%

926

935

924

927

956

2,632

2,806

  Yarwun refinery - Queensland

100.0%

656

687

683

700

703

2,001

2,087

Brazil









  São Luis (Alumar) refinery

10.0%

938

953

862

940

928

2,686

2,730

Canada









  Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (a)

100.0%

358

373

360

359

369

1,070

1,089


(a) Jonquière's (Vaudreuil's) production shows smelter grade alumina only and excludes hydrate produced and used for specialty alumina.

Smelter Grade Alumina - Other Aluminium


             

             

             

             

             


             

Alumina production ('000 tonnes)


             

             

             

             

             


             

Australia


             

             

             

             

             


             

  Gove refinery - Northern Territory (a)

100.0%

0

0

0

0

0

676

0


(a) The curtailment of production at the Gove refinery was completed on 28 May 2014.

Specialty Alumina - Aluminium Group









Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)









Canada









  Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant - Quebec

100.0%

28

27

27

30

27

81

84

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










ALUMINIUM









Primary Aluminium









Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









  Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania

100.0%

48

48

46

47

48

141

142

  Boyne Island smelter - Queensland

59.4%

143

145

142

145

146

408

433

  Tomago smelter - New South Wales

51.6%

142

144

141

145

147

417

434

Cameroon




             

             

             


             

  Alucam (Edéa) smelter (a)

0.0%

24

22

-

-

-

70

-

Canada









  Alma smelter - Quebec

100.0%

116

116

115

116

117

339

348

  Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec

40.0%

146

147

147

152

153

436

453

  Arvida smelter - Quebec

100.0%

44

44

43

43

43

129

129

  Arvida AP60 smelter - Quebec

100.0%

15

15

14

15

15

44

44

  Bécancour smelter - Quebec

25.1%

110

114

105

113

108

332

326

  Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec

100.0%

55

55

54

55

56

166

165

  Kitimat smelter - British Columbia

100.0%

28

24

20

15

23

101

58

  Laterrière smelter - Quebec

100.0%

62

62

60

61

61

182

183

France









  Dunkerque smelter

100.0%

68

68

67

68

69

202

205

Iceland









  ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter

100.0%

51

52

51

51

48

153

151

New Zealand









  Tiwai Point smelter

79.4%

82

82

82

83

84

245

249

Norway




             

             

             


             

  SØRAL (Husnes) smelter (b)

0.0%

23

8

-

-

-

69

-

Oman









  Sohar smelter

20.0%

92

93

93

94

94

271

281

United Kingdom









  Lochaber smelter

100.0%

10

11

12

12

12

31

35


(a) Rio Tinto sold its 46.7% interest in the Alucam (Edéa) smelter with an effective date of 31 December 2014. Production data are shown up to that date.
(b) Rio Tinto sold its 50% interest in the SØRAL (Husnes) smelter with an effective date of 31 October 2014. Production data are shown up to that date.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










BAUXITE









Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









  Gove mine - Northern Territory

100.0%

1,725

1,574

1,710

1,863

1,966

4,954

5,538

  Weipa mine - Queensland

100.0%

6,844

6,944

6,704

6,941

7,119

19,322

20,764

Brazil









  Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine

12.0%

4,177

4,633

3,651

3,723

4,351

11,743

11,726

Guinea









  Sangaredi mine (a)

23.0%

4,043

3,823

3,627

3,209

3,735

11,979

10,571










Rio Tinto share of bauxite shipments









Share of total bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


10,671

10,851

10,487

10,926

11,159

30,566

32,572

Share of third party bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


6,523

6,502

6,372

6,848

6,773

16,755

19,993


(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 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










BORATES









Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100.0%








US









  Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)


127

123

129

124

115

385

369


(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.










COAL









Rio Tinto Coal Australia









Bengalla mine (a)

32.0%








New South Wales









  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


2,083

2,061

2,341

1,776

2,036

6,497

6,153

Clermont Coal mine (b)

0.0%

             

             






Queensland


             

             






  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


-

-

-

-

-

4,832

-

Hail Creek Coal mine

82.0%








Queensland









  Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)


1,557

1,853

1,450

1,645

1,740

4,639

4,835

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


856

639

884

733

773

1,665

2,390

Hunter Valley Operations

80.0%








New South Wales









  Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


365

550

574

976

731

1,385

2,281

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


3,415

2,844

2,730

1,974

2,406

9,080

7,109

Kestrel Coal mine

80.0%








Queensland









  Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)


621

149

1,017

940

536

2,014

2,493

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


56

311

118

178

109

253

405

Mount Thorley Operations

64.0%








New South Wales









  Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


496

333

485

263

396

1,620

1,144

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


780

200

551

809

854

2,041

2,214

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










COAL (continued)









Warkworth mine

44.5%








New South Wales









  Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


80

170

287

170

201

763

659

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


1,598

2,073

1,478

1,499

1,740

4,729

4,717

Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


2,178

2,002

2,467

2,585

2,277

6,653

7,328

Total semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


942

1,052

1,347

1,408

1,329

3,768

4,084

Total thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


8,787

8,129

8,101

6,968

7,918

29,098

22,988

Total coal production ('000 tonnes)


11,906

11,183

11,915

10,961

11,524

39,519

34,400










Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)


11,409

12,395

11,926

11,016

11,455

38,992

34,397

Rio Tinto Coal Australia share (c)









Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes)


1,563

1,978

1,925

2,405

1,722

5,705

6,052

Share of semi-soft coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d)


790

812

929

963

932

2,413

2,825

Share of thermal coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d)


4,972

5,183

4,781

3,913

4,689

16,246

13,383


(a) On 30 September 2015, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached a binding agreement for the sale of its interest in the Bengalla Joint Venture.
(b) Rio Tinto sold its 50.1% interest in the Clermont mine with an effective date of 29 May 2014. Production data are shown up to that date.
(c) Kestrel produces hard coking coal and thermal coal through its mining operations. These coals may be blended at ports.
(d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.

Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique









Benga mine (a)

0.0%








Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


236

26

-

-

-

615

-

Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


216

23

-

-

-

570

-


(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique and its 65% interest in the Benga mine with an effective date of 7 October 2014. Production data are shown up to that date.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










COPPER & GOLD









Escondida

30.0%








Chile









Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)


20,652

18,354

21,382

22,909

22,820

63,140

67,111

  Average copper grade (%)


1.20

1.45

1.49

1.32

1.00

1.22

1.27

Mill production (metals in concentrates):









  Contained copper ('000 tonnes)


205.5

215.7

270.6

249.6

169.7

636.7

690.0

  Contained gold ('000 ounces)


22

13

21

26

24

77

71

  Contained silver ('000 ounces)


1,159

958

1,355

1,314

1,181

3,924

3,850

Recoverable copper in ore stacked for leaching ('000 tonnes) (a)


75.3

80.5

83.5

78.5

76.5

204.7

238.5

Refined production from leach plants:









  Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)


69.3

75.0

77.3

88.8

71.5

226.6

237.6


(a) The calculation of copper in material mined for leaching is based on ore stacked at the leach pad.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold









Grasberg mine (a)

0.0% (b)








Papua, Indonesia









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


12,488

11,512

14,123

16,095

16,399

32,473

46,617

Average mill head grades:









  Copper (%)


0.88

0.79

0.57

0.67

0.67

0.78

0.64

  Gold (g/t)


1.28

1.14

0.68

0.86

0.77

0.94

0.77

  Silver (g/t)


3.90

3.37

2.13

2.44

2.21

3.48

2.27

Production of metals in concentrates:









  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


97.7

82.3

72.2

96.5

95.8

224.0

264.5

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


439

366

262

371

321

801

955

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


913

771

558

759

649

1,970

1,966

Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (c)









  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


120.0

83.9

70.4

88.8

94.6

224.9

253.7

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


505

366

260

346

320

804

926

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


889

623

435

558

512

1,589

1,505


(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 3Q 2015 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan, because FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 3Q 2015 until the release of its 2015 third-quarter results on 22 October 2015.
(b) Rio Tinto share of Grasberg production is 40% of the expansion.
(c) Net of smelter deductions.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Kennecott Utah Copper









Barneys Canyon mine (a)

100.0%

             

             

             

             

             


             

Utah, US


             

             

             

             

             


             

  Gold produced ('000 ounces)


0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.4

0.0

Bingham Canyon mine

100.0%








Utah, US









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


12,184

6,404

9,819

8,208

8,581

34,579

26,607

Average ore grade:









  Copper (%)


0.49

0.37

0.31

0.25

0.30

0.59

0.29

  Gold (g/t)


0.33

0.26

0.21

0.17

0.17

0.30

0.18

  Silver (g/t)


3.01

2.22

2.22

1.99

2.07

2.95

2.10

  Molybdenum (%)


0.069

0.060

0.041

0.046

0.035

0.048

0.041

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


193

82

133

84

116

717

334

  Average concentrate grade (% Cu)


27.2

24.8

19.9

20.6

18.9

25.6

19.7

Production of metals in copper concentrates:









  Copper ('000 tonnes) (b)


52.8

20.5

26.6

17.4

22.2

183.8

66.3

  Gold ('000 ounces)


87

33

45

29

31

227

105

  Silver ('000 ounces)


970

356

486

310

362

2,578

1,158

Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):


10.5

4.9

5.2

5.0

3.4

17.0

13.7

  Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


5.6

2.6

2.7

2.6

1.8

8.9

7.0


(a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be recovered from leach pads.
(b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.

Kennecott smelter & refinery

100.0%








Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)


205

122

148

99

113

787

360

Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (a)


50.2

24.9

35.1

19.1

17.1

179.3

71.3

Production of refined metal:









  Copper ('000 tonnes)


62.7

18.3

45.0

33.2

14.3

185.9

92.5

  Gold ('000 ounces) (b)


79.3

51.1

62.2

51.6

34.1

201.1

148.0

  Silver ('000 ounces) (b)


759

636

698

501

296

2,175

1,495


(a) New metal excluding recycled material.
(b) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Turquoise Hill Resources









Oyu Tolgoi mine (a)

33.5%








Mongolia









Ore Treated ('000 tonnes)


7,029

7,505

7,512

9,025

8,632

20,367

25,168

Average mill head grades:









  Copper (%)


0.59

0.74

0.52

0.69

0.75

0.55

0.66

  Gold (g/t)


0.80

1.46

0.48

1.09

0.56

0.64

0.73

  Silver (g/t)


1.64

1.65

1.16

1.46

1.90

1.58

1.52

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


134.1

186.7

130.9

215.5

210.3

377.0

556.7

  Average concentrate grade (% Cu)


27.3

26.9

25.7

25.6

26.6

26.0

26.0

Production of metals in concentrates:









  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


36.6

50.3

33.6

55.3

56.0

98.2

144.9

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


132.0

278.2

85.6

238.1

122.6

310.6

446.4

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


216

286

184

297

388

608

869

Sales of metals in concentrates:









  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


53.6

67.6

42.1

46.3

58.2

118.3

146.5

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


144

263

200

177

200

298

577

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


323

383

219

245

334

710

798


(a) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










DIAMONDS









Argyle Diamonds

100.0%








Western Australia









  AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)


876

688

1,178

1,199

1,339

2,311

3,716

  AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)


2,455

1,813

3,217

3,374

3,514

7,375

10,105

Diavik Diamonds

60.0%








Northwest Territories, Canada









  Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


560

512

476

565

478

1,765

1,519

  Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


1,673

1,545

1,498

2,141

1,269

5,688

4,908

Murowa Diamonds (a)

0.0%








Zimbabwe









  Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


153

160

117

95

-

430

212

  Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


116

130

51

48

-

312

99


(a) Rio Tinto sold its 77.8% interest in Murowa Diamonds with an effective date of 17 June 2015. Production data are shown up to that date.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










IRON ORE









Rio Tinto Iron Ore









Western Australia









Pilbara Operations









Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)









  Hamersley mines

   (a)

41,837

45,239

42,177

45,807

50,113

117,924

138,097

  Hamersley - Channar

60.0%

2,938

2,502

2,145

2,792

3,019

8,411

7,955

  Hope Downs

50.0%

11,292

11,677

11,358

10,518

11,179

31,038

33,055

  Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

53.0%

9,144

8,677

7,585

8,306

8,529

25,858

24,420

  Robe River - West Angelas

53.0%

7,657

7,198

7,810

7,797

8,485

22,066

24,092

Total production ('000 tonnes)


72,868

75,292

71,075

75,221

81,325

205,298

227,621

Breakdown of total production:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


19,416

20,298

20,231

21,990

24,306

55,135

66,527

  Pilbara Blend Fines


30,711

31,213

30,641

31,007

34,672

83,903

96,320

  Robe Valley Lump


3,051

3,002

2,796

2,907

2,840

8,580

8,543

  Robe Valley Fines


6,093

5,675

4,789

5,399

5,690

17,278

15,878

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


13,597

15,105

12,618

13,918

13,818

40,402

40,353

Breakdown of total sales:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


17,378

17,295

16,832

18,635

21,147

48,594

56,615

  Pilbara Blend Fines


33,380

37,370

32,904

36,841

41,695

94,071

111,440

  Robe Valley Lump


2,651

2,708

2,373

2,491

2,651

7,680

7,515

  Robe Valley Fines


6,124

6,514

4,845

5,277

6,124

17,802

16,246

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14,198

14,628

12,336

14,004

13,934

41,642

40,274

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b)


73,731

78,515

69,290

77,248

85,552

209,790

232,090


(a) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi 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) 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)


1,593

1,439

1,370

2,120

2,039

4,588

5,529

  Pellets ('000 tonnes)


2,322

2,388

2,223

2,336

2,703

6,360

7,261

Sales:









  Concentrates ('000 tonnes)


2,288

1,246

711

1,894

3,150

4,825

5,755

  Pellets ('000 tonnes)


1,996

2,402

2,490

2,288

2,644

5,802

7,423

Global Iron Ore Totals









Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes)


76,784

79,119

74,667

79,676

86,067

216,246

240,410

Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes)


78,014

82,163

72,491

81,430

91,346

220,417

245,268

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2014

4Q
2014

1Q
2015

2Q
2015

3Q
2015

9 MTHS
2014

9 MTHS
2015










SALT









Dampier Salt

68.4%








Western Australia









  Salt production ('000 tonnes)


2,293

2,709

2,074

1,745

1,874

7,229

5,694










TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG









Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100.0%








Canada and South Africa









  (Rio Tinto share) (a)









  Titanium dioxide slag ('000 tonnes)


365

316

322

301

243

1,127

866


(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)


1,247

1,322

1,078

861

1,008

1,247

2,946


(a) ERA production reported is 'drummed' U3O8.

Rössing Uranium Ltd

68.6%








Namibia









  U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)


896

902

397

791

552

2,500

1,740










Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2015. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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