Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “We have delivered strong quarterly production, underpinned by improving operational performance across our Tier 1 portfolio.
Output from our iron ore and bauxite assets reflects the drive for productivity and operational excellence.With a continued focus on value, we will seek further productivity improvements across the business. Our rigorous attention to cash generation, coupled with a disciplined allocation of capital remains our key focus in delivering shareholder value.”
Highlights
- Pilbara iron ore production (100 per cent basis), saw a run-rate of 330 million tonnes a year. Shipments were reduced by port and rail maintenance during the quarter and annual shipment guidance is revised to between 325 and 330 million tonnes for 2016.
- Quarterly production records at both Weipa and Gove led to nine month bauxite production of 35.6 million tonnes, ten per cent higher than the same period in 2015.
- Kitimat delivered its second consecutive quarter at nameplate capacity, giving rise to an 11 per cent increase in year to date aluminium production.
- Mined copper production for the first nine months of 2016 was four per cent higher than the same period in 2015, despite 18 per cent lower copper production at Escondida, primarily due to lower grades. Rio Tinto Kennecott achieved increased production from mining an area of higher grades, whilst continuing its focus on de-weighting to access ore from the east wall of Bingham Canyon.
- On 5 August, the Group completed the sale of its Mount Pleasant thermal coal assets for $221 million plus royalties.