2nd quarter operations review
Rio Tinto PLC
21 July 2004
Second quarter operations review
OVERVIEW
• Production of Rio Tinto's principal commodities increased in the second
quarter compared with the first quarter.
• Production benefited from increased output from new projects at Diavik
(diamonds), Eastern Range (iron ore), Hail Creek (coking coal) and
Escondida (copper).
• Output from the Grasberg mine increased as mining returned to the higher
grade areas of the open pit towards the end of April. The recovery process
is progressing well.
• Production from the Western Australian iron ore operations essentially
returned to normal following the protracted effects on both volumes and
costs of tropical cyclone Monty.
• Following the introduction of a port rationing agreement, the ship queue at
Newcastle (NSW), which had reached over 50 vessels, fell progressively to
around 12 by the end of June.
• Asset disposals in the first half of the year generated proceeds of over
$1 billion. The sales of Somincor and Zinkgruvan were completed in the
second quarter.
All figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated
IRON ORE
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Hamersley 18,433 6% 17% 34,248 5%
Robe River 7,110 22% 31% 12,557 8%
IOC 2,199 3% 12% 4,169 6%
Demand remained strong across the product range and in all markets. In June,
new long term agreements with leading Chinese Steel mills for the sale of 40
million tonnes per annum of iron ore were announced. These agreements, together
with the Nippon Steel and the Shanghai Baosteel Group arrangements announced
earlier in the year, underpin Rio Tinto's expansion of port, rail and mine
capacity that will be completed at the end of 2005.
Hamersley
Hamersley's first half shipments were in line with those of the first half of
2003. Production in the second quarter continued to be affected by the after
effects of tropical cyclone Monty, which hit the Pilbara in early March and
severely disrupted operations in the first quarter. Operations had essentially
returned to normal by the end of April but Tom Price remained flood affected
late into the second quarter, adversely affecting volumes, product mix and
costs. Material movement and maintenance activity increased during the period in
preparation for volume growth.
The new Eastern Range mine was officially opened in mid-April and shipped its
first product in the second quarter.
Robe River
Production from Pannawonica was also affected by flooding associated with
tropical cyclone Monty. Although production levels returned to normal
relatively quickly, product quality was affected for a prolonged period.
The West Angelas mine reached its design capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum
in the first quarter, two years ahead of schedule. Mine production in the
second quarter continued at that rate.
ENERGY
US Thermal Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Kennecott Energy 28,861 7% 5% 56,264 7%
Volume increases largely reflect higher output from the Jacob's Ranch mine and
strong demand for the higher Btu coals of Colowyo and Spring Creek. Work
continued on lowering the high wall at Cordero Rojo to alleviate the stability
issues that have affected production over the last two years. There were no
such incidents in the first half of 2004.
Australian Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Hard coking coal 2,101 358% 75% 3,301 300%
Other coal 4,160 6% 5% 8,116 3%
Coal & Allied
Other coal 4,437 19% 33% 7,769 0%
Other coal includes thermal, semi-soft and semi-hard coking coal
The market for thermal coal strengthened during the first half of the year and
the benefits of rising prices will flow through progressively in the second half
of the year. The market for coking coal, into which Rio Tinto is introducing
production from the new Hail Creek mine, was also strong.
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
The ramp up of the new Hail Creek coking coal mine continued. Design capacity
rates of 5.5 million tonnes per annum have already been achieved but not yet on
a consistent basis. The study of a capacity expansion to eight million tonnes
is nearing completion. The proportion of coking coal from the Kestrel mine has
increased since mining has commenced in the new 300 series area.
Blair Athol shipments were constrained for a period of seven weeks in February
and March due to the failure of a reclaimer at the independently managed
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. Throughput returned to close to normal from the
beginning of April.
Coal & Allied
Second quarter production from all mines improved over the first quarter which
was weather affected.
Following the implementation of a port-rationing agreement, the queue of ships
at the port of Newcastle (NSW) reduced progressively during the second quarter.
The queue, which had reached over 50 vessels and averaged 40 vessels in the
first quarter, had fallen to around 12 by the end of June. As a consequence,
demurrage charges fell as the quarter progressed.
Coal & Allied was brought under unified management with Rio Tinto Coal Australia
with effect from 1 February 2004. In addition, Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines
have been managed as one operation since late January 2004. Both these
organisational changes are aimed at improving operational efficiency and
reducing costs.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Borates 141 -2% 5% 275 -3%
Titanium dioxide feedstock 291 -9% 1% 577 -5%
First half borates production was marginally below the first half of last year
due to the timing of scheduled maintenance. Demand continued to be strong for
boric acid.
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium continued to produce conventional slag at below
capacity in line with market demand, whereas production of the high purity
upgraded slag (UGS) was at capacity. Expansion of the UGS plant to 325,000
tonnes per annum is on schedule for start up in early 2005.
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Bauxite 3,331 3% 11% 6,339 2%
Alumina 517 4% 1% 1,030 4%
Aluminium 207.0 4% -1% 417.1 4%
Improved power availability in New Zealand and process stability at the Boyne
Island smelters contributed to higher aluminium production compared to the first
half of 2003. The timing of scheduled maintenance at NZAS and unplanned
equipment downtime at Bell Bay from June resulted in second quarter aluminium
production marginally below that of the first quarter. Production from both
alumina refineries reflected good production flows and process stability.
Bauxite production improved over the weather affected first quarter and was at a
record level
COPPER
Rio Tinto share of production
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Kennecott Utah Copper
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 64.0 -6% 2% 126.5 -5%
Refined copper (000 tonnes)61.7 60% 2% 122.0 15%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 63 -18% -17% 139 -9%
Refined gold (000 ozs) 77 18% -5% 158 -2%
Escondida
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 99.1 24% 18% 182.9 19%
Grasberg JV
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 9.3 -73% 67% 14.8 -78%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 19 -92% 210% 25 -94%
Kennecott Utah Copper
Since the final quarter of 2003, ore produced from the Bingham Canyon mine has
contained high arsenic levels which affect smelter and molybdenum circuit
efficiency. In addition, as in 2003, production of gold and silver continue to
be affected by lower grades. Second quarter 2004 anode production was affected
by a ten day smelter shut down for scheduled maintenance. Anode production in
the first half of 2003 was adversely affected by an acid plant failure.
Escondida
Production from Escondida has increased following the previously announced
return to its normal mine plan from the beginning of the year. Problems with
water recovery, which constrained production in the first quarter, have been
resolved.
Grasberg
First half production of both copper and gold from the Grasberg mine was
significantly below preceding periods as a consequence of the material slippage
in the fourth quarter of 2003. In the first quarter of 2004, efforts were
directed to accelerating the removal of waste material to restore safe access to
the open pit. Mining activities in the high grade areas of the pit resumed in
the second quarter.
Rio Tinto's share of production is based on a preliminary allocation of volumes
between the joint venture partners, Rio Tinto and Freeport. This allocation
will not be finalised until full production has been restored.
Other copper operations
First half production at Palabora remained below target. The underground block
cave project is becoming more productive as fragmentation is improving and more
fine material is being drawn into the drawpoints. Secondary breaking of the
oversized material remained a constraint on production in the quarter.
Additional equipment was delivered in the second quarter. Production was also
affected by heavy rain.
DIAMONDS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats)
Q2 04 vs Q2 03 vs Q1 04 H1 04 vs H1 03
Argyle 2,669 -56% -26% 6,282 -51%
Diavik 1,364 166% 48% 2,286 201%
Tight mining conditions at Argyle, as a result of the deepening open pit,
limited mine production throughout the first half of the year. Ore processed
consisted of lower grade ore from the open pit supplemented by lower grade ore
from stockpiles.
Diavik continues to perform extremely well. The second quarter produced record
volumes as the process plant comfortably exceeded design throughput on a
consistent basis. Grades improved but will continue to reflect the processing
of mud rich material that surrounds the kimberlite proper for the remainder of
the year.
Construction of a small scale diamond mine and plant at Murowa continued in the
second quarter. First production is expected in the second half of 2004.
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
Total pre-tax expenditure on exploration charged to the profit and loss account
for the first half of 2004 was $72 million compared with $64 million in the
first half of 2003.
Exploration drilling continued on copper porphyry targets in Peru, Turkey and
Mexico. Diamond exploration continued in India, Canada, Botswana and Brazil.
Iron ore exploration continued in the Pilbara (Western Australia) and at
Simandou (Guinea) where the order of magnitude study continued.
In the first quarter, responsibility for Eagle (nickel/copper, USA) and
Dashkasan (gold, Iran) was transferred to the Copper group and Technology group
respectively for the next stage of evaluation. The pre-feasibility study at
Resolution (copper, USA) continues. At the Potasio Rio Colorado potash project
in Argentina a high density three dimensional seismic survey has been completed
and a resource drilling programme is being carried out to expand the known
resource. Pilot solution mining will begin in the second half. In the second
quarter, an in principle agreement was reached with Chariot Resources over the
sale of a copper resource at Marcona in Peru.
ASSET DISPOSALS
The improvement in market conditions created a number of opportunities to divest
non-core assets. Proceeds from asset disposals in the first half was over $1
billion. The sales of Zinkgruvan (zinc, Sweden), Rio Tinto's 49 per cent
interest in Somincor (copper/tin, Portugal) and four per cent interest in Boke
(bauxite, Guinea) were completed in the second quarter. The restructure of Rio
Tinto Zimbabwe, as a result of which Rio Tinto will hold its interest in the
Murowa diamond project directly but cease to be an ordinary shareholder of Rio
Tinto Zimbabwe, was completed on 8 July 2004.
For further information, please contact:
LONDON AUSTRALIA
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Website: www.riotinto.com
RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
QUARTER HALF YEAR % CHANGE
2003 2004 2004 2003 2004 Q2 04 Q2 04 H1 04
Q2 Q1 Q2 1H 1H vs vs vs
Principal Commodities Q1 04 Q2 03 H1 03
Alumina ('000 t) 495 514 517 988 1,030 1% 4% 4%
Aluminium ('000 t) 198.5 210.1 207.0 401.2 417.1 -1% 4% 4%
Borates ('000 t) 143 134 141 282 275 5% -2% -3%
Coal - hard coking coal ('000 t) 459 1,200 2,101 825 3,301 75% 358% 300%
Coal - other Australian/ ('000 t) 9,991 7,287 8,597 20,099 15,885 18% -14% -21%
Indonesian
Coal - US ('000 t) 26,944 27,403 28,861 52,368 56,264 5% 7% 7%
Copper - mined ('000 t) 231.6 180.0 193.4 462.8 373.4 7% -16% -19%
Copper - refined ('000 t) 69.2 87.4 81.6 165.2 169.0 -7% 18% 2%
Diamonds ('000 cts) 6,560 4,534 4,033 13,716 8,568 -11% -39% -38%
Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 765 381 374 1,530 755 -2% -51% -51%
Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 65 81 77 161 158 -5% 18% -2%
Iron ore ('000 t) 25,623 23,499 28,048 48,790 51,547 19% 9% 6%
Titanium dioxide feedstock ('000 t) 319 287 291 608 577 1% -9% -5%
Other Metals & Minerals
Bauxite ('000 t) 3,236 3,008 3,331 6,194 6,339 11% 3% 2%
Lead - mined ('000 t) 11.5 10.3 8.1 21.4 18.4 -21% -29% -14%
Molybdenum ('000 t) 1.1 1.6 0.9 2.3 2.5 -42% -16% 10%
Nickel - refined (tonnes) 830 971 648 1,434 1,619 -33% -22% 13%
Salt ('000 t) 1,124 1,133 1,257 2,094 2,390 11% 12% 14%
Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 4,410 3,766 3,465 8,370 7,230 -8% -21% -14%
Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 644 778 768 1,619 1,546 -1% 19% -5%
Talc ('000 t) 328 356 361 686 717 1% 10% 4%
Tin (tonnes) 23 21 38 23 59 76% 63% 155%
Uranium (tonnes) 1,484 1,431 1,357 2,357 2,788 -5% -9% 18%
Zinc - mined ('000 t) 29.0 29.9 21.5 55.8 51.4 -28% -26% -8%
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 half year figures.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Eurallumina 56% 136 150 148 145 144 276 289
Queensland Alumina 39% 358 350 378 368 373 712 741
Rio Tinto total alumina production 495 500 526 514 517 988 1,030
ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Anglesey 51% 18.3 18.3 19.0 18.3 18.2 36.6 36.5
Bell Bay 100% 41.8 42.3 41.9 41.8 40.8 82.5 82.6
Boyne Island 59% 75.7 76.9 80.9 80.5 79.7 153.4 160.2
Tiwai Point 79% 62.7 67.5 70.2 69.5 68.3 128.8 137.8
Rio Tinto total aluminium production 198.5 204.9 211.9 210.1 207.0 401.2 417.1
BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Boke (a) 0% 179 123 58 121 58 236 179
Weipa 100% 3,057 2,895 3,045 2,887 3,273 5,958 6,160
Rio Tinto total bauxite production 3,236 3,018 3,103 3,008 3,331 6,194 6,339
BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total borate production 100% 143 142 134 134 141 282 275
COAL - HARD COKING
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (b) ('000
tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal 92% - 204 608 831 1,325 - 2,156
Kestrel Coal 80% 459 332 342 369 776 825 1,145
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production 459 535 950 1,200 2,101 825 3,301
COAL - OTHER *
Australian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Coal & Allied Industries
Bengalla 30% 538 340 608 325 462 931 787
Hunter Valley Operations 76% 2,226 2,198 2,272 1,988 2,625 4,621 4,613
Mount Thorley Operations 61% 419 475 491 407 576 944 983
Warkworth 42% 555 563 616 612 774 1,290 1,386
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (b)
Blair Athol Coal 71% 1,857 2,599 2,197 2,180 2,206 4,094 4,386
Kestrel Coal 80% 320 263 292 98 167 604 265
Tarong Coal 100% 1,738 1,635 1,713 1,678 1,787 3,189 3,464
Total Australian other coal 7,653 8,073 8,189 7,287 8,597 15,673 15,885
Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima Coal (c) 0% 2,338 1,711 191 - - 4,426 -
US coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy
Antelope 100% 6,648 7,130 6,795 5,919 6,628 12,881 12,547
Colowyo (d) 1,194 1,093 1,138 1,467 1,415 2,304 2,882
Cordero Rojo 100% 8,535 7,448 8,501 8,589 8,263 16,722 16,852
Decker 50% 730 1,068 1,203 514 1,062 1,409 1,576
Jacobs Ranch 100% 7,544 8,767 8,706 8,649 8,705 14,945 17,354
Spring Creek 100% 2,293 1,887 2,074 2,265 2,789 4,108 5,054
Total US coal 26,944 27,391 28,417 27,403 28,861 52,368 56,264
Rio Tinto total other coal production 36,935 37,175 36,797 34,690 37,459 72,467 72,149
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, semi-soft coking coal and semi-hard coking
coal.
See footnotes on page 12.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Alumbrera (e) 0% - - - - - 8.7 -
Bingham Canyon 100% 67.8 77.6 71.6 62.5 64.0 132.6 126.5
Escondida 30% 79.8 73.4 70.1 83.8 99.1 154.3 182.9
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% 28.0 21.5 7.7 5.5 - 55.3 5.5
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 34.5 28.9 11.5 5.5 9.3 68.3 14.8
Neves Corvo (g) 0% 9.9 7.5 9.6 11.6 11.4 20.8 23.0
Northparkes 80% 5.4 5.4 5.2 5.8 4.7 11.1 10.6
Palabora 49% 6.1 7.0 7.1 5.2 4.9 11.6 10.2
Rio Tinto total mine production 231.6 221.4 182.9 180.0 193.4 462.8 373.4
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper (f) 0% 10.3 9.2 8.6 7.0 - 20.3 7.0
Escondida 30% 11.0 11.2 11.4 11.3 11.4 21.7 22.7
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 38.5 64.8 59.9 60.3 61.7 105.9 122.0
Palabora 49% 9.4 8.5 10.3 8.8 8.5 17.3 17.3
Rio Tinto total refined production 69.2 93.7 90.2 87.4 81.6 165.2 169.0
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle 100% 6,004 9,690 8,307 3,612 2,669 12,913 6,282
Diavik 60% 512 880 661 922 1,364 759 2,286
Merlin 100% 44 18 - - - 44 -
Rio Tinto total diamond production 6,560 10,588 8,968 4,534 4,033 13,716 8,568
GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Alumbrera (e) 0% - - - - - 31 -
Barneys Canyon 100% 10 10 6 7 4 19 11
Bingham Canyon 100% 67 79 92 69 59 134 128
Cortez/Pipeline 40% 102 100 106 113 115 229 228
Escondida 30% 13 16 16 18 16 24 34
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% 132 107 26 14 - 221 14
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 241 223 96 6 19 404 25
Greens Creek 70% 19 17 17 16 16 35 32
Kelian 90% 112 71 74 69 73 277 141
Lihir (h) 14% 21 21 25 16 E 22 42 E 38
Morro do Ouro 51% 27 24 26 25 23 52 48
Northparkes 80% 7 9 15 17 15 15 32
Peak (e) 0% - - - - - 20 -
Rawhide 51% 9 9 8 7 7 16 14
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (i) 56% 4 3 3 3 3 7 6
Others - 2 2 2 2 2 3 4
Rio Tinto total mine production 765 691 511 381 374 1,530 755
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 65 66 81 81 77 161 158
IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar 60% 1,465 1,628 1,417 1,404 1,516 3,164 2,920
Corumba 100% 282 292 279 268 306 503 574
Eastern Range (j) - - - 3 645 - 648
Hamersley 100% 15,900 16,079 17,462 14,407 16,273 29,516 30,680
Iron Ore Company of Canada (k) 59% 2,126 2,220 2,191 1,969 2,199 3,941 4,169
Robe River 53% 5,851 5,607 6,649 5,447 7,110 11,666 12,557
Rio Tinto total mine production 25,623 25,826 27,997 23,499 28,048 48,790 51,547
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 12. E = Estimated number.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 4.0 4.0 4.1 3.3 3.9 7.8 7.2
Zinkgruvan (l) 0% 7.5 8.0 10.1 7.0 4.2 13.7 11.2
Rio Tinto total mine production 11.5 12.0 14.2 10.3 8.1 21.4 18.4
MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.6 0.9 2.3 2.5
NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza (m) 0% 523 1,284 1,524 - - 3,142 -
Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress (i) 56% 830 1,029 1,011 971 648 1,434 1,619
SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt 65% 1,124 1,420 1,120 1,133 1,257 2,094 2,390
SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon 100% 808 873 1,105 730 785 1,570 1,515
Escondida 30% 360 375 368 411 482 675 893
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% 255 207 46 79 - 491 79
Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 229 320 466 13 53 340 66
Greens Creek 70% 1,968 2,472 2,035 1,761 1,584 3,718 3,344
Zinkgruvan (l) 0% 447 460 571 426 225 810 651
Others - 343 275 366 346 336 765 682
Rio Tinto total mine production 4,410 4,983 4,959 3,766 3,465 8,370 7,230
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 644 691 653 778 768 1,619 1,546
TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group 99.9% 328 350 321 356 361 686 717
TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo (g) 0% 23 16 60 21 38 23 59
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 319 291 293 287 291 608 577
URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia 68% 1,019 775 858 809 751 1,878 1,560
Rossing 69% 465 620 548 622 607 479 1,228
Rio Tinto total uranium production 1,484 1,395 1,406 1,431 1,357 2,357 2,788
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 13.4 11.7 11.3 10.7 11.0 25.5 21.7
Zinkgruvan (l) 0% 15.6 15.1 19.1 19.2 10.5 30.3 29.7
Rio Tinto total mine production 29.0 26.8 30.4 29.9 21.5 55.8 51.4
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the contained tonnage
of nickel.
See footnotes on page 12.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Production data notes
(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) Rio Tinto Coal Australia was previously known as Pacific Coal.
(c) Rio Tinto had a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its Coal
Agreement, the Indonesian Government was entitled to a 13.5% share of
Kaltim Prima's production. Rio Tinto's share of production shown is before
deduction of the Government share. Rio Tinto completed the sale of its
interest in PT Kaltim Prima Coal on 10 October 2003. Production data are
shown up to the date of sale.
(d) 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.
(e) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% interest in Minera Alumbrera
together with its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March 2003. Production
data are shown up to the date of sale.
(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) Following a placement of shares on 13 November 2003, and a subsequent
allotment of shares under a Share Purchase Plan on 23 January 2004, Rio
Tinto's interest in Lihir changed from 16.3% to 14.4%. Rio Tinto's share of
gold production includes an estimate of the production from the Lihir gold
mine for the second quarter of 2004. The actual second quarter production,
which may be different from the figure in this report, will be announced by
Lihir Gold Ltd on 28 July 2004. The estimate in this report is based on one
quarter of the indicative full year 2004 production of 600,000 oz
previously disclosed in the Managing Director's report to the Lihir Gold
Ltd AGM (27 April 2004).
(i) As a result of the restructure 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.
(j) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from the
Eastern Range mine, which started production in late March 2004, as under
the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the
operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint
venture.
(k) Rio Tinto owns 19% of the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund. The Fund
has a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada but this has not been
included in the calculation of tonnage attributable to Rio Tinto.
(l) 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.
(m) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Fortaleza nickel
mine on 16 January 2004. The sale was effective from 1 January 2004.
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 30 June 2004.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Weipa mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 3,057 2,895 3,045 2,887 3,273 5,958 6,160
tonnes)
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 2,768 2,709 3,160 2,981 2,861 5,546 5,842
tonnes)
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 49 42 29 44 36 90 80
Boke mine (a) 0.0%
Guinea
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 3,077 2,970 3,648 2,826 2,518 5,442 5,344
Eurallumina refinery 56.2%
Sardinia, Italy
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 243 267 263 258 256 491 515
Queensland Alumina refinery 38.6%
Queensland, Australia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 928 906 980 954 966 1,844 1,920
Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0%
United Kingdom
Primary aluminium production ('000 35.9 35.9 37.2 35.9 35.6 71.7 71.5
tonnes)
Bell Bay smelter 100.0%
Tasmania, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 41.8 42.3 41.9 41.8 40.8 82.5 82.6
tonnes)
Boyne Island smelter 59.4%
Queensland, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 129.0 128.5 133.8 134.7 134.3 258.7 269.0
tonnes)
Tiwai Point smelter 79.4%
New Zealand
Primary aluminium production ('000 78.2 85.0 87.9 87.1 86.0 161.5 173.0
tonnes)
Rio Tinto Aluminium share
Share of primary aluminium sales ('000 210.6 205.1 213.1 203.5 218.5 401.8 422.0
tonnes)
(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.
BORATES
Rio Tinto Borax 100.0%
California, US and Argentina
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) 143 142 134 134 141 282 275
(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COAL
Coal & Allied Industries Limited
Bengalla mine 30.3%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,776 1,122 2,008 1,075 1,525 3,074 2,600
Hunter Valley Operations 75.7%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,136 2,028 2,620 2,255 2,738 4,499 4,993
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 805 875 381 371 729 1,605 1,100
tonnes)
Mount Thorley Operations 60.6%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 361 416 433 535 725 871 1,260
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 330 369 377 137 226 686 362
tonnes)
Warkworth mine 42.1%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,152 1,212 1,371 1,256 1,422 2,786 2,678
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 168 127 93 198 419 280 617
tonnes)
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 6,728 6,147 7,284 5,826 7,784 13,801 13,610
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 6,633 6,802 7,278 6,424 7,486 13,807 13,911
Coal & Allied Industries share
Share of coal production ('000 tonnes) 4,937 4,723 5,266 4,401 5,861 10,283 10,262
Share of coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 4,987 5,178 5,456 4,776 5,669 10,450 10,444
(a) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.
Kaltim Prima Coal (a)
Indonesia 0.0%
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 4,675 3,422 381 - - 8,852 -
Shipments ('000 tonnes) 3,937 4,042 309 - - 8,459 -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 50% interest in PT Kaltim Prima Coal on
10 October 2003. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
Kennecott Energy and Coal Company
Antelope mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 6,648 7,130 6,795 5,919 6,628 12,881 12,547
Colowyo mine (a)
Colorado, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,194 1,093 1,138 1,467 1,415 2,304 2,882
Cordero Rojo mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,535 7,448 8,501 8,589 8,263 16,722 16,852
Decker mine 50.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,460 2,135 2,406 1,028 2,123 2,817 3,151
Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,544 8,767 8,706 8,649 8,705 14,945 17,354
Spring Creek mine 100.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,293 1,887 2,074 2,265 2,789 4,108 5,054
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 27,674 28,459 29,620 27,917 29,923 53,777 57,839
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 27,674 28,459 29,620 27,917 29,923 53,777 57,839
(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 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COAL (continued)
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a)
Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 2,607 3,649 3,084 3,060 3,097 5,747 6,157
Sales ('000 tonnes) 2,689 3,179 3,473 2,867 3,218 5,925 6,085
Hail Creek Coal mine 92.0%
Queensland, Australia
Coking coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) - 221 661 903 1,441 - 2,344
Sales ('000 tonnes) - 114 622 890 1,069 - 1,959
Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 400 328 365 122 209 756 331
Sales ('000 tonnes) 163 145 177 - - 567 -
Coking coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 574 415 427 462 970 1,032 1,431
Sales ('000 tonnes) 274 331 357 409 536 395 945
Semi-hard coking coal:(b)
Sales ('000 tonnes) 475 353 461 225 258 925 484
Tarong Coal mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 1,738 1,635 1,713 1,678 1,787 3,189 3,464
Sales ('000 tonnes) 1,614 1,623 1,749 1,744 1,781 3,249 3,526
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 5,319 6,248 6,250 6,225 7,503 10,723 13,728
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 5,215 5,746 6,839 6,135 6,863 11,061 12,999
Rio Tinto Coal Australia share
Share of coal production ('000 tonnes) 4,374 5,033 5,152 5,156 6,261 8,713 11,417
Share of coal sales ('000 tonnes) 4,259 4,656 5,591 5,113 5,693 8,979 10,806
(a) Rio Tinto Coal Australia was previously known as Pacific Coal.
(b) Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal. The
product mix is customer dependent.
COPPER & GOLD
Alumbrera (a) 0.0%
Argentina
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 7,053 -
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) - - - - - 0.54 -
Gold (g/t) - - - - - 0.69 -
Concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 130.9 -
Copper in concentrates: -
Production ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 34.9 -
Sales ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 37.0 -
Production of gold in concentrates ('000 - - - - - 108 -
ounces)
Production of gold in dore ('000 ounces) - - - - - 16 -
Total gold sales ('000 ounces) - - - - - 132 -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% holding in Minera Alumbrera on 17
March 2003.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Escondida 30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 16,416 18,888 18,299 19,619 21,197 33,160 40,816
Average copper grade (%) 1.62 1.33 1.31 1.48 1.61 1.55 1.55
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 230.9 208.2 197.1 239.6 284.2 441.7 523.8
Contained gold ('000 ounces) 43 52 52 58 55 80 113
Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,200 1,251 1,227 1,370 1,606 2,250 2,976
Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 3,188 3,569 3,537 3,179 4,186 6,596 7,365
Average copper grade (%) 1.11 1.02 1.03 1.25 1.10 1.10 1.16
Contained copper in leachate/mined material 35 37 37 40 46 73 86
('000 tonnes)
Refined production:
Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes) 36.8 37.3 38.0 37.7 37.9 72.3 75.6
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (a)
Grasberg mine 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 20,141 19,453 13,071 13,817 14,946 41,579 28,763
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%) 1.24 1.08 0.77 0.50 0.82 1.19 0.67
Gold (g/t) 1.95 1.79 1.00 0.41 0.95 1.59 0.69
Silver (g/t) 4.18 3.90 4.26 3.09 4.01 4.02 3.57
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 223.1 189.3 86.9 55.9 107.7 439.6 163.5
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,126 1,007 369 135 395 1,886 531
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,944 1,857 981 740 1,143 3,636 1,882
Sales of payable metals in concentrates:
(b)
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 212.1 184.7 85.5 53.0 101.7 422.8 154.6
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,080 980 369 130 370 1,823 500
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,485 1,431 763 563 862 2,800 1,425
(a) See note (f) on page 11 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 ('000 244.6 253.0 224.7 187.1 - 486.7 187.1
tonnes)
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 74.3 78.6 65.0 57.5 - 146.7 57.5
Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes) 62.5 61.4 62.0 58.4 - 123.7 58.4
Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d) 63.6 57.7 63.8 50.8 - 126.5 50.8
(c) New metal excluding recycled material.
(d) Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.
Kelian Equatorial Mining 90.0%
East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,833 1,995 2,180 2,119 2,134 3,677 4,253
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 2.53 1.76 1.66 1.57 1.84 3.12 1.71
Silver (g/t) 5.11 4.39 4.40 3.94 4.12 5.47 4.03
Production:
Gold ('000 ounces) 124 79 82 76 81 308 157
Silver ('000 ounces) 96 66 73 64 52 208 117
Sales:
Gold ('000 ounces) 147 93 47 113 70 297 183
Silver ('000 ounces) - 145 - 148 - 154 148
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company
Cortez/Pipeline mine 40.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000 tonnes) 791 865 878 781 760 1,709 1,541
Leached ('000 tonnes) 3,261 5,507 6,161 9,246 7,110 5,799 16,357
Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes) 151 111 62 96 111 291 207
Average ore grade: gold
Milled (g/t) 5.83 5.55 5.61 6.14 6.43 7.49 6.28
Leached (g/t) 1.06 0.85 0.78 0.77 0.73 1.07 0.75
Sold for roasting (g/t) 6.63 5.87 5.86 5.90 6.21 7.21 6.07
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 254 249 264 283 288 572 571
Greens Creek mine 70.3%
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 176 185 177 182 177 347 359
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 6.97 6.20 6.19 5.86 6.21 6.64 6.03
Silver (g/t) 655 764 671 572 560 630 566
Zinc (%) 13.4 11.1 11.8 10.7 11.9 13.2 11.3
Lead (%) 4.7 4.3 4.7 3.9 4.6 4.7 4.2
Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold ('000 ounces) 27 25 24 23 23 50 45
Silver ('000 ounces) 2,801 3,518 2,897 2,506 2,254 5,292 4,759
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 19.0 16.6 16.1 15.3 15.6 36.3 30.9
Lead ('000 tonnes) 5.7 5.6 5.9 4.6 5.6 11.1 10.2
Rawhide mine (a) 51.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 384 - - - - 1,614 -
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 0.51 - - - - 0.51 -
Silver (g/t) 9.1 - - - - 9.4 -
Metals produced in dore:
Gold ('000 ounces) 17 17 15 13 13 32 27
Silver ('000 ounces) 158 131 114 108 122 285 230
(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 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 10 10 6 7 4 19 11
(a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be
recovered from leach pads.
Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 11,284 11,904 11,988 10,497 11,054 22,213 21,551
Average ore grade:
Copper (%) 0.67 0.72 0.64 0.64 0.62 0.67 0.63
Gold (g/t) 0.25 0.31 0.31 0.28 0.23 0.27 0.25
Silver (g/t) 2.67 2.88 3.53 2.74 2.81 2.82 2.78
Molybdenum (%) 0.020 0.028 0.038 0.027 0.019 0.021 0.023
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 287 298 280 262 277 569 539
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 23.6 25.9 25.5 23.9 23.1 23.3 23.5
Production of metals in copper
concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 67.8 77.6 71.6 62.5 64.0 132.6 126.5
Gold ('000 ounces) 67 79 92 69 59 134 128
Silver ('000 ounces) 808 873 1,105 730 785 1,570 1,515
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes): 2.3 2.1 2.2 3.0 1.8 4.5 4.8
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.6 0.9 2.3 2.5
tonnes)
Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 261 282 286 279 301 492 580
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 53.2 69.9 66.3 54.4 64.3 106.9 118.7
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes) 38.5 64.8 59.9 60.3 61.7 105.9 122.0
Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 65 66 81 81 77 161 158
Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 644 691 653 778 768 1,619 1,546
(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) 1,315 1,284 1,263 1,275 1,157 2,621 2,432
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 0.62 0.70 0.71 0.78 0.71 0.64 0.75
Gold (g/t) 0.32 0.45 0.70 0.73 0.68 0.32 0.71
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 18.7 18.3 17.9 19.3 16.6 38.9 35.8
Contained copper in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 tonnes) 6.8 6.7 6.5 7.3 5.9 13.9 13.2
Sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 3.8 4.5 6.2 2.8 7.2 11.8 10.0
Contained gold in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 ounces) 9.0 11.4 18.7 21.0 18.7 18.5 39.7
Sales ('000 ounces) (a) 6.0 6.4 12.4 8.7 21.7 19.4 30.4
(a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Palabora 49.2%
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 2,726 3,398 2,838 2,101 1,897 5,179 3,998
Average ore grade: copper (%) 0.60 0.53 0.63 0.76 0.74 0.60 0.75
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 38.2 43.5 46.3 35.9 35.4 73.5 71.3
Average concentrate grade: copper (%) 32.7 32.9 31.3 29.7 28.3 32.1 29.0
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 12.5 14.3 14.5 10.7 10.0 23.6 20.7
Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 73.7 64.0 72.5 59.4 68.0 131.2 127.4
tonnes)
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) 20.1 19.4 21.3 15.8 19.7 35.9 35.5
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes) 19.2 17.4 20.9 17.9 17.2 35.1 35.1
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes) 51 53 68 105 160 95 265
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes) 27 26 38 53 37 88 90
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes) 53.9 32.5 35.6 38.4 51.5 105.1 89.9
Peak Gold Mine (a) 0.0%
New South Wales, Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 144 -
Average ore grades: -
Gold (g/t) - - - - - 5.23 -
Silver (g/t) - - - - - 3.16 -
Copper (%) - - - - - 0.13 -
Lead (%) - - - - - 0.11 -
Zinc (%) - - - - - 0.00 -
Bullion produced ('000 ounces) - - - - - 23 -
Containing: -
Gold ('000 ounces) - - - - - 20 -
Silver ('000 ounces) - - - - - 3 -
Gold recovered in concentrates ('000 ounces) - - - - - - -
Total gold production ('000 ounces) - - - - - 20 -
Bullion sales (fine gold) ('000 ounces) - - - - - 20 -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March
2003.
Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Morro do Ouro mine 51.0%
Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 4,586 4,655 4,640 4,499 4,271 9,116 8,770
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 0.46 0.45 0.43 0.45 0.46 0.45 0.45
Refined gold produced ('000 ounces) 53 48 51 50 45 102 95
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (a)
Patchway mine (b) 0.0%
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 19 - - - - 38 -
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 2.10 - - - - 2.13 -
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) 1 - - - - 2 -
Renco mine 56.0%
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 60 64 61 61 85 109 146
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 3.55 3.48 3.56 3.13 3.43 3.66 3.30
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) 6 6 6 5 6 11 11
Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) 7 6 6 5 6 13 11
(a) As a result of the restructure 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.
(b) Rio Tinto Zimbabwe completed the sale of the Patchway mine in July 2003.
Somincor (a)
Neves Corvo mine 0.0%
Portugal
Total ore treated ('000 tonnes) (b) 474 354 447 448 430 899 878
of which, treated to extract tin ('000 8 4 10 5 8 8 13
tonnes)
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 5.07 5.13 5.15 6.02 6.07 5.51 6.04
Tin (%) 1.74 2.26 2.46 2.15 1.80 1.74 1.93
Copper production:
Copper concentrates produced ('000 85.5 66.2 84.0 100.1 98.3 179.4 198.3
tonnes)
Copper concentrate grade: copper (%) 23.5 23.2 23.4 23.7 23.6 23.7 23.7
Copper in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 20.1 15.4 19.6 23.7 23.2 42.5 46.9
Tin production:
Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2
Tin concentrate grade: tin (%) 54.1 60.7 64.3 63.9 67.1 54.1 65.9
Tin in concentrates produced ('000 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1
tonnes)
(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.
DIAMONDS
Argyle Diamonds 100.0%
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,305 2,601 2,372 2,066 2,424 4,814 4,490
AK1 Diamonds produced ('000 carats) 6,004 9,690 8,307 3,612 2,669 12,913 6,282
Diavik Diamonds 60.0%
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 304 388 300 394 541 506 935
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 854 1,466 1,101 1,537 2,273 1,265 3,810
Merlin (a) 100.0%
Northern Territory, Australia
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 33 - - - - 237 -
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 44 18 - - - 44 -
(a) Ore mining and processing ceased during the second quarter of 2003.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
IRON ORE
Hamersley Iron
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, 100.0%
Marandoo, Yandicoogina and Brockman 15,900 16,079 17,462 14,407 16,273 29,516 30,680
Channar 60.0% 2,442 2,713 2,361 2,341 2,526 5,274 4,867
Eastern Range (a) 54.0% - - - 3 645 - 648
Total production ('000 tonnes) 18,341 18,792 19,823 16,751 19,443 34,789 36,194
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b) 17,948 18,636 19,987 17,664 18,112 35,710 35,776
(a) The Eastern Range mine started production in late March 2004.
(b) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports (previously
reported as Total shipments).
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada
Carol Lake operations 58.7%
Saleable iron ore production:
Concentrates ('000 tonnes) 712 958 706 462 608 984 1,070
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 2,908 2,823 3,026 2,892 3,137 5,728 6,029
Sales:
Concentrate ('000 tonnes) 570 664 1,093 431 537 860 968
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 3,761 2,820 3,767 2,072 3,408 5,724 5,480
Rio Tinto Brasil
Corumba mine 100.0%
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 282 292 279 268 306 503 574
(a)
(a) Production includes by-product fines.
Robe River Iron Associates
Pannawonica mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 8,361 7,583 8,035 6,281 8,437 16,416 14,717
Sales ('000 tonnes) 8,137 8,413 7,470 7,325 7,014 15,191 14,340
West Angelas mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 2,678 2,996 4,510 3,997 4,978 5,595 8,974
Sales ('000 tonnes) 2,943 2,585 4,350 4,742 3,937 5,851 8,678
NICKEL
Rio Tinto Brasil
Fortaleza mine 0.0%
Brazil
Production (tonnes) 523 1,284 1,524 - - 3,142 -
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Fortaleza nickel
mine on 16 January 2004. The sale was effective from 1 January 2004.
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (a)
Empress Nickel refinery 56.0%
Zimbabwe
Production (tonnes) 1,481 1,836 1,804 1,733 1,156 2,559 2,889
(a) As a result of the restructure 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) 1,731 2,186 1,725 1,745 1,936 3,224 3,681
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2004. The data represent
full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 1H 1H
interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 2004
TALC
The Luzenac Group 99.9%
Australia, Europe, and North America
Talc production ('000 tonnes) 329 350 321 356 361 687 717
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%
Canada and South Africa
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 319 291 293 287 291 608 577
tonnes)
URANIUM
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Ranger mine 68.4%
Northern Territory, Australia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 1,490 1,133 1,255 1,183 1,098 2,746 2,281
Rossing Uranium Ltd 68.6%
Namibia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 678 904 799 907 885 698 1,791
ZINC
Zinkgruvan Mining AB 0.0%
Sweden
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 189 191 227 196 139 356 335
Average ore grades:
Zinc (%) 9.1 8.8 9.3 10.6 8.1 9.3 9.6
Lead (%) 4.4 4.8 5.3 4.2 3.6 4.4 3.9
Silver (g/t) 101 102 105 95 77 101 86
Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes) 28.2 27.5 35.0 34.8 18.7 54.5 53.5
Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes) 11.0 11.3 14.4 9.9 5.9 20.1 15.8
Production of metal in concentrates:
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 15.6 15.1 19.1 19.2 10.5 30.3 29.7
Lead ('000 tonnes) 7.5 8.0 10.1 7.0 4.2 13.7 11.2
Silver ('000 ounces) 447 460 571 426 225 810 651
(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 30 June 2004. 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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