First quarter 2010 operations

RNS Number : 1327K
Rio Tinto PLC
15 April 2010
 



First quarter 2010 operations review
 
15 April 2010
 
Chief executive Tom Albanese said: “In the first quarter, most of our operations continued to run at capacity. Chinese demand grew strongly and we saw some recovery in OECD markets, but we are still cautious about short term volatility. The long term outlook remains very strong and we are now ramping up our growth projects with sustained investment in our iron ore business and the start of development of Oyu Tolgoi.”

·         Rio Tinto’s global iron ore production was up 39 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2009, when heavy rains disrupted operations. Pilbara iron ore production was 53 million tonnes (41 million tonnes on an attributable basis), up 48 per cent on the first quarter of 2009.
 
·         The Pilbara system continued to operate at or close to its nameplate capacity during the quarter with production for the 12 months to 31 March 2010 totalling 219 million tonnes.
 
·         On 9 April 2010, Rio Tinto announced that it is currently negotiating contracts with its customers to supply iron ore priced on a quarterly basis.
 
·         Mined copper production was down 16 per cent on the first quarter of 2009 primarily due to lower grades at Kennecott Utah Copper and Grasberg.
 
·         Mined gold and molybdenum production were 12 per cent and 58 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2009, mainly attributable to higher grades at Kennecott Utah Copper.
 
·         Bauxite production increased 18 per cent on the first quarter of 2009 in line with improving market demand. Production levels were maintained for alumina and aluminium.
 
·         Australian hard coking coal production was up 35 per cent on the first quarter of 2009. Australian thermal coal production was down eight per cent on the same period.
 
·         Uranium production was down 20 per cent on the first quarter of 2009 due to lower grades at ERA and Rössing.
 
·         The development phase of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project will now commence following satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the Investment Agreement with the Government of Mongolia. During the quarter, Rio Tinto increased its ownership in Ivanhoe to 22.4 per cent.
 
·         In March Rio Tinto and Chinalco signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture covering the development and operation of the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea.
 
·         Construction of the Kennecott Utah Copper Molybdenum Autoclave Process (MAP) facility is to restart, with the investment of $340 million in phases one and two of the project.
 
 
All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto’s share of production, unless otherwise stated


 

CORPORATE ACTIVITY
 
During the first quarter of 2010, Rio Tinto completed $3.5 billion of previously announced divestments comprising Alcan Packaging Food Americas, Alcan Packaging global Pharmaceuticals, global Tobacco, Food Europe and Food Asia divisions and two undeveloped properties sold by Coal & Allied.
 
Since February 2008, Rio Tinto has completed asset sales of $10.3 billion.
 
On 31 March 2010 the Company announced the receipt of a binding offer for the Alcan Beauty Packaging business.
 
During the quarter, the Group reduced net debt by approximately $4.5 billion, including the repayment of $5 billion of the Alcan facility due in 2012.
 
 
IRON ORE
 
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 
 
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
Hamersley
29,989
 
+31%
 
-12%
 
Hope Downs
4,054
 
+137%
 
+43%
 
Robe River
7,448
 
+58%
 
-7%
 
IOC (pellets and concentrate)
1,870
 
+1%
 
-23%
 
 
Markets
Sales volumes from the Pilbara region of Western Australia were sustained at high levels of 53 million tonnes during the quarter (100 per cent basis), a decline of six per cent on the record fourth quarter and 34 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2009. Shipments to all major markets, including the largest single market, China, were maintained at or close to capacity levels and totalled over 217 million tonnes over the course of the past twelve months.
 
Pilbara operations
First quarter production of 53 million tonnes (41 million tonnes on an attributable basis) was four per cent lower than the previous quarter partly attributable to restricted availability of car dumpers. First quarter production was 48 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2009, which was impacted by a two week production shutdown and a separate two week suspension of the mainline rail system following heavy rains.
 
During the quarter, Rio Tinto started producing iron ore from the US$901 million (Rio Tinto share US$478 million) Mesa A / Warramboo mine. The mine will have an initial production of 20 million tonnes per annum, increasing to 25 million tonnes by 2011.
 
Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)
Rio Tinto’s share of first quarter production at IOC was 1.9 million tonnes of pellets and concentrate, a one per cent increase on the same quarter of 2009 and 23 per cent lower than the fourth quarter of 2009 driven by severe weather and related power failures.
 
HIsmelt
The HIsmelt pig iron plant in Western Australia has been on a care and maintenance programme since March 2009, due to depressed global pig iron prices.
 
Dampier Salt
First quarter salt production declined 16 per cent compared with the corresponding quarter of 2009 due to weaker market conditions and the one-off implementation of new haulage arrangements at Port Hedland.
 
Simandou
On 19 March 2010, Rio Tinto announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture covering the development and operation of the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea. Chinalco will acquire a 47 per cent interest in the new joint venture by providing US$1.35 billion on an earn-in basis through sole funding of ongoing development work over the next two to three years. Once Chinalco has contributed its US$1.35 billion, the Rio Tinto and Chinalco effective interests in the Simandou project will be 50.35 per cent and 44.65 per cent respectively. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will retain a five per cent holding in the project. The Guinean Government holds an option to buy up to 20 per cent of the project. Any interest acquired by the Guinean Government would proportionally reduce the effective interests of Rio Tinto, Chinalco and the IFC in Simandou.
 
2010 production guidance
In 2010, Rio Tinto’s global iron ore production for its Australian and Canadian operations is expected to be approximately 234 million tonnes on a 100 per cent basis.
 
 
COPPER
 
Rio Tinto share of production

 
 
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
Kennecott Utah Copper
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mined copper (000 tonnes)
61.3
 
-18%
 
-8%
 
Refined copper (000 tonnes)
70.1
 
+2%
 
-4%
 
Molybdenum (000 tonnes)
3.2
 
+58%
 
-7%
 
Mined gold (000 ozs)
157
 
+24%
 
-1%
 
Refined gold (000 ozs)
174
 
+62%
 
+18%
 
Escondida
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mined copper (000 tonnes)
72.7
 
-7%
 
-15%
 
Refined copper (000 tonnes)
18.9
 
-20%
 
-21%
 
Grasberg JV
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mined copper (000 tonnes)
13.4
 
-46%
 
-59%
 
Mined gold (000 ozs)
38
 
-25%
 
-80%
 
 
Kennecott Utah Copper
First quarter mined copper production decreased by 18 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2009. Ore milled increased by eight per cent due to improved system reliability at the concentrator but was offset by lower copper ore grades.  
 
Offsetting this were higher grades and increased recoveries from the optimisation of the flotation circuit which led to a 58 per cent increase in molybdenum production.
 
First quarter refined gold production increased by 62 per cent compared with the corresponding quarter of 2009 due to the processing of high grade raw material gold produced in late 2009. A 19 day maintenance shutdown is planned for the smelter during the second quarter of 2010.
 
Construction of the Kennecott Utah Copper MAP facility is to restart, with the investment of $340 million in phases one and two of the project. First production from phase 1 is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2012 and full capacity of 30 million pounds per annum is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2013. The phase 2 expansion to 60 million pounds per annum is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.
 
Escondida
Mined copper was seven per cent lower than the first quarter of 2009. Increased concentrate production from higher head grades was more than offset by lower leach production.
 
Refined copper production declined by 20 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2009 primarily due to safety interventions in the cathode electrowinning facility.
 
Grasberg
Freeport is due to release its 100 per cent operating data for the first quarter on 21 April 2010.
Based on Freeport’s estimated data, Rio Tinto’s first quarter share of joint venture copper and gold was impacted by lower ore grades and lower mill throughput.
 
Oyu Tolgoi
Following satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Investment Agreement with the Government of Mongolia, as announced on 31 March 2010, Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe will move forward with the Government of Mongolia to commence the development phase of the project. Production is expected to commence in 2013, with a five year ramp up to full production. Average copper production is expected to be 450,000 tonnes of copper per year. Oyu Tolgoi will also be a significant gold producer.
 
2010 production guidance
In 2010, Rio Tinto’s share of mined and refined copper production is expected to be 680,000 tonnes and 380,000 tonnes, respectively.
 
 
ALUMINIUM
 
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 
 
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
Bauxite
8,246
 
+18%
 
-9%
 
Alumina
2,211
 
+1%
 
-3%
 
Aluminium
937
 
-1%
 
-2%
 
 
Bauxite
First quarter bauxite production was 18 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2009 and nine per cent lower than the previous quarter. Production at Weipa and Gove increased by 33 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively, compared with the corresponding quarter of 2009, due to rising third party demand.
 
Alumina
First quarter alumina production was one per cent higher than the same quarter of 2009 and three per cent lower than the previous quarter. Production at QAL was impacted by weather events and maintenance in the first quarter whilst production at Gove was impacted by unplanned maintenance.
 
Aluminium
First quarter aluminium production was one per cent lower than the same quarter of 2009 and two per cent lower than the previous quarter, partly attributable to smelter closures and a divestment in 2009.
 
Low snow and rain levels in the Saguenay region of Quebec during the first quarter are expected to lead to reduced power generation and the subsequent need to purchase power.
 
2010 production guidance
In 2010, Rio Tinto’s share of alumina and aluminium production is expected to be 9.6 million tonnes and 3.8 million tonnes, respectively.
 
 
ENERGY
 
Australian coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 
 
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hard coking coal
1,858
 
+35%
 
-12%
 
Other coal
4,864
 
-8%
 
-19%
 
 
Hard coking coal production from the Queensland coal operations increased by 35 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2009 when production was reduced in response to the slowdown in the global steel industry.  
 
Thermal and semi-soft coal production was eight per cent lower than the corresponding quarter of 2009, primarily attributable to planned maintenance and the impact of inclement weather during the quarter.
 
US thermal coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 
 
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
US Coal
10,073
 
-53%
 
-41%
 
 
The table above reflects Rio Tinto’s changed shareholdings following the initial public offering of Cloud Peak Energy Inc in November 2009.
 
Uranium
Rio Tinto share of production (000 lbs)

 
 
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
Energy Resources of Australia
1,361
 
-28%
 
-18%
 
Rössing
1,336
 
-10%
 
-21%
 
 
First quarter production at both operations was impacted by lower grades and lower recoveries.
 
Energy evaluation projects
During the quarter, Rio Tinto’s subsidiary Coal & Allied divested two undeveloped coal projects, Vickery and Maules Creek. The profit on disposal is expected to be recognised within underlying earnings within Energy evaluation projects and is estimated to be $435 million pre-tax and $230 million post tax and minorities.
 
 
DIAMONDS & MINERALS
 
Rio Tinto share of production

Diamonds (000 carats)
Q1 10
 
vs Q1 09
 
vs Q4 09
 
Argyle
2,531
 
-43%
 
-28%
 
Diavik
938
 
-12%
 
+2%
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minerals (000 tonnes)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borates
111
 
-0%
 
+2%
 
Titanium dioxide feedstock
329
 
+1%
 
+1%
 
 
At Argyle, lower feed grade and frequent stoppages of the process plant due to wet weather led to a reduction in carat production compared with the first quarter of 2009.
 
The Diavik underground mine commenced production in the first quarter of 2010 with six per cent of total carats for the period sourced from the underground. First quarter production was 12 per cent lower than the same quarter of 2009 primarily due to lower volumes processed, as planned.
 
Minerals production continued to be affected by lower demand in line with reduced economic activity across all major regions. Talc was the exception, demonstrating a 19 per cent improvement on the first quarter of 2009 in response to increased demand for polymers. Borates production was up two per cent compared with the prior quarter.  The Company began utilising temporary substitute labour while it continued contract negotiations with represented workers at the Boron mine.
 
Commissioning and ramp up of the QMM ilmenite mine in Madagascar continued with production expected to ramp up in line with market demand over a three year period.


 

CAPITAL PROJECTS
 
Capital expenditure for 2010 is expected to be at least $5 billion with potential for a further $1 billion for capital investments.
 

Project
Approved
capital cost
(100%)
Status/Milestones
Completed in 2010
 
 
 
 
 
Iron ore – construction of the new Mesa A / Warramboo mine (Rio Tinto 53%) in the Robe Valley of Western Australia
$901m
First ore was produced in February 2010. The mine will have an initial production of 20 Mtpa, increasing to 25Mtpa by 2011.
Diamonds – Diavik (Rio Tinto 60%) underground development.
$787m
 
The underground mine produced its first ore at the end of March 2010.
 
 
 
Ongoing
 
 
Iron ore – construction of the new 22mtpa Brockman 4 mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Design considerations allowing for an increase in output by 14mtpa, to 36mtpa, are included in the Phase I scope, which will facilitate a cost effective ramp up as additional port capacity is brought on line.
$1,521m
On track to commence production in mid 2010 with a potential for further expansion. Full capacity is expected to be reached by 2012.
Iron ore – investment in next generation of driverless trains in the Pilbara
$371m
Approved in June 2008, the project was suspended at the end of 2008 and remains on hold.
Iron ore – investment in cleaner, more sustainable power generation to support expansion of mining capacity in Western Australia.
$503m
Approved in July 2008, the four gas turbines are being commissioned and are expected to come on line progressively during the second half of 2010.
Alumina – Expansion of Yarwun Alumina Refinery from 1.4 to 3.4 million tonnes per annum.
$1.9bn
Approved in July 2007, the project has been slowed in response to market demand. The change to the construction schedule will result in an expected completion date in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Aluminium - construction of a new 225MW turbine at the Shipshaw power station in Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
$228m
Approved in October 2008, the project remains on track and is expected to be completed in December 2012
Aluminium – modernisation of the Kitimat smelter in British Columbia, Canada
$0.5bn
The project timing has been slowed.
Aluminium – AP50 project
$0.4bn
The project timing has been slowed.
Thermal coal - Clermont(Rio Tinto 50.1%) will produce 12.2 million tonnes per annum, replacing Blair Athol.
$750m
Approved in January 2007, first shipments are expected in the second quarter of 2010 with full capacity being reached in 2013.
Coking coal – extension and expansion of Kestrel mine (Rio Tinto share 80%).
$991m
Approved in December 2007, the investment will extend the life of the mine to 2031 and increase production to an average of 5.7mtpa.
Diamonds – Argyle (Rio Tinto 100%) development of underground mine and open pit cutback, extending the life of the mine to 2018.
< $1.5bn
 
Approved in December 2005, the project has been slowed to critical development activities.

 
Recently approved / restarted
 
 
Copper – Northparkes (Rio Tinto 80%) E48 block cave project extending mine life to 2016.
$160m
Approved in November 2006, the project was put on hold in 2008 but restarted in September 2009. First production from E48 is expected in the second half of 2010.
Molybdenum – investment in phases 1 and 2 ofMoly autoclave project (MAP) to enable lower-grade concentrate to be processed more efficiently than conventional roasters and allow improved recoveries
$340m
First approved in June 2008, the project was put on hold. Approval was given in April 2010 to restart the project. First production from phase 1 is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2012 and full capacity of 30mlbs is scheduled for fourth quarter 2013. The phase 2 expansion to 60mlbs per annum is anticipated to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.
 
Sustaining capital expenditure for 2010 is estimated to be $2.1 billion (Rio Tinto funded).
 
 
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
 
Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first quarter of 2010 was $98 million compared with $127 million in the same period of 2009. During the quarter the Group realised $26 million (pre-tax) from the divestment of central exploration properties, compared with $68 million in the same period of 2009.
 
Rio Tinto continues to fund a number of major evaluation projects in 2010. Studies will continue into the step change expansion of iron ore production capacity in the Pilbara to 330 million tonnes per annum by 2015. Detailed design and engineering work on the Cape Lambert port expansion are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010. Other major evaluation projects include the Simandou iron ore project and the La Granja and Resolution copper projects.
 
Exploration highlights
At the Amargosa bauxite project in Brazil, Rio Tinto established a project team to manage an Order of Magnitude project due to be completed in 2011. 
 
At Rössing, Namibia, detailed mapping and sampling was completed over the Z20 uranium target in preparation for drilling. This target, which lies on the existing Rössing mine lease, is the likely extension of the Rössing South Zone 1 currently being evaluated by Extract Resources Ltd.
 
Drilling commenced at Bunder in India to increase confidence in the resource estimate. Processing of a surface bulk sample is underway to recover a diamond parcel for valuation.
 
In Indonesia, a mining licence was granted to Rio Tinto over the Sulawesi laterite nickel deposit.
 
A summary of activity for the period is as follows:
 

Product Group
Advanced projects
Greenfield programmes
Aluminium
Amargosa, Brazil
Australia, Brazil, Guyana, Laos
Copper
Copper: Bingham Orbit, US
Nickel: Tamarack, US
Copper: Chile, US, Peru, Russia, Kazakhstan
Nickel: Mozambique, South Africa, Canada
Diamonds & Minerals
 
Diamonds: India, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo
Energy
Coal: Altai Nuurs, Mongolia, Bowen Basin, Australia
Uranium: Rössing, Namibia
 
Coal: Tanzania, Mozambique, Bangladesh
Uranium: Jordan
 
Iron Ore
Pilbara, Australia
Democratic Republic of Congo

Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto businesses including Kennecott Utah Copper, Northparkes, Energy Resources of Australia, Rössing, Diavik and Pilbara Iron. 
 
Pre-feasibility or feasibility work progressed on a number of projects including Resolution (copper/molybdenum, US), La Granja (copper, Peru), Eagle (nickel/copper, US), Bunder (diamonds, India), Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) and several Pilbara iron ore deposits.
 
About Rio Tinto
 
Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed public company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.
 
Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt, talc) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.
 
For further information, please contact:
 

Media Relations, London
Nick Cobban
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1138
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003
Christina Mills
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1154
Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605
 
Media Relations, Australia
David Luff
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205 
Tony Shaffer
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612
Mobile: +1 202 256 3667
Media Relations, Americas
Tony Shaffer
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612
Mobile: +1 202 256 3667
Media Relations, Canada
Stefano Bertolli
Office:: +1 (0) 514 848 8151
Mobile: +1 (0) 514 945 1800
Investor Relations, London
Mark Shannon
Office:   +44 (0) 20 7781 1178
Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576 597
David Ovington
Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 2051
Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978
Investor Relations, North America
Jason Combes
Office: +1 (0) 801 204 2919
Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645
 
Investor Relations, Australia
Dave Skinner
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628
Simon Ellinor
Office: +61 (0) 7 3361 4365
Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811
 
 

 



Rio Tinto production summary

Rio Tinto share of production

 

 
 
Quarter
 
Full Year
 
% change
 
 
2009
2009
2010
 
 
 
Q1 10
Q1 10
 
 
Q1
Q4
Q1
 
2009
 
vs
vs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q1 09
Q4 09
Principal Commodities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alumina
('000 t)
2,186
2,282
2,211
 
8,815
 
1%
-3%
Aluminium
('000 t)
948
957
937
 
3,803
 
-1%
-2%
Bauxite
('000 t)
6,964
9,072
8,246
 
30,696
 
18%
-9%
Borates
('000 t)
111
109
111
 
424
 
0%
2%
Coal - hard coking coal
('000 t)
1,372
2,119
1,858
 
7,467
 
35%
-12%
Coal - other Australian
('000 t)
5,315
6,022
4,864
 
23,103
 
-8%
-19%
Coal - US
('000 t)
21,494
17,095
10,073
 
82,983
 
-53%
-41%
Copper - mined
('000 t)
196.0
203.3
165.3
 
804.7
 
-16%
-19%
Copper - refined
('000 t)
104.3
105.5
95.9
 
412.4
 
-8%
-9%
Diamonds
('000 cts)
5,506
4,451
3,497
 
14,026
 
-36%
-21%
Iron ore
('000 t)
31,244
47,228
43,361
 
170,038
 
39%
-8%
Titanium dioxide feedstock
('000 t)
324
325
329
 
1,147
 
1%
1%
Uranium
('000 lbs)
3,360
3,360
2,697
 
14,140
 
-20%
-20%
Other Metals & Minerals
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gold - mined
('000 ozs)
201
374
225
 
1,111
 
12%
-40%
Gold - refined
('000 ozs)
108
147
174
 
479
 
62%
18%
Molybdenum
('000 t)
2.0
3.4
3.2
 
11.3
 
58%
-7%
Salt
('000 t)
1,405
1,192
1,187
 
5,848
 
-16%
0%
Silver - mined
('000 ozs)
1,803
2,375
1,784
 
8,569
 
-1%
-25%
Silver - refined
('000 ozs)
1,085
1,148
1,320
 
4,050
 
22%
15%
Talc
('000 t)
202
222
240
 
888
 
19%
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 full year figures.

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

ALUMINA








Production ('000 tonnes)








Gardanne (a)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gove

100%

609

613

641

656

595

2,519

Jonquière (Vaudreuil)

100%

327

248

261

288

316

1,125

Queensland Alumina

80%

770

781

803

813

762

3,167

São Luis (Alumar)

10%

38

37

37

53

59

166

Yarwun

100%

313

347

345

341

336

1,347

Speciality alumina plants

100%

129

113

121

129

143

492

Rio Tinto total alumina production


2,186

2,139

2,208

2,282

2,211

8,815

ALUMINIUM








Production ('000 tonnes)








Australia - Bell Bay

100%

44

45

44

44

43

177

Australia - Boyne Island

59%

81

83

84

84

82

331

Australia - Tomago

52%

67

68

69

68

67

272

Cameroon - Alucam (Edéa)

47%

8

8

9

10

8

34

Canada - six wholly owned (b)

100%

354

348

343

345

337

1,390

Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)

40%

56

57

58

58

57

229

Canada - Bécancour

25%

27

25

26

27

26

105

France - two wholly owned

100%

84

82

89

90

88

345

Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)

100%

46

47

48

48

47

190

New Zealand - Tiwai Point 

79%

46

48

57

64

65

215

Norway - SORAL (Husnes)

50%

16

11

11

11

11

49

Oman - Sohar

20%

16

18

18

19

18

70

UK - two wholly owned

100%

36

35

36

40

41

147

UK - Anglesey (c)

51%

18

18

18

-

-

54

USA - Sebree

100%

48

48

48

49

48

193

Rio Tinto total aluminium production


948

942

956

957

937

3,803

BAUXITE








Production ('000 tonnes) (d)








Awaso (e)

0%

174

109

22

47

34

352

Gove

100%

1,551

1,816

1,822

1,996

1,849

7,185

Porto Trombetas

12%

451

425

480

521

457

1,877

Sangaredi

(f)

1,374

937

1,171

1,565

1,356

5,047

Weipa

100%

3,415

3,929

3,949

4,942

4,550

16,235

Rio Tinto total bauxite production


6,964

7,217

7,443

9,072

8,246

30,696

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

BORATES








Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)








Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100%

111

79

124

109

111

424

COAL - HARD COKING








Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)








Hail Creek Coal

82%

872

1,292

1,496

1,513

1,006

5,173

Kestrel Coal

80%

501

606

581

607

852

2,294

Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production


1,372

1,898

2,077

2,119

1,858

7,467

COAL - OTHER (g)








Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)








Bengalla

30%

341

435

445

434

372

1,655

Blair Athol Coal

71%

1,818

2,250

2,142

1,858

1,525

8,068

Hunter Valley Operations

76%

2,047

2,066

2,085

2,305

1,955

8,504

Kestrel Coal

80%

285

121

111

163

143

679

Mount Thorley Operations

61%

345

385

583

711

300

2,024

Warkworth

42%

479

478

665

549

569

2,172

Total Australian other coal


5,315

5,734

6,031

6,022

4,864

23,103









US Coal ('000 tonnes)








Antelope  (h)

48%

7,277

7,799

8,057

5,898

3,708

29,031

Colowyo

100%

869

783

845

717

582

3,214

Cordero Rojo (h)

48%

8,897

7,588

9,586

7,289

3,906

33,361

Decker (h)

24%

536

505

588

387

103

2,017

Spring Creek (h)

48%

3,915

4,392

4,251

2,803

1,774

15,360

Total US coal


21,494

21,067

23,327

17,095

10,073

82,983

Rio Tinto total other coal production


26,810

26,801

29,358

23,117

14,937

106,086

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COPPER








Mine production ('000 tonnes) (d)








Bingham Canyon

100%

74.7

86.2

75.8

66.8

61.3

303.5

Escondida

30%

78.1

76.2

78.2

85.9

72.7

318.3

Grasberg - Joint Venture (i)

40%

24.7

25.3

25.2

32.5

13.4

107.7

Northparkes

80%

6.6

7.4

6.9

6.5

7.3

27.4

Palabora

58%

11.8

13.1

11.1

11.6

10.6

47.6

Rio Tinto total mine production


196.0

208.2

197.2

203.3

165.3

804.7

Refined production ('000 tonnes)








Escondida

30%

23.5

25.7

25.0

24.0

18.9

98.2

Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

68.7

65.1

67.6

72.9

70.1

274.2

Palabora

58%

12.1

11.2

8.0

8.7

6.9

40.0

Rio Tinto total refined production


104.3

102.0

100.6

105.5

95.9

412.4

DIAMONDS








Production ('000 carats)








Argyle

100%

4,404

408

2,274

3,504

2,531

10,591

Diavik

60%

1,071

853

497

918

938

3,339

Murowa

78%

31

20

17

29

29

97

Rio Tinto total diamond production


5,506

1,281

2,787

4,451

3,497

14,026

GOLD








Mine production ('000 ounces) (d)








Barneys Canyon

100%

1

1

0

0

1

2

Bingham Canyon

100%

126

159

138

158

157

582

Escondida

30%

11

11

9

13

12

43

Grasberg - Joint Venture (i)

40%

51

73

118

187

38

429

Northparkes

80%

6

6

7

9

11

27

Rawhide

100%

4

5

5

5

4

19

Others

-

3

2

2

1

2

8

Rio Tinto total mine production


201

258

278

374

225

1,111

Refined production ('000 ounces)








Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

108

112

112

147

174

479

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

IRON ORE & IRON








Production ('000 tonnes) (d)








Hamersley - six wholly owned mines

100%

19,571

26,834

30,353

30,050

25,510

106,808

Hamersley - Channar

60%

1,437

1,819

1,851

1,517

2,006

6,625

Hamersley - Eastern Range

(k)

1,958

2,374

2,636

2,349

2,473

9,318

Hope Downs

50%

1,707

2,748

3,019

2,843

4,054

10,317

Iron Ore Company of Canada

59%

1,853

2,515

1,329

2,432

1,870

8,129

Robe River

53%

4,717

8,298

7,789

8,037

7,448

28,841

Rio Tinto total mine production


31,244

44,589

46,977

47,228

43,361

170,038

Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)








HIsmelt® (j)

60%

-

-

-

-

-

-

MOLYBDENUM








Mine production ('000 tonnes) (d)








Bingham Canyon

100%

2.0

2.5

3.4

3.4

3.2

11.3

SALT








Production ('000 tonnes)








Dampier Salt

68%

1,405

1,520

1,731

1,192

1,187

5,848

SILVER








Mine production ('000 ounces) (d)








Bingham Canyon

100%

1,106

1,389

1,189

1,187

1,146

4,871

Escondida

30%

403

416

316

492

471

1,627

Grasberg - Joint Venture (i)

40%

154

303

460

557

16

1,474

Others

-

141

159

158

138

151

596

Rio Tinto total mine production


1,803

2,268

2,122

2,375

1,784

8,569

Refined production ('000 ounces)








Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

1,085

931

886

1,148

1,320

4,050

TALC








Production ('000 tonnes)








Rio Tinto Minerals - talc

100%

202

224

240

222

240

888

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK








Production ('000 tonnes)








Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100%

324

332

165

325

329

1,147

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Year

 

interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

URANIUM

 

 

 

 


 


Production ('000 lbs U3O8)

 







Energy Resources of Australia

68%

1,883

2,180

2,138

1,663

1,361

7,865

Rössing

69%

1,477

1,461

1,640

1,697

1,336

6,275

Rio Tinto total uranium production

 

3,360

3,641

3,778

3,360

2,697

14,140

Production data notes

 

(a)           Production of smelter grade alumina at Gardanne ceased at the end of 2008. Production continues from the Gardanne specialty alumina plant.

(b)           Includes data for the Beauharnois smelter which ceased smelting operations in the second quarter of 2009.

(c)           The Anglesey smelter ceased smelting operations at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

(d)           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 pellets.

(e)           Rio Tinto Alcan had an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchased the additional 20% of production. Rio Tinto Alcan sold its interest in Ghana Bauxite Company, owner of the Awaso mine, with an effective date of 1 February 2010. Production data are shown up to that date.

(f)            Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45.0% of production under the partnership agreement.

(g)           Coal - other includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.

(h)           As a result of the initial public offering of Cloud Peak Energy Inc. on 20 November 2009, Rio Tinto now holds a 48.3% interest in the Antelope, Cordero Rojo and Spring Creek mines and a 24.1% interest in the Decker mine. These interests were formerly reported under Rio Tinto Energy America but are now managed by Cloud Peak Energy.

(i)            Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. Rio Tinto's share of production reflects actual production for the periods shown.

(j)            In March 2009, Rio Tinto announced that HIsmelt would be placed on an extended care and maintenance programme.

(k)           Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture.

The Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010.

 

Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as footnoted above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average interest over the relevant periods.  Rio Tinto's interests in the Ningxia aluminium smelter, Corumbá and Jacobs Ranch mines were sold in 2009. No data for these operations are included in the Share of Production table.   




Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

ALUMINIUM








Rio Tinto Alcan








Bauxite Mines








Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)








Australia








Gove mine - Northern Territory

100.0%

1,551

1,816

1,822

1,996

1,849

7,185

Weipa mine - Queensland

100.0%

3,415

3,929

3,949

4,942

4,550

16,235

Brazil








Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine

12.0%

3,756

3,544

4,000

4,345

3,809

15,645

Ghana








Awaso mine (a)

80.0%

217

136

28

59

42

440

Guinea








Sangaredi mine (b)

23.0%

3,053

2,083

2,602

3,478

3,013

11,216









Rio Tinto Alcan share of bauxite shipments






Share of bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)

7,291

7,337

7,803

9,140

7,671

31,571

(a)           Rio Tinto Alcan had an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchased the additional 20% of production. Rio Tinto Alcan sold its interest in Ghana Bauxite Company, owner of the Awaso mine, with an effective date of 1 February 2010. Production data are shown up to that date.

(b)           Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45.0% of production under the partnership agreement.

 


Smelter-Grade Alumina Refineries







Alumina production ('000 tonnes)








Australia








Gove refinery - Northern Territory

100.0%

609

613

641

656

595

2,519

Queensland Alumina Refinery -

Queensland

80.0%

962

977

1,003

1,017

953

3,959

Yarwun refinery - Queensland

100.0%

313

347

345

341

336

1,347

Brazil








São Luis (Alumar) refinery

10.0%

382

370

373

532

588

1,657

Canada








Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery  - Quebec

100.0%

327

248

261

288

316

1,125

France








Gardanne refinery  (a)

100.0%

-

-

-

-

-

-

(a)           Production of smelter grade alumina at Gardanne ceased at the end of 2008.  Production continues from the Gardanne specialty alumina plant.

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

ALUMINIUM (continued)







Specialty Alumina Plants








Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)







Canada








Brockville plant - Quebec

100.0%

4

4

3

4

4

16

Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant - Quebec

100.0%

26

29

27

26

24

109

France








Beyrede

100.0%

3

2

4

6

4

15

Gardanne plant 

100.0%

88

70

76

83

99

317

La Bathie plant  

100.0%

4

3

4

5

7

16

Germany








Teutschenthal plant

100.0%

4

4

6

5

5

19

Aluminium Smelters








Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)







Australia








Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania

100.0%

44

45

44

44

43

177

Boyne Island smelter - Queensland

59.4%

136

139

141

141

137

556

Tomago smelter - New South Wales

51.6%

130

132

133

133

129

528

Cameroon








Alucam (Edéa) smelter

46.7%

17

16

18

22

17

73

Canada








Alma smelter - Quebec

100.0%

108

108

109

110

107

435

Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec

40.0%

140

143

145

145

141

573

Arvida smelter - Quebec

100.0%

41

43

43

44

43

171

Beauharnois, smelter - Quebec (a)

100.0%

9

2

-

-

-

11

Bécancour smelter - Quebec

25.1%

107

101

103

109

103

420

Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec

100.0%

53

53

54

54

54

215

Kitimat smelter - British Colombia

100.0%

60

59

53

52

50

224

Laterrière smelter - Quebec

100.0%

58

59

59

59

58

235

Shawinigan smelter - Quebec

100.0%

25

25

25

25

25

99

China








Ningxia (Qingtongxia) smelter (b)

0.0%

10

-

-

-

-

10

France








Dunkerque smelter

100.0%

57

57

64

66

64

244

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne smelter

100.0%

28

25

25

24

24

101

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

ALUMINIUM (continued)








Iceland








ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter

100.0%

46

47

48

48

47

190

New Zealand








Tiwai Point smelter

79.4%

58

61

71

81

82

271

Norway








SORAL (Husnes) smelter

50.0%

32

21

22

22

22

98

Oman








Sohar smelter

20.0%

79

90

89

93

89

351

United Kingdom








Anglesey Aluminium smelter (c)

51.0%

35

35

36

-

-

106

Lochaber smelter

100.0%

9

9

9

10

10

38

Lynemouth smelter

100.0%

26

26

27

30

31

109

United States








Sebree smelter - Kentucky

100.0%

48

48

48

49

48

193

Rio Tinto Alcan share of metal sales








Share of primary aluminium sales
('000 tonnes) (d)


1,167

1,243

1,244

1,254

1,232

4,909

 

 

(a)           The Beauharnois smelter ceased smelting operations in the second quarter of 2009.

(b)           Rio Tinto sold its 50% interest in the Ningxia aluminium smelter with an effective date of 26 January 2009

(c)           The Anglesey smelter ceased smelting operations at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

(d)           Primary aluminium sales include sales made through Rio Tinto Alcan's Engineered Products division.

 

 

BORATES








Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100.0%







California, US and Argentina








Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)


111

79

124

109

111

424

 

(a)           Production is expressed as B2O3 content.

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COAL








Rio Tinto Coal Australia








Bengalla mine

30.3%







New South Wales, Australia








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,126

1,438

1,468

1,434

1,228

5,466

Blair Athol Coal mine

71.2%







Queensland, Australia








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


2,552

3,158

3,007

2,609

2,141

11,325

Hail Creek Coal mine

82.0%







Queensland, Australia








Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

1,063

1,576

1,824

1,845

1,227

6,308

Hunter Valley Operations

75.7%







New South Wales, Australia








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


2,212

2,383

1,610

2,400

1,892

8,606

Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

492

346

1,144

644

690

2,626

Kestrel Coal mine (a)

80.0%







Queensland, Australia








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


356

151

138

204

179

849

Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

626

758

726

758

1,065

2,868

Mount Thorley Operations

60.6%







New South Wales, Australia








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


513

478

882

357

189

2,230

Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

57

157

81

818

306

1,112

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COAL (continued)








Warkworth mine

42.1%







New South Wales, Australia








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,064

918

1,378

1,272

1,115

4,632

Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

75

217

204

34

236

530









Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

1,689

2,334

2,550

2,603

2,292

9,176

Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a)

2,186

2,551

2,761

2,761

1,873

10,260

Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (b)

8,447

9,246

9,912

9,772

7,977

37,377

Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (c) (d)

7,376

9,323

9,654

10,231

7,235

36,584









Total coal production ('000 tonnes)

10,136

11,580

12,462

12,375

10,269

46,554

Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)

9,562

11,875

12,415

12,992

9,108

46,844








Rio Tinto Coal Australia share







Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a)

1,773

2,072

2,246

2,246

1,519

8,337

Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (c) (d)

4,603

5,742

5,955

6,205

4,377

22,505

 

(a)        Kestrel produces hard-coking coal and thermal coal through its mining operations. These coals may be blended at ports; blended coal sales are included in hard-coking coal sales.

(b)       Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.

(c)        Other coal sales include thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal.

(d)        Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COAL (continued)








US Coal








Antelope mine (a)

48.3%







Wyoming, US








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


7,277

7,799

8,057

7,732

7,682

30,865

Colowyo mine

100.0%







Colorado, US








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


869

783

845

717

582

3,214

Cordero Rojo mine (a)

48.3%







Wyoming, US








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


8,897

7,588

9,586

9,616

8,091

35,687

Decker mine (a)

24.1%







Montana, US








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,073

1,010

1,177

901

429

4,161

Jacobs Ranch mine (b)

0.0%







Wyoming, US








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


9,349

8,062

9,126

-

-

26,537

Spring Creek mine (a)

48.3%







Montana, US








Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


3,915

4,392

4,251

3,478

3,674

16,035









Total coal production ('000 tonnes)


31,380

29,634

33,041

22,444

20,458

116,499

Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)


32,076

29,487

32,918

22,467

22,417

116,947

 

(a)           As a result of the initial public offering of Cloud Peak Energy Inc. on 20 November 2009, Rio Tinto now holds a 48.3% interest in the Antelope, Cordero Rojo and Spring Creek mines and a 24.1% interest in the Decker mine. These interests were formerly reported under Rio Tinto Energy America but are now managed by Cloud Peak Energy.

 (b)          Rio Tinto sold its 100% interest in the Jacobs Ranch mine with an effective date of 1 October 2009. Production data are shown up to that date.

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COPPER & GOLD








Escondida

30.0%







Chile








Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)

21,381

19,898

16,224

20,246

17,697

77,749

Average copper grade (%)


0.93

1.22

1.40

1.38

1.29

1.22

Mill production (metals in concentrates):








Contained copper ('000 tonnes)


156.4

199.6

188.4

233.0

189.2

777.4

Contained gold ('000 ounces)


35

37

29

42

40

144

Contained silver ('000 ounces)


1,345

1,387

1,052

1,641

1,571

5,424

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

104

54

72

53

53

284

Refined production from leach plants:







Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)

78

86

83

80

63

327

(a)         With effect from the first quarter of 2010, the calculation of copper in material mined for leaching is  based on ore stacked at the leach pad.

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold

0.0% (40% of the expansion)




Grasberg mine (a)








Papua, Indonesia








Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


21,364

21,632

22,191

21,786

20,177

86,973

Average mill head grades:








Copper (%)


1.12

1.10

0.90

0.82

0.84

0.98

Gold (g/t)


1.13

1.51

1.33

1.23

1.00

1.30

Silver (g/t)


3.63

3.81

3.49

3.03

2.66

3.49

Production of metals in concentrates:








Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


214.6

214.8

180.8

161.3

147.0

771.4

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


638

875

823

740

534

3,076

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


2,012

2,314

1,909

1,652

977

7,888

Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)







Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


189.0

222.1

174.3

152.4

144.3

737.8

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


565

885

796

707

535

2,953

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


1,425

1,876

1,459

1,248

795

6,008

 

(a)           Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. The 1Q 2010 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan because FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 1Q 2010 until the release of its 2010 first-quarter results on 21 April 2010.

(b)           Net of smelter deductions.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COPPER & GOLD (continued)








Kennecott Minerals Company








Rawhide mine (a)

100.0%







Nevada, US








Metals produced in doré:








Gold ('000 ounces)


4

5

5

5

4

19

Silver ('000 ounces)


35

54

63

58

52

210

(a)   Mining operations were completed in October 2002 and processing of stockpiled ores was completed in May 2003. Residual gold and silver production continues from the leach pads.

 

Kennecott Utah Copper








Barneys Canyon mine (a)

100.0%







Utah, US








Gold produced ('000 ounces)


0.8

0.8

0.4

0.4

0.8

2.3

Bingham Canyon mine

100.0%







Utah, US








Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


12,281

13,749

13,880

12,946

13,303

52,856

Average ore grade:








Copper (%)


0.69

0.69

0.60

0.57

0.52

0.64

Gold (g/t)


0.44

0.52

0.43

0.53

0.51

0.48

Silver (g/t)


3.37

3.96

3.35

3.45

3.28

3.54

Molybdenum (%)


0.031

0.036

0.038

0.044

0.042

0.038

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

256

290

258

223

224

1,028

Average concentrate grade (% Cu)

29.0

29.7

29.3

29.9

27.2

29.4

Production of metals in copper concentrates:







Copper ('000 tonnes) (b)


74.7

86.2

75.8

66.8

61.3

303.5

Gold ('000 ounces)


126

159

138

158

157

582

Silver ('000 ounces)


1,106

1,389

1,189

1,187

1,146

4,871

Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):

3.8

4.7

6.5

6.5

6.2

21.6

Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

2.0

2.5

3.4

3.4

3.2

11.3

(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.

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COPPER & GOLD (continued)








Kennecott smelter & refinery

100.0%







Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)


288

305

294

288

232

1,175

Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (a)


73.0

67.5

67.0

79.7

72.3

287.1

Production of refined metal:








Copper ('000 tonnes)


68.7

65.1

67.6

72.9

70.1

274.2

Gold  ('000 ounces) (b)


108

112

112

147

174

479

Silver ('000 ounces) (b)


1,085

931

886

1,148

1,320

4,050

(a)           New metal excluding recycled material.

(b)           Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

 

Northparkes Joint Venture

80.0%







New South Wales, Australia








Ore treated ('000 tonnes)

1,367

1,422

1,421

1,344

1,364

5,554

Average ore grades:







Copper (%)


0.68

0.75

0.69

0.70

0.76

0.70

Gold (g/t)


0.23

0.24

0.26

0.33

0.44

0.27

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

23.5

27.0

24.3

23.7

25.9

98.5

Contained copper in concentrates:







Saleable production ('000 tonnes)


8.3

9.3

8.6

8.1

9.1

34.3

Sales ('000 tonnes) (a)


2.9

7.8

6.6

9.7

7.5

26.9

Contained gold in concentrates:







Saleable production ('000 ounces)


7.1

7.9

8.4

11.0

14.0

34.3

Sales ('000 ounces) (a)


2.5

5.9

6.1

9.8

11.8

24.2

(a)           Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

COPPER & GOLD (continued)








Palabora

57.7%







Palabora mine








South Africa








Ore treated ('000 tonnes)

2,789

2,940

2,792

2,809

2,783

11,330

Average ore grade: copper (%)

0.68

0.68

0.66

0.67

0.66

0.67

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

67.1

76.1

61.8

65.8

61.8

270.8

Average concentrate grade: copper (%)

30.5

29.9

31.1

30.5

29.8

30.5

Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

20.5

22.7

19.3

20.1

18.4

82.6

Palabora smelter/refinery








New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)

72.8

68.0

58.5

67.3

57.7

266.6

New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes)

20.2

18.9

12.5

14.3

12.4

65.9

Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)

21.0

19.5

13.8

15.1

12.0

69.4

By-products:








Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)

772

617

759

697

754

2,845

Nickel contained in products (tonnes)

21

33

29

11

18

95

Vermiculite plant








Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)

52 

46

48

50

54

196

 

 

DIAMONDS








Argyle Diamonds

100.0%







Western Australia








AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)


881

315

1,465

1,972

1,726

4,634

AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)


4,404

408

2,274

3,504

2,531

10,591

Diavik Diamonds

60.0%







Northwest Territories, Canada








Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


427

382

186

364

388

1,359

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


1,785

1,421

828

1,530

1,563

5,565

Murowa Diamonds

77.8%







Zimbabwe








Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


84

78

39

66

88

267

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


40

26

21

37

37

124

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

IRON ORE & IRON








Rio Tinto Iron Ore








Pilbara Operations








Western Australia








Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes):








Hamersley - Paraburdoo, Mount Tom

Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina,

Brockman and Nammuldi

100.0%

19,571

26,834

30,353

30,050

25,510

106,808

Hamersley - Channar

60.0%

2,395

3,032

3,085

2,528

3,344

11,041

Hamersley - Eastern Range

(a)

1,958

2,374

2,636

2,349

2,473

9,318

Hope Downs

50.0%

3,414

5,495

6,037

5,687

8,108

20,634

Robe River - Pannawonica

(Mesas J and A) (b)

53.0%

3,572

7,426

7,378

6,801

6,971

25,178

Robe River - West Angelas

53.0%

5,329

8,231

7,317

8,362

7,083

29,239

Total production ('000 tonnes)


36,240

53,393

56,808

55,778

53,488

202,218

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (c)


39,343

52,479

55,722

56,350

52,896

203,895

(a)           Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(b)           Production at the Mesa A mine commenced in the first quarter of 2010.

(c)           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)


1,459

2,396

835

1,034

261

5,724

Pellets ('000 tonnes)


1,697

1,887

1,429

3,107

2,923

8,120

Sales:








Concentrate ('000 tonnes)


919

1,832

1,167

1,317

314

5,235

Pellets ('000 tonnes)


1,210

2,407

2,086

3,307

2,676

9,010

Rio Tinto Brasil








Corumbá mine (a)

0.0%







Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil








Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)

401

574

534

-

-

1,509

Sales ('000 tonnes)


138

140

253

-

-

530

(a)           Rio Tinto sold its 100% interest in the Corumbá mine with an effective date of 18 September 2009. Production data are shown up to that date.

HIsmelt®

60.0%







Western Australia








Pig iron production ('000 tonnes) (a)


-

-

-

-

-

-

(a)           In March 2009, Rio Tinto announced that HIsmelt would be placed on an extended care and maintenance programme.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

Full Year


interest

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2009

SALT








Dampier Salt

68.4%







Western Australia








Salt production ('000 tonnes)


2,056

2,224

2,532

1,744

1,737

8,555

TALC








Rio Tinto Minerals - talc

100.0%







Australia, Europe, and North America








Talc production ('000 tonnes)


202

224

240

222

240

888

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK








Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100.0%







Canada and South Africa (a) (b)








(Rio Tinto share)








Titanium dioxide

feedstock production ('000 tonnes)


324

332

165

325

329

1,147

(a)           Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and 50% of Richards Bay Minerals production until late 2009 when RBM concluded a Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment transaction.  RTIT's share of RBM production reflects a decrease from 50% to 37% with effect from 9 December 2009.

(b)           Ilmenite mined in Madagascar is being processed in Canada with effect from June 2009.

 

URANIUM








Energy Resources of Australia Ltd








Ranger mine

68.4%







Northern Territory, Australia








Production ('000 lbs U3O8)


2,754

3,188

3,126

2,432

1,991

11,500

Rössing Uranium Ltd

68.6%







Namibia








Production ('000 lbs U3O8)


2,154

2,130

2,391

2,475

1,948

9,150

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2010. 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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