Fourth Quarter 2009 Operation

RNS Number : 4915F

Rio Tinto PLC

14 January 2010

 



  Rio Tinto production summary

Rio Tinto share of production

		Quarter				Full Year			% change
		2008	2009	2009					Q4 09	Q4 09	2009
		Q4	Q3	Q4		2008	2009		vs	vs	vs
									Q4 08	Q3 09	2008
Principal Commodities
Alumina	('000 t)	2,336	2,208	2,282		9,008	8,815		-2%	3%	-2%
Aluminium	('000 t)	990	956	957		3,981	3,803		-3%	0%	-4%
Bauxite	('000 t)	9,119	7,443	9,072		34,987	30,696		-1%	22%	-12%
Borates	('000 t)	121	124	109		610	424		-9%	-12%	-31%
Coal - hard coking coal	('000 t)	2,162	2,077	2,119		7,431	7,467		-2%	2%	0%
Coal - other Australian	('000 t)	5,737	6,031	6,022		22,094	23,103		5%	0%	5%
Coal - US	('000 t)	34,037	32,453	17,095		130,755	109,520		-50%	-47%	-16%
Copper - mined	('000 t)	149.1	197.2	203.3		698.5	804.7		36%	3%	15%
Copper - refined	('000 t)	91.6	100.6	105.5		321.6	412.4		15%	5%	28%
Diamonds	('000 cts)	6,854	2,787	4,451		20,816	14,026		-35%	60%	-33%
Iron ore	('000 t)	31,759	47,511	47,228		153,394	171,547		49%	-1%	12%
Titanium dioxide feedstock	('000 t)	369	165	325		1,524	1,147		-12%	97%	-25%
Uranium	('000 lbs)	4,199	3,778	3,360		14,200	14,140		-20%	-11%	0%
Other Metals & Minerals
Gold - mined	('000 ozs)	123	278	374		460	1,111		204%	34%	141%
Gold - refined	('000 ozs)	72	112	147		303	479		104%	32%	58%
Molybdenum	('000 t)	2.0	3.4	3.4		10.6	11.3		74%	1%	7%
Pig Iron	('000 t)	32	0	0		87	0		-	-	-
Salt	('000 t)	1,722	1,731	1,192		6,135	5,848		-31%	-31%	-5%
Silver - mined	('000 ozs)	1,715	2,122	2,375		5,901	8,569		39%	12%	45%
Silver - refined	('000 ozs)	677	886	1,148		3,252	4,050		70%	30%	25%
Talc	('000 t)	194	240	222		1,163	888		15%	-7%	-24%

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	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Gardanne	100%	1	-	-	-	-	38	-
Gove	100%	615	609	613	641	656	2,325	2,519
Jonquiere	100%	358	327	248	261	288	1,370	1,125
Queensland Alumina	80%	790	770	781	803	813	3,074	3,167
Sao Luis (Alumar)	10%	39	38	37	37	53	150	166
Yarwun	100%	349	313	347	345	341	1,293	1,347
Speciality alumina plants	100%	184	129	113	121	129	758	492
Rio Tinto total alumina production		2,336	2,186	2,139	2,208	2,282	9,008	8,815
ALUMINIUM (a)
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Australia - Bell Bay	100%	45	44	45	44	44	178	177
Australia - Boyne Island	59%	83	81	83	84	84	330	331
Australia - Tomago	52%	68	67	68	69	68	270	272
Cameroon - Alucam (Edea)	47%	11	8	8	9	10	43	34
Canada - six wholly owned (b)	100%	365	354	348	343	345	1,440	1,390
Canada - Alouette	40%	58	56	57	58	58	229	229
Canada - Becancour	25%	26	27	25	26	27	104	105
France - three wholly owned	100%	92	84	82	89	90	389	345
Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)	100%	48	46	47	48	48	187	190
New Zealand - Tiwai Point	79%	55	46	48	57	64	250	215
Norway - SORAL (Husnes)	50%	22	16	11	11	11	86	49
Oman - Sohar (c)	20%	8	16	18	18	19	10	70
UK - two wholly owned	100%	42	36	35	36	40	207	147
UK - Anglesey (d)	51%	16	18	18	18	-	60	54
USA - Sebree	100%	50	48	48	48	49	197	193
Rio Tinto total aluminium production		990	948	942	956	957	3,981	3,803
BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Awaso (e)	80%	177	174	109	22	47	637	352
Sangaredi	(f)	1,520	1,374	937	1,171	1,565	5,931	5,047
Gove	100%	1,655	1,551	1,816	1,822	1,996	6,245	7,185
Porto Trombetas	12%	594	451	425	480	521	2,168	1,877
Weipa (g)	100%	5,173	3,415	3,929	3,949	4,942	20,006	16,235
Rio Tinto total bauxite production		9,119	6,964	7,217	7,443	9,072	34,987	30,696

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
BORATES
Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto Minerals - borates	100%	121	111	79	124	109	610	424
COAL - HARD COKING
Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal	82%	1,506	872	1,292	1,496	1,513	4,960	5,173
Kestrel Coal	80%	656	501	606	581	607	2,471	2,294
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production		2,162	1,372	1,898	2,077	2,119	7,431	7,467
COAL - OTHER (h)
Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)
Bengalla	30%	424	341	435	445	434	1,622	1,655
Blair Athol Coal	71%	1,936	1,818	2,250	2,142	1,858	7,262	8,068
Hunter Valley Operations	76%	2,077	2,047	2,066	2,085	2,305	8,139	8,504
Kestral Coal	80%	209	285	121	111	163	744	679
Mount Thorley Operations	61%	340	345	385	583	711	1,786	2,024
Warkworth	42%	750	479	478	665	549	2,540	2,172
Total Australian other coal		5,737	5,315	5,734	6,031	6,022	22,094	23,103
US Coal ('000 tonnes)
Antelope (i)	48%	8,191	7,277	7,799	8,057	5,898	32,474	29,031
Colowyo (j)	100%	1,212	869	783	845	717	4,446	3,214
Cordero Rojo (i)	48%	9,333	8,897	7,588	9,586	7,289	36,318	33,361
Decker (i)	24%	680	536	505	588	387	2,970	2017
Jacobs Ranch (k)	0%	10,275	9,349	8,062	9,126	-	38,206	26,537
Spring Creek (i)	48%	4,347	3,915	4,392	4,251	2,803	16,341	15,360
Total US coal		34,037	30,844	29,128	32,453	17,095	130,755	109,520
Rio Tinto total other coal production		39,774	36,159	34,863	38,484	23,117	152,849	132,623

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes) (l)
Bingham Canyon	100%	63.8	74.7	86.2	75.8	66.8	238.0	303.5
Escondida	30%	66.0	78.1	76.2	78.2	85.9	384.5	318.3
Grasberg - Joint Venture (m)	40%	1.8	24.7	25.3	25.2	32.5	7.1	107.7
Northparkes	80%	6.1	6.6	7.4	6.9	6.5	19.8	27.4
Palabora	58%	11.4	11.8	13.1	11.1	11.6	49.1	47.6
Rio Tinto total mine production		149.1	196.0	208.2	197.2	203.3	698.5	804.7
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Escondida	30%	21.9	23.5	25.7	25.0	24.0	77.3	98.2
Kennecott Utah Copper	100%	58.6	68.7	65.1	67.6	72.9	200.6	274.2
Palabora	58%	11.0	12.1	11.2	8.0	8.7	43.8	40.0
Rio Tinto total refined production		91.6	104.3	102.0	100.6	105.5	321.6	412.4
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle	100%	5,253	4,404	408	2,274	3,504	15,076	10,591
Diavik	60%	1,558	1,071	853	497	918	5,535	3,339
Murowa	78%	43	31	20	17	29	205	97
Rio Tinto total diamond production		6,854	5,506	1,281	2,787	4,451	20,816	14,026
GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces) (l)
Barneys Canyon	100%	1	1	1	0	0	5	2
Bingham Canyon	100%	100	126	159	138	158	368	582
Escondida	30%	11	11	11	9	13	43	43
Grasberg - Joint Venture (m)	40%	-	51	73	118	187	-	429
Northparkes	80%	6	6	6	7	9	26	27
Rawhide (n)	100%	3	4	5	5	5	9	19
Others	-	2	3	2	2	1	8	8
Rio Tinto total mine production		123	201	258	278	374	460	1,111
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper	100%	72	108	112	112	147	303	479

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
IRON ORE & IRON
Production ('000 tonnes) (l)
Corumbá (o)	0%	430	401	574	534	-	2,032	1,509
Hamersley - six wholly owned mines	100%	19,057	19,571	26,834	30,353	30,050	95,553	106,808
Hamersley - Channar	60%	1,179	1,437	1,819	1,851	1,517	6,229	6,625
Hamersley - Eastern Range	(p)	1,900	1,958	2,374	2,636	2,349	8,186	9,318
Hope Downs	50%	1,662	1,707	2,748	3,019	2,843	5,468	10,317
Iron Ore Company of Canada	59%	2,282	1,853	2,515	1,329	2,432	9,295	8,129
Robe River	53%	5,250	4,717	8,298	7,789	8,037	26,631	28,841
Rio Tinto total mine production		31,759	31,645	45,162	47,511	47,228	153,394	171,547
Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)
HIsmelt®	60%	32	-	-	-	-	87	-
MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes) (l)
Bingham Canyon	100%	2.0	2.0	2.5	3.4	3.4	10.6	11.3
SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt	68%	1,722	1,405	1,520	1,731	1,192	6,135	5,848
SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces) (l)
Bingham Canyon	100%	933	1,106	1,389	1,189	1,187	3,414	4,871
Escondida	30%	442	403	416	316	492	1,850	1,627
Grasberg - Joint Venture (m)	40%	220	154	303	460	557	220	1,474
Others	-	120	141	159	158	138	417	596
Rio Tinto total mine production		1,715	1,803	2,268	2,122	2,375	5,901	8,569
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper	100%	677	1,085	931	886	1,148	3,252	4,050
TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Minerals - talc	100%	194	202	224	240	222	1,163	888
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium	100%	369	324	332	165	325	1,524	1,147

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
URANIUM
Production ('000 lbs U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia	68%	2,492	1,883	2,180	2,138	1,663	8,052	7,865
Rössing	69%	1,707	1,477	1,461	1,640	1,697	6,149	6,275
Rio Tinto total uranium production		4,199	3,360	3,641	3,778	3,360	14,200	14,140

Production data notes

(a)    Following a review of the basis for reporting aluminium smelter production tonnes, the data reported now reflects hot metal production rather than saleable product tonnes.

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

(c)    Production at the Sohar smelter commenced in the third quarter of 2008.

(d)    The Anglesey smelter ceased operating at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

(e)    Rio Tinto Alcan has an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20% of production. 

(f)    Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45% of production under the partnership agreement.

(g)    Includes beneficiated and calcined bauxite production.

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

(i)    On 20 November 2009, Rio Tinto completed the initial public offering of Cloud Peak Energy Inc. As a result, 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.

(j)    During 2008, Rio Tinto acquired a 100% interest in the Colowyo mine, having previously held a partnership interest. All of Colowyo's production was already included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(k)    Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Jacobs Ranch mine on 1 October 2009.

 (l)    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 on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.

(m)    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.

(n)    On the 28 October 2008, Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in the Rawhide Joint Venture from 51% to 100%. The previous Joint Venture shareholder continued to be entitled to 49% of production until 31 December 2008; since then Rio Tinto has been entitled to 100%.

(o)    Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Corumbá mine, effective 18 September 2009.

(p)    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 December 2009.

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 Tarong Coal, Greens Creek and Cortez/Pipeline were sold during 2008 and its interest in the Ningxia aluminium smelter was sold in early 2009. No data for these operations are included in the Share of Production table.  

  Rio Tinto operational data

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto Alcan
Bauxite Mines
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)
Australia
Gove mine - Northern Territory	100.0%	1,655	1,551	1,816	1,822	1,996	6,245	7,185
Weipa mine - Queensland	100.0%	5,173	3,415	3,929	3,949	4,942	20,006	16,235
Brazil
Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine	12.0%	4,950	3,756	3,544	4,000	4,345	18,063	15,645
Ghana
Awaso mine (a)	80.0%	221	217	136	28	59	796	440
Guinea
Sangaredi mine (b)	23.0%	3,377	3,053	2,083	2,602	3,478	13,181	11,216
Rio Tinto Alcan share of bauxite shipments
Share of bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)		9,092	7,291	7,337	7,803	9,140	34,903	31,571

(a)     Rio Tinto Alcan has an 80% interest in the Awaso mine but purchases the additional 20% of production. A binding agreement has been reached for the sale of RTA's 80% interest in Ghana Bauxite Company, subject to Government approval.

(b)     Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but receives 45% of production under the partnership agreement. 

Smelter-Grade Alumina Refineries
Alumina production ('000 tonnes)
Australia
Gove refinery - Northern Territory	100.0%	615	609	613	641	656	2,325	2,519
Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland	80.0%	987	962	977	1,003	1,017	3,842	3,959
Yarwun refinery - Queensland	100.0%	349	313	347	345	341	1,293	1,347
Brazil
Sao Luis (Alumar) refinery	10.0%	391	382	370	373	532	1,504	1,657
Canada
Jonquiere refinery - Quebec	100.0%	358	327	248	261	288	1,370	1,125
France
Gardanne refinery	100.0%	1	-	-	-	-	38	-

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
ALUMINIUM (continued)
Specialty Alumina Plants
Speciality alumina production ('000 tonnes)
Canada
Brockville plant - Quebec	100.0%	4	4	4	3	4	17	16
Jonquiere plant - Quebec	100.0%	28	26	29	27	26	122	109
France
Beyrede	100.0%	5	3	2	4	6	26	15
Gardanne plant	100.0%	132	88	70	76	83	534	317
La Bathie plant	100.0%	7	4	3	4	5	32	16
Germany
Teutschenthal plant	100.0%	7	4	4	6	5	27	19
Aluminium Smelters
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)
Australia
Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania	100.0%	45	44	45	44	44	178	177
Boyne Island smelter - Queensland	59.4%	140	136	139	141	141	556	556
Tomago smelter - New South Wales	51.6%	132	130	132	133	133	523	528
Cameroon
Alucam (Edea) smelter	46.7%	25	17	16	18	22	91	73
Canada
Alma smelter - Quebec	100.0%	109	108	108	109	110	424	435
Alouette (Sept-Iles) smelter - Quebec	40.0%	145	140	143	145	145	572	573
Arvida smelter - Quebec	100.0%	44	41	43	43	44	172	171
Beauharnois, smelter - Quebec (a)	100.0%	13	9	2	-	-	50	11
Becancour smelter - Quebec	25.1%	105	107	101	103	109	415	420
Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec	100.0%	54	53	53	54	54	212	215
Kitimat smelter - British Colombia	100.0%	62	60	59	53	52	247	224
Laterriere smelter - Quebec	100.0%	59	58	59	59	59	234	235
Shawinigan smelter - Quebec	100.0%	26	25	25	25	25	100	99
China
Ningxia (Qingtongxia) smelter (b)	0.0%	41	10	-	-	-	163	10
France
Dunkerque smelter	100.0%	63	57	57	64	66	254	244
Lannemezan smelter	100.0%	-	-	-	-	-	5	-
St-Jean-de Maurienne smelter	100.0%	29	28	25	25	24	130	101

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
ALUMINIUM (continued)
Iceland
ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter	100.0%	48	46	47	48	48	187	190
New Zealand
Tiwai Point smelter	79.4%	69	58	61	71	81	316	271
Norway
SORAL (Husnes) smelter	50.0%	43	32	21	22	22	171	98
Oman
Sohar smelter (c)	20.0%	41	79	90	89	93	49	351
United Kingdom
Anglesey Aluminium smelter (d)	51.0%	32	35	35	36	-	118	106
Lochaber smelter	100.0%	10	9	9	9	10	43	38
Lynemouth smelter	100.0%	31	26	26	27	30	165	109
United States
Sebree smelter - Kentucky	100.0%	50	48	48	48	49	197	193
Rio Tinto Alcan share of metal sales
Share of primary aluminium sales  ('000 tonnes) (e)		1,288	1,167	1,243	1,244	1,254	5,134	4,909

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

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

(c)    Production at the Sohar smelter commenced in the third quarter of 2008.

(d)    The Anglesey smelter ceased operating at the end of the third quarter of 2009.

(e)     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)		121	111	79	124	109	610	424

• Production is expressed as B2O3 content.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

		Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
		interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COAL
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Bengalla mine		30.3%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)			1,402	1,126	1,438	1,468	1,434	5,357	5,466
Blair Athol Coal mine		71.2%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)			2,718	2,552	3,158	3,007	2,609	10,194	11,325
Hail Creek Coal mine		82.0%
Queensland, Australia
Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)			1,837	1,063	1,576	1,824	1,845	6,049	6,308
Hunter Valley Operations		75.7%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)			2,268	2,212	2,383	1,610	2,400	7,886	8,606
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)			476	492	346	1,144	644	2,865	2,626
Kestrel Coal mine (a)		80.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)			262	356	151	138	204	929	849
Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)			820	626	758	726	758	3,089	2,868
Mount Thorley Operations	60.6%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)			53	513	478	882	357	1,780	2,230
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)			508	57	157	81	818	1,168	1,112
Tarong Coal mine (b)	0.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)			-	-	-	-	-	262	-

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COAL (continued)
Warkworth mine	42.1%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		1,658	1,064	918	1,378	1,272	5,652	4,632
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)		125	75	217	204	34	386	530
Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)		2,657	1,689	2,334	2,550	2,603	9,137	9,176
Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a)		3,006	2,186	2,551	2,761	2,761	9,002	10,260
Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (c)		9,468	8,447	9,246	9,912	9,772	36,481	37,377
Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e)		9,347	7,376	9,323	9,654	10,231	36,867	36,584
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)		12,125	10,136	11,580	12,462	12,375	45,618	46,554
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)		12,353	9,562	11,875	12,415	12,992	45,870	46,844
Rio Tinto Coal Australia share
Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a)		2,440	1,773	2,072	2,246	2,246	7,323	8,337
Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e)		5,598	4,603	5,742	5,955	6,205	22,680	22,505

(a)     Kestral 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)     Rio Tinto sold its 100% share in Tarong with an effective date of 31 January 2008 and production data are shown up to that date.

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

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

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

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COAL (continued)
US Coal
Antelope mine (a)	48.3%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		8,191	7,277	7,799	8,057	7,732	32,473	30,865
Colowyo mine (b)	100.0%
Colorado, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		1,212	869	783	845	717	4,446	3,214
Cordero Rojo mine (a)	48.3%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		9,333	8,897	7,588	9,586	9,616	36,318	35,687
Decker mine (a)	24.2%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		1,360	1,073	1010	1,177	901	5,939	4,161
Jacobs Ranch mine (c)	0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		10,275	9,349	8,062	9,126	-	38,206	26,537
Spring Creek mine (a)	48.3%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)		4,347	3,915	4,392	4,251	3,478	16,341	16,035
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) (d)		34,717	31,380	29,634	33,041	22,444	133,724	116,499
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d)		34,750	32,076	29,487	32,918	22,467	133,330	116,947

(a)    On 20 November 2009, Rio Tinto completed the initial public offering of Cloud Peak Energy Inc. As a result, Rio Tinto now holds a 48.3 per cent 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)    During 2008, Rio Tinto acquired a 100% interest in the Colowyo mine, having previously held a partnership interest. All of Colowyo's production was already included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(c)    Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Jacobs Ranch mine on 1 October 2009.

(d)    Total coal production and sales have been restated to include Colowyo which had previously been reported separately.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COPPER & GOLD
Escondida	30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)		22,516	21,381	19,898	16,224	20,246	89,451	77,749
Average copper grade (%)		1.04	0.93	1.22	1.40	1.38	1.37	1.22
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper ('000 tonnes)		186.3	156.4	199.6	188.4	233.0	992.4	777.4
Contained gold ('000 ounces)		36	35	37	29	42	144	144
Contained silver ('000 ounces)		1,474	1,345	1,387	1,052	1,641	6,167	5,424
Contained copper in leachate/mined material  ('000 tonnes)		34	104	54	72	53	289	284
Refined production from leach plants:
Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)		73	78	86	83	80	258	327
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold	0.0%	(40.0%of the expansion)
Grasberg mine (a)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)		19,794	21,364	21,632	22,191	21,115	70,596	86,303
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%)		1.01	1.12	1.10	0.90	0.77	0.83	0.97
Gold (g/t)		0.85	1.13	1.51	1.33	0.97	0.66	1.24
Silver (g/t)		3.17	3.63	3.81	3.49	2.82	3.21	3.44
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)		180.6	214.6	214.8	180.8	140.0	521.3	750.1
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)		445	638	875	823	535	1,199	2,871
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)		1,602	2,012	2,314	1,909	1,064	4,707	7,299
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)		172.2	189.0	222.1	174.3	133.9	511.8	719.3
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)		425	565	885	796	518	1,185	2,765
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)		1,218	1,425	1,876	1,459	827	3,694	5,587

(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 4Q 2009 results are not actuals but are forecasts from FCX's most recent five-year plan and the Full Year 2009 results include the 9-Month 2009 actuals and 4Q 2009 forecasts. FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 4Q 2009 until the release of its 2009 fourth-quarter and full year results on 21 January 2010.

(b)     Net of smelter deductions.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company
Cortez/Pipeline mine (a)	0.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000 tonnes)		-	-	-	-	-	491	-
Leached ('000 tonnes)		-	-	-	-	-	1,839	-
Average ore grade: gold
Milled (g/t)		-	-	-	-	-	3.40
Leached (g/t)		-	-	-	-	-	0.50	-
Gold produced ('000 ounces)		-	-	-	-	-	72	-
Greens Creek mine (a)	0.0%
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)		-	-	-	-	-	171	-
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t)		-	-	-	-	-	5.11	-
Silver (g/t)		-	-	-	-	-	456	-
Zinc (%)		-	-	-	-	-	10.3	-
Lead (%)		-	-	-	-	-	3.7	-
Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold ('000 ounces)		-	-	-	-	-	18	-
Silver ('000 ounces)		-	-	-	-	-	1,815	-
Zinc ('000 tonnes)		-	-	-	-	-	13.9	-
Lead ('000 tonnes)		-	-	-	-	-	4.6	-
Rawhide mine (b) (c)	100.0%
Nevada, US
Metals produced in doré:
Gold ('000 ounces)		5	4	5	5	5	18	19
Silver ('000 ounces)		48	35	54	63	58	150	210

(a)     On 5 March 2008 (effective end of February) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in the Cortez joint venture to its partner and on 16 April 2008 Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in the Greens Creek joint venture to its partner. Production data for these mines are shown up to those dates. 

(b)    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.

(c)     On the 28 October 2008, Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in the Rawhide Joint Venture from 51% to 100% The previous Joint Venture shareholder continued to be entitled to 49% of production until 31 December 2008; since then Rio Tinto has been entitled to 100%.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a)	100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces)		1.3	0.8	0.8	0.4	0.4	5.4	2.3
Bingham Canyon mine	100.0%
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)		12,121	12,281	13,749	13,880	12,946	49,134	52,856
Average ore grade:
Copper (%)		0.65	0.69	0.69	0.60	0.57	0.58	0.64
Gold (g/t)		0.39	0.44	0.52	0.43	0.53	0.35	0.48
Silver (g/t)		3.32	3.37	3.96	3.35	3.45	2.97	3.54
Molybdenum (%)		0.028	0.031	0.036	0.038	0.044	0.041	0.038
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)		250	256	290	258	223	931	1,028
Average concentrate grade (% Cu)		25.4	29.0	29.7	29.3	29.9	25.5	29.4
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b)		63.8	74.7	86.2	75.8	66.8	238.0	303.5
Gold ('000 ounces)		100	126	159	138	158	368	582
Silver ('000 ounces)		933	1,106	1,389	1,189	1,187	3,414	4,871
Molybdenum concentrates produced  ('000 tonnes):		3.7	3.8	4.7	6.5	6.5	19.4	21.6
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)		2.0	2.0	2.5	3.4	3.4	10.6	11.3
Kennecott smelter & refinery	100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)		280	288	305	294	288	941	1,175
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c)		67.6	73.0	67.5	67.0	79.7	205.1	287.1
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes)		58.6	68.7	65.1	67.6	72.9	200.6	274.2
Gold ('000 ounces) (d)		72	108	112	112	147	303	479
Silver ('000 ounces) (d)		677	1,085	931	886	1,148	3,252	4,050

(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.

(c)     New metal excluding recycled material.

(d)     Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Northparkes Joint Venture	80.0%
New South Wales, Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)		1,337	1,367	1,422	1,421	1,344	5,244	5,554
Average ore grades:
Copper (%)		0.63	0.68	0.75	0.69	0.70	0.54	0.70
Gold (g/t)		0.23	0.23	0.24	0.26	0.33	0.26	0.27
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)		22.0	23.5	27.0	24.3	23.7	76.4	98.5
Contained copper in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)		7.6	8.3	9.3	8.6	8.1	24.8	34.3
Sales ('000 tonnes) (a)		6.9	2.9	7.8	6.6	9.7	20.1	26.9
Contained gold in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 ounces)		7.2	7.1	7.9	8.4	11.0	32.3	34.3
Sales ('000 ounces) (a)		8.2	2.5	5.9	6.1	9.8	32.6	24.2

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

Palabora	57.7%
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated ('000 tonnes)		3,150	2,789	2,940	2,792	2,809	12,454	11,330
Average ore grade: copper (%)		0.67	0.68	0.68	0.66	0.67	0.69	0.67
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)		66.7	67.1	76.1	61.8	65.8	286.5	270.8
Average concentrate grade: copper (%)		29.6	30.5	29.9	31.1	30.5	29.7	30.5
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)		19.7	20.5	22.7	19.3	20.1	85.1	82.6
Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)		70.0	72.8	68.0	58.5	67.3	261.3	266.6
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes)		20.7	20.2	18.9	12.5	14.3	75.9	65.9
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)		19.1	21.0	19.5	13.8	15.1	75.9	69.4
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)		469	772	617	759	697	1,951	2,845
Nickel contained in products (tonnes)		19	21	33	29	11	100	95
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)		49	52	46	48	50	199	196

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
DIAMONDS
Argyle Diamonds	100.0%
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)		1,806	881	315	1,465	1,972	6,809	4,634
AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)		5,253	4,404	408	2,274	3,504	15,076	10,591
Diavik Diamonds	60.0%
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)		570	427	382	186	364	2,414	1,359
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)		2,597	1,785	1,421	828	1,530	9,225	5,565
Murowa Diamonds	77.8%
Zimbabwe
Ore processed ('000 tonnes)		100	84	78	39	66	383	267
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)		55	40	26	21	37	264	124
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%	19,057	19,571	26,834	30,353	30,050	95,553	106,808
Hamersley - Channar	60.0%	1,965	2,395	3,032	3,085	2,528	10,382	11,041
Hamersley - Eastern Range	(a)	1,900	1,958	2,374	2,636	2,349	8,186	9,318
Hope Downs	50.0%	3,323	3,414	5,495	6,037	5,687	10,936	20,634
Robe River - Pannawonica	53.0%	4,456	3,572	7,426	7,378	6,801	25,049	25,178
Robe River - West Angelas	53.0%	5,449	5,329	8,231	7,317	8,362	25,198	29,239
Total production ('000 tonnes)		36,150	36,240	53,393	56,808	55,778	175,304	202,218
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b)		33,641	39,343	52,479	55,722	56,350	171,472	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)     Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2009	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
IRON ORE & IRON (continued)
Iron Ore Company of Canada	58.7%
Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec  in Canada
Saleable iron ore production:
Concentrates ('000 tonnes)		877	1,459	2,396	835	1,034	3,193	5,724
Pellets ('000 tonnes)		3,009	1,697	1,887	1,429	3,107	12,637	8,120
Sales:
Concentrate ('000 tonnes)		787	919	1,832	1,167	1,317	2,759	5,235
Pellets ('000 tonnes)		2,443	1,210	2,407	2,086	3,307	12,302	9,010
Rio Tinto Brasil
Corumbá mine (a)	0%
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (b)		430	401	574	534	-	2,032	1,509
Sales ('000 tonnes)		278	138	140	253	-	1,809	530

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

(b)     Production includes by-product fines.

HIsmelt®	60.0%
Western Australia
Pig iron production ('000 tonnes) (a)		54	-	-	-	-	144	-

(a)     In March 2009, Rio Tinto announced that HIsmelt would be placed on a 12 month care and maintenance programme.

SALT
Dampier Salt	68.4%
Western Australia
Salt production ('000 tonnes)		2,519	2,056	2,224	2,532	1,744	8,974	8,555
TALC
Rio Tinto Minerals - talc	100.0%
Australia, Europe, and North America
Talc production ('000 tonnes)		194	202	224	240	222	1,163	888

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

	Rio Tinto	4Q	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	Year	Year
	interest	2008	2008	2009	2009	2009	2008	2009
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium	100.0%
Canada and South Africa (a) (b)
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide  feedstock production ('000 tonnes)		369	324	332	165	325	1,524	1,147

(a)    During the fourth quarter of 2009, Richards Bay Minerals concluded a Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment transaction. RTIT's share of RBM production reflects a decrease from 50% to 37% with effect from 1 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)		3,644	2,754	3,188	3,126	2432	11,773	11,500
Rössing Uranium Ltd	68.6%
Namibia
Production ('000 lbs U3O8)		2,489	2,154	2,130	2,391	2,475	8,966	9,150

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2009. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

END

 

 

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