Rio Tinto announces strong third quarter

RNS Number : 5052Q
Rio Tinto PLC
15 October 2013
 



Rio Tinto announces strong third quarter production results

 

15 October 2013

 

Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said "We achieved strong production results in the third quarter, with copper volumes up as Oyu Tolgoi ramps up to full capacity and Kennecott continues to recover ahead of expectations. Productivity improvements in our Australian operations led to record quarterly thermal coal production. In iron ore, we achieved record production and shipments in Western Australia following the official opening of our landmark Pilbara 290 port and rail expansion, four months ahead of its original schedule and $400 million under budget. We maintained good progress against our strategic priorities to improve the performance of our businesses, strengthen the balance sheet and deliver our approved growth projects. We are also making further important gains in productivity across our operations and continue to drive costs out of the business."

 

Highlights

 


Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Global iron ore shipments

mt (100% basis)

68.0

+4%

+11%

186.6

+4%

Global iron ore production

mt (100% basis)

68.3

+2%

+3%

195.5

+4%

Mined copper

kt (RT share)

162.3

+23%

+11%

458.7

+19%

Aluminium

kt (RT share)

878

+3%

-3%

2,686

+5%

Hard coking coal

kt (RT share)

2,253

-6%

+18%

5,805

-5%

Semi-soft and thermal coal

kt (RT share)

7,070

+14%

-1%

20,287

+21%

Titanium dioxide feedstock

kt (RT share)

373

-7%

-19%

1,261

+10%

 

·      Record quarter for iron ore production, shipments and rail volumes. First shipments through Cape Lambert wharf B were made in late August, four months ahead of the original timeframe. The safe and efficient ramp-up schedule is on track to reach a full run-rate production of 290 Mt/a by the end of the first half of 2014.

·      Production at Oyu Tolgoi continued to ramp up and is now consistently producing at design capacity.  Shipments of copper concentrate to China commenced on 9 July. Oyu Tolgoi's customers are making good progress with Chinese customs officials to obtain the necessary approvals to allow collection of purchased concentrate from the bonded warehouse.

·      2013 expectations for mined copper at Kennecott Utah Copper have been upgraded to 185,000 tonnes. The new heavy vehicle access road is expected to be operational in the next few weeks.

·      First hot metal was produced at the AP60 plant in Quebec. Once fully commissioned, the 60,000 tonne per year plant will produce 40 per cent more aluminium per cell than the previous generation of AP technology.

·      Production of semi-soft and thermal coal improved following the completion of recent brownfield mine expansions and substantial productivity gains through operational improvements from load and haul fleets.

·      On track to exceed our $750 million exploration and evaluation spend reduction target for 2013, having achieved $729 million in lower exploration and evaluation spend during the nine months to September compared to the same period in 2012.



IRON ORE

 

Rio Tinto share of production (million tonnes)

 

Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Pilbara Blend Lump

13.3

+7%

0%

38.5

+6%

Pilbara Blend Fines

19.2

+3%

+4%

56.0

+7%

Robe Valley Lump

1.7

+19%

+20%

4.3

+8%

Robe Valley Fines

3.1

-2%

+1%

8.8

+6%

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

13.8

-5%

+4%

39.2

-2%

IOC (pellets and concentrate)

2.4

-1%

0%

6.7

+12%

 

Pilbara operations

Third quarter production of 64.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 51.0 million tonnes) set a new quarter record, driven by period on period productivity improvements and commissioning of the Hope Downs 4 mine. Production for the nine months to September was 184.1 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 146.8 million tonnes), four per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2012.

 

Pilbara marketing

Third quarter sales of 64.3 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) set a new sales record and were five per cent higher than the same period in 2012. Year to date sales of 175.4 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) were three per cent higher than the corresponding period last year.

 

Approximately 30 per cent of sales in the third quarter of 2013 were priced with reference to the prior quarter's average index lagged by one month. The remainder was sold either on the current quarter average, current month average or on the spot market. Prices are adjusted for product characteristics and iron and moisture content.

 

Pilbara expansion

Expansion projects are on track, with the 290 Mt/a project being delivered ahead of the original schedule and $400 million under budget. First shipment occurred in late August, four months ahead of schedule, and ramp up to nameplate capacity will continue through to the end of the first half of 2014.

 

Expansion of the port, rail and power infrastructure to 360 Mt/a is currently underway. A number of options for mine capacity growth are under evaluation, including incremental tonnes from low-cost productivity improvements, expansion of existing mines and the potential development of new mines.

 

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

Total saleable production for the nine months to September was 12 per cent higher than in the same period in 2012 due to continued improvement in the expanded mine and concentrator.  Completion of the second phase of the Concentrate Expansion Project to bring total concentrate production capacity to 23.3 Mt/a is expected during the first half of 2014.

 

Year to date concentrate sales are 60 per cent higher than in the same period in 2012. This is as a result of the additional concentrate volumes from recent expansions and the decision to curtail pellet production to reduce costs.

 

2013 production guidance

2013 production guidance is unchanged at approximately 265 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) from global operations in Australia and Canada, subject to weather constraints.

 

 

COPPER

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Kennecott Utah Copper

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

59.1

+38%

+51%

146.5

+41%

Refined copper (000 tonnes)

46.3

+2%

+18%

135.9

+32%

Molybdenum (000 tonnes)

1.2

-51%

+40%

3.9

-53%

Mined gold (000 ozs)

55.6

+17%

+78%

133.3

-12%

Refined gold (000 ozs)

40.3

-13%

-9%

144.5

-28%

Escondida

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

81.5

+8%

-5%

252.7

+11%

Refined copper (000 tonnes)

22.0

+1%

-8%

68.4

-5%

Northparkes

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

11.4

+7%

+2%

33.2

+3%

Oyu Tolgoi

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

10.3

N/A

+133%

14.7

N/A

Mined gold (000 ozs)

20.9

N/A

+197%

28.0

N/A

 

Kennecott Utah Copper

Third quarter production of copper and gold contained in concentrates improved significantly on the same period in 2012, reflecting higher grades in ore treated. Production of molybdenum in concentrates was adversely affected by lower availability of high grade molybdenum ore.

 

Waste movement associated with the Cornerstone extension, which involves pushing back the south wall of Bingham Canyon to gain access to additional ore, continued during the quarter.

 

Copper cathode production for the nine months of 2013 was 32 per cent higher than the same period in 2012, which reflected lower copper cathode production as a result of a planned smelter shutdown in 2012.

 

The recovery of the open pit operations following the pit wall slide in April continues to progress better than originally planned, with completion of the new heavy vehicle access road now expected in the fourth quarter. This will be a major milestone in the recovery process as it will enable additional ore production alongside remediation and waste movement. Full year 2013 production of mined copper at Kennecott Utah Copper is now expected to be 185,000 tonnes.

 

Escondida

Mined copper production in the third quarter increased eight per cent on the same period in 2012. This increase was driven by higher ore grades and the absence of the 2012 multi-day maintenance shutdown of crushing and conveying equipment.

 

On 25 July, Rio Tinto approved a $1.03 billion investment (Rio Tinto share) for the construction of a new 2,500 litre per second seawater desalination facility to ensure continued water supply and sustain operations at Escondida.

 

Oyu Tolgoi / Turquoise Hill Resources

Shipments of copper concentrate to the bonded warehouse in China continued in the third quarter. Oyu Tolgoi's customers are making good progress with Chinese customs officials to obtain necessary approvals to enable them to collect purchased concentrate from the bonded Chinese warehouse. Revenue will be recognised when customers withdraw concentrate from the warehouse. Oyu Tolgoi expects sales to be aligned with production rates by the end of the year.

 

The concentrator is now consistently operating at or near nameplate capacity, processing approximately 100,000 tonnes of ore per day. Production for the third quarter was 30,602 tonnes of copper and 62,404 ounces of gold in concentrates (100 per cent basis).

Grasberg

Based on the latest available Freeport estimates, 2013 production from Grasberg is not expected to exceed the metal attributable to Rio Tinto's joint venture partner because of planned mine sequencing in areas with lower metal grades. Accordingly, Rio Tinto's share of joint venture production is unchanged and is expected to be zero for the year.

 

Northparkes

On 29 July 2013, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached a binding agreement for the sale of its 80 per cent interest in Northparkes. The Northparkes joint venture parties have since waived their pre-emptive rights under the joint venture agreement and consented to the assignment of Rio Tinto's interest to China Molybdenum Co., Ltd. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the end of 2013. Third quarter production was seven per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2012 as a result of higher throughput.

 

2013 production guidance

In 2013, Rio Tinto's share of mined and refined copper production is expected to be approximately 590,000 tonnes and 270,000 tonnes, respectively.

 

 

ALUMINIUM

 

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 

Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Rio Tinto Alcan

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite

11,250

+9%

+3%

31,772

+11%

Alumina

2,293

-13%

+2%

6,725

-5%

Aluminium

878

+9%

+1%

2,600

+9%

 

On 8 August 2013, Rio Tinto announced that the Pacific Aluminium division would be re-integrated into Rio Tinto Alcan. Accordingly, Rio Tinto Alcan production numbers now also include production from Pacific Aluminium. Comparative data has been restated to be presented on a consistent basis.

 

Bauxite

Third quarter bauxite production set a new quarterly record and was nine per cent higher than the third quarter of 2012. Year to date production is also up 11 per cent against the same period in 2012. Record bauxite production at Weipa has increased supply to the expanded Yarwun refinery and taken advantage of increased third party demand.

 

Alumina

Third quarter alumina production was 13 per cent lower than the same period in 2012 due to the shutdown of one of three digestion stages at Gove following a failure of the heat exchangers which occurred in February this year. These are being refurbished and the first units were brought back on line during September. Production for the nine months to September was five per cent lower than the corresponding period in 2012 as both the Queensland refineries recover from the impacts of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald experienced in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Aluminium

Third quarter aluminium production was nine per cent higher than the same period in 2012. Production in the third quarter of 2012 was impacted by the lockout at Alma which was resolved in July 2012. Production for the year to date was also higher than the corresponding period in 2012 for the same reason.

 

On 13 July, Rio Tinto Alcan announced it had received a binding offer for its St Jean-de-Maurienne aluminium smelter (2012 production of 93,000 tonnes of aluminium) and Castelsarrasin casting facility in France from the German aluminium producer, TRIMET. The offer is conditional upon the appropriate regulatory approvals and completion of an energy and partnership arrangement with EDF (Électricité de France) followed by a partnership agreement with the BPI (Banque Publique d'Investissement).

 

On 7 August, Rio Tinto Alcan announced the curtailment of 100,000 tonnes of production at its Shawinigan smelter in Quebec; 50,000 tonnes to be curtailed upon announcement and a further 50,000 to be progressively curtailed by the end of November 2013.

 

2013 production guidance

In 2013, Rio Tinto Alcan's share of bauxite, alumina and aluminium production is expected to be 43 million tonnes, 9.3 million tonnes and 3.5 million tonnes, respectively.

 

 

ENERGY

 

Coal

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 

Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Rio Tinto Coal Australia

 

 

 

 

 

Hard coking coal

2,091

-10%

+19%

5,389

-11%

Semi-soft coking coal

750

+5%

-35%

2,936

+26%

Thermal coal

6,198

+15%

+6%

16,988

+19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique

 

 

 

 

 

Hard coking coal

162

+85%

+14%

416

+376%

Thermal coal

122

+9%

-7%

363

+222%

 

Hard coking coal production in Australia was ten per cent lower than the third quarter of 2012. Work continues to recover coal following a geotechnical low wall failure experienced at Hail Creek in July 2013. At Kestrel, operations are transitioning following the start of production from the Kestrel Mine Extension project, extending the life of mine by 20 years.

 

Semi-soft coking coal production was five per cent higher than during the third quarter of 2012, as operations in the Hunter Valley delivered significant productivity improvements from load and haul fleets.

 

Australian thermal coal production in the third quarter increased by 15 per cent compared with the same period in 2012. This was driven by the strong ramp-up to deliver name plate production rates of 12.2 Mt/a at Clermont. Year to date, Clermont has achieved a 64 per cent increase in production compared to the same period last year. Production at sites in the Hunter Valley increased by 23 per cent in the nine months to September following the completion of brownfield expansions and by driving substantial productivity gains through operational improvements.

 

On 3 October, the Rio Tinto Coal Australia managed Blair Athol Coal Joint Venture signed a conditional Sale and Purchase Agreement to transfer its interests in the Blair Athol mine to New Emerald Coal Ltd (NEC), a subsidiary of Linc Energy Ltd. The transaction is expected to complete within six months. Rio Tinto ceased mining at Blair Athol in November 2012.

 

Third quarter production in Mozambique increased over the second quarter of 2013 due to yield improvement initiatives which resulted in higher hard coking coal production.

 

Uranium

Rio Tinto share of production (000 lbs)

 

Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Energy Resources of Australia

869

-56%

-38%

3,610

-6%

Rössing

948

-16%

-3%

2,907

-5%

 

Energy Resources Australia (ERA) completed mining activities in the open pit in late 2012. The majority of the remaining higher grade ore obtained from the open pit last year was processed during the first half of 2013. ERA has since been processing lower grade stockpiled ore.

 

Third quarter production at Rössing was 16 per cent lower than same period in 2012 as a result of a decrease in mill throughput.

2013 production guidance

In 2013, Rio Tinto's share of Australian hard coking, semi soft coking and thermal coal production is expected to be 8 million tonnes, 4 million tonnes and 22 million tonnes, respectively. Rio Tinto's share of uranium production in 2013 is expected to be 9 million pounds.

 

 

DIAMONDS & MINERALS

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Q3 2013

vs Q3 2012

vs Q2 2013

9 mths 2013

vs 9 mths 2012

Diamonds (000 carats)

 

 

 

 

 

Argyle

3,805

+26%

-1%

8,205

+27%

Diavik

1,003

-13%

+7%

3,106

-3%

Murowa

70

-24%

+2%

217

+1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minerals (000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

Borates - B2O3 content

127

+16%

-7%

374

+6%

Titanium dioxide feedstock

373

-7%

-19%

1,261

+10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt (000 tonnes)

1,586

-14%

-5%

4,842

-6%

 

At Argyle, carats recovered were 26 per cent higher than the third quarter of 2012 reflecting increased tonnes processed in the period and higher grades following commissioning of the underground operation earlier in the year.

 

Carats recovered at Diavik were 13 per cent lower than the third quarter of 2012 as a result of lower grades of ore mined during the quarter. Diamonds recovered in the third quarter are seven per cent higher than in the previous quarter of 2013 due to the ramp up of underground mining and higher grades recovered.

 

Titanium dioxide feedstock production was seven per cent lower than the third quarter of 2012 due to the planned furnace rebuild at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT), which was brought forward in response to challenging market conditions for high grade titanium dioxide feedstock. This was partially offset by the doubling of the Group's interest in Richards Bay Minerals. The RTFT upgraded slag (UGS) production facility is expected to be restarted in the fourth quarter dependent upon market conditions.

 

Borates production in the third quarter increased 16 per cent over the same period last year in response to increased sales during the quarter and in preparation for the launch of the new modified direct dissolving of kernite process plant in 2014 and a planned renovation of the AB furnace.

 

Salt production declined 14 per cent compared with the same period in 2012 due to the on-going impact of the wet weather associated with unseasonal rainfall in June 2013.

 

Constructive discussions to develop the formal investment framework for Simandou continue with the Government of Guinea and Simfer partners.

2013 production guidance

In 2013, Rio Tinto's share of production is expected to be 15.7 million carats of diamonds, 0.5 million tonnes of borates or boric oxide equivalent and 1.7 million tonnes of titanium dioxide feedstocks.

 

 

CORPORATE

 

The previously announced divestments of the Eagle nickel project and Palabora Mining Company completed on 17 and 31 July 2013, respectively.

 

On 8 August, Rio Tinto entered into an agreement to provide a bridge facility for up to US$600 million to its majority owned subsidiary Turquoise Hill Resources. The facility matures on 31 December 2013 and is intended to fund the continued ramp up of phase one of the Oyu Tolgoi mine development. In addition, in the event that Turquoise Hill is required to raise equity to repay this new bridge facility and the existing US$1.8 billion interim funding facility provided by Rio Tinto, which also matures on 31 December, 2013, Rio Tinto has also agreed, subject to certain conditions being satisfied, to provide a firm stand-by commitment for a fully underwritten rights offering by Turquoise Hill.

 

 

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

 

Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first three quarters of 2013 was $774 million compared with $1,503 million in the same period in 2012. Of this 2013 expenditure, approximately 40 per cent was incurred by the Copper group, seven per cent by Iron Ore, 19 per cent by Energy, 13 per cent by Diamonds & Minerals (which now includes the Simandou project), one per cent by Rio Tinto Alcan and the balance was incurred by Central Exploration.

 

During the first nine months of 2013, the Group realised $12 million (pre-tax) from the divestment of central exploration properties, compared with $11 million in the same period in 2012. This included the divestment of Murindo (Colombia) site.

 

Exploration highlights 

 

In the Pilbara, data processing and interpretation of the airborne geophysical surveys continued. Drilling continued on the planned 2013 targets.

 

In the Bowen Basin (Queensland, Australia), a 2D seismic survey was completed at Winchester South and Hillalong. Drilling continued at Winchester South and commenced at Hillalong.

 

In Montana (USA) drilling continued at the Copper Cliff porphyry copper project following up targets from identified from geophysical modelling.

 

In Chile, drilling commenced at the Olimpo project, and geophysical surveys commenced at the Queen Elizabeth target (an alliance project with Codelco).

 

In Russia, RTX and its partner, ICT, won a tender for the Kirganik copper exploration project located in the southern Kamchatka peninsula.

 

In Uzbekistan, geological mapping and ground geophysics targeting copper mineralisation commenced at the Gava prospect.

 

In China CRTX, the Chinalco Rio Tinto Exploration Joint Venture, signed a cooperation agreement in the Xinjiang Province for copper exploration on the Kalaxianger No. 1 Project.

 

At Tamarack (USA) summer drilling commenced and was aimed to follow-up significant zones of nickel mineralisation intersected across the project area.

 

On the Saskatchewan Potash project in Canada, a joint venture with North Atlantic Potash Inc., a subsidiary of JSC Acron, processing and interpretation of the 2012 3D seismic survey continued.

 

At Rössing (Namibia) resource estimation was completed incorporating the third phase of drilling at the Z20 uranium project.

 

In Brazil in the Amargosa Orbit, field mapping and auger drilling continued across several targets.

 

At the Suriapet diamond project in India, gravel sampling continued, but was hampered by monsoonal rains.

 



A summary of activity for the period is as follows:

 

Product Group

Evaluation projects

Aluminium

Amargosa, Brazil

Amargosa orbit, Brazil

Australia, Brazil, Laos

Copper

Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US.

Copper: La Granja, Peru

Copper/gold: Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia

Nickel: Tamarack, US.

Copper: Australia, Chile, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Peru, Russia, US, Zambia, Mongolia

Diamonds & Minerals

Diamonds: Bunder, India

Lithium borates: Jadar, Serbia

Heavy Mineral Sands: Mutamba

 

Diamonds: Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, India

Potash: Canada

Heavy Mineral Sands: Gabon

Energy

Coal: Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique

Uranium: Ranger 3 Deeps, Rough Rider

Coal: Bowen Basin, Australia

Uranium: Canada

Uranium: Canada, Namibia, Australia, US.

Iron Ore

Simandou, Guinea

Pilbara, Australia

Pilbara, Australia.

Canada, Botswana, South Africa, India.

 

Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto businesses including, Pilbara Iron, Hail Creek, Resolution, La Granja, Rössing, Rough Rider and Sweetwater.

This report represents the Interim Management Statement for the purposes of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and New York Stock Exchange listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, thermal and metallurgical coal, uranium, gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide and salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world and are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America.

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, EMEA / Americas

Illtud Harri

Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1152

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 503 600

David Outhwaite

Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1623

Mobile: +44 (0) 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Australia / Asia

David Luff
Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 419 850 205

Bruce Tobin

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3612

Mobile: +61 (0) 419 103 454

Media Relations, Canada

Bryan Tucker

Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151

Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319

 

 

Website:

www.riotinto.com

Email:

media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Twitter:

Follow @riotinto on Twitter

Investor Relations, EMEA

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

Grant Donald

Office: +44 (0) 20 7781 1262

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 587 805

Investor Relations, Australia / Asia

Christopher Maitland

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3063

Mobile: +61 (0) 459 800 131

Rachel Storrs

Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628

Mobile: +61 (0) 417 401 018

Galina Rogova

Office: +852 (2839) 9208

Mobile: +852 (6978) 3011

Investor Relations, Americas

Jason Combes

Office: +1 (0) 801 204 2919

Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645

 

High resolution photographs and media pack available at: www.riotinto.com/media 

 



 

Rio Tinto production summary





















Rio Tinto share of production

























Quarter


9 Months


% Change



2012
Q3

2013
Q2

2013
Q3


2012
9 MTHS

2013
9 MTHS


Q3 13
vs
Q3 12

Q3 13
vs
Q2 13

9 MTHS 13
vs
9 MTHS 12

 Principal Commodities












Alumina

('000 t)

2,622

2,246

2,293


7,093

6,725


-13%

2%

-5%

Aluminium

('000 t)

855

901

878


2,550

2,686


3%

-3%

5%

Bauxite

('000 t)

10,350

10,960

11,250


28,633

31,772


9%

3%

11%

Borates

('000 t)

109

137

127


354

374


16%

-7%

6%

Coal - hard coking

('000 t)

2,407

1,902

2,253


6,112

5,805


-6%

18%

-5%

Coal - semi-soft coking

('000 t)

714

1,147

750


2,323

2,936


5%

-35%

26%

Coal - thermal

('000 t)

5,514

5,978

6,321


14,426

17,350


15%

6%

20%

Copper - mined

('000 t)

132.0

146.2

162.3


384.9

458.7


23%

11%

19%

Copper - refined

('000 t)

69.7

70.4

68.3


193.1

219.1


-2%

-3%

13%

Diamonds

('000 cts)

3,706

4,135

4,158


9,873

11,529


12%

1%

17%

Iron ore

('000 t)

52,628

51,829

53,377


146,902

153,456


1%

3%

4%

Titanium dioxide feedstock

('000 t)

401

461

373


1,145

1,261


-7%

-19%

10%

Uranium

('000 lbs)

3,112

2,366

1,817


6,907

6,517


-42%

-23%

-6%

Other Metals & Minerals












Gold - mined

('000 oz)

68

61

97


222

227


42%

60%

2%

Gold - refined

('000 oz)

46

44

40


201

145


-13%

-9%

-28%

Molybdenum

('000 t)

2.5

0.9

1.2


8.3

3.9


-51%

40%

-53%

Salt

('000 t)

1,836

1,670

1,586


5,155

4,842


-14%

-5%

-6%

Silver - mined

('000 oz)

847

946

1,345


2,659

3,353


59%

42%

26%

Silver - refined

('000 oz)

357

457

395


1,640

1,525


11%

-14%

-7%













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 nine month figures.

 



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










ALUMINA









Production ('000 tonnes)









Rio Tinto Alcan









  Gove (a)

100%

723

683

599

470

528

2,059

1,597

  Jonquière (Vaudreuil)

100%

344

363

362

346

353

1,034

1,061

  Queensland Alumina

80%

712

714

593

697

695

2,240

1,985

  São Luis (Alumar)

10%

86

82

83

84

85

259

252

  Yarwun

100%

730

750

523

620

608

1,425

1,751

  Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty alumina plant

100%

26

25

25

30

25

76

80

Rio Tinto total alumina production


2,622

2,617

2,186

2,246

2,293

7,093

6,725










ALUMINIUM









Production ('000 tonnes)









Rio Tinto Alcan









  Australia - Bell Bay (a)

100%

47

47

46

47

47

138

140

  Australia - Boyne Island (a)

59%

86

85

83

83

84

253

251

  Australia - Tomago (a)

52%

71

71

68

69

71

211

209

  Cameroon - Alucam (Edéa)

47%

8

7

5

8

11

17

24

  Canada - six wholly owned

100%

272

318

329

338

335

785

1,002

  Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)

40%

58

59

59

58

57

178

174

  Canada - Bécancour

25%

28

27

27

27

28

81

82

  France - two wholly owned

100%

85

87

85

83

90

262

259

  Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)

100%

47

48

49

50

49

142

148

  New Zealand - Tiwai Point (a)

79%

63

64

65

62

64

194

191

  Norway - SØRAL (Husnes)

50%

12

12

11

11

11

34

33

  Oman - Sohar

20%

18

18

18

18

18

54

54

  UK - Lochaber

100%

11

11

12

11

11

33

34

Rio Tinto Alcan total


804

854

856

866

878

2,382

2,600

Other Aluminium - two smelters (b)


51

52

52

35

-

168

87

Rio Tinto total aluminium production


855

906

907

901

878

2,550

2,686










BAUXITE









Production ('000 tonnes) (c)









Rio Tinto Alcan









   Gove (a)

100%

2,086

2,068

1,918

1,857

1,983

5,876

5,758

   Porto Trombetas

12%

492

481

384

473

506

1,380

1,362

   Sangaredi

   (d)

1,592

1,663

1,477

1,831

1,790

4,637

5,099

   Weipa

100%

6,179

6,518

5,783

6,800

6,971

16,739

19,554

Rio Tinto total bauxite production


10,350

10,731

9,562

10,960

11,250

28,633

31,772



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










BORATES









Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)









  Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100%

109

100

111

137

127

354

374










COAL - hard coking









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









  Hail Creek Coal

82%

1,679

1,588

1,217

1,373

1,483

4,294

4,072

  Kestrel Coal

80%

641

244

321

387

608

1,731

1,316

Total Rio Tinto Coal Australia hard coking coal


2,320

1,832

1,539

1,759

2,091

6,025

5,389

Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique









  Benga (e)

65%

87

100

111

143

162

87

416

Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production


2,407

1,932

1,650

1,902

2,253

6,112

5,805










COAL - semi-soft coking









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









  Hunter Valley

80%

255

461

651

463

466

1,234

1,580

  Mount Thorley

64%

230

344

271

364

241

670

876

  Warkworth

44%

230

158

117

320

43

419

480

Rio Tinto total semi-soft coking coal production


714

963

1,039

1,147

750

2,323

2,936










COAL - thermal









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









  Bengalla

32%

529

662

565

721

710

1,587

1,997

  Blair Athol Coal (f)

71%

606

497

-

-

-

1,346

-

  Clermont

50%

1,148

1,416

1,130

1,524

1,753

2,687

4,407

  Hail Creek Coal (g)

82%

-

-

-

-

21

-

21

  Hunter Valley

80%

1,981

2,395

1,893

2,553

2,330

5,474

6,775

  Kestrel Coal

80%

79

67

169

89

53

214

310

  Mount Thorley

64%

406

420

483

413

263

1,178

1,158

  Warkworth

44%

653

607

704

547

1,069

1,828

2,319

Total Rio Tinto Coal Australia thermal coal


5,402

6,063

4,943

5,846

6,198

14,314

16,988

Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique









  Benga (e)

65%

112

160

109

132

122

112

363

Rio Tinto total thermal coal production


5,514

6,222

5,052

5,978

6,321

14,426

17,350



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










COPPER









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (c)









  Bingham Canyon

100%

42.9

59.3

48.2

39.2

59.1

103.9

146.5

  Escondida

30%

75.2

86.8

85.6

85.6

81.5

227.4

252.7

  Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)

40%

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

  Northparkes (i)

80%

10.7

10.8

10.6

11.2

11.4

32.3

33.2

  Oyu Tolgoi (j)

34%

-

-

-

4.4

10.3

-

14.7

  Palabora (k)

0%

3.2

7.0

5.8

5.8

-

21.3

11.6

Rio Tinto total mine production


132.0

163.9

150.2

146.2

162.3

384.9

458.7

Refined production ('000 tonnes)









  Escondida

30%

21.7

21.3

22.6

23.8

22.0

71.8

68.4

  Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

45.3

59.9

50.4

39.2

46.3

102.8

135.9

  Palabora (k)

0%

2.7

5.1

7.5

7.4

-

18.5

14.9

Rio Tinto total refined production


69.7

86.2

80.5

70.4

68.3

193.1

219.1










DIAMONDS









Production ('000 carats)









  Argyle

100%

2,454

2,010

1,990

3,130

3,085

6,461

8,205

  Diavik

60%

1,160

1,141

1,167

936

1,003

3,197

3,106

  Murowa

78%

92

98

79

69

70

215

217

Rio Tinto total diamond production


3,706

3,248

3,236

4,135

4,158

9,873

11,529










GOLD









Mine production ('000 ounces) (c)









  Barneys Canyon

100%

0.0

0.8

0.0

0.4

0.0

0.4

0.4

  Bingham Canyon

100%

48

48

46

31

56

152

133

  Escondida

30%

6

7

7

7

7

22

21

  Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)

40%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

  Northparkes (i)

80%

14

14

14

14

14

43

41

  Oyu Tolgoi (j)

34%

-

-

-

7

21

-

28

  Palabora (k)

0%

0.6

2.2

1.6

1.5

-

4.1

3.1

Rio Tinto total mine production


68

73

69

61

97

222

227

Refined production ('000 ounces)









  Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

46

78

60

44

40

201

145



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










IRON ORE









Production ('000 tonnes) (c)









  Hamersley - six wholly owned mines

100%

33,832

33,022

30,774

32,946

33,707

93,608

97,427

  Hamersley - Channar

60%

1,334

1,833

1,743

1,742

1,528

4,735

5,013

  Hamersley - Eastern Range

   (l)

2,297

2,424

2,508

2,460

2,571

6,878

7,539

  Hope Downs

50%

4,024

3,683

3,869

3,965

4,504

11,713

12,338

  Iron Ore Company of Canada

59%

2,370

2,298

2,009

2,341

2,353

5,970

6,703

  Robe River

53%

8,771

8,707

7,347

8,375

8,714

23,998

24,436

Rio Tinto total iron ore production


52,628

51,967

48,250

51,829

53,377

146,902

153,456

Breakdown:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


12,459

12,580

11,997

13,217

13,269

36,347

38,483

  Pilbara Blend Fines


18,763

17,717

18,181

18,572

19,237

52,144

55,990

  Robe Valley Lump


1,390

1,620

1,252

1,387

1,658

3,969

4,297

  Robe Valley Fines


3,122

3,280

2,661

3,039

3,066

8,252

8,766

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14,524

14,472

12,150

13,272

13,795

40,220

39,217

  IOC Concentrate


922

844

797

1,086

1,048

1,734

2,931

  IOC Pellets


1,448

1,453

1,212

1,255

1,305

4,236

3,772










MOLYBDENUM









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (c)









  Bingham Canyon

100%

2.5

1.1

1.8

0.9

1.2

8.3

3.9










SALT









Production ('000 tonnes)









  Dampier Salt

68%

1,836

1,678

1,585

1,670

1,586

5,155

4,842










SILVER









Mine production ('000 ounces) (c)









  Bingham Canyon

100%

502

624

663

431

852

1,462

1,947

  Escondida

30%

221

251

261

306

305

800

872

  Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)

40%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

  Oyu Tolgoi (j)

34%

-

-

-

28

66

-

94

  Others

-

124

123

136

181

122

397

439

Rio Tinto total mine production


847

998

1,061

946

1,345

2,659

3,353

Refined production ('000 ounces)









  Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

357

810

672

457

395

1,640

1,525










TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK









Production ('000 tonnes)









  Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (m)

100%

401

450

427

461

373

1,145

1,261



 

Rio Tinto share of production















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










URANIUM









Production ('000 lbs U3O8)









  Energy Resources of Australia

68%

1,980

1,840

1,351

1,391

869

3,840

3,610

  Rössing

69%

1,132

1,013

983

976

948

3,068

2,907

Rio Tinto total uranium production


3,112

2,853

2,334

2,366

1,817

6,907

6,517










Production data notes:

(a) On 8 August 2013, Rio Tinto announced that Pacific Aluminium, including the Gove mine and alumina refinery, Bell Bay, Boyne Island, Tomago and Tiwai Point smelters, would be reintegrated in Rio Tinto Alcan.

(b) Rio Tinto sold its 100% interest in the Sebree aluminium smelter with an effective date of 1 June 2013. Production is shown up to that date. The wholly owned Lynemouth smelter was closed in March 2012.

(c) Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates, leach liquor or doré bullion irrespective of whether these products are then refined onsite, except for the data for bauxite and iron ore which represent production of marketable quantities of ore plus concentrates and pellets.

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

(e) Benga moved to commercial production during the third quarter of 2012.

(f) Blair Athol closed in the last quarter of 2012. Rio Tinto agreed the sale of its 71.2% interest in Blair Athol in October 2013.

(g) Hail Creek started a trial of thermal coal production, reprocessed from coking coal reject, in the third quarter of 2013.

(h) 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 3Q 2013 production from Grasberg did not exceed the metal attributable to PT Freeport Indonesia per the joint venture agreement for the quarter. Accordingly, Rio Tinto's share of joint venture production was zero for 3Q 2013.

(i) In July 2013, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached a binding agreement for the sale of its 80% interest in Northparkes.

(j) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources. Production included in the table is from 1 May 2013.

(k) The sale of Rio Tinto's 57.7% interest in Palabora Mining Company was completed on 31 July 2013; production data have been reported up to 30 June 2013.

(l) 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.

(m) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's share of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM). Rio Tinto's share of RBM production reflects increased ownership from 37% to 74% in early September 2012.










The Rio Tinto percentage shown above is at 30 September 2013.

















Rio Tinto's interests in the Beyrède, Gardanne, La Bâthie and Teutschenthal specialty alumina plants and Borax Argentina were sold in 2012. No data for these operations are included in the Share of Production table.










 



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










ALUMINIUM









Rio Tinto Alcan - Bauxite









Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









  Gove mine - Northern Territory (a)

100.0%

2,086

2,068

1,918

1,857

1,983

5,876

5,758

  Weipa mine - Queensland

100.0%

6,179

6,518

5,783

6,800

6,971

16,739

19,554

Brazil









  Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine

12.0%

4,104

4,010

3,198

3,941

4,214

11,503

11,353

Guinea









  Sangaredi mine (b)

23.0%

3,537

3,696

3,282

4,070

3,978

10,305

11,330










Rio Tinto Alcan share of bauxite shipments









Share of bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


10,637

10,244

9,381

11,148

11,166

28,994

31,695


(a) On 8 August 2013, Rio Tinto announced that Pacific Aluminium, including the Gove mine, would be reintegrated in Rio Tinto Alcan.
(b) Rio Tinto has a 22.95% shareholding in the Sangaredi mine but benefits from 45.0% of production.

 

Rio Tinto Alcan - Smelter Grade Alumina









Alumina production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









  Gove refinery - Northern Territory (a)

100.0%

723

683

599

470

528

2,059

1,597

  Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland

80.0%

891

893

741

872

868

2,800

2,481

  Yarwun refinery - Queensland

100.0%

730

750

523

620

608

1,425

1,751

Brazil









  São Luis (Alumar) refinery

10.0%

860

820

833

836

848

2,589

2,517

Canada









  Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (b)

100.0%

344

363

362

346

353

1,034

1,061


(a) On 8 August 2013, Rio Tinto announced that Pacific Aluminium, including the Gove alumina refinery, would be reintegrated in Rio Tinto Alcan.
(b) Jonquière's (Vaudreuil's) production shows smelter grade alumina only and excludes hydrate produced and used for specialty alumina.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










ALUMINIUM (continued)









Rio Tinto Alcan - Specialty Alumina









Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)









Canada









  Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec

100.0%

26

25

25

30

25

76

80

Rio Tinto Alcan - Primary Aluminium









Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









  Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania (a)

100.0%

47

47

46

47

47

138

140

  Boyne Island smelter - Queensland (a)

59.4%

144

143

139

140

142

426

422

  Tomago smelter - New South Wales (a)

51.6%

137

137

133

134

139

409

405

Cameroon









  Alucam (Edéa) smelter

46.7%

16

16

11

16

24

36

51

Canada









  Alma smelter - Quebec

100.0%

44

90

106

110

111

118

327

  Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec

40.0%

146

149

146

146

143

444

435

  Arvida smelter - Quebec

100.0%

44

44

43

44

45

132

132

  Bécancour smelter - Quebec

25.1%

110

106

107

108

110

323

326

  Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec

100.0%

56

56

55

56

56

167

167

  Kitimat smelter - British Columbia

100.0%

46

46

45

44

42

136

131

  Laterrière smelter - Quebec

100.0%

58

58

56

60

62

175

177

  Shawinigan smelter - Quebec

100.0%

24

23

23

24

20

58

67

France









  Dunkerque smelter

100.0%

64

65

64

60

66

191

190

  Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne smelter

100.0%

21

22

22

23

24

71

69

Iceland









  ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter

100.0%

47

48

49

50

49

142

148

New Zealand









  Tiwai Point smelter (a)

79.4%

79

80

82

78

81

244

241

Norway









  SØRAL (Husnes) smelter

50.0%

23

23

22

22

22

69

66

Oman









  Sohar smelter

20.0%

88

90

89

91

89

270

269

United Kingdom









  Lochaber smelter

100.0%

11

11

12

11

11

33

34

Rio Tinto Alcan share of metal sales









Share of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes)


890

969

920

989

1,024

2,674

2,933


(a) On 8 August 2013, Rio Tinto announced that Pacific Aluminium, including the Bell Bay, Boyne Island, Tomago and Tiwai Point smelters, would be reintegrated in Rio Tinto Alcan.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










ALUMINIUM (continued)









Other Aluminium - Specialty Alumina









Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)









France









  Beyrède plant (a)

0.0%

3

-

-

-

-

16

-

  Gardanne plant (a)

0.0%

45

-

-

-

-

284

-

   La Bâthie plant (a)

0.0%

3

-

-

-

-

15

-

Germany









  Teutschenthal plant (a)

0.0%

3

-

-

-

-

16

-

Other Aluminium - Primary Aluminium









Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)









United Kingdom









  Lynemouth smelter (b)

100.0%

-

-

-

-

-

15

-

USA









  Sebree smelter - Kentucky (c)

0.0%

51

52

52

35

-

153

87


(a) Rio Tinto sold its interest in these specialty alumina assets with an effective date of 1 August 2012. Production is shown up to that date.
(b) Rio Tinto closed the Lynemouth aluminium smelter on 29 March 2012.
(c) Rio Tinto sold its 100% interest in the Sebree smelter with an effective date of 1 June 2013. Production is shown up to that date.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










BORATES









Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100.0%








US and Argentina









  Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) (b)


111

100

111

137

127

363

374


(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.
(b) Rio Tinto sold its interest in Borax Argentina with an effective date of 21 August 2012. Production is included up to that date.










COAL









Rio Tinto Coal Australia









Bengalla mine

32.0%








New South Wales









  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


1,652

2,068

1,765

2,254

2,220

4,959

6,239

Blair Athol Coal mine (a)

71.2%



             




             

Queensland




             




             

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


851

697

-

-

-

1,890

-

Clermont Coal mine

50.1%








Queensland









  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


2,292

2,826

2,256

3,041

3,499

5,363

8,797

Hail Creek Coal mine

82.0%








Queensland









  Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)


2,048

1,937

1,485

1,674

1,808

5,236

4,966

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes) (b)


-

-

-

-

25

-

25

Hunter Valley Operations

80.0%








New South Wales









  Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


318

576

814

579

582

1,543

1,975

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


2,476

2,993

2,366

3,191

2,912

6,843

8,469

Kestrel Coal mine

80.0%








Queensland









  Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)


801

304

402

483

760

2,163

1,646

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


99

83

211

111

66

267

388

Mount Thorley Operations

64.0%








New South Wales









  Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


358

537

424

569

377

1,047

1,369

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


635

657

754

645

411

1,840

1,810

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










COAL (continued)









Warkworth mine

44.5%








New South Wales









  Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


518

355

263

719

96

942

1,079

  Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


1,469

1,365

1,583

1,229

2,403

4,112

5,216

Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


2,849

2,242

1,886

2,157

2,568

7,400

6,612

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


1,194

1,468

1,501

1,867

1,055

3,532

4,423

Total thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


9,473

10,689

8,936

10,472

11,537

25,274

30,945

Total coal production ('000 tonnes)


13,516

14,399

12,323

14,496

15,161

36,205

41,980










Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)


13,296

14,757

12,259

14,056

14,481

35,293

40,797

Rio Tinto Coal Australia share (c)









Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes)


2,436

1,841

1,535

1,776

1,846

6,368

5,157

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


769

882

1,115

981

806

2,312

2,902

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


5,193

6,236

4,931

5,682

5,952

13,518

16,565


(a) Blair Athol closed in the last quarter of 2012. Rio Tinto agreed the sale of its 71.2% interest in Blair Athol in October 2013.
(b) Hail Creek started a trial of thermal coal production, reprocessed from coking coal reject, in the third quarter of 2013.
(c) Kestrel produces hard coking coal and thermal coal through its mining operations. These coals may be blended at ports.
(d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.

Rio Tinto Coal Mozambique









Benga mine (a)

65.0%








Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


134

154

171

219

249

134

640

Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


173

246

168

202

188

173

558


(a) Benga moved to commercial production during the third quarter of 2012.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










COPPER & GOLD









Escondida

30.0%








Chile









Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)


16,850

18,796

18,964

19,295

18,276

51,940

56,535

  Average copper grade (%)


1.34

1.39

1.44

1.42

1.37

1.29

1.41

Mill production (metals in concentrates):









  Contained copper ('000 tonnes)


185.2

216.6

229.3

231.9

210.6

550.0

671.8

  Contained gold ('000 ounces)


21

24

24

24

22

73

70

  Contained silver ('000 ounces)


738

836

870

1,021

1,017

2,665

2,908

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


65.4

72.7

55.9

53.5

60.9

208.1

170.4

Refined production from leach plants:









  Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)


72.3

70.9

75.3

79.3

73.2

239.4

227.8


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

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold









Grasberg mine (a)

0.0% (b)








Papua, Indonesia









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


17,175

16,424

17,943

10,403

17,567

43,956

45,914

Average mill head grades:









  Copper (%)


0.63

0.66

0.66

0.73

0.73

0.61

0.70

  Gold (g/t)


0.46

0.59

0.52

0.53

0.68

0.60

0.58

  Silver (g/t)


1.81

2.43

2.15

3.65

2.14

1.81

2.49

Production of metals in concentrates:









  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


93.7

94.1

103.0

65.2

114.9

232.9

283.0

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


187

227

218

135

310

661

663

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


624

865

812

509

693

1,727

2,014

Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (c)









  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


88.8

92.3

89.8

71.6

109.6

233.2

271.1

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


178

224

192

150

294

696

636

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


469

670

563

452

527

1,401

1,541


(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 3Q 2013 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan, because FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 3Q 2013 until the release of its 2013 third-quarter results on 22 October 2013.
(b) Rio Tinto share of Grasberg production is 40% of the expansion.
(c) Net of smelter deductions.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Kennecott Utah Copper









Barneys Canyon mine (a)

100.0%

             


             


             



Utah, US


             


             


             



  Gold produced ('000 ounces)


0.0

0.8

0.0

0.4

0.0

0.4

0.4

Bingham Canyon mine

100.0%








Utah, US









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


10,268

11,001

11,733

8,192

10,593

33,131

30,518

Average ore grade:









  Copper (%)


0.47

0.60

0.47

0.54

0.62

0.37

0.54

  Gold (g/t)


0.20

0.19

0.18

0.15

0.22

0.21

0.19

  Silver (g/t)


2.12

2.34

2.42

2.18

4.16

2.14

2.96

  Molybdenum (%)


0.039

0.027

0.033

0.022

0.034

0.044

0.030

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


190

267

223

170

235

486

627

  Average concentrate grade (% Cu)


22.5

22.1

21.7

23.0

25.2

21.2

23.3

Production of metals in copper concentrates:









  Copper ('000 tonnes) (b)


42.9

59.3

48.2

39.2

59.1

103.9

146.5

  Gold ('000 ounces)


48

48

46

31

56

152

133

  Silver ('000 ounces)


502

624

663

431

852

1,462

1,947

Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):


5.0

2.2

3.5

1.7

2.4

16.0

7.6

  Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


2.5

1.1

1.8

0.9

1.2

8.3

3.9


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

Kennecott smelter & refinery

100.0%








Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)


227

285

245

123

256

544

624

Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (a)


55.1

63.3

50.6

30.1

54.3

104.5

135.1

Production of refined metal:









  Copper ('000 tonnes)


45.3

59.9

50.4

39.2

46.3

102.8

135.9

  Gold ('000 ounces) (b)


46

78

60

44

40

201

145

  Silver ('000 ounces) (b)


357

810

672

457

395

1,640

1,525


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

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Northparkes Joint Venture (a)

80.0%








New South Wales, Australia









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


1,468

1,393

1,419

1,542

1,528

4,258

4,488

Average ore grade:









  Copper (%)


1.04

1.09

1.06

1.02

1.04

1.07

1.04

  Gold (g/t)


0.50

0.52

0.49

0.47

0.45

0.53

0.47

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


38.8

39.1

39.7

42.8

44.2

116.8

126.6

Contained copper in concentrates:









   Saleable production ('000 tonnes)


13.4

13.5

13.3

14.0

14.3

40.4

41.6

   Sales ('000 tonnes) (b)


11.3

12.1

10.7

11.3

8.9

31.7

30.8

Contained gold in concentrates:









   Saleable production ('000 ounces)


17

18

17

17

17

54

52

   Sales ('000 ounces) (b)


15.3

16.3

14.9

13.4

11.0

44.0

39.3


(a) In July 2013, Rio Tinto announced that it had reached a binding agreement for the sale of its 80% interest in Northparkes.
(b) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.

Turquoise Hill Resources


             

             

             



             


Oyu Tolgoi mine (a)

33.5%








Mongolia


             

             

             



             


Ore Treated ('000 tonnes)


-

-

-

4,430

8,052

-

12,482

Average mill head grades:




             



             


  Copper (%)


-

-

-

0.42

0.47

-

0.45

  Gold (g/t)


-

-

-

0.27

0.36

-

0.33

  Silver (g/t)


-

-

-

1.31

1.39

-

1.36

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


-

-

-

50.2

110.3

-

160.5

  Average concentrate grade (% Cu)


-

-

-

26.1

27.7

-

27.2

Production of metals in concentrates:


             

             

             



             


  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


-

-

-

13.1

30.6

-

43.7

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


-

-

-

21

62

-

83

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


-

-

-

85

196

-

281

Sales of metals in concentrates:


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

  Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

  Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

  Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


-

-

-

-

-

-

-


(a) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources. Production included in the table is from 1 May 2013.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Palabora (a)

0.0%








Palabora Mine









South Africa









Ore Treated ('000 tonnes)


981

2,434

2,139

2,221

-

6,791

4,360

   Average ore grade: copper (%) (b)


0.63

0.57

0.56

0.58

-

0.60

-

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


20.3

43.7

35.5

47.7

-

126.5

83.2

   Average concentrate grade: copper (%)


27.3

27.8

28.4

25.3

-

29.2

26.7

   Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


5.5

12.1

10.1

12.1

-

36.9

22.2

Palabora smelter/refinery









New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)


6.1

43.6

54.2

57.1

-

113.5

111.3

New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes)


1.2

10.9

14.1

13.2

-

29.7

27.3

Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)


4.7

8.8

13.0

12.9

-

32.1

25.8

Gold in Anode Slimes ('000 tonnes)


1.1

3.8

2.8

2.6

-

7.1

5.5

By-products:









   Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)


1,475

1,428

1,146

1,482

-

3,851

2,628

    Nickel contained in products (tonnes)


2

3

6

11

-

29

17

Vermiculite plant









   Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)


27

30

32

41

-

103

73


(a) The sale of Rio Tinto's 57.7% interest in Palabora Mining Company was completed on 31 July 2013; production data have been reported up to 30 June 2013.
(b) Includes some higher grade slag processed in 3Q 2012.










DIAMONDS









Argyle Diamonds (a)

100.0%








Western Australia









  AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)


1,728

1,822

1,533

1,929

2,088

5,189

5,550

  AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)


2,454

2,010

1,990

3,130

3,085

6,461

8,205


(a) Rio Tinto officially opened the Argyle underground mine on 30 April 2013.

Diavik Diamonds

60.0%








Northwest Territories, Canada









  Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


525

466

503

526

548

1,592

1,577

  Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


1,933

1,901

1,946

1,559

1,672

5,329

5,176

Murowa Diamonds

77.8%








Zimbabwe









  Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


142

154

153

122

145

388

420

  Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


119

126

101

88

90

277

279

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










IRON ORE









Rio Tinto Iron Ore









Western Australia









Pilbara Operations









Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)









  Hamersley - Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo,









  Yandicoogina, Brockman and Nammuldi

100.0%

33,832

33,022

30,775

32,945

33,707

93,608

97,427

  Hamersley - Channar

60.0%

2,224

3,055

2,905

2,904

2,546

7,892

8,355

  Hamersley - Eastern Range

   (a)

2,297

2,424

2,508

2,460

2,571

6,878

7,539

  Hope Downs

50.0%

8,048

7,367

7,737

7,932

9,007

23,426

24,676

  Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

53.0%

8,513

9,246

7,383

8,352

8,912

23,058

24,647

  Robe River - West Angelas

53.0%

8,037

7,183

6,479

7,451

7,528

22,221

21,458

Total production ('000 tonnes)


62,949

62,297

57,787

62,044

64,271

177,083

184,102

Breakdown of total production:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


15,890

15,748

15,099

16,641

16,845

46,503

48,585

  Pilbara Blend Fines


24,023

22,831

23,154

23,780

24,719

67,302

71,653

  Robe Valley Lump


2,622

3,057

2,363

2,616

3,129

7,488

8,108

  Robe Valley Fines


5,890

6,189

5,021

5,735

5,783

15,570

16,539

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14,524

14,473

12,150

13,272

13,795

40,220

39,217

Breakdown of total sales:









  Pilbara Blend Lump


14,014

13,740

12,472

13,356

14,408

39,329

40,236

  Pilbara Blend Fines


24,856

25,157

22,753

23,437

26,177

68,535

72,367

  Robe Valley Lump


2,290

2,651

2,019

1,982

2,794

6,449

6,795

  Robe Valley Fines


6,260

6,707

4,645

5,637

6,298

16,293

16,580

  Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


13,601

14,668

12,833

12,056

14,576

39,179

39,465

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b)


61,020

62,923

54,722

56,468

64,253

169,784

175,443


(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.

Iron Ore Company of Canada

58.7%








Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada









Saleable iron ore production:









  Concentrates ('000 tonnes)


1,570

1,438

1,357

1,849

1,785

2,953

4,991

  Pellets ('000 tonnes)


2,466

2,475

2,064

2,138

2,222

7,213

6,424

Sales:









  Concentrates ('000 tonnes)


1,723

1,316

939

2,245

1,481

2,921

4,665

  Pellets ('000 tonnes)


2,774

2,517

1,648

2,582

2,289

7,367

6,519

Global Iron Ore Totals









Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes)


66,985

66,210

61,209

66,030

68,278

187,249

195,517

Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes)


65,517

66,756

57,310

61,294

68,023

180,072

186,627

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data















Rio Tinto
interest

3Q
2012

4Q
2012

1Q
2013

2Q
2013

3Q
2013

9 MTHS
2012

9 MTHS
2013










SALT









Dampier Salt

68.4%








Western Australia









  Salt production ('000 tonnes)


2,686

2,454

2,319

2,444

2,320

7,541

7,082










TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK









Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100.0%








Canada and South Africa (a)









  (Rio Tinto share) (b)









  Titanium dioxide feedstock ('000 tonnes)


401

450

427

461

373

1,145

1,261


(a) On 7 September 2012, Rio Tinto increased its stake in Richards Bay Minerals from 37% to 74% through the acquisition of BHP Billiton's interest in RBM.
(b) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's share of Richards Bay Minerals' production. Ilmenite mined in Madagascar is being processed in Canada.










URANIUM









Energy Resources of Australia Ltd









Ranger mine

68.4%








Northern Territory, Australia









  U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)


2,895

2,690

1,974

2,034

1,270

5,614

5,279

Rössing Uranium Ltd

68.6%








Namibia









  U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)


1,650

1,477

1,434

1,423

1,383

4,473

4,239










Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2013. 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
 
END
 
 
QRTEALESFANDFEF

Companies

Rio Tinto (RIO)
UK 100

Latest directors dealings