Rio Tinto third quarter production results

RNS Number : 7532T
Rio Tinto PLC
16 October 2017
 

 

Rio Tinto releases third quarter production results

 

17 October 2017

 

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said "The business performed very well in the September quarter, with a strong quarterly production performance and a wave of productivity improvements embedded through our operations. In particular, we are making good progress with further improvements to our world-class Pilbara iron ore business, including the opening of the Silvergrass mine and the implementation of AutoHaul. We continue to shape our asset portfolio and announced $2.5 billion of additional returns to shareholders from the proceeds of the Coal & Allied sale, demonstrating the robustness of our strategy and ability to invest in high-value growth whilst returning excess cash to shareholders. We have announced over $8 billion of cash returns in 2017. Our relentless focus on cash generation and disciplined capital allocation will continue to deliver superior returns for our shareholders."

 



Q3 2017

vs Q3 2016

vs Q2 2017

9 mths 2017

vs 9 mths 2016

Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis)

Mt

85.8

+6%

+11%

240.2

+0%

Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis)

Mt

85.0

+2%

+6%

241.9

-1%

Bauxite

kt

12,867

+4%

+0%

37,034

+4%

Aluminium

kt

887

-3%

-0%

2,664

-1%

Mined copper

kt

120.6

-3%

-3%

329.5

-15%

Hard coking coal

kt

2,244

+3%

+44%

5,382

-10%

Titanium dioxide slag

kt

327

+23%

+4%

975

+30%

IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate

Mt

3.2

+8%

+18%

8.4

+7%

 

Key points

·      Pilbara iron ore shipments were 85.8 million tonnes in the third quarter (100 per cent basis), assisted by improved rail capacity and performance. This was six per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016, which was impacted by shiploader maintenance.

·      Quarterly bauxite production was 12.9 million tonnes for a second consecutive quarter, four per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016, driven by strong performances at Gove and Weipa. Third party shipments for the third quarter were 8.2 million tonnes. Bauxite production guidance is revised to between 50 and 51 million tonnes (previously 48 to 50 million tonnes).

·      Mined copper production was three per cent lower than the corresponding quarter of 2016 due to lower copper head grades at Rio Tinto Kennecott and Oyu Tolgoi.

·      Mined copper guidance is revised to between 460 and 480 thousand tonnes (previously 500 to 550 thousand tonnes) following the third quarter impact of the delayed ramp-up of the Escondida expansion, and fourth quarter mine sequencing changes at Rio Tinto Kennecott.

·      Titanium dioxide slag production increased by 23 per cent compared to the third quarter of 2016, reflecting higher market demand.

·      As announced on 1 September 2017, Rio Tinto completed the sale of Coal & Allied to Yancoal Australia for total consideration of $2.69 billion.

·      On 21 September 2017, Rio Tinto announced a new $2.5 billion share buy-back, comprised of a A$700 million (approximately $560 million) off-market buy-back tender in Rio Tinto Limited shares, and an additional $1.9 billion of on-market purchases of Rio Tinto plc shares.

·      In early October, a serious incident at the Rio Tinto Kennecott smelter resulted in a fatality. Investigations are currently underway. 


 

All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share of production, unless otherwise stated. To allow production numbers to be compared on a like-for-like basis, production from asset divestments completed in 2016 is excluded from Rio Tinto share of production data but assets sold in 2017 remain in comparisons.

 

IRON ORE

 

Rio Tinto share of production (million tonnes)


Q3 2017

vs Q3 2016

vs Q2 2017

9 mths

2017

vs 9 mths 2016

Pilbara Blend Lump

20.7

+4%

+5%

59.7

+4%

Pilbara Blend Fines

30.1

+2%

+7%

85.2

-2%

Robe Valley Lump

1.6

+6%

+8%

4.5

-0%

Robe Valley Fines

2.9

+6%

+30%

7.5

-11%

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

14.5

-2%

+7%

41.6

-3%

Total Pilbara production

69.7



198.4


Total Pilbara production (100% basis)

85.0



241.9


 

Pilbara operations

Pilbara operations produced 241.9 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 198.4 million tonnes) in the first nine months of 2017, one per cent lower than the same period of 2016, mainly due to weather disruptions in the first half of the year. Third quarter production of 85.0 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 69.7 million tonnes) was two per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016 and six per cent higher than the previous quarter, reflecting productivity enhancement projects across most sites.

 

Year-to-date sales of 240.2 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 197.2 million tonnes) were in line with the same period of 2016. Strong third quarter sales of 85.8 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 70.0 million tonnes) were assisted by improved rail capacity and performance. This was six per cent higher than the same period of last year, which was impacted by shiploader maintenance, and 11 per cent higher than the previous quarter.

 

Approximately 18 per cent of sales in the quarter were priced with reference to the prior quarter's average index lagged by one month. The remainder was sold either on current quarter average, current month average or on the spot market. 

 

Approximately 65 per cent of sales in the quarter were made on a cost and freight (CFR) basis, with the remainder sold free on board (FOB).

 

Pilbara projects

Silvergrass mine was officially opened on 30 August this year by the Premier of Western Australia. Commissioning of the conveyor system will commence in October and remains on target for completion in the fourth quarter of this year. Silvergrass will ramp up to capacity in 2018.

 

The automation of the Pilbara train system (AutoHaul) is continuing to progress well, with the successful completion of the first autonomous train, without on-board supervision, on the mainline between Tom Price and Paraburdoo (~100km). More than 50 per cent of all train kilometres are now completed in autonomous mode with drivers on-board for supervision.  Operational improvements from AutoHaul are already being realised including reduced variability and increased speed across the network, helping to reduce average cycle times. The project is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2018.

 

2017 guidance

Rio Tinto's expected Pilbara shipments in 2017, subject to weather, remain unchanged at around 330 million tonnes on a 100 per cent basis.

 

ALUMINIUM

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)


Q3 2017

vs Q3 2016

vs Q2 2017

9 mths

2017

vs 9 mths 2016

Rio Tinto Aluminium






Bauxite

12,867

+4%

+0%

37,034

+4%

Alumina

1,984

+0%

-2%

6,055

-1%

Aluminium

887

-3%

-0%

2,664

-1%

Production from Lochaber in 2016 has been excluded from the comparable percentages above.

 

Bauxite

Bauxite production of 12.9 million tonnes was four per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016 following strong quarterly production performances at both Gove and Weipa. Gove production was 11 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2016 due to a planned production ramp-up associated with continued de-bottlenecking of capacity, whilst production at Weipa was up three per cent.

 

The production performance enabled the Group to achieve quarterly shipments of 8.2 million tonnes of bauxite to third parties in the third quarter, two per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2016.

 

Amrun

The Amrun project is advancing to plan with key construction activities continuing, including installation of the first three wharf modules and fabrication and transportation to site of the process plant beneficiation modules. The project remains on schedule for first shipment in the first half of 2019. 

 

Alumina

Alumina production for the quarter was in line with the third quarter of 2016. A strong performance at the Yarwun refinery was offset by reduced production at the Queensland Alumina refinery due to the timing of major maintenance.

 

Aluminium

Quarterly aluminium production was three per cent lower than the third quarter of last year. Strong operational performances were achieved across most sites, reflecting process improvements that have been embedded throughout the business. This was offset by production curtailment at the Boyne smelter due to higher power prices in Queensland and by lower production at the non-managed Sohar smelter due to a power interruption incident on 4 August that led to the cessation of operations. The gradual re-start of operations commenced on 15 September.

 

2017 guidance

Rio Tinto's share of production in 2017 is revised to between 50 and 51 million tonnes of bauxite (previously 48 to 50 million tonnes), but otherwise remains unchanged at 8.0 to 8.2 million tonnes of alumina and 3.5 to 3.7 million tonnes of aluminium.

 

 



 

COPPER & DIAMONDS

 

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)


Q3 2017

vs Q3 2016

vs Q2 2017

9 mths

2017

vs 9 mths 2016

Mined copper






Rio Tinto Kennecott

25.8

-29%

-41%

114.0

+6%

Escondida

82.5

+14%

+21%

177.9

-23%

Grasberg

0.0

N/A

N/A

0.0

N/A

Oyu Tolgoi

12.4

-21%

-1%

37.6

-28%







Refined copper






Rio Tinto Kennecott

53.6

+37%

+164%

103.7

+16%

Escondida

21.6

+2%

+15%

48.6

-33%







Diamonds ('000 carats)






Argyle

4,757

+36%

+48%

10,988

+6%

Diavik

1,177

+27%

+5%

3,432

+14%

 

Rio Tinto Kennecott

Mined copper production in the third quarter of 2017 was 29 per cent lower than the corresponding period of 2016, as operations entered an anticipated area of lower grade. Refined copper production of 53.6 thousand tonnes was significantly higher than the third quarter of 2016, due to the consumption of concentrate which was built up during the planned 27 day smelter shutdown which occurred during May.

 

To optimise smelter utilisation, Rio Tinto Kennecott continues to toll and purchase third party concentrate, with 115.6 thousand tonnes received for processing in the first nine months of 2017. Tolled copper concentrate, which is smelted and returned to customers, is excluded from reported production figures.

 

The pushback of the south wall progressed during the quarter. It will extend the life of mine beyond 2019 and remains on track for completion in 2020.

 

Refinement of the mine plan will result in lower than expected copper grades in the fourth quarter, leading to a reduction in estimates for mined copper. The higher grade material is expected to be accessed in 2018.

 

In early October, a serious incident at the Rio Tinto Kennecott smelter resulted in a fatality. A full investigation will be completed before production and shipments resume.

 

Escondida

Mined copper production at Escondida was 14 per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016, reflecting the full utilisation of the OPG1 concentrator. The return of operations to normal production levels following the labour union strike resulted in mined and refined copper being up 21 per cent and 15 per cent respectively compared to the previous quarter. As a consequence of the strike action in the first quarter of 2017, the commissioning of the Los Colorados Extension was delayed, which has impacted Rio Tinto's share of production in the third quarter.

 

Oyu Tolgoi

Mined copper production for the quarter was, as anticipated, significantly lower than the same period in 2016 due to lower head grades and the drawdown of stockpiles. This is despite the operation achieving a 16 per cent increase in mill throughput compared to the third quarter of 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project

New contractors continue to mobilise and the project workforce is now almost 3,000 on site, 89 per cent of whom are Mongolian nationals. Key project activities, including the sinking of shaft #2 and shaft #5, underground mine development and the conveyor to surface decline continue to progress. The first two buildings of the accommodation camp will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017. Construction of the first draw bell is still expected in mid-2020.

 

Grasberg

Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (Freeport), Rio Tinto is entitled to the cash flow associated with 40 per cent of material mined above an agreed threshold as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998.

 

On 12 January 2017, the Government of Indonesia issued new mining regulations to address exports of unrefined metals, including copper concentrates, and other matters related to the mining sector. These regulations impact PT Freeport Indonesia's ('PT-FI') operating rights, including its right to continue to export concentrate without restriction, and, as a result, have a significant impact on Rio Tinto's share of production in 2017. Rio Tinto's full participation beyond 2021 is likely to be delayed due to the application of force majeure provisions in the joint venture agreement between Rio Tinto and PT-FI.

 

In April 2017, Freeport reached agreement with the Indonesian government to resume concentrate exports (which had been suspended) for a six month period expiring in October 2017. A further three month permit extension to January 2018 was granted by the government in October 2017. During this period, Freeport will continue to negotiate the new operating licenses and investment stability agreement. Discussions are continuing between Freeport and the Indonesian government to reach a mutually satisfactory longer-term agreement.

 

Rio Tinto is reporting its metal share for the third quarter as zero.

 

Diamonds

At Argyle, quarterly carat production was 36 per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016 due to the processing of higher grade alluvial tailings.

 

At Diavik, carats recovered in the third quarter of 2017 were 27 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2016 due to higher recovered grades. Development of the A21 pipe remains on schedule.

 

2017 guidance

Rio Tinto's expected share of mined copper production for 2017 is revised to between 460 and 480 thousand tonnes (previously 500 to 550 thousand tonnes) after assessing the impact of the delayed ramp-up of the Los Colorados Extension project at Escondida and the impact of mine sequencing changes at Rio Tinto Kennecott. Refined copper production guidance remains unchanged at 185 to 225 thousand tonnes, subject to the impact of the investigation at the Rio Tinto Kennecott smelter.

 

Diamond production guidance for 2017 has been revised to between 19 and 22 million carats (previously 19 to 24 million carats).

 



 

ENERGY & MINERALS

 

Rio Tinto share of production


Q3 2017

vs Q3 2016

vs Q2 2017

9 mths

2017

vs 9 mths 2016

Coal






Hard coking coal

2,244

+3%

+44%

5,382

-10%

Semi-soft coking coal (a)

445

-58%

-28%

2,020

-36%

Thermal coal (a)

3,791

-13%

-23%

12,967

+4%







Iron ore pellets and concentrate (million tonnes)






IOC

3.2

+8%

+18%

8.4

+7%







Minerals ('000 tonnes)






Borates - B2O3 content

140

+6%

+5%

396

+4%

Salt

1,227

-1%

-17%

3,555

-6%

Titanium dioxide slag

327

+23%

+4%

975

+30%







Uranium ('000 lbs)






Energy Resources of Australia

962

-4%

+42%

2,539

-4%

Rössing

757

+20%

-12%

2,290

+14%

Production from Bengalla in 2016 has been excluded from the comparable percentages above.

(a) On 1 September 2017, Rio Tinto completed the sale of Coal & Allied. This included Coal & Allied's 67.6% interest in the Hunter Valley Operations mine, 80% interest in the Mount Thorley mine and 55.6% interest in the Warkworth mine. Production from these mines is reported here until 1 September 2017.

 

Coal

Hard coking coal production in the quarter was three per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016 and significantly higher than the previous quarter as operations normalised at Hail Creek following the impact of Cyclone Debbie earlier in the year.

 

As announced on 1 September 2017, Rio Tinto completed the sale of Coal & Allied to Yancoal Australia for total consideration of $2.69 billion, which included Coal & Allied's interests in the Hunter Valley Operations, Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines. The sale resulted in semi-soft coking coal and thermal coal production being lower than the previous quarter by 28 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. The sale, coupled with mine production sequencing changes at Hunter Valley Operations and Mount Thorley Warkworth, led to a 58 per cent reduction in semi-soft coking coal production compared to the third quarter of 2016.

 

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

IOC pellet production of 2.9 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 1.7 million tonnes) was eight per cent higher than the same quarter of 2016 and 24 per cent higher than the previous quarter, with pellet demand continuing to be strong and product mix being optimised to meet customer demand. Concentrate production for sale of 2.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 1.4 million tonnes) was nine per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016 and 12 per cent higher than the previous quarter, reflecting improved asset reliability along with higher recovery.

 

Borates

Borates production in the third quarter was six per cent higher than the corresponding period of 2016, with production aligned to market demand.

 

Iron and Titanium (RTIT)

Titanium dioxide slag production in the third quarter was 23 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter in 2016, reflecting improved market demand. One of nine furnaces at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) remains idle, along with one of four furnaces at Richards Bay Minerals. RTFT expects to operate eight furnaces for the remainder of the year, compared with seven in 2016.

 

Salt

Salt production in the third quarter was marginally lower than the same period in 2016.

 

Uranium

Energy Resources of Australia continues to process existing stockpiles. Third quarter production in 2017 was four per cent lower than the corresponding period in 2016.

 

Production at Rössing was 20 per cent higher than the third quarter in 2016 due to higher grades and mill throughput.

 

2017 guidance

Following the divestment of Coal & Allied, guidance for Rio Tinto's expected share of 2017 production is revised to 13 to 14 million tonnes of thermal coal (previously 17 to 18 million tonnes) and 2.0 million tonnes of semi-soft coking coal (previously 3.3 to 3.9 million tonnes). Otherwise, guidance for Rio Tinto's expected share of 2017 production is unchanged at 7.2 to 7.8 million tonnes of hard coking coal, 11.4 to 12.4 million tonnes of iron ore pellets and concentrates, 0.5 million tonnes of boric oxide equivalent production, 1.2 to 1.3 million tonnes of titanium dioxide slag, and 6.5 to 7.5 million pounds of uranium.

 

 

CORPORATE

 

On 21 September 2017, Rio Tinto announced a new $2.5 billion share buy-back, returning the proceeds of the sale of Coal & Allied to its shareholders. The buy-back is to be executed through a combination of an off-market buy-back tender, targeting approximately A$700 million (approximately $560 million) of Rio Tinto Limited shares, with the balance of approximately $1.9 billion of additional funds being allocated to Rio Tinto's existing on-market purchase of Rio Tinto plc shares. The off-market buy-back of Rio Tinto Limited shares is expected to be undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2017, with the on-market buy-back of Rio Tinto plc shares expected to be completed by the end of 2018.



EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

 

Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first nine months of 2017 was $297 million, compared with $379 million in the first nine months of 2016. Approximately 49 per cent of this expenditure was incurred by central exploration, 30 per cent by Copper & Diamonds, 11 per cent by Energy & Minerals and the remainder by Iron Ore and Aluminium.

 

There were no significant divestments of central exploration properties in the third quarter of 2017.

 

Exploration highlights

Rio Tinto has a strong portfolio of projects with activity in 15 countries across some eight commodities. The bulk of the exploration expenditure in this quarter was focused on copper targets in Australia, Chile, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, United States and Zambia.  Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto managed businesses including Pilbara Iron, Richards Bay Minerals, Oyu Tolgoi and Weipa.

 

A summary of activity for the quarter is as follows:

 

Product Group

Evaluation

projects

Advanced

projects

Greenfield

programmes

Aluminium

Cape York, Australia

Amargosa, Brazil

Australia, Laos

Copper & Diamonds

Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US

Copper: La Granja, Peru

Copper/gold: Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia

Nickel: Tamarack, US

Diamonds: Fort a la Corne, Canada

Copper: Australia, Botswana, Chile, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, US, Zambia

Nickel: Australia, Canada

Diamonds: Canada

Energy & Minerals

Lithium borates: Jadar, Serbia

Heavy mineral sands: Mutamba, Mozambique and Zulti South, South Africa

Iron Ore: Simandou, Guinea

Uranium: Roughrider, Canada

Potash: KP405, Canada

Uranium: Canada

Heavy mineral sands: Tanzania

Iron Ore

Pilbara, Australia

Pilbara, Australia




 

Forward-looking statements

 

This announcement may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's production forecast or guidance, financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. The words "intend", "aim", "project", "anticipate", "estimate", "plan", "believes", "expects", "may", "should", "will", "target", "set to", "assumes" or similar expressions, commonly identify such forward looking statements.

 

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual production, performance or results of Rio Tinto to be materially different from any future production, performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements could be influenced by such risk factors as identified in Rio Tinto's most recent Annual Report and Accounts in Australia and the United Kingdom and the most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or Form 6-Ks furnished to, or filed with, the SEC. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

 

Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share. 

 



 

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Rio Tinto plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

 

T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 7, 360 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

 

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto production summary













Rio Tinto share of production















Quarter


9 Months


% Change



2016
Q3

2017
Q2

2017
Q3


2016
9 MTHS

2017
9 MTHS


Q3 17
vs
Q3 16

Q3 17
vs
Q2 17

9 MTHS 17
vs
9 MTHS 16

Principal Commodities











Alumina

('000 t)

1,981

2,024

1,984


6,088

6,055


0%

-2%

Aluminium

('000 t)

911

888

887


2,685

2,664


-3%

0%

-1%

Bauxite

('000 t)

12,422

12,865

12,867


35,583

37,034


4%

0%

4%

Borates

('000 t)

132

133

140


382

396


6%

5%

4%

Coal - hard coking

('000 t)

2,175

1,555

2,244


5,954

5,382


3%

44%

-10%

Coal - semi-soft coking

('000 t)

1,066

616

445


3,133

2,020


-58%

-28%

-36%

Coal - thermal

('000 t)

4,346

4,954

3,791


12,473

12,967


-13%

-23%

4%

Copper - mined

('000 t)

124.4

124.7

120.6


389.6

329.5


-3%

-3%

-15%

Copper - refined

('000 t)

60.2

39.1

75.2


161.7

152.3


25%

92%

-6%

Diamonds

('000 cts)

4,420

4,335

5,933


13,379

14,420


34%

37%

8%

Iron Ore

('000 t)

71,431

67,699

72,903


207,688

206,828


2%

8%

0%

Titanium dioxide slag

('000 t)

267

316

327


748

975


23%

4%

30%

Uranium

('000 lbs)

1,633

1,538

1,718


4,653

4,829


5%

12%

4%

Other Metals & Minerals











Gold - mined

('000 oz)

62.3

72.5

59.1


208.4

197.5


-5%

-18%

Gold - refined

('000 oz)

29.7

43.0

54.1


94.9

148.3


82%

26%

56%

Molybdenum

('000 t)

0.8

0.8

1.4


1.1

3.0


78%

85%

181%

Salt

('000 t)

1,240

1,476

1,227


3,794

3,555


-1%

-17%

-6%

Silver - mined

('000 oz)

1,011

1,118

959


2,971

3,022


-5%

-14%

2%

Silver - refined

('000 oz)

415

729

731


1,350

1,861


76%

0%

38%













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 year to date figures.

 



 

Rio Tinto share of production











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










ALUMINA









Production ('000 tonnes)









Jonquière (Vaudreuil)

100%

355

367

367

365

351

1,085

1,083

Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty Alumina plant

100%

29

31

31

32

30

84

93

Queensland Alumina

80%

758

789

739

756

720

2,289

2,216

São Luis (Alumar)

10%

92

96

89

93

94

275

276

Yarwun

100%

747

821

819

778

790

2,355

2,387

Rio Tinto total alumina production


1,981

2,104

2,047

2,024

1,984

6,088

6,055










ALUMINIUM









Production ('000 tonnes)









Australia - Bell Bay

100%

46

47

45

47

48

135

140

Australia - Boyne Island

59%

87

87

80

73

74

259

228

Australia - Tomago

52%

77

77

75

76

77

227

228

Canada - six wholly owned

100%

404

405

394

397

401

1,177

1,192

Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)

40%

61

61

60

60

60

182

179

Canada - Bécancour

25%

29

28

28

26

28

84

83

France - Dunkerque

100%

71

71

70

71

71

208

212

Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)

100%

51

52

52

53

53

153

158

New Zealand - Tiwai Point

79%

68

68

66

67

67

201

200

Oman - Sohar

20%

19

19

19

19

7

58

45

Rio Tinto total aluminium production


911

915

889

888

887

2,685

2,664










BAUXITE









Production ('000 tonnes) (a)









Gove

100%

2,521

2,169

2,388

2,780

2,809

6,921

7,977

Porto Trombetas

12%

533

516

357

489

492

1,460

1,338

Sangaredi

   (b)

1,726

1,735

1,665

1,791

1,670

5,475

5,125

Weipa

100%

7,642

7,700

6,893

7,805

7,895

21,726

22,594

Rio Tinto total bauxite production

12,422

12,120

11,303

12,865

12,867

35,583

37,034

 



 

Rio Tinto share of production











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










BORATES









Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)









Rio Tinto Borates - borates

100%

132

121

123

133

140

382

396










COAL - hard coking









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









Hail Creek Coal (c)

82%

1,248

1,205

930

822

1,276

3,674

3,028

Kestrel Coal (c)

80%

926

981

653

733

968

2,280

2,354

Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production

2,175

2,187

1,583

1,555

2,244

5,954

5,382










COAL - semi-soft coking









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









Hunter Valley (d)

0%

842

581

541

192

301

1,959

1,034

Mount Thorley (d)

0%

150

283

269

311

119

844

700

Warkworth (d)

0%

75

106

149

112

25

331

286

Rio Tinto total semi-soft coking coal production

1,066

969

959

616

445

3,133

2,020










COAL - thermal









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









Hail Creek Coal (c)

82%

787

746

874

881

851

2,343

2,605

Hunter Valley (d)

0%

1,596

1,724

1,927

2,393

1,428

5,058

5,747

Kestrel Coal (c)

80%

225

217

127

141

226

460

494

Mount Thorley (d)

0%

606

828

450

597

562

1,407

1,609

Warkworth (d)

0%

1,131

739

845

943

725

3,205

2,512

Rio Tinto total thermal coal production


4,346

4,254

4,222

4,954

3,791

12,473

12,967

 



 

Rio Tinto share of production











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










COPPER









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a)









Bingham Canyon

100%

36.2

45.1

44.3

44.0

25.8

107.6

114.0

Escondida

30%

72.6

73.4

27.2

68.3

82.5

229.7

177.9

Grasberg - Joint Venture (e)

40%

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Oyu Tolgoi (f)

34%

15.6

15.2

12.8

12.5

12.4

52.2

37.6

Rio Tinto total mine production


124.4

133.8

84.2

124.7

120.6

389.6

329.5

Refined production ('000 tonnes)








Escondida

30%

21.2

21.5

8.2

18.8

21.6

72.2

48.6

Rio Tinto Kennecott

100%

39.1

67.0

29.8

20.3

53.6

89.5

103.7

Rio Tinto total refined production

60.2

88.4

38.0

39.1

75.2

161.7

152.3










DIAMONDS









Production ('000 carats)









Argyle

100%

3,493

3,584

3,016

3,216

4,757

10,374

10,988

Diavik

60%

927

989

1,136

1,119

1,177

3,005

3,432

Rio Tinto total diamond production


4,420

4,574

4,152

4,335

5,933

13,379

14,420










GOLD









Mine production ('000 ounces) (a)









Bingham Canyon

100%

41.5

57.2

54.1

54.3

33.6

95.9

142.1

Escondida

30%

8.3

11.3

3.4

10.2

15.2

28.5

28.8

Grasberg - Joint Venture (e)

40%

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Oyu Tolgoi (f)

34%

12.5

16.6

8.3

8.0

10.4

84.0

26.7

Rio Tinto total mine production


62.3

85.1

65.8

72.5

59.1

208.4

197.5

Refined production ('000 ounces)








Rio Tinto Kennecott

100%

29.7

40.6

51.1

43.0

54.1

94.9

148.3

 



 

Rio Tinto share of production











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










IRON ORE









Production ('000 tonnes) (a)








Hamersley mines

   (g)

52,302

54,848

48,664

48,674

52,921

151,054

150,259

Hamersley - Channar

60%

1,764

1,119

1,635

1,903

1,596

4,719

5,134

Hope Downs

50%

5,888

5,794

5,218

6,287

5,978

17,711

17,483

Iron Ore Company of Canada

59%

2,925

2,743

2,579

2,683

3,171

7,918

8,433

Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

53%

4,208

4,493

3,809

3,676

4,461

12,879

11,946

Robe River - West Angelas

53%

4,344

4,636

4,322

4,475

4,776

13,407

13,573

Rio Tinto iron ore production ('000 tonnes)


71,431

73,633

66,226

67,699

72,903

207,688

206,828

Breakdown of Production:









Pilbara Blend Lump


19,957

20,443

19,207

19,780

20,700

57,317

59,687

Pilbara Blend Fines


29,591

30,795

27,026

28,049

30,113

86,765

85,187

Robe Valley Lump


1,484

1,625

1,453

1,459

1,570

4,497

4,482

Robe Valley Fines


2,725

2,868

2,357

2,217

2,891

8,382

7,465

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14,750

15,159

13,605

13,512

14,458

42,809

41,575

Pilbara iron ore production ('000 tonnes)


68,506

70,890

63,647

65,016

69,732

199,770

198,395

IOC Concentrate


1,334

1,124

1,109

1,299

1,450

3,783

3,858

IOC Pellets


1,591

1,618

1,470

1,384

1,722

4,135

4,576

IOC iron ore production ('000 tonnes)


2,925

2,743

2,579

2,683

3,171

7,918

8,433

Breakdown of Sales:









Pilbara Blend Lump


17,014

18,071

16,033

18,218

18,044

49,858

52,295

Pilbara Blend Fines


30,132

34,842

30,497

28,779

32,421

91,679

91,697

Robe Valley Lump


1,346

1,502

1,176

1,262

1,391

3,894

3,829

Robe Valley Fines


3,069

3,053

2,373

2,370

3,174

8,889

7,917

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


15,008

14,969

13,120

13,371

14,963

42,094

41,454

Pilbara iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)


66,569

72,437

63,199

64,000

69,993

196,414

197,191

IOC Concentrate


1,281

1,148

1,193

939

1,362

3,751

3,494

IOC Pellets


1,516

1,764

1,415

1,489

1,590

4,098

4,493

IOC Iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)


2,797

2,912

2,608

2,428

2,952

7,849

7,987

Rio Tinto iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)

69,366

75,350

65,806

66,428

72,944

204,263

205,179

 



 

Rio Tinto share of production











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










MOLYBDENUM









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a)








Bingham Canyon

100%

0.8

1.8

0.9

0.8

1.4

1.1

3.0










SALT









Production ('000 tonnes)









Dampier Salt

68%

1,240

1,386

852

1,476

1,227

3,794

3,555










SILVER









Mine production ('000 ounces) (a)








Bingham Canyon

100%

522

751

711

669

357

1,193

1,737

Escondida

30%

369

397

163

370

521

1,394

1,054

Grasberg - Joint Venture (e)

40%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Oyu Tolgoi (f)

34%

121

91

72

79

80

385

231

Rio Tinto total mine production


1,011

1,239

946

1,118

959

2,971

3,022

Refined production ('000 ounces)








Rio Tinto Kennecott

100%

415

465

402

729

731

1,350

1,861










TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG









Production ('000 tonnes)









Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (h)

100%

267

300

332

316

327

748

975










URANIUM









Production ('000 lbs U3O8) (i)








Energy Resources of Australia

68%

1,004

908

900

678

962

2,635

2,539

Rössing

69%

628

781

673

860

757

2,017

2,290

Rio Tinto total uranium production

1,633

1,690

1,573

1,538

1,718

4,653

4,829

 



 

Production data notes:

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 year to date figures.










(a) 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.


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

 

(c) Kestrel and Hail Creek produce hard coking coal and thermal coal through their mining operations. Both mines may blend coal types at ports.


(d) On 1 September 2017, Rio Tinto completed the sale of Coal & Allied, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Coal Australia (RTCA) and production from these assets is included to this date. This included Coal & Allied's 67.6% interest in the Hunter Valley Operations mine, 80% interest in the Mount Thorley mine and 55.6% interest in the Warkworth mine. In an earlier restructuring of the Coal & Allied group completed on 3 February 2016, Rio Tinto had obtained 100% of Coal & Allied and retained a 67.6% interest in the newly created Hunter Valley Operations joint venture. Prior to restructuring, Rio Tinto's interest in the Hunter Valley Operations, Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines was 80%, 64% and 44.46% respectively.

 

(e) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998.

(f) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.

(g) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass and the Eastern Range mines. Whilst 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.

 

(h) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's 74% interest in Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).

(i) ERA and Rössing production reported are drummed U3O8.


The Rio Tinto percentage shown above is at 30 September 2017.










Rio Tinto's interest in the Lochaber aluminium smelter and Bengalla mine were sold in 2016. No data for these operations are included in the Share of production table.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










ALUMINA









Smelter Grade Alumina - Aluminium Group








Alumina production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland

80.0%

947

987

924

946

900

2,861

2,769

Yarwun refinery - Queensland

100.0%

747

821

819

778

790

2,355

2,387

Brazil









São Luis (Alumar) refinery

10.0%

916

957

895

931

937

2,750

2,763

Canada









Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (a)

100.0%

355

367

367

365

351

1,085

1,083

(a) Jonquière's (Vaudreuil's) production shows smelter grade alumina only and excludes hydrate produced and used for specialty alumina.

Specialty Alumina - Aluminium Group








Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)








Canada









Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant - Quebec

100.0%

29

31

31

32

30

84

93

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










ALUMINIUM









Primary Aluminium









Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)








Australia









Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania

100.0%

46

47

45

47

48

135

140

Boyne Island smelter - Queensland

59.4%

147

147

135

124

125

436

384

Tomago smelter - New South Wales

51.6%

149

149

145

147

149

441

441

Canada









Alma smelter - Quebec

100.0%

117

117

114

112

115

350

341

Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec

40.0%

152

153

149

149

150

456

448

Arvida smelter - Quebec

100.0%

43

43

41

43

43

129

127

Arvida AP60 smelter - Quebec

100.0%

15

15

15

15

14

45

44

Bécancour smelter - Quebec

25.1%

114

110

112

106

113

335

331

Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec

100.0%

58

58

57

57

58

170

172

Kitimat smelter - British Columbia

100.0%

109

109

107

109

108

299

323

Laterrière smelter - Quebec

100.0%

62

63

61

61

63

185

185

France









Dunkerque smelter

100.0%

71

71

70

71

71

208

212

Iceland









ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter

100.0%

51

52

52

53

53

153

158

New Zealand









Tiwai Point smelter

79.4%

85

85

84

84

84

253

252

Oman









Sohar smelter

20.0%

95

97

96

95

35

289

226

United Kingdom









Lochaber smelter (a)

0.0%

12

10

                 -

                 -

                 -

               36

                 -

(a) On 16 December 2016, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Lochaber aluminium smelter.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










BAUXITE









Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









Gove mine - Northern Territory

100.0%

2,521

2,169

2,388

2,780

2,809

6,921

7,977

Weipa mine - Queensland

100.0%

7,642

7,700

6,893

7,805

7,895

21,726

22,594

Brazil









Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine

12.0%

4,441

4,296

2,974

4,071

4,103

12,166

11,148

Guinea









Sangaredi mine (a)

23.0%

3,836

3,856

3,699

3,979

3,711

12,167

11,390










Rio Tinto share of bauxite shipments








Share of total bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)

12,743

11,996

11,605

12,164

12,913

35,579

36,683

Share of third party bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)

8,093

7,345

6,927

7,962

8,250

21,962

23,140










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

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










BORATES









Rio Tinto Borates - borates

100.0%








US









Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)


132

121

123

133

140

382

396

(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.










COAL









Rio Tinto Coal Australia









Bengalla mine (a)

0.0%








New South Wales









Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


                 -

                 -

                 -

                 -

                 -

          1,476

                 -

Hail Creek Coal mine

82.0%








Queensland









Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)


1,522

1,470

1,134

1,002

1,556

4,480

3,692

Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


960

910

1,065

1,074

1,037

2,857

3,177

Hunter Valley Operations (b)

0.0%








New South Wales









Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


1,245

859

800

284

445

2,861

1,529

Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


2,361

2,550

2,851

3,539

2,112

7,375

8,502

Kestrel Coal mine

80.0%








Queensland









Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)


1,158

1,227

816

916

1,210

2,850

2,943

Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


281

271

159

177

282

574

617

Mount Thorley Operations (b)

0.0%








New South Wales









Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


187

353

337

389

149

1,067

876

Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


758

1,035

562

746

703

1,815

2,011

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










COAL (continued)









Warkworth mine (b)

0.0%








New South Wales









Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)


135

190

268

202

44

620

514

Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)


2,035

1,330

1,520

1,696

1,305

5,895

4,521

Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

2,680

2,697

1,950

1,918

2,766

7,331

6,635

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

1,567

1,402

1,405

875

639

4,547

2,919

Total thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)

6,395

6,096

6,156

7,232

5,439

19,993

18,827

Total coal production ('000 tonnes)


10,642

10,196

9,512

10,026

8,844

31,871

28,382










Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)


10,129

10,241

8,792

9,871

9,298

31,532

27,962

Rio Tinto Coal Australia share (c)









Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes)

2,332

2,395

1,524

1,717

2,511

6,309

5,753

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

904

1,043

765

759

485

3,101

2,010

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

3,958

3,979

3,946

4,539

3,804

12,504

12,289










(a) Rio Tinto sold its interest in the Bengalla Joint Venture with an effective date of 1 March 2016.
(b) On 1 September 2017, Rio Tinto completed the sale of Coal & Allied, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto Coal Australia (RTCA) and production from these assets is included to this date. This included Coal & Allied's 67.6% interest in the Hunter Valley Operations mine, 80% interest in the Mount Thorley mine and 55.6% interest in the Warkworth mine. In an earlier restructuring of the Coal & Allied group completed on 3 February 2016, Rio Tinto had obtained 100% of Coal & Allied and retained a 67.6% interest in the newly created Hunter Valley Operations joint venture. Prior to restructuring, Rio Tinto's interest in the Hunter Valley Operations, Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines was 80%, 64% and 44.46% respectively.
(c) Kestrel and Hail Creek produce hard coking coal and thermal coal through their mining operations. Both mines may blend coal types at ports.
(d) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










COPPER & GOLD









Escondida

30.0%








Chile









Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)

20,787

19,866

8,054

18,777

24,080

64,881

50,911

Average copper grade (%)


0.87

1.02

1.01

1.07

1.06

0.94

1.06

Mill production (metals in concentrates):









Contained copper ('000 tonnes)


153.2

168.6

67.7

167.0

204.1

510.6

438.8

Contained gold ('000 ounces)


28

38

11

34

51

95

96

Contained silver ('000 ounces)


1,229

1,323

543

1,234

1,737

4,648

3,514

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

88.9

76.4

22.8

60.7

70.8

255.0

154.3

Refined production from leach plants:









Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)


70.5

71.5

27.2

62.8

71.9

240.6

161.9

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

Freeport-McMoRan









Grasberg mine (a)

0.0% (b)








Papua, Indonesia









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


16,608

15,630

7,849

11,242

16,625

44,998

35,715

Average mill head grades:









Copper (%)


1.02

1.08

1.15

1.03

0.92

0.86

1.00

Gold (g/t)


0.69

0.97

1.17

1.16

0.94

0.57

1.06

Silver (g/t)


3.45

3.67

5.26

4.09

2.23

2.89

3.48

Production of metals in concentrates:









Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


153.8

153.1

81.0

103.9

139.6

346.2

324.5

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


310

409

248

358

420

685

1,025

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


1,170

1,237

667

900

709

2,558

2,276

Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (c)








Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


153.7

140.6

61.7

124.6

131.1

337.4

317.4

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


307

374

183

429

394

681

1,007

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


928

907

404

851

532

2,001

1,787

(a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan (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 Q3 2017 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan, because FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for Q3 2017 until the release of its 2017 third-quarter results on 25 October 2017.
(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 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Rio Tinto Kennecott









Bingham Canyon mine

100.0%








Utah, US









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


9,698

8,827

9,508

10,709

10,092

24,596

30,309

Average ore grade:









Copper (%)


0.41

0.56

0.51

0.47

0.29

0.48

0.42

Gold (g/t)


0.25

0.31

0.32

0.29

0.18

0.21

0.26

Silver (g/t)


2.56

3.33

3.24

2.66

1.51

2.09

2.46

Molybdenum (%)


0.031

0.040

0.025

0.025

0.032

0.024

0.028

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

154

190

189

205

148

458

542

Average concentrate grade (% Cu)


23.4

23.8

23.3

21.5

17.3

23.4

21.0

Production of metals in copper concentrates:








Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)


36.2

45.1

44.3

44.0

25.8

107.6

114.0

Gold ('000 ounces)


41

57

54

54

34

96

142

Silver ('000 ounces)


522

751

711

669

357

1,193

1,737

Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):

1.6

3.4

1.7

1.5

2.8

2.2

6.0

Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


0.8

1.8

0.9

0.8

1.4

1.1

3.0


Kennecott smelter & refinery

100.0%








Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)

220

207

136

160

258

545

554

Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)

56.1

42.7

33.7

32.6

50.6

121.1

117.0

Production of refined metal:









Copper ('000 tonnes)


39.1

67.0

29.8

20.3

53.6

89.5

103.7

Gold ('000 ounces) (c)


29.7

40.6

51.1

43.0

54.1

94.9

148.3

Silver ('000 ounces) (c)


415

465

402

729

731

1,350

1,861

(a) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(b) New metal excluding recycled material.
(c) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Turquoise Hill Resources









Oyu Tolgoi mine (a)

33.5%








Mongolia









Ore Treated ('000 tonnes)


9,146

9,819

10,087

9,637

10,615

28,333

30,339

Average mill head grades:









Copper (%)


0.66

0.61

0.51

0.51

0.48

0.67

0.50

Gold (g/t)


0.21

0.25

0.15

0.16

0.18

0.39

0.16

Silver (g/t)


1.99

1.50

1.30

1.38

1.34

1.95

1.34

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

203.2

206.7

176.0

171.0

170.0

639.8

517.0

Average concentrate grade (% Cu)


22.9

22.0

21.6

21.8

21.7

24.4

21.7

Production of metals in concentrates:









Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


46.6

45.5

38.1

37.2

36.9

155.9

112.1

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


37.4

49.4

24.8

23.9

30.9

250.6

79.5

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


361

273

215

236

239

1,147

689

Sales of metals in concentrates:









Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


45.7

37.6

39.5

37.3

36.9

151.3

113.6

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


38

39

32

23

28

307

84

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


341

239

205

222

229

1,041

656

(a) Rio Tinto owns a 33.52% indirect interest in Oyu Tolgoi through its 50.79% interest in Turquoise Hill Resources.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016










DIAMONDS









Argyle Diamonds

100.0%








Western Australia









AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)


1,349

1,283

1,144

1,112

1,255

3,814

3,511

AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)


3,493

3,584

3,016

3,216

4,757

10,374

10,988

Diavik Diamonds

60.0%








Northwest Territories, Canada









Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


582

539

531

556

578

1,675

1,664

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


1,545

1,649

1,894

1,865

1,961

5,009

5,719


Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










IRON ORE









Rio Tinto Iron Ore









Western Australia









Pilbara Operations









Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)








Hamersley mines

(a)

52,302

54,848

48,664

48,674

52,921

151,054

150,259

Hamersley - Channar

60.0%

2,941

1,866

2,725

3,172

2,661

7,866

8,557

Hope Downs

50.0%

11,775

11,588

10,435

12,575

11,956

35,422

34,966

Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

53.0%

7,940

8,477

7,188

6,936

8,416

24,300

22,540

Robe River - West Angelas

53.0%

8,196

8,748

8,154

8,444

9,011

25,296

25,609

Total production ('000 tonnes)


83,154

85,526

77,165

79,801

84,965

243,938

241,931

Breakdown of total production:









Pilbara Blend Lump


24,478

24,902

23,618

24,671

25,342

71,014

73,631

Pilbara Blend Fines


35,986

36,988

32,755

34,682

36,748

105,816

104,185

Robe Valley Lump


2,799

3,066

2,741

2,753

2,962

8,485

8,456

Robe Valley Fines


5,141

5,411

4,446

4,183

5,454

15,815

14,084

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14,750

15,159

13,605

13,512

14,458

42,809

41,575

Breakdown of total sales:









Pilbara Blend Lump


20,377

21,943

20,161

21,561

21,959

60,440

63,682

Pilbara Blend Fines


37,200

42,225

36,679

35,871

40,305

113,206

112,856

Robe Valley Lump


2,540

2,835

2,218

2,382

2,624

7,348

7,224

Robe Valley Fines


5,790

5,761

4,476

4,472

5,989

16,772

14,938

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


15,008

14,969

13,120

13,371

14,963

42,094

41,454

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b)


80,916

87,732

76,655

77,658

85,840

239,860

240,153

(a) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass and the Eastern Range mines. Whilst 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)


2,272

1,915

1,889

2,212

2,469

6,442

6,569

Pellets ('000 tonnes)


2,710

2,756

2,504

2,356

2,932

7,042

7,792

IOC Total production ('000 tonnes)


4,982

4,671

4,392

4,569

5,401

13,484

14,362

Sales:









Concentrates ('000 tonnes)


2,182

1,955

2,031

1,599

2,319

6,388

5,950

Pellets ('000 tonnes)


2,582

3,004

2,409

2,536

2,707

6,978

7,652

IOC Total Sales ('000 tonnes)


4,764

4,960

4,441

4,135

5,027

13,367

13,602

Global Iron Ore Totals









Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes)


88,136

90,196

81,558

84,370

90,365

257,422

256,293

Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes)


85,679

92,692

81,096

81,792

90,867

253,226

253,755

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 

Rio Tinto operational data











Rio Tinto
interest

Q3
2016

Q4
2016

Q1
2017

Q2
2017

Q3
2017

9 MTHS
2016

9 MTHS
2017










SALT









Dampier Salt

68.4%








Western Australia









Salt production ('000 tonnes)


1,813

2,028

1,246

2,159

1,795

5,550

5,200










TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG









Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100.0%








Canada and South Africa









(Rio Tinto share) (a)









Titanium dioxide slag ('000 tonnes)


267

300

332

316

327

748

975










(a) Quantities comprise 100% of Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and Rio Tinto's 74% interest in Richards Bay Minerals' production. Ilmenite mined in Madagascar is being processed in Canada.










URANIUM









Energy Resources of Australia Ltd









Ranger mine (a)

68.4%








Northern Territory, Australia









U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)


1,468

1,328

1,316

991

1,407

3,853

3,713

(a) ERA production data are drummed U3O8.

Rössing Uranium Ltd (a)

68.6%








Namibia









U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)


916

1,138

981

1,254

1,103

2,940

3,337

(a) Rössing production data are drummed U3O8.










Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2017. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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