Second quarter 2010 operation

RNS Number : 3002P
Rio Tinto PLC
14 July 2010
 



Second quarter 2010 operations review

 

14 July 2010

 

Chief executive Tom Albanese said: "2010 continues to shape up well for Rio Tinto and we are driving our operations at close to capacity. Markets for most of our products are strong and the overall long term demand outlook is positive. But in recent weeks, fears about a possible double-dip recession in OECD countries and a slight slowdown in Chinese growth have led to some weakening in sentiment. We believe this pattern of volatility in the global economy is set to continue.  

 

"Growth is firmly back on our agenda. We have a large range of options for expansion and investment competing for capital. Now that much of the uncertainty over the Australian resource tax has been removed, we are starting to move ahead with projects there with the announcement today of $200m of funding to prepare for the expansion of our Pilbara operations to 330 million tonnes a year."

·      Rio Tinto's global iron ore production was two per cent lower than the second quarter of 2009. First half production was 15 per cent higher than the first half of 2009 when markets were recovering from the global financial crisis.

 

·      The Pilbara system continued to operate at close to its nameplate capacity during the quarter with production for the 12 months to 30 June 2010 exceeding 219 million tonnes (100 per cent basis).

 

·      Mined copper and gold production were down 19 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, on the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to lower grades at Kennecott Utah Copper and Grasberg.

 

·      Molybdenum production was 14 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2009, attributable to higher grades at Kennecott Utah Copper.

 

·      Bauxite production increased 10 per cent on the second quarter of 2009 and production levels were sustained for alumina and aluminium, in line with improving market demand.

 

·      Low snow and rain levels in the Saguenay region of Quebec during the first half are expected to lead to reduced power generation and the subsequent need to purchase power or curtail aluminium production. The impact on EBITDA in the second half of 2010 is expected to be approximately $100 million.

 

·      Australian hard coking coal production was up 26 per cent on the second quarter of 2009 following increased investment at the Queensland operations. Australian thermal coal production was down four per cent on the same period.

 

·      Uranium production was down 28 per cent on the second quarter of 2009 due to lower grades at ERA.

 

·      A recovery in diamonds and minerals production reflected improved market fundamentals compared with the difficult conditions of 2009 when operations were idled. 

 

·      Rio Tinto restarted the $401m (Rio Tinto share $235 million) expansion of Iron Ore Company of Canada's concentrate capacity by 4 million tonnes to 22 million tonnes per annum by 2012.

 

·      Rio Tinto is to invest $469 million in constructing the Kennecott Eagle nickel and copper mine in Michigan following receipt of final environmental approvals. First production is expected in late 2013.

 

·     Rio Tinto today announced the approval of $200 million to prepare for the expansion of its iron ore operations in Western Australia, to allow dredging contracts to be issued as part of early works on the expansion of the Cape Lambert port, supporting the Pilbara operations' overall capacity increase to 330 million tonnes a year (Mt/a) and beyond. 

 

All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share of production, unless otherwise stated

 

CORPORATE ACTIVITY

 

During the first half of 2010, Rio Tinto completed $3.6 billion of previously announced divestments comprising Alcan Packaging Food Americas, Alcan Packaging global Pharmaceuticals, global Tobacco, Food Europe and Food Asia divisions and two undeveloped properties sold by Coal & Allied.

 

Since February 2008, Rio Tinto has completed divestments in excess of $10 billion.

 

On 30 June, Rio Tinto increased its ownership in Ivanhoe to 29.6 per cent, following the exercising of all of its Series A warrants for a total consideration of $393 million.

 

On 5 July the Company announced that it had completed the Alcan Packaging divestment with the closing of the Medical Flexibles and Alcan Beauty Packaging transactions.

 

 

IRON ORE

 

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

Hamersley

29,600

-5%

-1%

59,589

+10%

Hope Downs

4,052

+47%

-0%

8,106

+82%

Robe River

7,675

-8%

+3%

15,123

+16%

IOC (pellets and concentrate)

2,284

-9%

+22%

4,153

-5%

 

Markets

Second quarter sales volumes from the Pilbara region of Western Australia of 56 million tonnes (100 per cent basis), were five per cent higher than the previous quarter and six per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2009. Shipments to all major markets, including the largest single market, China, were maintained at or close to capacity levels and totalled over 220 million tonnes over the course of the past twelve months.

 

During the quarter, agreements were signed with around 50 per cent of Asian customers for pricing on a quarterly basis reflecting the structural shift away from annual benchmark pricing. Sales are being provisionally priced to all other customers on the same basis. Third quarter iron ore prices (from 1 July) will be based on the average indexed price from March to May 2010.

 

Pilbara expansion

Rio Tinto today announced the approval of US$200 million to prepare for the expansion of its iron ore operations in Western Australia.

The decision will allow the issuing of dredging contracts as part of early works on the expansion of the Cape Lambert port (CLB), supporting the Pilbara operations' overall capacity increase to 330 million tonnes a year and beyond. 

The dredging is associated with the proposed construction of an additional 1.8 kilometre, four-berth jetty and wharf at Cape Lambert to increase its current annual capacity of 80 million tonnes by a further 100 million tonnes.

Rio Tinto's planned growth of its Pilbara iron ore operations to 330 Mt/a capacity consists of the following steps:

·      225 Mt/a by Q1 2011 - Dampier port systems efficiencies (in implementation)

·      230 Mt/a by Q2 2012 - Dampier port incremental gains (in feasibility study)

·      280 Mt/a by H1 2014 - CLB 1st 50 Mt/a increment (now in feasibility study)

·      330 Mt/a by H1 2016 - CLB 2nd 50 Mt/a increment (pre-feasibility completed)

 

Pilbara operations

Pilbara production was steady, running at near nameplate capacity throughout the quarter. First half production was 19 per cent higher than the same period of 2009, when markets were recovering from the global financial slowdown. In the past 12 months, total Pilbara production was 219 million tonnes.

 

During the quarter Rio Tinto's new mine at Mesa A ramped up towards its full capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum. Final pre-strip and construction work was undertaken at Brockman 4 and at the Western Turner Syncline extension of Tom Price. Both mines commenced production in the first week of July.

 

The Operations Centre, which manages scheduling and mine, coastal, rail and other key Pilbara infrastructure from Perth with approximately 430 employees, officially opened in June.

 

On 21 June, Rio Tinto and the Western Australian Government signed an agreement allowing for higher royalties on fines production at all of its mines (from 3.75% to 5.625% on revenue) applicable from 1 July 2010, that will enable greater flexibility and efficiency in managing their iron ore mining operations and infrastructure in the Pilbara, allowing expansions and alternative secondary processing investments.

 

On 30 June, the Australian Competition Tribunal ruled that Rio Tinto's Hamersley line, which is the principal artery of Rio Tinto's integrated operations in the Pilbara, linking 10 of its 12 mines to the ports, should not be mandated open to third party access. The Tribunal also ruled that the Robe River line, running from Mesa A to Cape Lambert, be accessible until 2018.

 

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

A higher pellet to concentrate final product ratio at IOC in the second quarter resulted in nine per cent lower total tonnes produced overall as there is a weight loss in transforming concentrate to higher value pellets.  Second quarter production of pellets were 55 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2009 following a return to full capacity with all six pellet furnaces in production. This increased demand for pellets, which create more margin than concentrates, led to a 60 per cent decline in second quarter concentrate production. 

 

In May Rio Tinto restarted its $401m (Rio Tinto share $235 million) expansion of IOC's concentrate capacity by 4 million tonnes to 22 million tonnes per annum by 2012, with plans underway to increase annual capacity to 26 million tonnes.

 

HIsmelt

The HIsmelt pig iron plant in Western Australia remains on a care and maintenance programme due to depressed global pig iron prices.

 

2010 production guidance

In 2010, Rio Tinto's global iron ore production for its Australian and Canadian operations is expected to be approximately 234 million tonnes on a 100 per cent basis.

 

 

COPPER

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

Kennecott Utah Copper

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

54.8

-36%

-11%

116.1

-28%

Refined copper (000 tonnes)

59.6

-8%

-15%

129.7

-3%

Molybdenum (000 tonnes)

2.8

+14%

-13%

6.0

+34%

Mined gold (000 ozs)

110

-31%

-30%

267

-7%

Refined gold (000 ozs)

146

+30%

-16%

320

+46%

Escondida

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

81.0

+6%

+11%

153.8

-0%

Refined copper (000 tonnes)

23.1

-10%

+22%

41.9

-15%

Grasberg JV

 

 

 

 

 

Mined copper (000 tonnes)

13.8

-45%

+3%

27.2

-46%

Mined gold (000 ozs)

26

-65%

-32%

64

-48%

 

Kennecott Utah Copper

Production of copper, gold and silver in concentrates was lower than all comparative periods due to lower ore grades.  Higher molybdenum ore grades and optimisation of the concentrator's flotation circuit resulted in 14 per cent higher production in the second quarter compared with the same period of 2009. Second quarter molybdenum production was lower than first quarter due to lower ore grades. Copperton mill throughput for the first half was a new record, building upon the previous record set in 2009.

 

Copper concentrates smelted and production of refined copper were lower than all comparative periods due to a planned 19 day smelter shutdown successfully completed in the second quarter.  Refined gold and silver production was higher than the corresponding quarter of 2009 due to processing high grade ore mined in late 2009.

 

Escondida

Mined copper was six per cent higher than the second quarter of 2009 from a combination of higher head grades and an increase in copper in ore stacked for leaching.

 

Refined copper production declined by ten per cent compared with the same quarter of 2009 primarily due to maintenance activities and the continued production ramp up following improvements to safety procedures.

 

Grasberg

Freeport is due to release its 100 per cent operating data for the second quarter on 21 July 2010.

Based on Freeport's estimated data, Rio Tinto's second quarter share of joint venture copper and gold was impacted by lower ore grades and lower mill throughput.

 

Eagle

Rio Tinto is to invest $469 million in constructing the Kennecott Eagle nickel and copper mine in Michigan (USA) following receipt of final environmental approvals. Construction of the mine and mill will begin this year and first production is expected in late 2013. The mine will produce separate nickel and copper concentrates containing an average of 17,300 and 13,200 tonnes per year of nickel and copper metal respectively over six years.

 

Oyu Tolgoi

On 30 June Rio Tinto announced that it was exercising all of its Series A warrants, increasing its ownership of Ivanhoe shares by 7.3 per cent to 29.6 per cent, for a total consideration of $393 million. Production at Oyu Tolgoi is expected to commence in 2013, with a five year ramp up to full production.

 

Provisional pricing

At 30 June 2010 the Group had 239 million pounds of copper sales that were provisionally priced at US 296 cents per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined during the second half of 2010. This compared with 267 million pounds of open shipments at 31 December 2009 provisionally priced at US 335 cents per pound.

 

2010 production guidance

In 2010, Rio Tinto's share of mined and refined copper production is expected to be 690,000 tonnes and 380,000 tonnes, respectively.

 

 

ALUMINIUM

 

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

Bauxite

7,945

+10%

-4%

16,190

+14%

Alumina

2,240

+5%

+1%

4,451

+3%

Aluminium

952

+1%

+2%

1,889

+0%

 

Bauxite

Second quarter bauxite production was ten per cent higher than the same quarter of 2009 with increased production at Weipa and Sangaredi in line with rising third party demand.

 

Alumina

Second quarter alumina production was five per cent higher than the same quarter of 2009 when production cutbacks were made, primarily at the Vaudreuil refinery. Idled capacity at this plant was restarted in the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

Aluminium

Second quarter aluminium production was one per cent higher than the same quarter of 2009, driven by higher production at NZAS following a transformer failure in 2009 and a gradual return to full capacity at the operating UK smelters, partly offset by the cessation of smelting activities at Anglesey, all reflecting continued market discipline.

 

Low snow and rain levels in the Saguenay region of Quebec during the first half are expected to lead to reduced power generation. This will result in the need to purchase additional power or curtail production over the course of the next 12 months, all depending on market conditions. The impact on EBITDA in the second half of 2010 is expected to be approximately $100 million.

 

In July, the Laterrière smelter in Quebec suffered a significant power outage after two electrical transformers failed, leaving the plant without the adequate energy required to continue operating at full capacity. The smelter is currently operating at half of its total capacity of 235,000 tonnes.

 

2010 production guidance

In 2010, Rio Tinto's share of alumina and aluminium production is expected to be 9.4 million tonnes and 3.7 million tonnes, respectively.

 

ENERGY

 

Australian coal

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

Rio Tinto Coal Australia

 

 

 

 

 

Hard coking coal

2,395

+26%

+29%

4,254

+30%

Other coal

5,530

-4%

+14%

10,393

-6%

 

Hard coking coal production from the Queensland coal operations increased by 26 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2009, following increased investment. Hail Creek experienced increased extraction from a higher yielding seam and benefited from additional heavy mobile equipment whilst good plant reliability and higher processing rates boosted Kestrel production.

 

Thermal and semi-soft coal production was four per cent lower than the corresponding quarter of 2009, mainly attributable to Blair Athol winding down to 3 million tonnes per annum. This was partly offset by the ramp up of Clermont which produced its first 0.5 million tonnes in the quarter.

 

2010 production guidance

In 2010, Rio Tinto's share of Australian hard coking, semi soft coking coal and thermal coal production is expected to be 9.4 million tonnes, 3.3 million tonnes and 19.7 million tonnes, respectively.

 

US thermal coal

Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)

 

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

US Coal

11,143

-47%

+11%

21,216

-50%

 

The table above reflects Rio Tinto's changed shareholdings following the initial public offering of Cloud Peak Energy Inc in November 2009.

 

Uranium

Rio Tinto share of production (000 lbs)

 

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

Energy Resources of Australia

1,196

-45%

-12%

2,557

-37%

Rössing

1,432

-2%

+7%

2,768

-6%

 

Second quarter production at ERA was impacted by lower average feed grade due to mine sequencing issues associated with the area of instability on the south wall of pit 3 and higher than usual rainfall late in the wet season.

 

Energy evaluation projects

During the first half of 2010, Rio Tinto's subsidiary Coal & Allied divested two undeveloped coal projects, Vickery and Maules Creek. The profit on disposal is expected to be recognised within underlying earnings within Energy evaluation projects and is estimated to be $435 million pre-tax and $230 million post tax and minorities.

 

DIAMONDS & MINERALS

 

Rio Tinto share of production

Diamonds (000 carats)

Q2 10

vs Q2 09

vs Q1 10

H1 10

vs H1 09

Argyle

2,605

+538%

+3%

5,136

+7%

Diavik

967

+13%

+3%

1,905

-1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minerals (000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

Borates

136

+72%

+22%

247

+30%

Titanium dioxide feedstock

355

+7%

+8%

684

+4%

Talc

264

+18%

+10%

504

+18%

 

Production at Argyle returned to normal levels following the maintenance shut down at the processing facilities in the second quarter of 2009. 

 

At Diavik, ore processed during the second quarter increased by 37 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2009 but more ore was sourced from the lower grade A418 pit resulting in the 13 per cent increase in carat production. Operations were scaled back in 2009 in response to the economic slowdown.

 

Minerals production continued to recover in line with market conditions with borates demand in Asia remaining firm and the recovery in the auto sector driving talc demand. Second quarter borate production rebounded from the planned inventory drawdowns of the previous quarter, which was adversely affected by industrial disruption.

 

Second quarter titanium dioxide feedstocks production also reflected improved market conditions and included increased QMM ore from the Madagascar mine processed in Quebec.

 

 

EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION

 

Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first half of 2010 was $214 million compared with $242 million in same period of 2009. During the first half of 2010 the Group realised $67 million (pre-tax) from the divestment of central exploration properties, compared with $73 million in the same period of 2009.

 

Exploration highlights

At the Amargosa bauxite project, Brazil, an Order of Magnitude Study has commenced.  Current activities are focused on developing the resource model.

 

In Kazakhstan, a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Tau-Ken Samruk to conduct joint venture exploration for copper and other minerals.

 

A summary of activity for the period is as follows:

 

Product Group

Advanced projects

Greenfield programmes

Aluminium

Amargosa, Brazil

Australia, Brazil, Guyana, Laos

Copper

Copper: Bingham Orbit, US.

Nickel: Tamarack, US.

Copper: Chile, US, Peru, Russia, Kazakhstan

Nickel: Mozambique, South Africa, Canada

Diamonds & Minerals


Diamonds: India, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo

Energy

Coal: Altai Nuurs, Mongolia, Bowen Basin, Australia

Uranium: Rössing, Namibia

 

Coal: Tanzania

Uranium: Jordan

 

Iron Ore

Pilbara, Australia.

Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada

 

Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto businesses including Kennecott Utah Copper, Eagle, Northparkes, Energy Resources of Australia, Rössing, Diavik and Pilbara Iron. 

 

Pre-feasibility or feasibility work progressed on a number of projects including Resolution (copper/molybdenum, US), La Granja (copper, Peru), Bunder (diamonds, India), Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) and several Pilbara iron ore deposits.

 

 

About Rio Tinto

 

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

 

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

 

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations, EMEA / Americas

Tony Shaffer

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1138

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003

Christina Mills

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1154

Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605

 

Media Relations, Australia / Asia

David Luff
Office:  +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +61 (0) 0419 850 205

 

Media Relations, Canada

Bryan Tucker

Office: +1 (0) 514 848 8151

Mobile: +1 (0) 514 825 8319

 

Investor Relations, London

Mark Shannon

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 1178

Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 576597

David Ovington

Office:  +44 (0) 20 7781 2051

Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978

Investor Relations, North America

Jason Combes

Office:  +1 (0) 801 204 2919

Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645

 

Investor Relations, Australia

Dave Skinner

Office:  +61 (0) 3 9283 3628

Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309

Simon Ellinor

Office:  +61 (0) 7 3361 4365

Mobile: +61 (0) 439 102 811

 

 

Website:  www.riotinto.com

Email:     media.enquiries@riotinto.com / enquiries.mediaaustralia@riotinto.com

           

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

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto production summary

Rio Tinto share of production

 


Quarter


Half

Year


% Change



2009

2010

2010


2009

2010


Q2 10

Q2 10

H1 10



Q2

Q1

Q2


H1

H1


vs

vs

vs










Q2 09

Q1 10

H1 09

Principal Commodities












Alumina

('000 t)

2,139

2,211

2,240


4,325

4,451


5%

1%

3%

Aluminium

('000 t)

942

937

952


1,889

1,889


1%

2%

0%

Bauxite

('000 t)

7,217

8,246

7,945


14,181

16,190


10%

-4%

14%

Borates

('000 t)

79

111

136


190

247


72%

22%

30%

Coal  - hard coking coal

('000 t)

1,898

1,858

2,395


3,271

4,254


26%

29%

30%

Coal - other Australian

('000 t)

5,734

4,864

5,530


11,050

10,393


-4%

14%

-6%

Coal - US

('000 t)

21,067

10,073

11,143


42,561

21,216


-47%

11%

-50%

Copper - mined

('000 t)

208.2

165.3

167.9


404.2

333.2


-19%

2%

-18%

Copper - refined

('000 t)

102.0

95.9

90.6


206.3

186.5


-11%

-6%

-10%

Diamonds

('000 cts)

1,281

3,497

3,610


6,787

7,107


182%

3%

5%

Iron ore

('000 t)

44,589

43,361

43,610


75,833

86,971


-2%

1%

15%

Titanium dioxide feedstock

('000 t)

332

329

355


656

684


7%

8%

4%

Uranium

('000 lbs)

3,641

2,697

2,628


7,002

5,325


-28%

-3%

-24%

Other Metals & Minerals











Gold - mined

('000 ozs)

258

225

169


459

394


-34%

-25%

-14%

Gold - refined

('000 ozs)

112

174

146


220

320


30%

-16%

46%

Molybdenum

('000 t)

2.5

3.2

2.8


4.5

6.0


14%

-13%

34%

Salt

('000 t)

1,520

1,187

1,459


2,926

2,646


-4%

23%

-10%

Silver - mined

('000 ozs)

2,268

1,784

1,634


4,071

3,418


-28%

-8%

-16%

Silver - refined

('000 ozs)

931

1,320

1,112


2,016

2,432


20%

-16%

21%

Talc

('000 t)

224

240

264


426

504


18%

10%

18%

 

 

Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page. Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and the half year figures.

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

ALUMINA









Production ('000 tonnes)









Gardanne (a)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gove

100%

613

641

656

595

615

1,222

1,210

Jonquière (Vaudreuil)

100%

248

261

288

316

309

575

626

Queensland Alumina

80%

781

803

813

762

790

1,551

1,552

São Luis (Alumar)

10%

37

37

53

59

51

75

109

Yarwun

100%

347

345

341

336

318

661

654

Specialty alumina plants

100%

113

121

129

143

157

241

299

Rio Tinto total alumina production


2,139

2,208

2,282

2,211

2,240

4,325

4,451

ALUMINIUM









Production ('000 tonnes)









Australia - Bell Bay

100%

45

44

44

43

44

89

87

Australia - Boyne Island

59%

83

84

84

82

83

163

165

Australia - Tomago

52%

68

69

68

67

68

135

134

Cameroon - Alucam (Edéa)

47%

8

9

10

8

6

15

14

Canada - six wholly owned (b)

100%

348

343

345

337

339

703

676

Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)

40%

57

58

58

57

57

113

113

Canada - Bécancour

25%

25

26

27

26

27

52

52

France - two wholly owned

100%

82

89

90

88

89

166

177

Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)

100%

47

48

48

47

47

94

94

New Zealand - Tiwai Point 

79%

48

57

64

65

68

94

133

Norway - SORAL (Husnes)

50%

11

11

11

11

11

27

22

Oman - Sohar

20%

18

18

19

18

18

34

36

UK - two wholly owned

100%

35

36

40

41

47

71

88

UK - Anglesey (c)

51%

18

18

-

-

-

36

-

USA - Sebree

100%

48

48

49

48

49

96

98

Rio Tinto total aluminium production


942

956

957

937

1,889

1,889

BAUXITE









Production ('000 tonnes) (d)









Awaso (e)

0%

109

22

47

34

-

283

34

Gove

100%

1,816

1,822

1,996

1,849

1,799

3,367

3,648

Porto Trombetas

12%

425

480

521

457

487

876

944

Sangaredi

(f)

937

1,171

1,565

1,356

1,392

2,311

2,748

Weipa

100%

3,929

3,949

4,942

4,550

7,345

8,816

Rio Tinto total bauxite production


7,217

7,443

9,072

8,246

7,945

14,181

16,190

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

BORATES









Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)









Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100%

79

124

109

111

136

190

247

COAL - HARD COKING









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









Hail Creek Coal

82%

1,292

1,496

1,513

1,006

1,468

2,164

2,474

Kestrel Coal

80%

606

581

607

852

927

1,107

1,780

Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production


1,898

2,077

2,119

1,858

2,395

3,271

4,254

COAL - OTHER (g)









Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)









Bengalla

30%

435

445

434

372

447

776

819

Blair Athol Coal

71%

2,250

2,142

1,858

1,525

1,569

4,068

3,094

Clermont (h)

50%

-

-

-

-

265

-

265

Hunter Valley Operations

76%

2,066

2,085

2,305

1,955

1,961

4,113

3,916

Kestrel Coal

80%

121

111

163

143

182

406

325

Mount Thorley Operations

61%

385

583

711

300

499

730

799

Warkworth

42%

478

665

549

569

607

957

1,175

Total Australian other coal


5,734

6,031

6,022

4,864

5,530

11,050

10,393










US Coal ('000 tonnes)









Antelope  (i)

48%

7,799

8,057

5,898

3,708

3,907

15,076

7,615

Colowyo

100%

783

845

717

582

506

1,652

1,088

Cordero Rojo (i)

48%

7,588

9,586

7,289

3,906

4,389

16,485

8,295

Decker (i)

24%

505

588

387

103

180

1,042

283

Spring Creek (i)

48%

4,392

4,251

2,803

1,774

2,161

8,306

3,935

Total US coal


21,067

23,327

17,095

10,073

11,143

42,561

21,216

Rio Tinto total other coal production


26,801

29,358

23,117

14,937

16,673

53,611

31,609

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COPPER









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (d)









Bingham Canyon

100%

86.2

75.8

66.8

61.3

54.8

160.9

116.1

Escondida

30%

76.2

78.2

85.9

72.7

81.0

154.3

153.8

Grasberg - Joint Venture (j)

40%

25.3

25.2

32.5

13.4

13.8

50.1

27.2

Northparkes

80%

7.4

6.9

6.5

7.3

7.8

14.1

15.1

Palabora

58%

13.1

11.1

11.6

10.6

10.4

24.9

21.0

Rio Tinto total mine production


208.2

197.2

203.3

165.3

167.9

404.2

333.2

Refined production ('000 tonnes)









Escondida

30%

25.7

25.0

24.0

18.9

23.1

49.2

41.9

Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

65.1

67.6

72.9

70.1

59.6

133.7

129.7

Palabora

58%

11.2

8.0

8.7

6.9

7.9

23.3

14.9

Rio Tinto total refined production


102.0

100.6

105.5

95.9

90.6

206.3

186.5

DIAMONDS









Production ('000 carats)









Argyle

100%

408

2,274

3,504

2,531

2,605

4,812

5,136

Diavik

60%

853

497

918

938

967

1,924

1,905

Murowa

78%

20

17

29

29

51

67

Rio Tinto total diamond production


1,281

2,787

4,451

3,497

3,610

6,787

7,107

GOLD









Mine production ('000 ounces) (d)









Barneys Canyon

100%

1

0

0

1

0

2

1

Bingham Canyon

100%

159

138

158

157

109

285

266

Escondida

30%

11

9

13

12

13

22

25

Grasberg - Joint Venture (j)

40%

73

118

187

38

26

124

64

Northparkes

80%

6

7

9

11

14

12

26

Rawhide (k)

0%

5

5

5

4

5

9

9

Others

-

2

2

1

2

2

5

3

Rio Tinto total mine production


258

278

374

225

169

459

394

Refined production ('000 ounces)









Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

112

112

147

174

220

320

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

IRON ORE & IRON









Production ('000 tonnes) (d)









Hamersley - six wholly owned mines

100%

26,834

30,353

30,050

25,510

25,712

46,405

51,221

Hamersley - Channar

60%

1,819

1,851

1,517

2,006

1,534

3,257

3,541

Hamersley - Eastern Range

(m)

2,374

2,636

2,349

2,473

2,354

4,332

4,827

Hope Downs

50%

2,748

3,019

2,843

4,054

4,052

4,455

8,106

Iron Ore Company of Canada

59%

2,515

1,329

2,432

1,870

2,284

4,368

4,153

Robe River

53%

8,298

7,789

8,037

7,448

7,675

13,016

15,123

Rio Tinto total mine production


44,589

46,977

47,228

43,361

43,610

75,833

86,971

Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)









HIsmelt® (l)

60%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

MOLYBDENUM









Mine production ('000 tonnes) (d)









Bingham Canyon

100%

2.5

3.4

3.4

3.2

2.8

4.5

6.0

SALT









Production ('000 tonnes)









Dampier Salt

68%

1,520

1,731

1,192

1,187

1,459

2,926

2,646

SILVER









Mine production ('000 ounces) (d)









Bingham Canyon

100%

1,389

1,189

1,187

1,146

870

2,495

2,016

Escondida

30%

416

316

492

471

436

819

907

Grasberg - Joint Venture (j)

40%

303

460

557

16

147

457

163

Others

-

159

158

138

151

181

300

332

Rio Tinto total mine production


2,268

2,122

2,375

1,784

1,634

4,071

3,418

Refined production ('000 ounces)









Kennecott Utah Copper

100%

931

886

1,148

1,320

1,112

2,016

2,432

TALC









Production ('000 tonnes)









Rio Tinto Minerals - talc

100%

224

240

222

240

264

426

504

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK









Production ('000 tonnes)









Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100%

332

165

325

329

355

656

684

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H

 

interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

URANIUM

 

 

 



 


 

Production ('000 lbs U3O8)

 








Energy Resources of Australia

68%

2,180

2,138

1,663

1,361

1,196

4,063

2,557

Rössing

69%

1,461

1,640

1,697

1,336

1,432

2,938

2,768

Rio Tinto total uranium production

 

3,641

3,778

3,360

2,697

2,628

7,002

5,325

Production data notes

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h)           Production commenced at Clermont in the second quarter of 2010.

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

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

(k)           Rio Tinto sold its 100% interest in the Rawhide mine with an effective date of 25 June 2010.  Production data are shown up to that date.

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

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

The Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010.

 

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




Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

ALUMINIUM









Rio Tinto Alcan









Bauxite Mines









Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









Gove mine - Northern Territory

100.0%

1,816

1,822

1,996

1,849

1,799

3,367

3,648

Weipa mine - Queensland

100.0%

3,929

3,949

4,942

4,550

4,266

7,345

8,816

Brazil









Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine

12.0%

3,544

4,000

4,345

3,809

4,058

7,299

7,867

Ghana









Awaso mine (a)

80.0%

136

28

59

42

-

354

42

Guinea









Sangaredi mine (b)

23.0%

2,083

2,602

3,478

3,013

3,094

5,136

6,107










Rio Tinto Alcan share of bauxite shipments







Share of bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)

7,337

7,803

9,140

7,671

8,458

14,628

16,129

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

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


Smelter-Grade Alumina Refineries









Alumina production ('000 tonnes)









Australia









Gove refinery - Northern Territory

100%

613

641

656

595

615

1,222

1,210

Queensland Alumina Refinery -

Queensland

80%

977

1,003

1,017

953

987

1,939

1,940

Yarwun refinery - Queensland

100%

347

345

341

336

318

661

654

Brazil









São Luis (Alumar) refinery

10%

370

373

532

588

507

752

1,095

Canada









Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery  - Quebec

100%

248

261

288

316

309

575

626

France









Gardanne refinery  (a)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

ALUMINIUM (continued)









Specialty Alumina Plants









Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)








Canada









Brockville plant - Ontario

100.0%

4

3

4

4

5

8

9

Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant - Quebec

100.0%

29

27

26

24

29

55

53

France









Beyrède

100.0%

2

4

6

4

5

5

10

Gardanne plant 

100.0%

70

76

83

99

105

158

204

La Bâthie plant  

100.0%

3

4

5

7

6

7

12

Germany









Teutschenthal plant

100.0%

4

6

5

5

7

8

12

Aluminium Smelters









Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)








Australia









Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania

100.0%

45

44

44

43

44

89

87

Boyne Island smelter - Queensland

59.4%

139

141

141

137

140

275

277

Tomago smelter - New South Wales

51.6%

132

133

133

129

131

262

260

Cameroon









Alucam (Edéa) smelter

46.7%

16

18

22

17

14

33

31

Canada









Alma smelter - Quebec

100.0%

108

109

110

107

107

216

214

Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec

40.0%

143

145

145

141

142

284

283

Arvida smelter - Quebec

100.0%

43

43

44

43

43

84

86

Beauharnois smelter - Quebec (a)

100.0%

2

-

-

-

-

11

-

Bécancour smelter - Quebec

25.1%

101

103

109

103

106

208

209

Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec

100.0%

53

54

54

54

54

106

108

Kitimat smelter - British Columbia

100.0%

59

53

52

50

50

119

100

Laterrière smelter - Quebec

100.0%

59

59

59

58

59

117

116

Shawinigan smelter - Quebec

100.0%

25

25

25

25

26

50

51

China









Ningxia (Qingtongxia) smelter (b)

0.0%

-

-

-

-

-

10

-

France









Dunkerque smelter

100.0%

57

64

66

64

64

114

129

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne smelter

100.0%

25

25

24

24

24

52

48

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

ALUMINIUM (continued)









Iceland









ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter

100.0%

47

48

48

47

47

94

94

New Zealand









Tiwai Point smelter

79.4%

61

71

81

82

85

119

167

Norway









SORAL (Husnes) smelter

50.0%

21

22

22

22

22

54

44

Oman









Sohar smelter

20.0%

90

89

93

89

91

169

180

United Kingdom









Anglesey Aluminium smelter (c)

51.0%

35

36

-

-

-

70

-

Lochaber smelter

100.0%

9

9

10

10

10

19

20

Lynemouth smelter

100.0%

26

27

30

31

36

52

68

United States









Sebree smelter - Kentucky

100.0%

48

48

49

48

49

96

98

Rio Tinto Alcan share of metal sales









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


1,243

1,244

1,254

1,232

1,271

2,410

2,503

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

 

BORATES









Rio Tinto Minerals - borates

100.0%








California, US and Argentina









Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)


79

124

109

111

136

190

247

 

(a)           Production is expressed as B2O3 content.

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COAL









Rio Tinto Coal Australia









Bengalla mine

30.3%








New South Wales, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,438

1,468

1,434

1,228

1,478

2,564

2,705

Blair Athol Coal mine

71.2%








Queensland, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


3,158

3,007

2,609

2,141

2,202

5,710

4,343

Clermont Coal mine (a)

50.1%








Queensland, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


-

-

-

-

529

-

529

Hail Creek Coal mine

82.0%








Queensland, Australia









Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

1,576

1,824

1,845

1,227

1,790

2,639

3,017

Hunter Valley Operations

75.7%








New South Wales, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


2,383

1,610

2,400

1,892

1,736

4,595

3,628

Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

346

1,144

644

690

854

838

1,544

Kestrel Coal mine (b)

80.0%








Queensland, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


151

138

204

179

228

507

407

Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

758

726

758

1,065

1,159

1,384

2,225

Mount Thorley Operations

60.6%








New South Wales, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


478

882

357

189

271

991

460

Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

157

81

818

306

552

214

858

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COAL (continued)









Warkworth mine

42.1%








New South Wales, Australia









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


918

1,378

1,272

1,115

1,388

1,982

2,503

Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

217

204

34

236

54

292

290










Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)

2,334

2,550

2,603

2,292

2,949

4,023

5,242

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

2,551

2,761

2,761

1,873

3,110

4,738

4,983

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

9,246

9,912

9,772

7,977

9,292

17,693

17,269

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

9,323

9,654

10,231

7,235

8,692

16,700

15,926










Total coal production ('000 tonnes)

11,580

12,462

12,375

10,269

12,241

21,716

22,510

Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)

11,875

12,415

12,992

9,108

11,801

21,437

20,909









Rio Tinto Coal Australia share








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

2,072

2,246

2,246

1,519

2,526

3,846

4,045

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

5,742

5,955

6,205

4,377

5,267

10,345

9,643

 

(a)        Production commenced at Clermont in the second quarter of 2010.

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

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

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

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

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COAL (continued)









US Coal









Antelope mine (a)

48.3%








Wyoming, US









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


7,799

8,057

7,732

7,682

8,095

15,076

15,776

Colowyo mine

100.0%








Colorado, US









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


783

845

717

582

506

1,652

1,088

Cordero Rojo mine (a)

48.3%








Wyoming, US









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


7,588

9,586

9,616

8,091

9,094

16,485

17,185

Decker mine (a)

24.1%








Montana, US









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,010

1,177

901

429

745

2,083

1,174

Jacobs Ranch mine (b)

0.0%








Wyoming, US









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


8,062

9,126

-

-

-

17,411

-

Spring Creek mine (a)

48.3%








Montana, US









Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


4,392

4,251

3,478

3,674

4,477

8,306

8,152










Total coal production ('000 tonnes)


29,634

33,041

22,444

20,458

22,916

61,014

43,374

Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)


29,487

32,918

22,467

22,417

23,042

61,563

45,459

 

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

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

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COPPER & GOLD









Escondida

30.0%








Chile









Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)

19,898

16,224

20,246

17,697

17,711

41,279

35,408

Average copper grade (%)


1.22

1.40

1.38

1.29

1.40

1.07

1.34

Mill production (metals in concentrates):









Contained copper ('000 tonnes)


199.6

188.4

233.0

189.2

205.3

356.0

394.5

Contained gold ('000 ounces)


37

29

42

40

42

72

82

Contained silver ('000 ounces)


1,387

1,052

1,641

1,571

1,454

2,731

3,025

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

54

72

53

53

65

158

118

Refined production from leach plants:








Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)

86

83

80

63

77

164

140

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

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold









Grasberg mine (a)

0.0% (40% of the expansion)





Papua, Indonesia









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


21,632

22,191

21,786

21,057

19,757

42,997

40,814

Average mill head grades:









Copper (%)


1.10

0.90

0.82

0.78

0.80

1.11

0.79

Gold (g/t)


1.51

1.33

1.23

0.87

0.64

1.32

0.76

Silver (g/t)


3.81

3.49

3.03

2.96

2.56

3.72

2.77

Production of metals in concentrates:









Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


214.8

180.8

161.3

144.6

136.0

429.3

280.6

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


875

823

740

481

309

1,513

790

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


2,314

1,909

1,652

1,580

911

4,326

2,491

Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)








Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)


222.1

174.3

152.4

148.4

123.9

411.1

272.3

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)


885

796

707

499

283

1,450

782

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)


1,876

1,459

1,248

1,288

661

3,301

1,950

 

(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 2Q 2010 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan because FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for 2Q 2010 until the release of its 2010 second-quarter and six-month results on 21 July 2010.

 (b)          Net of smelter deductions.

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Kennecott Minerals Company









Rawhide mine (a) (b)

0%








Nevada, US









Metals produced in doré:









Gold ('000 ounces)


5

5

5

4

5

9

9

Silver ('000 ounces)


54

63

58

52

62

89

114

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

(b)   Rio Tinto sold its 100% interest in the Rawhide mine with an effective date of 25 June 2010.  Production data are shown up to that date

 

Kennecott Utah Copper









Barneys Canyon mine (a)

100.0%








Utah, US









Gold produced ('000 ounces)


0.8

0.4

0.4

0.8

0.4

1.6

1.2

Bingham Canyon mine

100.0%








Utah, US









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)


13,749

13,880

12,946

13,303

13,269

26,030

26,572

Average ore grade:









Copper (%)


0.69

0.60

0.57

0.52

0.48

0.69

0.50

Gold (g/t)


0.52

0.43

0.53

0.51

0.36

0.48

0.43

Silver (g/t)


3.96

3.35

3.45

3.28

2.56

3.68

2.92

Molybdenum (%)


0.036

0.038

0.044

0.042

0.039

0.034

0.041

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

290

258

223

224

223

547

447

Average concentrate grade (% Cu)

29.7

29.3

29.9

27.2

24.6

29.4

25.9

Production of metals in copper concentrates:








Copper ('000 tonnes) (b)


86.2

75.8

66.8

61.3

54.8

160.9

116.1

Gold ('000 ounces)


159

138

158

157

109

285

266

Silver ('000 ounces)


1,389

1,189

1,187

1,146

870

2,495

2,016

Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):

4.7

6.5

6.5

6.2

5.4

8.5

11.6

Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

2.5

3.4

3.4

3.2

2.8

4.5

6.0

(a)           Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continued to be recovered from leach pads.

(b)           Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Kennecott smelter & refinery

100.0%








Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)


305

294

288

232

212

593

444

Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (a)


67.5

67.0

79.7

72.3

53.5

140.4

125.9

Production of refined metal:









Copper ('000 tonnes)


65.1

67.6

72.9

70.1

59.6

133.7

129.7

Gold  ('000 ounces) (b)


112

112

147

174

146

220

320

Silver ('000 ounces) (b)


931

886

1,148

1,320

1,112

2,016

2,432

 

 

(a)           New metal excluding recycled material

(b)           Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

 

Northparkes Joint Venture

80.0%








New South Wales, Australia









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)

1,422

1,421

1,344

1,364

1,304

2,789

2,668

Average ore grades:








Copper (%)


0.75

0.69

0.70

0.76

0.82

0.71

0.79

Gold (g/t)


0.24

0.26

0.33

0.44

0.57

0.24

0.50

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

27.0

24.3

23.7

25.9

29.7

50.5

55.6

Contained copper in concentrates:








Saleable production ('000 tonnes)


9.3

8.6

8.1

9.1

9.8

17.6

18.9

Sales ('000 tonnes) (a)


7.8

6.6

9.7

7.5

7.5

10.7

15.1

Contained gold in concentrates:








Saleable production ('000 ounces)


7.9

8.4

11.0

14.0

17.9

14.9

31.9

Sales ('000 ounces) (a)


5.9

6.1

9.8

11.8

15.1

8.3

26.9

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

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

COPPER & GOLD (continued)









Palabora

57.7%








Palabora mine









South Africa









Ore treated ('000 tonnes)

2,940

2,792

2,809

2,783

2,861

5,729

5,644

Average ore grade: copper (%)

0.68

0.66

0.67

0.66

0.64

0.68

0.65

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

76.1

61.8

65.8

61.8

57.9

143.2

119.6

Average concentrate grade: copper (%)

29.9

31.1

30.5

29.8

31.1

30.2

30.4

Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

22.7

19.3

20.1

18.4

18.0

43.2

36.4

Palabora smelter/refinery









New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes)

68.0

58.5

67.3

57.7

59.6

140.8

117.3

New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes)

18.9

12.5

14.3

12.4

14.6

39.1

27.0

Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes)

19.5

13.8

15.1

12.0

13.8

40.5

25.8

By-products:









Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes)

617

759

697

754

780

1,389

1,535

Nickel contained in products (tonnes)

33

29

11

18

15

54

33

Vermiculite plant









Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes)

46

48

50

54

46

98

100

 

 

DIAMONDS









Argyle Diamonds

100.0%








Western Australia









AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)


315

1,465

1,972

1,726

2,009

1,196

3,735

AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)


408

2,274

3,504

2,531

2,605

4,812

5,136

Diavik Diamonds

60.0%








Northwest Territories, Canada









Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


382

186

364

388

522

809

910

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


1,421

828

1,530

1,563

1,612

3,207

3,174

Murowa Diamonds

77.8%








Zimbabwe









Ore processed ('000 tonnes)


78

39

66

88

109

162

197

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)


26

21

37

37

49

66

86

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

IRON ORE & IRON









Rio Tinto Iron Ore








Pilbara Operations








Western Australia








Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes):









Hamersley - Paraburdoo, Mount Tom

Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina,

Brockman and Nammuldi

100.0%

26,834

30,353

30,050

25,510

25,712

46,405

51,221

Hamersley - Channar

60.0%

3,032

3,085

2,528

3,344

2,557

5,428

5,901

Hamersley - Eastern Range

(a)

2,374

2,636

2,349

2,473

2,354

4,332

4,827

Hope Downs

50.0%

5,495

6,037

5,687

8,108

8,104

8,910

16,211

Robe River - Pannawonica

(Mesas J and A) (b)

53.0%

7,426

7,378

6,801

6,971

7,726

10,998

14,697

Robe River - West Angelas

53.0%

8,231

7,317

8,362

7,083

6,755

13,559

13,838

Total production ('000 tonnes)


53,393

56,808

55,778

53,488

53,207

89,633

106,695

Total sales ('000 tonnes) (c)


52,479

55,722

56,350

52,896

55,697

91,823

108,593

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

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

(c)           Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports.

 

Iron Ore Company of Canada

58.7%








Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada








Saleable iron ore production:









Concentrates ('000 tonnes)


2,396

835

1,034

261

959

3,855

1,220

Pellets ('000 tonnes)


1,887

1,429

3,107

2,923

2,930

3,584

5,853

Sales:









Concentrate ('000 tonnes)


1,832

1,167

1,317

314

1,455

2,751

1,769

Pellets ('000 tonnes)


2,407

2,086

3,307

2,676

2,996

3,617

5,672

Rio Tinto Brasil









Corumbá mine (a)

0.0%








Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil









Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)

574

534

-

-

-

975

-

Sales ('000 tonnes)


140

253

-

-

-

278

-

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

 

HIsmelt®

60.0%








Western Australia









Pig iron production ('000 tonnes) (a)


-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

Rio Tinto

2Q

3Q

4Q

1Q

2Q

1H

1H


interest

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2009

2010

SALT









Dampier Salt

68.4%








Western Australia









Salt production ('000 tonnes)


2,224

2,532

1,744

1,737

2,134

4,280

3,871

TALC









Rio Tinto Minerals - talc

100.0%








Australia, Europe, and North America









Talc production ('000 tonnes)


224

240

222

240

264

426

504

TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK









Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

100.0%








Canada and South Africa (a) (b)









(Rio Tinto share)









Titanium dioxide

feedstock production ('000 tonnes)


332

165

325

329

355

656

684

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

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

 

URANIUM









Energy Resources of Australia Ltd









Ranger mine

68.4%








Northern Territory, Australia









Production ('000 lbs U3O8)


3,188

3,126

2,432

1,991

1,749

5,942

3,739

Rössing Uranium Ltd

68.6%








Namibia









Production ('000 lbs U3O8)


2,130

2,391

2,475

1,948

2,088

4,285

4,036

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2010. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

 

 


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