Rio Tinto 1QPR 2004
Rio Tinto PLC
21 April 2004
First quarter operations review
Overview
• First quarter production was adversely affected by poor weather
conditions, the carry over of operational issues from 2003, especially the
reduced level of production at the Grasberg copper and gold mine, and the
absence of production following the disposal of non core assets. These factors
were partially offset by increased production from new projects.
• Tropical cyclone Monty severely affected production at the iron ore
operations in the western Pilbara. Unusually wet weather also affected coal
operations in the Hunter Valley and the Argyle diamond mine. In addition,
Argyle was affected by tight mining conditions.
• Good progress has been made in resolving the operational issues that
affected performance in 2003. Grasberg remains on track to return to mining
higher grades in the second quarter. Work on improving pit stability at Cordero
Rojo by lowering the high wall advanced. A port rationing agreement, aimed at
reducing demurrage charges at Newcastle, has been approved.
• Market conditions for industrial minerals remain flat. In particular,
titanium dioxide slag production remains curtailed in line with market demand.
• Continuing poor ore mineralogy, combined with the timing of smelter
maintenance, affected production levels at Kennecott Utah Copper.
• Production benefited from the increased output from new projects in
diamonds (Diavik), iron ore (West Angelas), coking coal (Hail Creek) and copper
(Escondida).
• The balance sheet was strengthened by proceeds of over $1 billion from
the sale of non core assets. Two further transactions agreed in the first
quarter are expected to be completed by the half year.
• Reflecting the strength of the current exploration portfolio, the
promising Eagle (nickel) and Dashkasan (gold) exploration discoveries were
transferred to product groups for the next stage of evaluation.
All figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated
IRON ORE
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Hamersley (incl share of Channar) 15,815 3% -16%
Robe River 5,447 -6% -18%
IOC 1,969 8% -10%
Chinese and non-Chinese demand for all iron ore products remained strong.
Hamersley
Production was severely disrupted by tropical cyclone Monty which hit the
Pilbara in early March. Mine and port facilities were closed and the subsequent
flooding also affected transport infrastructure. Operations have now largely
returned to normal, with the exception of Tom Price, which will remain flood
affected well into the second quarter. The effects of the weather all but
negated the year on year production growth achieved in January and February.
Shipments of Yandi fines continued through Cape Lambert. Agreement was reached
in principle with Nippon Steel for the supply of some 150 million tonnes of
Yandi ore under a long term contract of at least 20 years.
The new Eastern Range mine was commissioned and was officially opened on 19
April 2004.
Robe River
Production from Pannawonica was also affected by flooding associated with
tropical cyclone Monty. Production levels have now returned to near normal, but
flooding will continue to affect product quality for some weeks.
Shipments from West Angelas continued to increase although production was down
on the previous quarter due to plant shutdowns facilitating capacity expansion.
West Angelas reached its design capacity rate of 20 million tonnes per annum
this quarter, two years ahead of schedule.
ENERGY
US Thermal Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Kennecott Energy 27,403 8% -4%
Work advanced on lowering the high wall at Cordero Rojo to alleviate the
stability issues that have affected production over the last two years. Strong
demand, coupled with improved performance from Cordero Rojo, resulted in sales
and production eight per cent higher than in the first quarter of 2003.
Australian Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Hard coking coal 1,200 228% 26%
Other coal 3,964 0% -6%
Coal & Allied
Other coal 3,332 -18% -16%
Other coal includes thermal, semi-soft and semi-hard coking coal.
Demand for thermal coal continued to strengthen. The benefits of rising thermal
coal prices will flow through progressively during the year, but particularly in
the second half. Demand for coking coal remained strong.
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
The new Hail Creek coking coal mine continued to ramp up towards its initial
capacity of 5.5 million tonnes. A 15 year contract to supply 30 million tonnes
of Hail Creek product to Nippon Steel was signed in April and this contract will
significantly underpin an expansion of the mine which is currently being
studied. This, together with the change in mix of coal from the Kestrel mine,
means that coking coal is becoming a more significant product for Rio Tinto.
Sales from Blair Athol were constrained by the failure of a reclaimer at the
independently managed Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal. This reduced port throughput
for a period of seven weeks.
Coal & Allied
Sales through the port of Newcastle continue to be affected by port and rail
congestion and demurrage charges averaged over US$2 per tonne. A port rationing
agreement aimed at reducing the ship queues (and hence demurrage) was given
approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in
mid-March.
Production from all mines was affected by wet weather. An upgrade to the coal
preparation plant, which reduced operating time during the modifications, also
adversely affected production from the Hunter Valley Operations.
Coal & Allied came under unified management with Rio Tinto Coal Australia with
effect from 1 February 2004. In addition, Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines
have been managed as one operation since late January 2004. Both these
organisational changes will improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Other energy operations
ERA halted operations at the mine on 24 March 2004 due to an incident in the
water supply at Ranger's processing plant. Mining operations resumed on 31
March 2004 and normal operations at the processing plant resumed on 6 April
2004.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Borates 134 -4% 0%
Titanium dioxide feedstock 287 -1% -2%
Total borates production was marginally below the first quarter of last year due
to the timing of maintenance. Boric acid was produced at capacity due to
continued strong demand for refined products.
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium continued to produce slag at below capacity in line
with market demand. However, the upgraded slag (UGS) plant produced at
capacity.
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Bauxite 3,008 2% -3%
Alumina 514 4% -2%
Aluminium 210.1 4% -1%
Aluminium production was broadly in line with the previous quarter as all
smelters continue to operate at capacity. Due to major maintenance, alumina
production at Queensland Alumina Limited was lower than in the fourth quarter of
2003 when record process flows were achieved.
COPPER
Rio Tinto share of production Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Kennecott Utah Copper
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 62.5 -4% -13%
Refined copper (0000 tonnes) 60.3 -11% 1%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 76 0% -22%
Refined gold (000 ozs) 81 -16% 0%
Escondida
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 83.8 13% 20%
Grasberg JV*
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 5.5 -84% -52%
Mined gold (000 ozs) 6 -96% -94%
*The above production figures for Grasberg exclude the production attributable
to Rio Tinto's direct holding in Freeport which was sold on 30 March 2004.
Kennecott Utah Copper
Ore produced from the Bingham Canyon mine contained high arsenic levels. High
arsenic levels, which will continue until at least the middle of the year,
affect smelter efficiency and molybdenum recoveries. Ore production was
affected by the timing of mill maintenance.
Anode production was affected by unscheduled maintenance of the east anode
refining furnace in February. The resulting build up of copper matte inventory
will be run down over the coming months. Second quarter anode production will
be affected by a ten day smelter shut down for scheduled maintenance that took
place in early April.
Escondida
Increased production at Escondida reflected the previously announced return to
its normal mine plan and production profile in January 2004. During the first
quarter the concentrators operated below full throughput capacity due to
difficulties in achieving the expected water recovery rates from the new
tailings dam constructed during the Phase IV expansion.
Grasberg
Both copper and gold production from the Grasberg mine was significantly below
preceding quarters as a consequence of the pit wall slide in the fourth quarter
of 2003. Efforts were directed to accelerating the removal of waste material to
restore safe access to the higher grade areas of the open pit. Freeport, the
manager of the Grasberg mine, is now initiating mining activities in the high
grade ore areas and expects to resume normal mining in the second quarter of
2004 with ore grades expected to improve throughout the remainder of the year.
Rio Tinto's share of production is based on a preliminary allocation of volumes
between the joint venture partners, Rio Tinto and Freeport. This allocation
will not be finalised until full production has been restored.
Other copper operations
Completion of the cross cuts has brought cave management to maturity, allowing
Palabora to mine higher copper grades which have more than offset lower ore
tonnages being hoisted from the underground mine. A conveyor belt tear and
secondary breaking issues disrupted underground production. Replacement
secondary breaking equipment has been ordered.
DIAMONDS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats) Q1 04 vs Q1 03 vs Q4 03
Argyle 3,612 -48% -57%
Diavik 922 274% 40%
Tight mining conditions at Argyle as a result of the deep open pit are presently
limiting mine production. Run of mine material is therefore being supplemented
with lower grade stockpiled ore giving rise to lower production throughout 2004.
In the first quarter this was compounded by the effects of wet weather.
Diavik continues to perform well. The process plant operated comfortably ahead
of design capacity rates of 1.5 million tonnes per annum. Grades continue to
reflect the processing of mud rich material that surrounds the kimberlite
proper. This is expected to continue for the remainder of the year.
Construction commenced of a small scale diamond mine and plant at Murowa at a
cost of $11 million. First production is expected during the second half of
2004.
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
Total pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit
and loss account for the quarter ending 31 March 2004 was $34 million compared
with $28 million in the comparable quarter of 2003.
Exploration drilling continued on copper porphyry targets in Southern Peru.
Offers of interest to acquire Rio Tinto's interest in the Marcona copper deposit
in Peru are being evaluated. Diamonds exploration continued in Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh in India and mobilisation of field crews and
equipment commenced at several diamond projects in Nunavut and the Northwest
Territories in Canada. A 26 tonne sample was collected by drilling a kimberlite
pipe in Mauritania. Work on the Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) order of magnitude
study continued.
Responsibility for the discoveries at Eagle (nickel/copper, USA) and Dashkasan
(gold, Iran) was transferred to the Copper group and Technology group
respectively for the next stage of evaluation. Spending on the Resolution
project (copper, USA) passed the level at which Rio Tinto earns 55 per cent of
the project. As previously announced, this will result in the assumption of
some associated environmental liabilities of $16 million. The pre-feasibility
study at Resolution continues. Work commenced on the Potasio Rio Colorado
project (potash, Argentina) in advance of pilot testing. 3-D seismic surveys
were completed during the quarter.
ASSET DISPOSALS
The improvement in market conditions created a number of opportunities to divest
non core assets for consideration of over $1 billion.
Completed sales
Rio Tinto sold its holding in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc (FCX) to FCX
for net consideration of $882 million. In addition to the holding in FCX, Rio
Tinto has a joint venture interest in production from the Grasberg mine, which
is managed by FCX. The sale of FCX shares does not affect the terms of the joint
venture, nor the management of the Grasberg mine.
In addition Rio Tinto completed the sale of Mineracao Serra da Fortaleza
Ltda, (nickel, Brazil) for about $90 million and the sale of the remaining 20
per cent interest in the Sepon project (copper/gold, Laos) for $85 million.
Announced sales
The intended sales of Zinkgruvan (zinc, Sweden) and Rio Tinto's 49 per cent
interest in Somincor (copper/tin, Portugal) were announced in the first quarter
but have yet to complete. Consideration for Zinkgruvan is expected to be $101
million plus a payment in respect of working capital. Consideration may
increase by up to $5 million dependent on metal prices over the coming two
years. Consideration for the Somincor interest is expected to be 58 million
euros plus partial participation in copper prices in excess of 90c/lb for the
first year after sale and 95c/lb in the following three years.
For further information, please contact:
LONDON AUSTRALIA
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Peter Cunningham Dave Skinner
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Richard Brimelow Susie Creswell
Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2326 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3639
Mobile: +44 (0) 7753 783 825 Mobile: +61 (0) 418 933 792
Website: www.riotinto.com
RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
QUARTER FULL YEAR % CHANGE
2003 2003 2004 2003 Q1 04 Q1 04
Q1 Q4 Q1 vs vs
Principal Commodities Q4 03 Q1 03
Alumina ('000 t) 493 526 514 2,014 -2% 4%
Aluminium ('000 t) 202.7 211.9 210.1 818.1 -1% 4%
Borates ('000 t) 139 134 134 559 0% -4%
Coal - hard coking coal ('000 t) 366 950 1,200 2,311 26% 228%
Coal - other Australian/Indonesian ('000 t) 10,108 8,379 7,296 38,262 -13% -28%
Coal - US ('000 t) 25,424 28,417 27,403 108,177 -4% 8%
Copper - mined ('000 t) 231.1 182.9 180.0 867.0 -2% -22%
Copper - refined ('000 t) 96.0 90.2 87.4 349.1 -3% -9%
Diamonds ('000 cts) 7,156 8,968 4,534 33,272 -49% -37%
Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 765 511 381 2,731 -25% -50%
Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 96 81 81 308 0% -16%
Iron ore ('000 t) 23,167 27,997 23,499 102,613 -16% 1%
Titanium dioxide feedstock ('000 t) 290 293 287 1,192 -2% -1%
Other Metals & Minerals
Bauxite ('000 t) 2,958 3,103 3,008 12,316 -3% 2%
Lead - mined ('000 t) 10.0 14.2 10.3 47.6 -28% 3%
Molybdenum ('000 t) 1.2 1.1 1.6 4.6 45% 33%
Nickel - refined (tonnes) 604 1,011 971 3,474 -4% 61%
Salt ('000 t) 970 1,120 1,133 4,633 1% 17%
Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 3,960 4,959 3,766 18,311 -24% -5%
Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 975 653 778 2,963 19% -20%
Talc ('000 t) 358 321 356 1,357 11% 0%
Tin (tonnes) - 60 21 100 -65% -
Uranium (tonnes) 873 1,406 1,431 5,158 2% 64%
Zinc - mined ('000 t) 26.8 30.4 29.9 113.0 -2% 12%
Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the
figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.
Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown,
hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and
the full year figures.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Eurallumina 56% 139 136 150 148 145 573
Queensland Alumina 39% 354 358 350 378 368 1,440
Rio Tinto total alumina production 493 495 500 526 514 2,014
ALUMINIUM
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Anglesey 51% 18.3 18.3 18.3 19.0 18.3 73.9
Bell Bay 100% 40.7 41.8 42.3 41.9 41.8 166.6
Boyne Island 59% 77.7 75.7 76.9 80.9 80.5 311.1
Tiwai Point 79% 66.1 62.7 67.5 70.2 69.5 266.5
Rio Tinto total aluminium production 202.7 198.5 204.9 211.9 210.1 818.1
BAUXITE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Boke 4% 58 179 123 58 121 418
Weipa 100% 2,901 3,057 2,895 3,045 2,887 11,898
Rio Tinto total bauxite production 2,958 3,236 3,018 3,103 3,008 12,316
BORATES
Borates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
Rio Tinto total borate production 100% 139 143 142 134 134 559
COAL - HARD COKING
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a) ('000
tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal 92% - - 204 608 831 812
Kestrel Coal 80% 366 459 332 342 369 1,499
Rio Tinto total hard coking coal 366 459 535 950 1,200 2,311
production
COAL - OTHER *
Australian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Coal & Allied Industries
Bengalla 30% 393 538 340 608 325 1,879
Hunter Valley Operations 76% 2,395 2,226 2,198 2,272 1,988 9,091
Mount Thorley Operations 61% 525 419 475 491 407 1,910
Warkworth 42% 735 555 563 616 612 2,469
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a)
Blair Athol Coal 71% 2,237 1,857 2,599 2,197 2,180 8,890
Kestrel Coal 80% 285 320 263 292 98 1,159
Tarong Coal 100% 1,451 1,738 1,635 1,713 1,686 6,538
Total Australian other coal 8,020 7,653 8,073 8,189 7,296 31,935
Indonesian coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kaltim Prima Coal (b) 0% 2,088 2,338 1,711 191 - 6,327
US coal operations ('000 tonnes)
Kennecott Energy
Antelope 100% 6,233 6,648 7,130 6,795 5,919 26,806
Colowyo (c) 100% 1,110 1,194 1,093 1,138 1,467 4,535
Cordero Rojo 100% 8,187 8,535 7,448 8,501 8,589 32,671
Decker 50% 679 730 1,068 1,203 514 3,679
Jacobs Ranch 100% 7,402 7,544 8,767 8,706 8,649 32,418
Spring Creek 100% 1,814 2,293 1,887 2,074 2,265 8,069
Total US coal 25,424 26,944 27,391 28,417 27,403 108,177
Rio Tinto total other coal production 35,533 36,935 37,175 36,797 34,698 146,439
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site.
* Coal - other includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and semi-hard coking
coal.
See footnotes on page 12.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COPPER
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Alumbrera (d) 0% 8.7 - - - - 8.7
Bingham Canyon 100% 64.8 67.8 77.6 71.6 62.5 281.8
Escondida 30% 74.4 79.8 73.4 70.1 83.8 297.8
Grasberg - FCX (e) 0% 27.3 28.0 21.5 7.7 5.5 84.5
Grasberg - Joint Venture (e) 40% 33.7 34.5 28.9 11.5 5.5 108.7
Neves Corvo (f) 49% 11.0 9.9 7.5 9.6 11.6 38.0
Northparkes 80% 5.7 5.4 5.4 5.2 5.8 21.7
Palabora 49% 5.5 6.1 7.0 7.1 5.2 25.8
Rio Tinto total mine production 231.1 231.6 221.4 182.9 180.0 867.0
Refined production ('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper (e) 0% 10.1 10.3 9.2 8.6 7.0 38.1
Escondida 30% 10.7 11.0 11.2 11.4 11.3 44.3
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 67.4 38.5 64.8 59.9 60.3 230.6
Palabora 49% 7.8 9.4 8.5 10.3 8.8 36.1
Rio Tinto total refined production 96.0 69.2 93.7 90.2 87.4 349.1
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
Argyle 100% 6,909 6,004 9,690 8,307 3,612 30,910
Diavik 60% 247 512 880 661 922 2,300
Merlin 100% - 44 18 - - 62
Rio Tinto total diamond production 7,156 6,560 10,588 8,968 4,534 33,272
GOLD
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Alumbrera (d) 0% 31 - - - - 31
Barneys Canyon 100% 9 10 10 6 7 35
Bingham Canyon 100% 67 67 79 92 69 305
Cortez/Pipeline 40% 127 102 100 106 113 434
Escondida 30% 11 13 16 16 18 55
Grasberg - FCX (e) 0% 89 132 107 26 14 354
Grasberg - Joint Venture (e) 40% 163 241 223 96 6 722
Greens Creek 70% 16 19 17 17 16 70
Kelian 90% 166 112 71 74 69 422
Lihir (g) 14% 21 21 21 25 16 88
Morro do Ouro 51% 25 27 24 26 25 103
Northparkes 80% 8 7 9 15 17 39
Peak (d) 0% 20 - - - - 20
Rawhide 51% 7 9 9 8 7 32
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe 56% 3 4 3 3 3 14
Others - 1 2 2 2 2 7
Rio Tinto total mine production 765 765 691 511 381 2,731
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 96 65 66 81 81 308
IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Channar 60% 1,699 1,465 1,628 1,417 1,404 6,208
Corumba 100% 221 282 292 279 268 1,074
Hamersley 100% 13,616 15,900 16,079 17,462 14,410 63,056
Iron Ore Company of Canada (h) 59% 1,816 2,126 2,220 2,191 1,969 8,353
Robe River 53% 5,815 5,851 5,607 6,649 5,447 23,922
Rio Tinto total mine production 23,167 25,623 25,826 27,997 23,499 102,613
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of
saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.
See footnotes on page 12.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
LEAD
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 3.8 4.0 4.0 4.1 3.3 15.8
Zinkgruvan (i) 100% 6.2 7.5 8.0 10.1 7.0 31.8
Rio Tinto total mine production 10.0 11.5 12.0 14.2 10.3 47.6
MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100% 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.6 4.6
NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza (j) 0% 2,619 523 1,284 1,524 - 5,950
Toll refined metal production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress 56% 604 830 1,029 1,011 971 3,474
SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt 65% 970 1,124 1,420 1,120 1,133 4,633
SILVER
Mine production ('000 ounces)
Bingham Canyon 100% 762 808 873 1,105 730 3,548
Escondida 30% 315 360 375 368 411 1,418
Grasberg - FCX (e) 0% 236 255 207 46 79 745
Grasberg - Joint Venture (e) 40% 111 229 320 466 13 1,126
Greens Creek 70% 1,750 1,968 2,472 2,035 1,761 8,226
Zinkgruvan (i) 100% 363 447 460 571 426 1,841
Others - 422 343 275 366 346 1,407
Rio Tinto total mine production 3,960 4,410 4,983 4,959 3,766 18,311
Refined production ('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 975 644 691 653 778 2,963
TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group 99.9% 358 328 350 321 356 1,357
TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo (f) 49% - 23 16 60 21 100
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 290 319 291 293 287 1,192
URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of Australia 68% 859 1,019 775 858 809 3,512
Rossing 69% 14 465 620 548 622 1,647
Rio Tinto total uranium production 873 1,484 1,395 1,406 1,431 5,158
ZINC
Mine production ('000 tonnes)
Greens Creek 70% 12.1 13.4 11.7 11.3 10.7 48.5
Zinkgruvan (i) 100% 14.7 15.6 15.1 19.1 19.2 64.5
Rio Tinto total mine production 26.8 29.0 26.8 30.4 29.9 113.0
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the contained tonnage
of nickel.
See footnotes on page 12.
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Production data notes
(a) In December 2003, Pacific Coal was renamed Rio Tinto Coal Australia.
(b) Rio Tinto had a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its Coal Agreement, the Indonesian
Government was entitled to a 13.5% share of Kaltim Prima's production. Rio Tinto's share of production shown
is before deduction of the Government share. Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in PT Kaltim Prima
Coal on 10 October 2003. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
(c) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as it is responsible under a management
agreement for the operation of the mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of
production.
(d) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% interest in Minera Alumbrera together with its wholly owned Peak
Gold Mine on 17 March 2003. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
(e) From mid 1995 until 30 March 2004, Rio Tinto held 23.93 million shares of Freeport-McMoRan-Copper & Gold
(FCX) common stock from which it derived a share of production. This interest was sold to FCX on 30 March
2004. Also through a joint venture agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled, as shown separately in the
above tables, to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the
Grasberg facilities since 1998.
(f) Rio Tinto announced on 10 March 2004 that, subject to certain approvals, it had reached an agreement to sell
its 49% interest in Somincor's Neves Corvo mine.
(g) Following a placement of shares on 13 November 2003, and a subsequent allotment of shares under a Share
Purchase Plan on 23 January 2004, Rio Tinto's interest in Lihir changed from 16.3% to 14.4%.
(h) Rio Tinto owns 20.3% of the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund. The Fund has a shareholding in Iron Ore
Company of Canada but this has not been included in the calculation of tonnage attributable to Rio Tinto.
(i) Rio Tinto announced on 4 March 2004 that it intends to sell the Zinkgruvan mine.
(j) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Fortaleza nickel mine on 16 January 2004. The sale
was effective from 1 January 2004.
Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicated
above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average
interest over the relevant periods. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is
at 31 March 2004.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto Aluminium
Weipa mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Beneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 2,901 3,057 2,895 3,045 2,887 11,898
Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) 2,778 2,768 2,709 3,160 2,981 11,415
Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 41 49 42 29 44 161
Boke mine 4.0%
Guinea
Bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 2,365 3,077 2,970 3,648 2,826 12,060
Eurallumina refinery 56.2%
Sardinia, Italy
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 248 243 267 263 258 1,021
Queensland Alumina refinery 38.6%
Queensland, Australia
Alumina production ('000 tonnes) 916 928 906 980 954 3,731
Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0%
United Kingdom
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 35.8 35.9 35.9 37.2 35.9 144.8
Bell Bay smelter 100.0%
Tasmania, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 40.7 41.8 42.3 41.9 41.8 166.6
Boyne Island smelter 59.4%
Queensland, Australia
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 129.7 129.0 128.5 133.8 134.7 520.9
Tiwai Point smelter 79.4%
New Zealand
Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 83.3 78.2 85.0 87.9 87.1 334.4
Rio Tinto Aluminium share
Share of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes) 191.1 210.6 205.1 213.1 203.5 820.0
BORATES
Rio Tinto Borax 100.0%
California, US and Argentina
Borates ('000 tonnes) (a) 139 143 142 134 134 559
(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COAL
Coal & Allied Industries Limited
Bengalla mine 30.3%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,298 1,776 1,122 2,008 1,075 6,203
Hunter Valley Operations 75.7%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,363 2,136 2,028 2,620 2,255 9,146
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 800 805 875 381 371 2,862
Mount Thorley Operations 60.6%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 510 361 416 433 535 1,720
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 356 330 369 377 137 1,432
Warkworth mine 42.1%
New South Wales, Australia
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,634 1,152 1,212 1,371 1,256 5,369
Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 112 168 127 93 198 500
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,074 6,728 6,147 7,284 5,826 27,232
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 7,174 6,633 6,802 7,278 6,424 27,887
Coal & Allied Industries share
Share of coal production ('000 tonnes) 5,346 4,937 4,723 5,266 4,401 20,272
Share of coal sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 5,463 4,987 5,178 5,456 4,776 21,084
(a) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded
coal.
Kaltim Prima Coal (a)
Indonesia 0.0%
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 4,177 4,675 3,422 381 - 12,655
Shipments ('000 tonnes) 4,522 3,937 4,042 309 - 12,810
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 50% interest in PT Kaltim Prima Coal
on 10 October 2003. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
Kennecott Energy and Coal Company
Antelope mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 6,233 6,648 7,130 6,795 5,919 26,806
Colowyo mine (a)
Colorado, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,110 1,194 1,093 1,138 1,467 4,535
Cordero Rojo mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,187 8,535 7,448 8,501 8,589 32,671
Decker mine 50.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,357 1,460 2,135 2,406 1,028 7,358
Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,402 7,544 8,767 8,706 8,649 32,418
Spring Creek mine 100.0%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,814 2,293 1,887 2,074 2,265 8,069
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 26,103 27,674 28,459 29,620 27,917 111,856
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 26,103 27,674 28,459 29,620 27,917 111,856
(a) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as
it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the mine,
all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COAL (continued)
Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a)
Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 3,140 2,607 3,649 3,084 3,060 12,480
Sales ('000 tonnes) 3,237 2,689 3,179 3,473 2,867 12,577
Hail Creek Coal mine 92.0%
Queensland, Australia
Coking coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) - - 221 661 903 883
Sales ('000 tonnes) - - 114 622 890 736
Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 356 400 328 365 122 1,449
Sales ('000 tonnes) 404 163 145 177 - 889
Coking coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 458 574 415 427 462 1,873
Sales ('000 tonnes) 122 274 331 357 409 1,084
Semi-hard coking coal:(b)
Sales ('000 tonnes) 449 475 353 461 225 1,739
Tarong Coal mine 100.0%
Queensland, Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes) 1,451 1,738 1,635 1,713 1,686 6,538
Sales ('000 tonnes) 1,635 1,614 1,623 1,749 1,749 6,620
Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 5,405 5,319 6,248 6,250 6,233 23,222
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 5,846 5,215 5,746 6,839 6,140 23,646
Rio Tinto Coal Australia share
Share of coal production ('000 tonnes) 4,339 4,374 5,033 5,152 5,164 18,898
Share of coal sales ('000 tonnes) 4,720 4,259 4,656 5,591 5,118 19,227
(a) Rio Tinto Coal Australia was previously known as Pacific Coal.
(b) Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal. The
product mix is customer dependent.
COPPER & GOLD
Alumbrera (a) 0.0%
Argentina
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 7,053 - - - - 7,053
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 0.54 - - - - 0.54
Gold (g/t) 0.69 - - - - 0.69
Concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 130.9 - - - - 130.9
Copper in concentrates: -
Production ('000 tonnes) 34.9 - - - - 34.9
Sales ('000 tonnes) 37.0 - - - - 37.0
Production of gold in concentrates ('000 108 - - - - 108
ounces)
Production of gold in dore ('000 ounces) 16 - - - - 16
Total gold sales ('000 ounces) 132 - - - - 132
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% holding in Minera Alumbrera on
17 March 2003.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Escondida 30.0%
Chile
Sulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 16,744 16,416 18,888 18,299 19,619 70,347
Average copper grade (%) 1.49 1.62 1.33 1.31 1.48 1.43
Mill production (metals in concentrates):
Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 210.8 230.9 208.2 197.1 239.6 847.0
Contained gold ('000 ounces) 37 43 52 52 58 184
Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,050 1,200 1,251 1,227 1,370 4,728
Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 3,408 3,188 3,569 3,537 3,179 13,702
Average copper grade (%) 1.10 1.11 1.02 1.03 1.25 1.06
Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000 37 35 37 37 40 146
tonnes)
Refined production:
Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes) 35.5 36.8 37.3 38.0 37.7 147.6
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (a)
Grasberg mine 0.0%
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 21,438 20,141 19,453 13,071 13,817 74,103
Average mill head grades:
Copper (%) 1.15 1.24 1.08 0.77 0.50 1.09
Gold (g/t) 1.26 1.95 1.79 1.00 0.41 1.54
Silver (g/t) 3.88 4.18 3.90 4.26 3.09 4.03
Production of metals in concentrates:
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 216.5 223.1 189.3 86.9 55.9 715.8
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 760 1,126 1,007 369 135 3,262
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,692 1,944 1,857 981 740 6,474
Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b)
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 210.7 212.1 184.7 85.5 53.0 693.0
Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 742 1,080 980 369 130 3,171
Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,315 1,485 1,431 763 563 4,994
(a) See note (e) on page 12 for details of Rio Tinto's changed interest in
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and 40% interest in the expansion of Grasberg.
(b) Net of smelter deductions.
Atlantic Copper smelter 0.0%
Spain
Concentrates and scrap smelted ('000 tonnes) 242.1 244.6 253.0 224.7 187.1 964.4
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 72.4 74.3 78.6 65.0 57.5 290.3
Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes) 61.2 62.5 61.4 62.0 58.4 247.1
Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d) 62.9 63.6 57.7 63.8 50.8 248.0
(c) New metal excluding recycled material.
(d) Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales.
Kelian Equatorial Mining 90.0%
East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,844 1,833 1,995 2,180 2,119 7,853
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 3.71 2.53 1.76 1.66 1.57 2.37
Silver (g/t) 5.83 5.11 4.39 4.40 3.94 4.90
Production:
Gold ('000 ounces) 184 124 79 82 76 469
Silver ('000 ounces) 112 96 66 73 64 347
Sales:
Gold ('000 ounces) 150 147 93 47 113 437
Silver ('000 ounces) 154 - 145 - 148 299
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Minerals Company
Cortez/Pipeline mine 40.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000 tonnes) 919 791 865 878 781 3,452
Leached ('000 tonnes) 2,538 3,261 5,507 6,161 9,246 17,468
Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes) 140 151 111 62 96 463
Average ore grade: gold
Milled (g/t) 8.92 5.83 5.55 5.61 6.14 6.53
Leached (g/t) 1.09 1.06 0.85 0.78 0.77 0.90
Sold for roasting (g/t) 7.83 6.63 5.87 5.86 5.90 6.71
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 317 254 249 264 283 1,085
Greens Creek mine 70.3%
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 171 176 185 177 182 709
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 6.31 6.97 6.20 6.19 5.86 6.42
Silver (g/t) 604 655 764 671 572 675
Zinc (%) 12.9 13.4 11.1 11.8 10.7 12.3
Lead (%) 4.6 4.7 4.3 4.7 3.9 4.6
Metals produced in concentrates:
Gold ('000 ounces) 23 27 25 24 23 99
Silver ('000 ounces) 2,491 2,801 3,518 2,897 2,506 11,707
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 17.3 19.0 16.6 16.1 15.3 69.1
Lead ('000 tonnes) 5.3 5.7 5.6 5.9 4.6 22.5
Rawhide mine (a) 51.0%
Nevada, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,230 384 - - - 1,614
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 0.51 0.51 - - - 0.51
Silver (g/t) 9.4 9.1 - - - 9.4
Metals produced in dore:
Gold ('000 ounces) 14 17 17 15 13 64
Silver ('000 ounces) 127 158 131 114 108 530
(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.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Kennecott Utah Copper
Barneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%
Utah, US
Gold produced ('000 ounces) 9 10 10 6 7 35
(a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be
recovered from leach pads.
Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 10,929 11,284 11,904 11,988 10,497 46,105
Average ore grade:
Copper (%) 0.68 0.67 0.72 0.64 0.64 0.67
Gold (g/t) 0.28 0.25 0.31 0.31 0.28 0.29
Silver (g/t) 2.99 2.67 2.88 3.53 2.74 3.02
Molybdenum (%) 0.022 0.020 0.028 0.038 0.027 0.027
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 282 287 298 280 262 1,147
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 22.9 23.6 25.9 25.5 23.9 24.5
Production of metals in copper concentrates:
Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 64.8 67.8 77.6 71.6 62.5 281.8
Gold ('000 ounces) 67 67 79 92 69 305
Silver ('000 ounces) 762 808 873 1,105 730 3,548
Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 2.2 2.3 2.1 2.2 3.0 8.8
tonnes):
Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.6 4.6
Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%
Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 231 261 282 286 279 1,060
Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 53.7 53.2 69.9 66.3 54.4 243.1
Production of refined metal:
Copper ('000 tonnes) 67.4 38.5 64.8 59.9 60.3 230.6
Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 96 65 66 81 81 308
Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 975 644 691 653 778 2,963
(b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.
(c) New metal excluding recycled material.
(d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.
Lihir Gold 14.4%
Papua New Guinea
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 933 924 987 1,082 807 3,926
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 4.92 4.65 4.88 5.26 5.12 4.94
Gold produced ('000 ounces) (b) 131 128 132 160 112 551
(a) Following a placement of shares on 13 November 2003, and a subsequent
allotment of shares under a Share Purchase Plan on 23 January 2004, Rio Tinto's
interest in Lihir changed from 16.3% to 14.4%.
(b) Gold production represents quantity of gold poured.
Northparkes Joint Venture 80.0%
New South Wales, Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 1,306 1,315 1,284 1,263 1,275 5,168
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 0.67 0.62 0.70 0.71 0.78 0.67
Gold (g/t) 0.31 0.32 0.45 0.70 0.73 0.44
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 20.1 18.7 18.3 17.9 19.3 75.1
Contained copper in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 tonnes) 7.1 6.8 6.7 6.5 7.3 27.1
Sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 8.0 3.8 4.5 6.2 2.8 22.5
Contained gold in concentrates:
Saleable production ('000 ounces) 9.5 9.0 11.4 18.7 21.0 48.6
Sales ('000 ounces) (a) 13.4 6.0 6.4 12.4 8.7 38.2
(a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Palabora 49.2%
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 2,453 2,726 3,398 2,838 2,101 11,415
Average ore grade: copper (%) 0.59 0.60 0.53 0.63 0.76 0.59
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 35.3 38.2 43.5 46.3 35.9 163.3
Average concentrate grade: copper (%) 31.5 32.7 32.9 31.3 29.7 32.1
Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 11.1 12.5 14.3 14.5 10.7 52.4
Palabora smelter/refinery
New concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes) 57.5 73.7 64.0 72.5 59.4 267.6
New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) 15.8 20.1 19.4 21.3 15.8 76.7
Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes) 15.9 19.2 17.4 20.9 17.9 73.4
By-products:
Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes) 44 51 53 68 105 215
Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes) 61 27 26 38 53 152
Vermiculite plant
Vermiculite produced ('000 tonnes) 51.2 53.9 32.5 35.6 38.4 173.2
Peak Gold Mine (a) 0.0%
New South Wales, Australia
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 144 - - - - 144
Average ore grades: -
Gold (g/t) 5.23 - - - - 5.23
Silver (g/t) 3.16 - - - - 3.16
Copper (%) 0.13 - - - - 0.13
Lead (%) 0.11 - - - - 0.11
Zinc (%) 0.00 - - - - 0.00
Bullion produced ('000 ounces) 23 - - - - 23
Containing: -
Gold ('000 ounces) 20 - - - - 20
Silver ('000 ounces) 3 - - - - 3
Gold recovered in concentrates ('000 ounces) - - - - - -
Total gold production ('000 ounces) 20 - - - - 20
Bullion sales (fine gold) ('000 ounces) 20 - - - - 20
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17
March 2003.
Rio Tinto Brasil Limitada
Morro do Ouro mine 51.0%
Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 4,530 4,586 4,655 4,640 4,499 18,411
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 0.44 0.46 0.45 0.43 0.45 0.44
Refined gold produced ('000 ounces) 49 53 48 51 50 201
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
COPPER & GOLD (continued)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Patchway mine (a) 0.0%
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 19 19 - - - 38
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 2.17 2.10 - - - 2.13
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) 1 1 - - - 2
Renco mine 56.0%
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 49 60 64 61 61 234
Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 3.80 3.55 3.48 3.56 3.13 3.59
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) 5 6 6 6 5 23
Total Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Total gold produced ('000 ounces) 6 7 6 6 5 25
(a) Rio Tinto Zimbabwe completed the sale of the Patchway mine in July 2003.
Somincor (a)
Neves Corvo mine 49.0%
Portugal
Total ore treated ('000 tonnes) (b) 425 474 354 447 448 1,700
of which, treated to extract tin ('000 - 8 4 10 5 22
tonnes)
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) 6.00 5.07 5.13 5.15 6.02 5.33
Tin (%) - 1.74 2.26 2.46 2.15 2.16
Copper production:
Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 93.8 85.5 66.2 84.0 100.1 329.6
Copper concentrate grade: copper (%) 23.9 23.5 23.2 23.4 23.7 23.5
Copper in concentrates produced ('000 22.4 20.1 15.4 19.6 23.7 77.5
tonnes)
Tin production:
Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3
Tin concentrate grade: tin (%) - 54.1 60.7 64.3 63.9 61.0
Tin in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2
(a) Rio Tinto announced on 10 March 2004 that, subject to certain approvals,
it had reached agreement to sell its 49% share in Somincor.
(b) Total ore treated for both copper and tin production.
DIAMONDS
Argyle Diamonds 100.0%
Western Australia
AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,509 2,305 2,601 2,372 2,066 9,787
AK1 Diamonds produced ('000 carats) 6,909 6,004 9,690 8,307 3,612 30,910
Diavik Diamonds 60.0%
Northwest Territories, Canada
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 202 304 388 300 394 1,194
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 411 854 1,466 1,101 1,537 3,833
Merlin (a) 100.0%
Northern Territory, Australia
Ore processed ('000 tonnes) 204 33 - - - 237
Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) - 44 18 - - 62
(a) Ore mining and processing ceased during the second quarter of 2003.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
IRON ORE
Hamersley Iron
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, 100.0%
Marandoo, Yandicoogina and Brockman 13,616 15,900 16,079 17,462 14,410 63,056
Channar 60.0% 2,832 2,442 2,713 2,361 2,341 10,347
Total production ('000 tonnes) 16,448 18,341 18,792 19,823 16,751 73,404
Total sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 17,762 17,948 18,636 19,987 17,664 74,333
(a) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports
(previously reported as Total shipments).
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada
Carol Lake operations 58.7%
Saleable iron ore production:
Concentrates ('000 tonnes) 272 712 958 706 462 2,648
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 2,820 2,908 2,823 3,026 2,892 11,577
Sales:
Concentrate ('000 tonnes) 290 570 664 1,093 431 2,617
Pellets ('000 tonnes) 1,963 3,761 2,820 3,767 2,072 12,311
Rio Tinto Brasil
Corumba mine 100.0%
Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a) 221 282 292 279 268 1,074
(a) Production includes by-product fines.
Robe River Iron Associates
Pannawonica mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 8,055 8,361 7,583 8,035 6,281 32,034
Sales ('000 tonnes) 7,054 8,137 8,413 7,470 7,325 31,073
West Angelas mine 53.0%
Western Australia
Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 2,917 2,678 2,996 4,510 3,997 13,102
Sales ('000 tonnes) 2,908 2,943 2,585 4,350 4,742 12,785
NICKEL
Rio Tinto Brasil
Fortaleza mine 0.0%
Brazil
Production (tonnes) 2,619 523 1,284 1,524 - 5,950
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Fortaleza
nickel mine on 16 January 2004. The sale was effective from 1 January 2004.
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
Empress Nickel refinery 56.0%
Zimbabwe
Production (tonnes) 1,078 1,481 1,836 1,804 1,733 6,199
SALT
Dampier Salt 64.9%
Western Australia
Salt production ('000 tonnes) 1,493 1,731 2,186 1,725 1,745 7,135
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
FULL
Rio Tinto 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1Q YEAR
interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2003
TALC
The Luzenac Group 99.9%
Australia, Europe, and North America
Talc production ('000 tonnes) 358 329 350 321 356 1,358
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%
Canada and South Africa
(Rio Tinto share)
Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 tonnes) 290 319 291 293 287 1,192
URANIUM
Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
Ranger mine 68.4%
Northern Territory, Australia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 1,256 1,490 1,133 1,255 1,183 5,134
Rossing Uranium Ltd 68.6%
Namibia
Production (tonnes U3O8) 20 678 904 799 907 2,401
ZINC
Zinkgruvan Mining AB 100.0%
Sweden
Ore treated ('000 tonnes) 167 189 191 227 196 774
Average ore grades:
Zinc (%) 9.5 9.1 8.8 9.3 10.6 9.2
Lead (%) 4.3 4.4 4.8 5.3 4.2 4.7
Silver (g/t) 99 101 102 105 95 103
Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes) 26.3 28.2 27.5 35.0 34.8 117.0
Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes) 9.1 11.0 11.3 14.4 9.9 45.8
Production of metal in concentrates:
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 14.7 15.6 15.1 19.1 19.2 64.5
Lead ('000 tonnes) 6.2 7.5 8.0 10.1 7.0 31.8
Silver ('000 ounces) 363 447 460 571 426 1,841
(a) Rio Tinto announced on 4 March 2004 that it intends to sell the
Zinkgruvan mine.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2004. 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
Friday, 10th January 2025
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