REG - Rio Tinto - First quarter operations review

Rio TintoAnnouncement

16/04/2019 07:05

RNS Number : 2716W
Rio Tinto PLC
16 April 2019
 


 
Rio Tinto releases first quarter production results
 
16 April 2019
 
Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said "Our iron ore business faced several challenges at the start of this year, particularly from tropical cyclones. As a result, and following the continuing assessment of damage at the port resulting from the cyclones and other minor disruptions, 2019 guidance for Pilbara shipments is reduced to between 333 and 343 million tonnes. The quarterly operational performance in our other products was solid, generally higher than last year. Our focus remains on safety, delivering our 'value over volume' strategy and allocating capital with discipline, to continue delivering superior returns to our shareholders in the short, medium and long term."
 











Q1 2019


vs Q1 2018


vs Q4 2018




Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis)


Mt


69.1


-14%


-21%




Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis)


Mt


76.0


-9%


-12%




Bauxite


kt


12,763


+1%


+8%




Aluminium


kt


796


+0%


-3%




Mined copper


kt


143.9


+3%


-5%




Titanium dioxide slag


kt


296


+1%


+1%




IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate


Mt


2.5


+5%


-13%



 



Operational update




•


Pilbara iron ore shipments of 69.1 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) in the first quarter were 14 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2018. Production was significantly impacted by the weather disruptions in March and a fire at Cape Lambert A in January. These events will have an impact on second quarter performance. 




•


2019 guidance for Pilbara shipments has been revised to between 333 and 343 million tonnes (previously between 338 and 350 million tonnes, 100 per cent basis). The reduction reflects a slower ramp up and ongoing disruption to shipments caused by weather and other disruptions.




•


Commissioning of the Amrun bauxite mine was completed in March 2019, with the project delivered under budget and ahead of schedule. Bauxite production of 12.8 million tonnes in the quarter was one per cent higher than the same period of 2018, despite several weather events throughout the quarter significantly impacting production at the Amrun, Weipa and Gove mines.




•


Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was in line with the first quarter of 2018. Excluding the non-managed Becancour smelter, which was impacted by a lock-out, production was one per cent higher, reflecting continued productivity creep. 




•


First quarter mined copper production of 144 thousand tonnes was three per cent higher than the first quarter of 2018, with strong contributions from Oyu Tolgoi and Rio Tinto Kennecott.




•


Titanium dioxide slag production of 296 thousand tonnes was one per cent higher than the first quarter of 2018.




•


First quarter production at Iron Ore Company of Canada was five per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2018, despite adverse weather conditions impacting production in February.




•


At the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project the review of the mine design and the development schedule is continuing. The commissioning of the main production shaft (Shaft 2) is now expected to complete in October 2019.




•


On 27 February 2019, Rio Tinto announced it had discovered copper-gold mineralisation in the Paterson Province in the far east Pilbara region of Western Australia.




•


On 8 April 2019, Rio Tinto announced the approval of the construction of the Zulti South project at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa for $463 million (Rio Tinto share $343 million).




•


On 15 April 2019, Rio Tinto announced it had committed $302 million ($166 million Rio Tinto share) of additional expenditure to advance its Resolution Copper project in the US state of Arizona



 
 
All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share of production, unless otherwise stated. To allow production numbers to be compared on a like-for-like basis, production from asset divestments completed in 2018 is excluded from Rio Tinto share of production data but assets sold in 2019 remain in comparisons.
 
 
IRON ORE
 
Rio Tinto share of production (million tonnes)







Q1 2019


vs Q1 2018


vs Q4 2018




Pilbara Blend Lump


20.0


-4%


-8%




Pilbara Blend Fines (a)


28.8


-3%


-9%




Robe Valley Lump


0.6


-60%


-55%




Robe Valley Fines


1.2


-60%


-52%




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


13.5


-3%


-9%




Total Pilbara production


64.1


-7%


-11%




Total Pilbara production (100% basis)


76.0


-9%


-12%




Total Pilbara shipments (100% basis)


69.1


-14%


-21%



(a)   Pilbara Blend Fines sales include 1.5 million tonnes of other lower grade materials in Q1 2019
 
Pilbara operations
Pilbara operations produced 76.0 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 64.1 million tonnes) in the first quarter, nine per cent lower than the same period in 2018. Production was impacted by a fire at Cape Lambert A in January, which affected Robe Valley Lump and Fines production, and significant disruptions caused primarily by Tropical Cyclone Veronica in March.
 
First quarter sales of 69.1 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 58.2 million tonnes) were 14 per cent lower than the same period of last year due to the lower production and damage to the port facilities caused by the cyclone.
 
Approximately 16 per cent of sales in the first quarter were priced by reference to the prior quarter's average index lagged by one month. The remainder was sold either on current quarter average, current month average or on the spot market.
 
Approximately 33 per cent of sales in the quarter were made free on board (FOB), with the remainder sold including freight.
 
Pilbara projects
Following approval of the $2.6 billion investment in the Koodaideri replacement mine in November 2018, the project is now progressing to plan with engineering and procurement activities on schedule and site construction works commenced.
 
The two Robe River Joint Venture projects (West Angelas and Robe Valley), which will sustain production capacity, are progressing. The projects are currently in the process of seeking environmental approvals. Engineering and procurement activities are on schedule and establishment activities at both locations have commenced.
 
2019 guidance
On 1 April 2019, Rio Tinto announced that the impact of the disruption caused by Tropical Cyclone Veronica in March, combined with the impact of the fire at Cape Lambert A in January, was expected to result in a loss of approximately 14 million tonnes of production in 2019.
 
Following further assessment, the damage to the port from Tropical Cyclone Veronica is expected to result in ongoing disruption to shipments, with recovery work further hindered by Tropical Cyclone Wallace. As a result, Rio Tinto's Pilbara shipments in 2019 are now expected to be between 333 and 343 million tonnes (previously at the lower end of the guidance range of between 338 and 350 million tonnes, 100 per cent basis). The recovery in the second quarter will remain subject to weather.
 
On 6 April 2019, a minor fire occurred in a screen house at the East Intercourse Island port. Operations at the facility have restarted.
 
Rio Tinto's Pilbara unit cost guidance in 2019 remains at $13 - $14 per tonne.




 
ALUMINIUM
 
Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)







Q1 2019


vs Q1 2018


vs Q4 2018




Rio Tinto Aluminium
















Bauxite


12,763


+1%


+8%




Bauxite third party shipments


8,842


+7%


+20%




Alumina


2,008


+1%


-1%




Aluminium


796


+0%


-3%



 
Bauxite
First quarter bauxite production of 12.8 million tonnes was one per cent higher than the same period of 2018. Increased production capacity following the expansion of Amrun in Queensland was partly offset by weather events throughout the quarter at Weipa, Amrun and Gove, which significantly impacted production. Amrun ramp-up is progressing well, with production rates as per plan. The expansion project at CBG, a non-managed JV, is progressing, with full ramp up expected in 2019.
 
8.8 million tonnes of bauxite were shipped to third parties in the first quarter, seven per cent higher than same period of 2018.
 
Amrun
The Amrun project was officially opened on 8 March 2019 and commissioning is complete. The project and construction workforce has been demobilised.
 
Alumina
Alumina production in the first quarter of 2019 was one per cent higher than the same period in 2018.
 
Aluminium
Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes in the first quarter was in line with the corresponding period of 2018. Excluding production from the non-managed Becancour smelter, which continues to be impacted by a lock-out, production was one per cent higher, reflecting continued productivity creep.
 
Kemano
At the Kemano hydro-power facility at Kitimat, British Columbia, boring of the tunnel commenced on 9 March 2019. The $0.5 billion project is due to be completed by late-2020.
 
2019 guidance
2019 guidance is unchanged. Rio Tinto's expected share of bauxite production in 2019 is between 56 and 59 million tonnes. Aluminium production guidance is between 3.2 and 3.4 million tonnes and alumina production guidance is 8.1 to 8.4 million tonnes.
 




 
COPPER & DIAMONDS
 
Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)







Q1 2019


vs Q1 2018


vs Q4 2018




Mined copper
















Rio Tinto Kennecott


52.5


+48%


-10%




Escondida


76.0


-16%


-5%




Oyu Tolgoi


15.4


+18%


+11%






















Refined copper
















Rio Tinto Kennecott


29.6


-16%


-54%




Escondida


18.7


-10%


-13%






















Diamonds ('000 carats)
















Argyle


2,786


-22%


-13%




Diavik


1,010


-5%


-6%



 
Rio Tinto Kennecott
First quarter mined copper production was 48 per cent higher than the same period of 2018 as mining activity continued in a higher grade area of the pit, coupled with productivity improvements and increased plant throughput.
 
Refined copper was 16 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2018 and significantly lower than the previous quarter due to a planned anode furnace shutdown at the smelter in February.
 
Rio Tinto Kennecott continues to toll and purchase third party concentrate to optimise smelter utilisation, with 5.6 thousand tonnes of concentrate received for processing in the first quarter of 2019, compared with 51.8 thousand tonnes in the first quarter of 2018. Purchased and tolled copper concentrate are excluded from reported production figures.
 
As previously guided, the production profile will see increased variability in grade in 2019 as operations mine in lower levels of the pit, together with waste stripping related to the south wall pushback expansion. Anticipated south wall pushback grades begin to increase in late-2020 and are expected to offset this variability over the longer term.
 
Grades were also higher in the first quarter for molybdenum, with concentrate production 29 per cent higher than the same quarter in 2018. Molybdenum concentrate production is expected to increase in the second quarter of 2019.
 
Escondida
Mined copper production at Escondida in the first quarter of 2019 was 16 per cent lower than the same period of 2018 due to lower grades.
 
Oyu Tolgoi
Mined copper production from the open pit in the first quarter of 2019 was 18 per cent higher than the same period in 2018, with higher copper grades and recovery partly offset by lower plant throughput due to the processing of harder ore.
 
Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project
Work is underway at the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project to understand the overall cost and schedule impacts resulting from the review of the mine design and delays with the fit-out and commissioning work on Shaft 2, as announced in February 2019.
 
Work continues on critical Shaft 2 equipping activities, central heating plant, mine infrastructure, underground materials handling systems and on priority underground development. Pre sinking works for Shaft 3 and Shaft 4 have commenced.
 
The mine design work, announced in February, to adjust to more detailed geotechnical information and difficult ground conditions continues. Also as announced in February, there have been further delays in the technically complex fit-out and commissioning work on the main production and services shaft (Shaft 2). It is now anticipated that the commissioning of Shaft 2 will be completed by the end of October 2019. This further delay in Shaft 2 will impact on the timeline for other activities in the underground development, and the impact of this and of the mine design work referred to above on the overall project schedule and costs will be announced once the necessary work has been completed.  
 
The total project workforce was around 9,000 at the end of the first quarter, with a continued high (89 per cent) participation rate of Mongolian nationals.
 
Resolution Copper
On 15 April 2019, Rio Tinto announced it had committed $302 million ($166 million Rio Tinto share) of additional expenditure to advance its Resolution Copper project in the US state of Arizona. The investment will fund additional drilling, ore-body studies, infrastructure improvements and permitting activities as Rio Tinto looks to progress the project to the final stage of the project's permitting phase.
 
Diamonds
At Argyle, carat production in the first quarter of 2019 was 22 per cent lower than the same period in 2018 due to lower recovered grade.
 
At Diavik, carats recovered in the first quarter were five per cent lower than the first quarter of 2018, as lower recovered grades were partially offset by higher ore processing.
 
2019 guidance
2019 guidance is unchanged. Rio Tinto's share of mined copper production for 2019 is expected to be between 550 and 600 thousand tonnes, subject to grade availability. Refined copper production is expected to be between 220 and 250 thousand tonnes.
 
Diamond production guidance for 2019 is between 15 and 17 million carats.




 
ENERGY & MINERALS
 
Rio Tinto share of production







Q1 2019


vs Q1 2018


vs Q4 2018




Iron ore pellets and concentrate (million tonnes)
















IOC


2.5


+5%


-13%






















Minerals ('000 tonnes)
















Borates - B2O3 content


115


-7%


-3%




Salt


1,310


-13%


-12%




Titanium dioxide slag


296


+1%


+1%






















Uranium ('000 lbs)
















Energy Resources of Australia


793


+19%


-14%




Rössing


802


-6%


-18%



 
Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)
First quarter production at IOC was five per cent higher than the corresponding period of 2018, despite adverse weather disruptions experienced in February.
 
Pellet production of 2.7 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 1.6 million tonnes) was two per cent higher than the first quarter of 2018. Concentrate production for sale of 1.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 0.9 million tonnes) was 11 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2018.
 
Borates
First quarter borates production was seven per cent lower than the first quarter of 2018, due to the impact of higher than average rainfall and the temporary curtailment of production at the evaporator. Normal production levels resumed in March, and production will continue to be aligned to customer demand.
 
Iron and Titanium
Titanium dioxide feedstock production in the first quarter was one per cent higher than the same period of 2018.
 
Three of nine furnaces at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane were idle for most of the first quarter, however two of these furnaces are restarting and currently ramping up. Three of four furnaces at RBM are currently in operation. A decision to re-start idle furnaces will be based on maximising value over volume.
 
On 8 April 2019, Rio Tinto approved the next stage in the development of RBM through the construction of the Zulti South project. The $463 million (Rio Tinto share $343 million) investment will sustain RBM's current capacity and extend the mine life.
 
Salt
Salt production in the first quarter of 2019 was 13 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2018 due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Veronica. Production will continue to be aligned to customer demand.
 
Uranium
Energy Resources of Australia continues to process existing stockpiles. First quarter production was 19 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2018 due to higher mill throughput, grade and recoveries.
 
First quarter production at Rössing Uranium was six per cent lower than the same quarter of 2018, with lower mill throughput partially offset by higher grade.
 
On 26 November 2018, Rio Tinto announced it had entered into a binding agreement with China National Uranium Corporation for the sale of its entire 68.62 per cent stake in Rössing Uranium. The transaction is subject to certain conditions precedent including merger approval from the Namibian Competition Commission. Subject to these conditions precedent being met, the transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2019.
 
2019 guidance
2019 guidance is unchanged. At IOC, guidance for Rio Tinto's expected share of iron ore pellets and concentrates production in 2019 is between 11.3 and 12.3 million tonnes. Titanium dioxide slag production guidance is between 1.2 and 1.4 million tonnes, and boric oxide equivalent production guidance is 0.5 million tonnes.
 




 
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
 
Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first quarter of 2019 was $124 million, compared with $101 million in the first quarter of 2018. Approximately 51 per cent of this expenditure was incurred by central exploration, 38 per cent by Copper & Diamonds, seven per cent by Energy & Minerals and the remainder by Iron Ore and Aluminium.
 
There were no significant divestments of central exploration properties in the first quarter of 2019.
 
Exploration highlights
Rio Tinto has a strong portfolio of projects with activity in 16 countries across seven commodities. The bulk of the exploration expenditure in this quarter was focused on copper targets in Australia, Canada, Chile, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, United States, Zambia and diamond projects in Canada. Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto managed businesses including Pilbara Iron in Australia, Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia, Weipa in Australia, Diavik in Canada, as well as Bingham, Resolution and Boron in the US.
 
A summary of activity for the quarter is as follows:
 



Product Groups


Studies stage


Advanced exploration
projects


Greenfield/ Brownfield
programmes




Aluminium


Cape York, Australia


Amargosa, Brazil
Sanxai, Laos


Cape York, Australia




Copper & Diamonds


Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US


Copper: La Granja, Peru
Nickel: Tamarack, US
Diamonds: FalCon, Canada


Copper Greenfield: Australia, Chile, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, US, Zambia
Copper Brownfield: Bingham, Resolution, US Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia
Nickel Greenfield: Canada, Uganda
Diamonds Greenfield: Canada
Diamonds Brownfield: Diavik, Canada




Energy & Minerals


Lithium borates: Jadar, Serbia
Potash: KP405, Canada
Heavy mineral sands: Mutamba, Mozambique and Zulti South, South Africa


Uranium: Roughrider, Canada
 


Heavy mineral sands: Tanzania
Industrial Minerals: Serbia
 




Iron Ore


Pilbara, Australia


Pilbara, Australia


Pilbara, Australia







 
Forward-looking statements
 
This announcement may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's production forecast or guidance, financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products and reserve and resource positions), are forward-looking statements. The words "intend", "aim", "project", "anticipate", "estimate", "plan", "believes", "expects", "may", "should", "will", "target", "set to", "assumes" or similar expressions, commonly identify such forward looking statements.
 
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual production, performance or results of Rio Tinto to be materially different from any future production, performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements could be influenced by such risk factors as identified in Rio Tinto's most recent Annual Report and Accounts in Australia and the United Kingdom and the most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or Form 6-Ks furnished to, or filed with, the SEC. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be construed in light of such risk factors and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange) to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Rio Tinto's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
 
Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that future earnings per share of Rio Tinto plc or Rio Tinto Limited will necessarily match or exceed its historical published earnings per share. 
 




 



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Rio Tinto plc
6 St James's Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom
 
T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England
No. 719885


Rio Tinto Limited
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Melbourne 3000
Australia
 
T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404



 
 




 
 



Rio Tinto production summary














































Rio Tinto share of production






















































Quarter






Full Year






% Change












2018

Q1


2018

Q4


2019

Q1






2018

 






Q1 19

vs

Q1 18


Q1 19

vs

Q4 18




Principal Commodities




































Alumina


('000 t)


1,990


2,020


2,008






7,980






1%


-1%




Aluminium


('000 t)


795


817


796






3,231






0%


-3%




Bauxite


('000 t)


12,653


11,790


12,763






50,421






1%


8%




Borates


('000 t)


124


118


115






512






-7%


-3%




Copper - mined


('000 t)


139.3


151.9


143.9






607.6






3%


-5%




Copper - refined


('000 t)


56.1


86.1


48.3






274.8






-14%


-44%




Diamonds


('000 cts)


4,616


4,290


3,796






18,427






-18%


-12%




Iron Ore


('000 t)


71,436


75,018


66,581






290,800






-7%


-11%




Titanium dioxide slag


('000 t)


294


294


296






1,116






1%


1%




Uranium


('000 lbs)


1,515


1,904


1,595






6,764






5%


-16%




Other Metals & Minerals




































Gold - mined


('000 oz)


69.4


118.4


115.4






372.1






66%


-2%




Gold - refined


('000 oz)


40.8


58.6


41.7






198.0






2%


-29%




Molybdenum


('000 t)


1.5


2.2


1.9






5.8






29%


-15%




Salt


('000 t)


1,514


1,496


1,310






6,153






-13%


-12%




Silver - mined


('000 oz)


1,237


1,586


1,481






5,656






20%


-7%




Silver - refined


('000 oz)


867


807


617






2,865






-29%


-24%














































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



 






Rio Tinto share of production










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































ALUMINA
































Production ('000 tonnes)
































Jonquière (Vaudreuil)


100%


362


365


363


354


373


1,444




Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty Alumina plant


100%


31


32


31


29


25


124




Queensland Alumina


80%


717


752


748


742


711


2,958




São Luis (Alumar)


10%


87


87


85


92


86


351




Yarwun


100%


793


763


744


803


813


3,103




Rio Tinto total alumina production






1,990


1,999


1,972


2,020


2,008


7,980






































ALUMINIUM
































Production ('000 tonnes)
































Australia - Bell Bay


100%


47


47


48


48


45


189




Australia - Boyne Island


59%


72


74


75


74


73


295




Australia - Tomago


52%


75


76


78


77


74


305




Canada - six wholly owned


100%


398


402


407


408


400


1,616




Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)


40%


58


58


59


58


58


234




Canada - Bécancour


25%


10


9


8


8


4


34




Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)


100%


52


53


53


54


52


212




New Zealand - Tiwai Point


79%


66


67


68


70


71


270




Oman - Sohar


20%


17


19


20


20


19


76




Rio Tinto total aluminium production






795


805


814


817


796


3,231












































BAUXITE
































Production ('000 tonnes) (a)
































Gove


100%


3,124


3,274


2,893


3,250


3,004


12,540




Porto Trombetas


12%


353


393


342


489


285


1,576




Sangaredi


   (b)


1,745


1,657


1,261


1,204


1,558


5,868




Weipa


100%


7,431


7,955


8,204


6,847


7,917


30,437




Rio Tinto total bauxite production


12,653


13,279


12,700


11,790


12,763


50,421




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




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







 



Rio Tinto share of production








 


 


 


 


 


 


 








Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018








 


 


 


 


 












BORATES






 


 


 


 












Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)
































Rio Tinto Borates - borates


100%


124


132


137


118


115


512








 


 


 


 


 












COPPER






 


 


 


 












Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a)
































Bingham Canyon


100%


35.4


51.2


59.1


58.3


52.5


203.9




Escondida


30%


90.9


92.4


87.4


79.7


76.0


350.4




Oyu Tolgoi (b)


34%


13.0


13.2


13.2


13.9


15.4


53.3




Rio Tinto total mine production






139.3


156.8


159.7


151.9


143.9


607.6




Refined production ('000 tonnes)






 


 


 












Escondida


30%


20.8


21.0


16.6


21.6


18.7


80.0




Rio Tinto Kennecott


100%


35.3


40.7


54.2


64.6


29.6


194.7




Rio Tinto total refined production


56.1


61.7


70.8


86.1


48.3


274.8




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




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








 


 


 


 


 












DIAMONDS






 


 


 


 












Production ('000 carats)






 


 


 


 












Argyle


100%


3,551


3,476


3,830


3,211


2,786


14,069




Diavik


60%


1,065


1,150


1,066


1,078


1,010


4,358




Rio Tinto total diamond production






4,616


4,626


4,896


4,290


3,796


18,427








 


 


 


 


 












GOLD






 


 


 


 












Mine production ('000 ounces) (a)






 


 


 


 












Bingham Canyon


100%


37.4


45.6


56.6


57.1


53.0


196.7




Escondida


30%


18.0


20.5


19.1


22.1


22.2


79.7




Oyu Tolgoi (b)


34%


14.0


16.8


25.8


39.1


40.2


95.7




Rio Tinto total mine production






69.4


82.8


101.4


118.4


115.4


372.1




Refined production ('000 ounces)






 


 


 












Rio Tinto Kennecott


100%


40.8


48.4


50.3


58.6


41.7


198.0




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




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







 



Rio Tinto share of production










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































IRON ORE
































Production ('000 tonnes) (a)




























Hamersley mines


   (b)


53,631


56,034


54,583


56,364


51,218


220,612




Hamersley - Channar


60%


1,136


1,227


604


1,337


931


4,304




Hope Downs


50%


5,342


5,783


5,713


5,845


5,957


22,684




Iron Ore Company of Canada


59%


2,364


871


2,880


2,836


2,481


8,952




Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)


53%


4,672


4,048


4,208


4,004


1,870


16,932




Robe River - West Angelas


53%


4,290


4,373


4,021


4,631


4,125


17,316




Rio Tinto iron ore production ('000 tonnes)






71,436


72,336


72,010


75,018


66,581


290,800




Breakdown of Production:
































Pilbara Blend Lump






20,714


21,901


20,554


21,674


19,978


84,843




Pilbara Blend Fines






29,769


31,239


29,921


31,652


28,779


122,582




Robe Valley Lump






1,587


1,431


1,470


1,409


635


5,897




Robe Valley Fines






3,086


2,617


2,738


2,595


1,235


11,035




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,916


14,277


14,446


14,852


13,473


57,491




Pilbara iron ore production ('000 tonnes)






69,072


71,465


69,129


72,182


64,101


281,848




IOC Concentrate






799


572


1,131


1,433


890


3,934




IOC Pellets






1,566


299


1,750


1,403


1,590


5,018




IOC iron ore production ('000 tonnes)






2,364


871


2,880


2,836


2,481


8,952




Breakdown of Sales:
































Pilbara Blend Lump






18,062


19,424


17,967


18,439


15,772


73,892




Pilbara Blend Fines (c)






30,746


35,158


31,432


35,205


28,406


132,541




Robe Valley Lump






1,223


1,264


1,174


1,219


457


4,881




Robe Valley Fines






2,996


3,255


2,839


2,996


1,308


12,085




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,578


14,388


14,583


14,831


12,294


57,380




Pilbara iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)






66,604


73,489


67,995


72,690


58,236


280,778




IOC Concentrate






746


62


1,521


1,558


516


3,887




IOC Pellets






1,574


202


1,659


1,516


1,576


4,950




IOC Iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)






2,320


263


3,180


3,073


2,092


8,837




Rio Tinto iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)


68,925


73,752


71,175


75,763


60,328


289,614




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




(b) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass and the Eastern Range mines. Whilst Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine, under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.
(c) Pilbara Blend Fines sales include 1.5m tonnes of other lower grade products in Q1 2019.
 







 



Rio Tinto share of production










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































MOLYBDENUM
































Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a)




























Bingham Canyon


100%


1.5


0.7


1.4


2.2


1.9


5.8




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






































SALT
































Production ('000 tonnes)
































Dampier Salt


68%


1,514


1,662


1,481


1,496


1,310


6,153






































SILVER
































Mine production ('000 ounces) (a)




























Bingham Canyon


100%


461


615


708


736


741


2,520




Escondida


30%


702


758


599


771


657


2,830




Oyu Tolgoi (b)


34%


74


75


77


80


83


306




Rio Tinto total mine production






1,237


1,448


1,384


1,586


1,481


5,656




Refined production ('000 ounces)




























Rio Tinto Kennecott


100%


867


461


730


807


617


2,865




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




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






































TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG
































Production ('000 tonnes)
































Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (a)


100%


294


232


297


294


296


1,116




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






































URANIUM
































Production ('000 lbs U3O8) (a)




























Energy Resources of Australia


68%


667


603


820


924


793


3,014




Rössing (b)


69%


848


928


994


979


802


3,750




Rio Tinto total uranium production


1,515


1,531


1,814


1,904


1,595


6,764




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

(b) On 26 November 2018, Rio Tinto signed a binding agreement to sell its 68.62% interest in the Rossing mine in Namibia to China National Uranium Corporation Limited.






































Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures and the year to date figures.




The Rio Tinto percentage shown above is at 31 March 2019.






































Rio Tinto's interest in the Kestrel, Hail Creek, Dunkerque and Grasberg operations were sold in 2018. No data for these operations are included in the Share of production table.







 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































ALUMINA
































Smelter Grade Alumina - Aluminium Group




























Alumina production ('000 tonnes)
































Australia
































Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland


80.0%


896


940


935


927


888


3,697




Yarwun refinery - Queensland


100.0%


793


763


744


803


813


3,103




Brazil
































São Luis (Alumar) refinery


10.0%


871


869


851


918


859


3,509




Canada
































Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (a)


100.0%


362


365


363


354


373


1,444




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




Specialty Alumina - Aluminium Group




























Specialty alumina production ('000 tonnes)




























Canada
































Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant - Quebec


100.0%


31


32


31


29


25


124




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































ALUMINIUM
































Primary Aluminium
































Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)




























Australia
































Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania


100.0%


47


47


48


48


45


189




Boyne Island smelter - Queensland


59.4%


122


124


126


125


122


497




Tomago smelter - New South Wales


51.6%


145


148


151


149


144


592




Canada
































Alma smelter - Quebec


100.0%


115


116


117


118


115


465




Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec


40.0%


144


146


148


146


144


584




Arvida smelter - Quebec


100.0%


43


43


43


44


43


173




Arvida AP60 smelter - Quebec


100.0%


13


13


13


13


14


52




Bécancour smelter - Quebec


25.1%


39


35


32


30


17


136




Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec


100.0%


57


58


59


59


58


233




Kitimat smelter - British Columbia


100.0%


108


109


110


109


106


436




Laterrière smelter - Quebec


100.0%


63


64


65


65


64


257




France
































Dunkerque smelter (a)


0%


51


52


66


57


-


227




Iceland
































ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter


100.0%


52


53


53


54


52


212




New Zealand
































Tiwai Point smelter


79.4%


83


84


85


88


89


341




Oman
































Sohar smelter


20.0%


87


97


98


99


97


380




(a) On 14 December 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Dunkerque smelter. Production is reported up to the date of completion.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.






















 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































BAUXITE
































Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)
































Australia
































Gove mine - Northern Territory


100.0%


3,124


3,274


2,893


3,250


3,004


12,540




Weipa mine - Queensland


100.0%


7,431


7,955


8,204


6,847


7,917


30,437




Brazil
































Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine


12.0%


2,939


3,273


2,848


4,073


2,372


13,134




Guinea
































Sangaredi mine (a)


23.0%


3,878


3,683


2,803


2,675


3,463


13,039






































Rio Tinto share of bauxite shipments




























Share of total bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


12,551


12,936


12,427


11,622


12,725


49,536




Share of third party bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


8,248


8,738


8,441


7,387


8,842


32,813






































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




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.






















 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































BORATES
































Rio Tinto Borates - borates


100.0%




























US
































Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)






124


132


137


118


115


512




(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.






































COAL
































Rio Tinto Coal Australia
































Hail Creek Coal mine (a)


0.0%




























Queensland
































Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)






924


1,380


396


-


-


2,700




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






1,293


1,018


449


-


-


2,760




Kestrel Coal mine (b)


0.0%




























Queensland
































Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)






430


1,303


484


-


-


2,217




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






74


220


35


-


-


329






































Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,354


2,683


880


-


-


4,917




Total thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,367


1,238


485


-


-


3,089




Total coal production ('000 tonnes)






2,721


3,921


1,365


-


-


8,007






































Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)






3,050


3,717


1,725


-


-


8,492




Rio Tinto Coal Australia share (c)
































Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes)


1,368


2,228


650


-


-


4,246




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


1,119


791


754


-


-


2,664






































(a) On 1 August 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 82% interest in the Hail Creek mine.  Production is reported up to the date of completion.

(b) On 1 August 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 80% interest in the Kestrel mine. Production is reported up to the date of completion.

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

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




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.






















 



Rio Tinto operational data








 


 


 


 


 


 


 








Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018








 


 


 


 


 












COPPER & GOLD






 


 


 


 












Escondida


30.0%






 


 


 












Chile






 


 


 


 












Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)


32,203


31,732


30,513


30,507


32,027


124,956




Average copper grade (%)






0.96


0.96


0.94


0.87


0.82


0.93




Mill production (metals in concentrates):






 


 


 


 












Contained copper ('000 tonnes)






252.6


253.6


241.9


219.9


216.9


968.0




Contained gold ('000 ounces)






60


68


64


74


74


266




Contained silver ('000 ounces)






2,339


2,527


1,997


2,570


2,189


9,433




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


50.4


54.4


49.4


45.7


36.5


199.9




Refined production from leach plants:






 


 


 


 












Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)






69.4


70.1


55.4


71.9


62.4


266.8




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




Freeport-McMoRan






 


 


 


 












Grasberg mine (a)


0.0% (b)






 


 


 












Papua, Indonesia






 


 


 


 












Ore treated ('000 tonnes)






15,625


17,101


17,535


14,049


-


64,310




Average mill head grades:






 


 


 


 












Copper (%)






1.12


1.06


1.00


0.73


-


0.99




Gold (g/t)






1.63


1.77


1.77


1.08


-


1.59




Silver (g/t)






4.68


5.09


4.49


2.09


-


4.17




Production of metals in concentrates:






 


 


 


 












Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






159.9


165.7


158.7


85.4


-


569.7




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






693


842


842


402


-


2,779




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






1,513


1,548


1,439


545


-


5,045




Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (c)






 


 


 












Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






157.4


145.3


170.6


82.7


-


556.0




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






676


740


903


399


-


2,719




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






1,184


1,098


1,221


426


-


3,928




(a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. The Q4 2018 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan. On 21 December 2018, Rio Tinto completed the sale of its entire interest in the Grasberg mine in Indonesia to PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (Inalum). Production is reported up to the date of completion.

(b) Rio Tinto share of Grasberg production is 40% of the expansion.

(c) Net of smelter deduction




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 






Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































COPPER & GOLD (continued)
































Rio Tinto Kennecott
































Bingham Canyon mine


100.0%




























Utah, US
































Ore treated ('000 tonnes)






9,260


8,974


11,173


10,853


10,685


40,260




Average ore grade:
































Copper (%)






0.43


0.63


0.58


0.59


0.55


0.56




Gold (g/t)






0.23


0.26


0.26


0.26


0.25


0.25




Silver (g/t)






2.25


2.73


2.62


2.76


2.76


2.60




Molybdenum (%)






0.025


0.025


0.030


0.032


0.032


0.028




Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


171


194


233


222


207


820




Average concentrate grade (% Cu)






20.7


26.4


25.3


26.0


25.3


24.8




Production of metals in copper concentrates:




























Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)






35.4


51.2


59.1


58.3


52.5


203.9




Gold ('000 ounces)






37


46


57


57


53


197




Silver ('000 ounces)






461


615


708


736


741


2,520




Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):


2.8


1.5


2.8


4.5


3.8


11.6




Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






1.5


0.7


1.4


2.2


1.9


5.8










Kennecott smelter & refinery


100.0%




























Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)


200


224


246


262


204


932




Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)


42.4


44.4


58.1


62.4


33.3


207.3




Production of refined metal:
































Copper ('000 tonnes)






35.3


40.7


54.2


64.6


29.6


194.7




Gold ('000 ounces) (c)






40.8


48.4


50.3


58.6


41.7


198.0




Silver ('000 ounces) (c)






867


461


730


807


617


2,865




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

(b) New metal excluding recycled material.

(c) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.






















 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































COPPER & GOLD (continued)
































Turquoise Hill Resources
































Oyu Tolgoi mine (a)


33.5%




























Mongolia
































Ore Treated ('000 tonnes)






9,561


10,164


9,652


9,361


9,255


38,738




Average mill head grades:
































Copper (%)






0.51


0.48


0.51


0.55


0.57


0.51




Gold (g/t)






0.25


0.26


0.38


0.56


0.58


0.36




Silver (g/t)






1.32


1.17


1.19


1.22


1.25


1.22




Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


177.3


178.8


179.8


189.0


210.1


724.9




Average concentrate grade (% Cu)






21.9


22.0


21.9


21.9


21.8


21.9




Production of metals in concentrates:
































Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






38.8


39.4


39.4


41.5


45.8


159.1




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






41.8


50.0


77.0


116.7


120.1


285.4




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






221


225


230


238


247


914




Sales of metals in concentrates:
































Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






34.3


46.1


36.0


40.2


38.5


156.7




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






31


51


55


111


98


248




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






206


250


201


216


200


873




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






































DIAMONDS
































Argyle Diamonds


100.0%




























Western Australia
































AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)






1,260


1,428


1,465


1,292


1,248


5,444




AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)






3,551


3,476


3,830


3,211


2,786


14,069




Diavik Diamonds


60.0%




























Northwest Territories, Canada
































Ore processed ('000 tonnes)






556


652


670


651


620


2,530




Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)






1,774


1,916


1,776


1,797


1,683


7,264










Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































IRON ORE
































Rio Tinto Iron Ore
































Western Australia
































Pilbara Operations
































Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)




























Hamersley mines


   (a)


53,631


56,034


54,583


56,364


51,218


220,612




Hamersley - Channar


60.0%


1,893


2,045


1,007


2,228


1,552


7,173




Hope Downs


50.0%


10,685


11,567


11,426


11,691


11,913


45,368




Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)


53.0%


8,816


7,637


7,940


7,555


3,529


31,947




Robe River - West Angelas


53.0%


8,094


8,252


7,587


8,738


7,783


32,672




Total production ('000 tonnes)






83,120


85,534


82,542


86,576


75,995


337,772




Breakdown of total production:
































Pilbara Blend Lump






24,831


26,253


24,461


26,084


24,068


101,629




Pilbara Blend Fines






35,556


37,368


35,696


38,085


34,924


146,705




Robe Valley Lump






2,993


2,699


2,774


2,659


1,198


11,126




Robe Valley Fines






5,823


4,937


5,166


4,896


2,331


20,821




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,916


14,277


14,446


14,852


13,473


57,491




Breakdown of total sales:
































Pilbara Blend Lump






21,457


22,954


21,644


22,161


18,968


88,215




Pilbara Blend Fines (c)






37,320


42,638


38,100


42,497


34,558


160,555




Robe Valley Lump






2,307


2,386


2,215


2,301


863


9,209




Robe Valley Fines






5,652


6,141


5,356


5,652


2,468


22,801




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,578


14,388


14,583


14,831


12,294


57,380




Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b)






80,314


88,506


81,898


87,442


69,150


338,160




(a) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass and the Eastern Range mines. Whilst Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine, under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production.

(b) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports.
(c) Pilbara Blend Fines sales include 1.5m tonnes of other lower grade products in Q1 2019.




Iron Ore Company of Canada


58.7%




























Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada




























Saleable iron ore production:
































Concentrates ('000 tonnes)






1,360


974


1,926


2,441


1,516


6,700




Pellets ('000 tonnes)






2,667


510


2,979


2,389


2,709


8,545




IOC Total production ('000 tonnes)






4,027


1,484


4,905


4,830


4,225


15,245




Sales:
































Concentrates ('000 tonnes)






1,271


105


2,590


2,653


878


6,619




Pellets ('000 tonnes)






2,681


343


2,825


2,581


2,684


8,430




IOC Total Sales ('000 tonnes)






3,951


449


5,415


5,234


3,562


15,049




Global Iron Ore Totals
































Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes)






87,146


87,018


87,448


91,406


80,219


353,017




Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes)






84,265


88,954


87,314


92,676


72,712


353,209




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.


















 



Rio Tinto operational data










































Rio Tinto

interest


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


Q3

2018


Q4

2018


Q1

2019


Full Year

2018






































SALT
































Dampier Salt


68.4%




























Western Australia
































Salt production ('000 tonnes)






2,215


2,431


2,167


2,188


1,917


9,001






































TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG
































Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium


100.0%




























Canada and South Africa
































(Rio Tinto share) (a)
































Titanium dioxide slag ('000 tonnes)






294


232


297


294


296


1,116






































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






































URANIUM
































Energy Resources of Australia Ltd
































Ranger mine (a)


68.4%




























Northern Territory, Australia
































U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)






975


881


1,199


1,351


1,160


4,407




(a) ERA production data are drummed U3O8.












Rössing Uranium Ltd (a) (b)


68.6%




























Namibia
































U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)






1,236


1,352


1,449


1,427


1,168


5,465




(a) Rössing production data are drummed U3O8.

(b) On 26 November 2018, Rio Tinto signed a binding agreement to sell its 68.62% interest in the Rossing mine in Namibia to China National Uranium Corporation Limited.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 March 2019. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



















 
 
 




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