REG - Rio Tinto - Rio Tinto releases 2nd quarter production results

Rio TintoAnnouncement

17/07/2018 07:00

RNS Number : 8118U
Rio Tinto PLC
16 July 2018
 


 
Rio Tinto releases second quarter production results
 
17 July 2018
 
Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said "Operational performance was solid across most commodities, rounding out a strong first half performance for the Group. Our increasingly flexible Pilbara iron ore system continued to perform well. Our bauxite and copper businesses also delivered strong operating results, demonstrating the success of our ongoing mine-to-market productivity programme, which is increasingly important in an environment of rising cost inflation. Our sustained focus on cash generation, combined with disciplined capital allocation, will ensure we continue to deliver superior returns to our shareholders across the short, medium and long term."
 











Q2 2018


vs Q2 2017


vs Q1 2018


H1 2018


vs H1 2017




Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis)


Mt


88.5


+14%


+10%


168.8


+9%




Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis)


Mt


85.5


+7%


+3%


168.7


+7%




Bauxite


kt


13,279


+3%


+5%


25,931


+7%




Aluminium


kt


858


-3%


+1%


1,704


-4%




Mined copper


kt


156.8


+26%


+13%


296.1


+42%




Hard coking coal


kt


2,174


+40%


+97%


3,276


+4%




Titanium dioxide slag


kt


232


-27%


-21%


525


-19%




IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate


Mt


0.9


-68%


-63%


3.2


-39%



 



Key points




·      Pilbara iron ore shipments of 88.5 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) in the second quarter were 14 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017, benefiting from better weather and reflecting improved productivity across the system. Shipments in 2018 are expected to be at the upper end of the existing guidance range of 330 to 340 million tonnes (100 per cent basis).
·      Bauxite production of 13.3 million tonnes was three per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2017, due to continued operational improvements. Third party shipments increased by ten per cent to 8.7 million tonnes due to firm demand.
·      Aluminium production of 0.9 million tonnes was three per cent lower than the second quarter of 2017 due primarily to labour disruptions at the non-managed Becancour smelter in Canada and a power interruption at the Dunkerque smelter in France.
·      Mined copper production of 156.8 thousand tonnes was 26 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2017, reflecting strong production at Escondida following a labour union strike in the first half of last year.
·      Hard coking coal production was 40 per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2017 due primarily to the impact of Cyclone Debbie last year.
·      Titanium dioxide slag production was 27 per cent lower than the second quarter of 2017. Production was suspended at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane in Sorel-Tracy following a fatality on 26 April 2018. Production at Richards Bay Minerals has been impacted by ongoing labour disputes between contractors and their employees.
·      Production at Iron Ore Company of Canada was significantly impacted in the second quarter, where operations were suspended while a new labour agreement was reached. Operations returned to normal production rates by the end of June 2018.
·      Cost inflation is being experienced, particularly in the Aluminium group with higher raw material costs.   Disruptions during the first half have also impacted unit costs at IOC and RBM.
·      The major growth projects remain on track, with first bauxite shipment from Amrun expected in the first half of 2019 and construction of the first drawbell at Oyu Tolgoi Underground anticipated in mid-2020.
·      The AutoHaulTM project achieved two major milestones, with regulatory approval on 18 May 2018 and the first loaded autonomous train journey from mine to port completed on 10 July 2018.
·      Divestments announced in the first half of 2018 totalling $5.0 billion pre-tax, subject to completion conditions, are all expected to complete by the end of 2018, including the Dunkerque and ISAL smelter sales and the Group's coking coal assets.
·      On 12 July 2018, Rio Tinto announced that it had signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement with PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (Inalum), and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. detailing the proposed principal terms for the sale of its entire interest in Grasberg to Inalum for $3.5 billion. Given the terms that remain to be agreed, there is no certainty the transaction will complete and any final agreements will be subject to regulatory approvals.



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 2017 is excluded from Rio Tinto share of production data but assets sold in 2018 remain in comparisons.



IRON ORE
 
Rio Tinto share of production (million tonnes)







Q2 2018


vs Q2 2017


vs Q1 2018


H1 2018


vs H1 2017




Pilbara Blend Lump


21.9


+11%


+6%


42.6


+9%




Pilbara Blend Fines


31.2


+11%


+5%


61.0


+11%




Robe Valley Lump


1.4


-2%


-10%


3.0


+4%




Robe Valley Fines


2.6


+18%


-15%


5.7


+25%




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)


14.3


+6%


+3%


28.2


+4%




Total Pilbara production


71.5










140.5








Total Pilbara production (100% basis)


85.5










168.7







 
Pilbara operations
Pilbara operations produced 168.7 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 140.5 million tonnes) in the first half of 2018, seven per cent higher than the same period of 2017. Second quarter production of 85.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 71.5 million tonnes) was also seven per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017, reflecting favourable weather conditions compared to last year, the ramp-up of Silvergrass and the ongoing implementation of productivity improvements across the integrated system.
 
Sales of 168.8 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 140.1 million tonnes) were nine per cent higher than the first half of 2017, with second quarter sales of 88.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 73.5 million tonnes) some 14 per cent higher than the same period of last year. The continued improvement in productivity and flexibility across the system enabled Rio Tinto to benefit from strong lump premiums during the first half, with record lump sales achieved in the second quarter.
 
Approximately 17 per cent of sales in the 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 31 per cent of sales in the quarter were made free on board (FOB), with the remainder sold including freight.
 
Achieved average pricing in the first half of 2018 was $57.9 per wet metric tonne on an FOB basis (equivalent to $63.0 per dry metric tonne). In 2017, the full year price achieved was $59.6 per wet metric tonne (equivalent to $64.8 per dry metric tonne).
 
Pilbara projects
The automation of the Pilbara train system (AutoHaulTM) continues to advance, with approximately 65 per cent of trains at the end of the quarter having run in either a driver attended or autonomous mode and more than 3.3 million kilometres now completed in this mode of operation. AutoHaulTM received accreditation to run trains in autonomous mode from the National Rail Safety Regulator on 18 May 2018 and the first loaded autonomous train journey took place on 10 July 2018. Full implementation of the autonomous programme is expected by the end of 2018.                                                                                                                                               
 
The Koodaideri feasibility study is on track for completion in 2018.
 
2018 guidance
As a result of the strong performance in the first half, Rio Tinto's Pilbara shipments in 2018 are expected to be at the upper end of the existing guidance range (330 to 340 million tonnes, 100 per cent basis). For the current year, shipments are expected to be more evenly distributed between the first and second halves compared to prior years, when shipments have typically been skewed to the second half following seasonal disruption in the first half.
 




 
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)







Q2 2018


vs Q2 2017


vs Q1 2018


H1 2018


vs H1 2017




Rio Tinto Aluminium
























Bauxite


13,279


+3%


+5%


25,931


+7%




Alumina


1,999


-1%


+0%


3,988


-2%




Aluminium


858


-3%


+1%


1,704


-4%



 
Bauxite
Bauxite production of 13.3 million tonnes was three per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017, reflecting the continued implementation of operational improvements. Gove production was 18 per cent higher due to the continued debottlenecking of the materials handling system, whilst stronger production was also achieved at Weipa.
 
8.7 million tonnes of bauxite were shipped to third parties in the second quarter of 2018, ten per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017 due to firm demand.
 
Amrun
The Amrun project remains on schedule for first shipment in the first half of 2019. The stacker and reclaimer have been transported to site following completion of fabrication, whilst the shiploader assembly is also nearing completion.
 
Alumina
Alumina production for the quarter was one per cent lower than the corresponding period in 2017.
 
Although Rio Tinto is broadly balanced in alumina, it is exposed to long-term legacy alumina sales contracts, which are LME linked. The significant escalation in the alumina index price during the second quarter, as a result of industry supply disruptions, has considerably increased the financial impact of these legacy contracts.
 
Aluminium
Quarterly aluminium production was three per cent lower than the corresponding period last year, mainly due to an ongoing lock-out at the non-managed Becancour smelter, which began on 11 January 2018, as well as a power interruption at the Dunkerque smelter which occurred on 6 February 2018. Dunkerque has been progressively ramping up towards full production during the second quarter. Excluding these assets, aluminium production for the second quarter was one per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017, reflecting continued productivity creep.
 
Average realised aluminium prices in the first half of 2018 were $2,547 per tonne (H1 2017: $2,151 per tonne). This includes premiums for value-added products (VAP), which represented 58 per cent of primary metal sold in the first half of 2018 (H1 2017: 57 per cent) and generated attractive product premiums averaging $222 per tonne of VAP sold (H1 2017: $217 per tonne) on top of the physical market premiums. The mid-west premium increased from $209 per tonne in the second half of 2017 to $463 per tonne in the first half of 2018, partly reflecting the announcement on 1 March 2018 of a ten per cent tariff on aluminium imports into the United States under Section 232. The tariffs were effective from 1 June 2018 for Canada, with only Australia and Argentina remaining exempt.
 
As previously guided, significant raw material cost headwinds have been experienced by the Aluminium business, with the impact during the first half of 2018 already considerably exceeding the full year 2017 impact. This is expected to continue into the second half of 2018.
 
Furthermore, additional costs have been incurred as a result of the Becancour lock-out, whilst higher than expected power costs have been experienced in Australia due to higher coal prices impacting power contracts.
 
Following the announcement by the United States Treasury Department on 6 April 2018, that it was implementing sanctions on various Russian individuals and companies, Rio Tinto announced on 13 April 2018 that it had reviewed arrangements it had with impacted entities and was in the process of declaring force majeure on certain contracts. However, the wind-down period was extended until 23 October 2018 and no force majeure declarations have been made to date. Rio Tinto continues to monitor this situation closely.
 
Binding offers for the sale of the Aluminium Dunkerque smelter in France for $500 million and the ISAL aluminium smelter in Iceland for $345 million were announced in the first quarter of 2018. The sales are expected to complete in the third quarter of 2018, subject to satisfactory completion of consultations with key stakeholders and applicable regulatory clearances.
 
2018 guidance
Rio Tinto's expected share of production in 2018 remains unchanged at between 49 and 51 million tonnes of bauxite and 8.0 to 8.2 million tonnes of alumina. Aluminium guidance of 3.5 to 3.7 million tonnes will be adjusted following completion of the sale of the Aluminium Dunkerque and ISAL smelters. 



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







Q2 2018


vs Q2 2017


vs Q1 2018


H1 2018


vs H1 2017




Mined copper
























Rio Tinto Kennecott


51.2


+16%


+44%


86.6


-2%




Escondida


92.4


+35%


+2%


183.3


+92%




Grasberg


0.0


N/A


N/A


0.0


N/A




Oyu Tolgoi


13.2


+6%


+2%


26.2


+4%






























Refined copper
























Rio Tinto Kennecott


40.7


+100%


+15%


76.0


+52%




Escondida


21.0


+12%


+1%


41.9


+55%






























Diamonds ('000 carats)
























Argyle


3,476


+8%


-2%


7,027


+13%




Diavik


1,150


+3%


+8%


2,214


-2%



 
Rio Tinto Kennecott
Mined copper production in the second quarter of 2018 was 16 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017 as mining activity moved into a higher grade area of the pit. Refined copper was significantly higher than the corresponding period of 2017, which was affected by a 27 day smelter shutdown, with a continued draw-down in concentrate inventories. Improved productivity of the mining fleet resulted in a significant improvement in material movement compared with the corresponding period of 2017.
 
Rio Tinto Kennecott continues to toll and purchase third party concentrate to optimise smelter utilisation, with 31.3 thousand tonnes of concentrate received for processing in the second quarter of 2018. Purchased and tolled copper concentrate are excluded from reported production figures.
 
The pushback of the south wall progressed during the quarter. It will extend the life of mine and remains on track for completion in 2020.
 
Escondida
Second quarter mined copper production at Escondida was 35 per cent higher than the same period of 2017, with first half production being 92 per cent higher than the first half of last year, which was impacted by a labour union strike. This performance also reflects the ramp-up of Escondida production to nameplate capacity following commissioning of the Los Colorados concentrator in the second half of 2017. Escondida's current labour agreement expires on 1 August 2018, and negotiations for a new agreement are in progress.
 
Oyu Tolgoi
Mined copper production from the open pit in the second quarter of 2018 was six per cent higher than the corresponding period of 2017 due to higher plant throughput.
 
Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project
Contractor numbers are approaching their peak, with a project workforce of over 7,500 at the end of June 2018, of which 89 per cent are Mongolian nationals. Shaft two equipping and headframe fit-out is in progress, and the shaft five ventilation system has been fully commissioned and is now operational. Construction of the first drawbell is still expected in mid-2020.
 
In February 2018 the Southern Region Power Sector Co-operation Agreement under which Oyu Tolgoi was committed to working with the Government of Mongolia on a Tavan Tolgoi Independent Power Provider project was cancelled. As a result the Government of Mongolia expects Oyu Tolgoi to deliver a domestic power source for the operation within four years (by February 2022).
 
Oyu Tolgoi is progressing studies and preparations for suitable power solutions and continues to discuss the provision of domestic power with the Government of Mongolia.
 
Grasberg
On 12 July 2018, Rio Tinto announced that it had signed a non-binding agreement with PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (Inalum), and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) in relation to the future ownership of the Grasberg mine in Indonesia. The Heads of Agreement details the proposed principal terms for the sale of Rio Tinto's entire interest pursuant to a joint venture agreement with PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI) in Grasberg to Inalum, Indonesia's state mining company, for $3.5 billion.
 
Separately, the agreement sets out a proposed transaction between FCX and Inalum for the latter to buy an additional stake in Grasberg as well as additional terms relating to the future ownership and operation of Grasberg. All parties have committed to work towards agreeing and signing binding agreements before the end of the second half of 2018. Given the terms that remain to be agreed, there is no certainty that a transaction will be completed. Any final agreements will be subject to applicable government and regulatory approvals.
 
As part of the joint venture agreement, Rio Tinto is presently entitled to a 40 per cent share of production above an agreed threshold until the end of 2021 and 40 per cent of all production thereafter. Rio Tinto's full participation has been delayed due to the application of force majeure provisions in the joint venture agreement. The first full year in which Rio Tinto would participate to the full extent of 40 per cent of production is expected to be 2023.
 
In February 2018, PT-FI received an extension of its export permit to February 2019, with a temporary Mining Licence renewed on a short-term basis while PT-FI continues to engage with the Indonesian Government on matters pertaining to in-country processing, environmental regulation, share divestment strategy and the basis upon which operations at Grasberg will continue beyond 2021 with regard to the rights conferred by its Contract of Work.
 
Rio Tinto is reporting its metal share for the second quarter as zero and expects its metal share for 2018 to be zero.
 
Provisional pricing
At 30 June 2018, the Group had an estimated 264 million pounds of copper sales that were provisionally priced at 312 cents per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined during the second half of 2018. This compares with 250 million pounds of open shipments at 31 December 2017, provisionally priced at 304 cents per pound.
 
Diamonds
At Argyle, carat production was eight per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017 due to an increase in tonnes processed following improved plant availability.
 
At Diavik, carats recovered in the second quarter of 2018 were three per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2017 due to higher plant throughput. Development of the A21 project is ahead of schedule with first ore uncovered in March and the mine is expected to be at full production capacity during the fourth quarter of 2018.
 
2018 guidance
Rio Tinto's expected share of mined copper production for 2018 is unchanged at between 510 and 610 thousand tonnes. Refined copper production is expected to be between 225 to 265 thousand tonnes.
 
Diamond production guidance for 2018 is between 17 and 20 million carats.
 




 
ENERGY & MINERALS
 
Rio Tinto share of production







Q2 2018


vs Q2 2017


vs Q1 2018


H1 2018


vs H1 2017




Coal ('000 tonnes)
























Hard coking coal


2,174


+40%


+97%


3,276


+4%




Thermal coal (a)


1,011


-1%


-10%


2,130


+5%






























Iron ore pellets and concentrate (million tonnes)
























IOC


0.9


-68%


-63%


3.2


-39%






























Minerals ('000 tonnes)
























Borates - B2O3 content


132


-1%


+7%


256


+0%




Salt


1,662


+13%


+10%


3,176


+36%




Titanium dioxide slag


232


-27%


-21%


525


-19%






























Uranium ('000 lbs)
























Energy Resources of Australia


603


-11%


-10%


1,270


-20%




Rössing


928


+8%


+9%


1,776


+16%



(a) Production from Coal & Allied of 9.9 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share) prior to divestment on 1 September 2017 has been excluded from the comparisons above.
 
Coal
Quarterly hard coking coal production was 40 per cent higher than the second quarter of 2017 due to the impact of Cyclone Debbie at Hail Creek in 2017, and 97 per cent above the prior quarter production due to mine resequencing at Hail Creek and the longwall changeover and maintenance works at Kestrel in the previous quarter.
 
Second quarter thermal coal production was one per cent lower than the corresponding quarter of 2017. 
Thermal coal production for 2017 has been restated for comparability excluding production of 9.9 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share) from the now divested Coal & Allied assets.
 
On 1 June 2018, Rio Tinto announced it completed the sale of its 75 per cent interest in the Winchester South coal development project in Queensland, Australia, to Whitehaven Coal Limited. Total consideration of $200 million is comprised of $150 million in cash received on the date of completion and an unconditional cash payment of $50 million due 12 months from the date of completion.
 
The sale of Rio Tinto's interests in the Kestrel and Hail Creek coal mines and Valeria coal development project are expected to complete during the second half of 2018, subject to satisfaction of completion conditions, with gross proceeds of $3.95 billion.
 




 
Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)
Operations were suspended on 27 March 2018 whilst collective bargaining negotiations took place with the local union workforce. During the second quarter, a new labour agreement was reached, the workforce returned to work on 28 May 2018, and IOC achieved a safe and successful restart and ramp-up of operations to normal production rates by the end of June 2018.
 
During the period of suspended operations there was no production, with focus placed on asset care and maintenance and planning for the safe restart of operations. Over this period, IOC continued to incur costs associated with maintaining the mine and plant assets and infrastructure, resulting in higher unit costs in the first half of 2018.
 
Production was significantly impacted in the second quarter, with pellet production of 0.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 0.3 million tonnes) and concentrate production for sale of 1.0 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 0.6 million tonnes). Sales were also significantly lower, with 0.4 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 0.3 million tonnes) of concentrate and pellets sold during the quarter.
 
Borates
Borates production was one per cent lower than the second quarter of 2017, with production aligned to customer demand.
 
Iron and Titanium (RTIT)
Titanium dioxide slag production for the quarter was 27 per cent lower compared to the second quarter of 2017.
 
On 26 April 2018 an employee suffered fatal injuries during an incident at the Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) facility at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada. As a result, operations were suspended for a period of ten days while the incident was investigated and operations were confirmed to be safe to recommence. The safe restart and ramp-up to normal operations was achieved by 2 July 2018.
 
Slag production at Richard's Bay Minerals (RBM) continues to be impacted by ongoing labour disputes between contractors and their employees. Following a suspension in the first quarter, mine and smelter operations restarted on 11 April 2018, but due to equipment damage the mine will reach full capacity later this year. RBM declared force majeure on deliveries to its titanium dioxide feedstock customers, which will be lifted once the operation returns to normal capacity.
 
On 9 July 2018, a serious incident occurred at RBM's mining operation, resulting in the fatality of a security contractor. The incident is now the subject of a police investigation. Rio Tinto's highest priority is the safety of its people, and operations at RBM were temporarily suspended.
 
Two of nine furnaces at RTFT remain idle, one of which is currently being rebuilt, along with one of four furnaces at RBM. The focus remains on maximising the productivity of the furnaces currently in operation, and a decision to restart idle furnaces will be based on maximising value over volume.
 
Salt
Salt production in the second quarter of 2018 was 13 per cent higher than the same quarter of 2017.
 
Uranium
Energy Resources of Australia continues to process existing low grade stockpiles. 2018 second quarter production was 11 per cent lower than the same period of 2017 due to a planned plant shutdown and declining grades as laterite stocks are largely exhausted.
 
Production at Rössing in the second quarter of 2018 was eight per cent higher than the corresponding quarter of 2017 due to higher mill grades which were partially offset by lower throughput due to water supply interruptions.
 
2018 guidance
Coal production guidance remains at 7.5 to 8.5 million tonnes of hard coking coal and 3.8 to 4.5 million tonnes of thermal coal. This assumes continued ownership of the coal assets until the end of 2018, and will be adjusted following completion of the asset disposals.
 
At IOC, the revised guidance for 2018 production is 9.0 to 10.0 million tonnes of iron ore pellets and concentrates (previously 10.3 to 11.3 million tonnes) to take into consideration the full impact of the extension of the strike and associated suspension of operations in the second quarter.
 
Guidance for Rio Tinto's expected share of titanium dioxide slag production in 2018 is revised to 1.1 to 1.2 million tonnes (previously 1.1 to 1.3 million tonnes), to reflect the operational and labour disruptions encountered in the first half. Guidance may be further updated to reflect the ongoing disruptions mentioned above. 
 
Guidance for Rio Tinto's expected share of boric oxide equivalent production in 2018 is unchanged at 0.5 million tonnes and guidance for uranium production in 2018 is unchanged at 6.2 to 7.2 million pounds.
 




EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
 
Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and loss account in the first half of 2018 was $232 million, compared with $175 million in the first half of 2017, driven primarily by increased activity at Resolution. Approximately 44 per cent of this expenditure was incurred by central exploration, 34 per cent by Copper & Diamonds, 13 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 half of 2018.
 
Exploration highlights
Rio Tinto has a strong portfolio of projects with activity in 17 countries across some eight commodities. The bulk of the exploration expenditure in this quarter was focused on copper targets in Australia, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, Uganda, United States and Zambia. Mine-lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto managed businesses including Pilbara Iron, RTIT in Canada, Oyu Tolgoi and Weipa.
 
A summary of activity for the quarter is as follows:
 



Product Group


Evaluation
projects


Advanced
projects


Greenfield
programmes




Aluminium


Cape York, Australia


Amargosa, Brazil


Australia, Laos




Copper & Diamonds


Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US
Copper: La Granja, Peru
Copper/gold: Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia


Nickel: Tamarack, US
Diamonds: FalCon[1], Canada


Copper: Australia, Botswana, Chile, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Serbia, US, Zambia
Nickel: Canada, Uganda
Diamonds: Canada




Energy & Minerals


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


Potash: KP405, Canada


Uranium: Canada
Heavy mineral sands: Tanzania




Iron Ore


Pilbara, Australia


Pilbara, Australia











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




 
Contacts
 
media.enquiries@riotinto.com
 
 
www.riotinto.com
 
 Follow @riotinto on Twitter
 
 



Media Relations, United Kingdom
Illtud Harri
T +44 20 7781 1152
M +44 7920 503 600
 
David Outhwaite
T +44 20 7781 1623
M +44 7787 597 493
 
 

 

 
 
Investor Relations, EMEA/Americas
John Smelt
T +44 20 7781 1654
M +44 7879 642 675
 
David Ovington
T +44 20 7781 2051
M +44 7920 010 978
 
Nick Parkinson
T +44 20 7781 1552
M +44 7810 657 556


Media Relations, Australia
Jonathan Rose
T +61 3 9283 3088
M +61 447 028 913
 
Media Relations, Canada

Matthew Klar

+1 514 608 4429
 
 
 
 
 
Investor Relations, Australia/Asia
Natalie Worley
T +61 3 9283 3063
M +61 409 210 462
 
Rachel Storrs
T +61 3 9283 3628
M +61 417 401 018
 
 














 


 




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

Registered in England
No. 719885


Rio Tinto Limited
Level 7, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia
 
T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Rio Tinto production summary






















































Rio Tinto share of production






























































Quarter






Half Year






% Change












2017

Q2


2018

Q1


2018

Q2






2017

H1


2018

H1






Q2 18

vs

Q2 17


Q2 18

vs

Q1 18


H1 18

vs

H1 17




Principal Commodities












































Alumina


('000 t)


2,024


1,990


1,999






4,070


3,988






-1%


0%


-2%




Aluminium


('000 t)


888


846


858






1,777


1,704






-3%


1%


-4%




Bauxite


('000 t)


12,865


12,653


13,279






24,167


25,931






3%


5%


7%




Borates


('000 t)


133


124


132






256


256






-1%


7%


0%




Coal - hard coking


('000 t)


1,555


1,102


2,174






3,138


3,276






40%


97%


4%




Coal - thermal


('000 t)


1,022


1,119


1,011






2,022


2,130






-1%


-10%


5%




Copper - mined


('000 t)


124.7


139.3


156.8






208.9


296.1






26%


13%


42%




Copper - refined


('000 t)


39.1


56.1


61.7






77.1


117.9






58%


10%


53%




Diamonds


('000 cts)


4,335


4,616


4,626






8,487


9,241






7%


0%


9%




Iron Ore


('000 t)


67,699


71,436


72,336






133,925


143,773






7%


1%


7%




Titanium dioxide slag


('000 t)


316


294


232






647


525






-27%


-21%


-19%




Uranium


('000 lbs)


1,538


1,515


1,531






3,111


3,046






0%


1%


-2%




Other Metals & Minerals












































Gold - mined


('000 oz)


72.5


69.4


82.8






138.3


152.2






14%


19%


10%




Gold - refined


('000 oz)


43.0


40.8


48.4






94.2


89.2






12%


19%


-5%




Molybdenum


('000 t)


0.8


1.5


0.7






1.6


2.2






-6%


-51%


33%




Salt


('000 t)


1,476


1,514


1,662






2,327


3,176






13%


10%


36%




Silver - mined


('000 oz)


1,118


1,237


1,448






2,064


2,686






30%


17%


30%




Silver - refined


('000 oz)


729


867


461






1,131


1,328






-37%


-47%


17%






















































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


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































ALUMINA




































Production ('000 tonnes)




































Jonquière (Vaudreuil)


100%


365


351


365


362


365


732


727




Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty Alumina plant


100%


32


30


29


31


32


63


64




Queensland Alumina


80%


756


720


773


717


752


1,496


1,469




São Luis (Alumar)


10%


93


94


93


87


87


183


174




Yarwun


100%


778


790


816


793


763


1,597


1,556




Rio Tinto total alumina production






2,024


1,984


2,077


1,990


1,999


4,070


3,988










































ALUMINIUM




































Production ('000 tonnes)




































Australia - Bell Bay


100%


47


48


47


47


47


91


94




Australia - Boyne Island


59%


73


74


74


72


74


154


146




Australia - Tomago


52%


76


77


77


75


76


151


151




Canada - six wholly owned


100%


397


401


405


398


402


791


800




Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)


40%


60


60


60


58


58


119


116




Canada - Bécancour


25%


26


28


27


10


9


55


19




France - Dunkerque (a)


100%


71


71


72


51


52


141


104




Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik) (b)


100%


53


53


54


52


53


104


105




New Zealand - Tiwai Point


79%


67


67


67


66


67


133


133




Oman - Sohar


20%


19


7


5


17


19


38


37




Rio Tinto total aluminium production






888


887


887


846


858


1,777


1,704










































BAUXITE




































Production ('000 tonnes) (c)




































Gove


100%


2,780


2,809


3,224


3,124


3,274


5,168


6,398




Porto Trombetas


12%


489


492


426


353


393


845


745




Sangaredi


   (d)


1,791


1,670


1,809


1,745


1,657


3,455


3,403




Weipa


100%


7,805


7,895


8,304


7,431


7,955


14,699


15,386




Rio Tinto total bauxite production


12,865


12,867


13,762


12,653


13,279


24,167


25,931







 



Rio Tinto share of production














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































BORATES




































Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)




































Rio Tinto Borates - borates


100%


133


140


120


124


132


256


256










































COAL - hard coking




































Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)




































Hail Creek Coal (e) (g)


82%


822


1,276


1,275


758


1,131


1,752


1,889




Kestrel Coal (f) (g)


80%


733


968


1,048


344


1,043


1,386


1,387




Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production


1,555


2,244


2,322


1,102


2,174


3,138


3,276










































COAL - thermal




































Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes)




































Hail Creek Coal (e) (g)


82%


881


851


785


1,060


835


1,754


1,895




Kestrel Coal (f) (g)


80%


141


226


180


59


176


268


235




Rio Tinto total thermal coal production


1,022


1,076


966


1,119


1,011


2,022


2,130







 



Rio Tinto share of production














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































COPPER




































Mine production ('000 tonnes) (c)




































Bingham Canyon


100%


44.0


25.8


34.8


35.4


51.2


88.2


86.6




Escondida


30%


68.3


82.5


92.9


90.9


92.4


95.5


183.3




Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)


40%


0.0


0.0


5.7


0.0


0.0


0.0


0.0




Oyu Tolgoi (i)


34%


12.5


12.4


15.2


13.0


13.2


25.2


26.2




Rio Tinto total mine production






124.7


120.6


148.6


139.3


156.8


208.9


296.1




Refined production ('000 tonnes)
































Escondida


30%


18.8


21.6


22.8


20.8


21.0


27.0


41.9




Rio Tinto Kennecott


100%


20.3


53.6


22.1


35.3


40.7


50.1


76.0




Rio Tinto total refined production


39.1


75.2


44.9


56.1


61.7


77.1


117.9










































DIAMONDS




































Production ('000 carats)




































Argyle


100%


3,216


4,757


6,146


3,551


3,476


6,232


7,027




Diavik


60%


1,119


1,177


1,060


1,065


1,150


2,255


2,214




Rio Tinto total diamond production






4,335


5,933


7,207


4,616


4,626


8,487


9,241










































GOLD




































Mine production ('000 ounces) (c)




































Bingham Canyon


100%


54.3


33.6


35.9


37.4


45.6


108.4


83.0




Escondida


30%


10.2


15.2


15.1


18.0


20.5


13.6


38.5




Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)


40%


0.0


0.0


0.0


0.0


0.0


0.0


0.0




Oyu Tolgoi (i)


34%


8.0


10.4


11.7


14.0


16.8


16.3


30.8




Rio Tinto total mine production






72.5


59.1


62.6


69.4


82.8


138.3


152.2




Refined production ('000 ounces)
































Rio Tinto Kennecott


100%


43.0


54.1


55.4


40.8


48.4


94.2


89.2







 



Rio Tinto share of production














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































IRON ORE




































Production ('000 tonnes) (c)
































Hamersley mines


   (j)


48,674


52,921


56,501


53,631


56,034


97,338


109,665




Hamersley - Channar


60%


1,903


1,596


1,345


1,136


1,227


3,538


2,363




Hope Downs


50%


6,287


5,978


5,987


5,342


5,783


11,505


11,126




Iron Ore Company of Canada


59%


2,683


3,171


2,733


2,364


871


5,262


3,236




Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)


53%


3,676


4,461


4,580


4,672


4,048


7,486


8,720




Robe River - West Angelas


53%


4,475


4,776


4,509


4,290


4,373


8,797


8,663




Rio Tinto iron ore production ('000 tonnes)






67,699


72,903


75,656


71,436


72,336


133,925


143,773




Breakdown of Production:




































Pilbara Blend Lump






19,780


20,700


21,082


20,714


21,901


38,987


42,615




Pilbara Blend Fines






28,049


30,113


31,172


29,769


31,239


55,074


61,009




Robe Valley Lump






1,459


1,570


1,646


1,587


1,431


2,912


3,017




Robe Valley Fines






2,217


2,891


2,934


3,086


2,617


4,574


5,703




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,512


14,458


16,088


13,916


14,277


27,116


28,193




Pilbara iron ore production ('000 tonnes)






65,016


69,732


72,922


69,072


71,465


128,663


140,537




IOC Concentrate






1,299


1,450


1,163


799


572


2,408


1,370




IOC Pellets






1,384


1,722


1,571


1,566


299


2,854


1,865




IOC iron ore production ('000 tonnes)






2,683


3,171


2,733


2,364


871


5,262


3,236




Breakdown of Sales:




































Pilbara Blend Lump






18,218


18,044


18,861


18,062


19,424


34,251


37,485




Pilbara Blend Fines






28,779


32,421


35,575


30,746


35,158


59,276


65,904




Robe Valley Lump






1,262


1,391


1,388


1,223


1,264


2,438


2,487




Robe Valley Fines






2,370


3,174


3,287


2,996


3,255


4,743


6,250




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,371


14,963


15,731


13,578


14,388


26,491


27,966




Pilbara iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)






64,000


69,993


74,843


66,604


73,489


127,199


140,093




IOC Concentrate






939


1,362


1,559


746


62


2,132


808




IOC Pellets






1,489


1,590


1,615


1,574


202


2,904


1,776




IOC Iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)






2,428


2,952


3,173


2,320


263


5,036


2,584




Rio Tinto iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)


66,428


72,944


78,016


68,925


73,752


132,234


142,677







 



Rio Tinto share of production














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































MOLYBDENUM




































Mine production ('000 tonnes) (c)
































Bingham Canyon


100%


0.8


1.4


1.9


1.5


0.7


1.6


2.2










































SALT




































Production ('000 tonnes)




































Dampier Salt


68%


1,476


1,227


1,535


1,514


1,662


2,327


3,176










































SILVER




































Mine production ('000 ounces) (c)
































Bingham Canyon


100%


669


357


418


461


615


1,380


1,076




Escondida


30%


370


521


658


702


758


533


1,460




Grasberg - Joint Venture (h)


40%


0


0


0


0


0


0


0




Oyu Tolgoi (i)


34%


79


80


96


74


75


151


149




Rio Tinto total mine production






1,118


959


1,172


1,237


1,448


2,064


2,686




Refined production ('000 ounces)
































Rio Tinto Kennecott


100%


729


731


516


867


461


1,131


1,328










































TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG




































Production ('000 tonnes)




































Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (k)


100%


316


327


341


294


232


647


525










































URANIUM




































Production ('000 lbs U3O8) (l)
































Energy Resources of Australia


68%


678


962


919


667


603


1,577


1,270




Rössing


69%


860


757


902


848


928


1,534


1,776




Rio Tinto total uranium production


1,538


1,718


1,821


1,515


1,531


3,111


3,046













































 



Production data notes:




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










































(a) On 10 January 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 100% interest in the Dunkerque smelter.

(b) On 26 February 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 100% interest in the ISAL smelter.




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

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




(e) On 20 March 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 82% interest in the Hail Creek mine.

(f) On 27 March 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 80% interest in the Kestrel mine.

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




(h) 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.




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




(j) 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.




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




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










The Rio Tinto percentage shown above is at 30 June 2018.










































Rio Tinto's interest in the Coal and Allied mines were sold in 2017. No data for these operations are included in the Share of production table.



 




 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































ALUMINA




































Smelter Grade Alumina - Aluminium Group
































Alumina production ('000 tonnes)




































Australia




































Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland


80.0%


946


900


966


896


940


1,870


1,836




Yarwun refinery - Queensland


100.0%


778


790


816


793


763


1,597


1,556




Brazil




































São Luis (Alumar) refinery


10.0%


931


937


934


871


869


1,826


1,740




Canada




































Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (a)


100.0%


365


351


365


362


365


732


727




(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%


32


30


29


31


32


63


64




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































ALUMINIUM




































Primary Aluminium




































Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)
































Australia




































Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania


100.0%


47


48


47


47


47


91


94




Boyne Island smelter - Queensland


59.4%


124


125


124


122


124


259


246




Tomago smelter - New South Wales


51.6%


147


149


149


145


148


292


293




Canada




































Alma smelter - Quebec


100.0%


112


115


116


115


116


226


231




Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec


40.0%


149


150


150


144


146


298


290




Arvida smelter - Quebec


100.0%


43


43


44


43


43


84


86




Arvida AP60 smelter - Quebec


100.0%


15


14


14


13


13


29


26




Bécancour smelter - Quebec


25.1%


106


113


108


39


35


218


74




Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec


100.0%


57


58


58


57


58


114


115




Kitimat smelter - British Columbia


100.0%


109


108


110


108


109


216


217




Laterrière smelter - Quebec


100.0%


61


63


64


63


64


122


127




France




































Dunkerque smelter (a)


100.0%


71


71


72


51


52


141


104




Iceland




































ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter (b)


100.0%


53


53


54


52


53


104


105




New Zealand




































Tiwai Point smelter


79.4%


84


84


85


83


84


168


167




Oman




































Sohar smelter


20.0%


95


35


27


87


97


191


183




(a) On 10 January 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 100% interest in the Dunkerque smelter.

(b) On 26 February 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 100% interest in the ISAL smelter.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































BAUXITE




































Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)




































Australia




































Gove mine - Northern Territory


100.0%


2,780


2,809


3,224


3,124


3,274


5,168


6,398




Weipa mine - Queensland


100.0%


7,805


7,895


8,304


7,431


7,955


14,699


15,386




Brazil




































Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine


12.0%


4,071


4,103


3,550


2,939


3,273


7,045


6,212




Guinea




































Sangaredi mine (a)


23.0%


3,979


3,711


4,020


3,878


3,683


7,678


7,561










































Rio Tinto share of bauxite shipments
































Share of total bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


12,164


12,913


13,557


12,551


12,936


23,769


25,487




Share of third party bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)


7,962


8,250


9,164


8,248


8,738


14,890


16,986










































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




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































BORATES




































Rio Tinto Borates - borates


100.0%
































US




































Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)






133


140


120


124


132


256


256




(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.










































COAL




































Rio Tinto Coal Australia




































Hail Creek Coal mine (a)


82.0%
































Queensland




































Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)






1,002


1,556


1,555


924


1,380


2,136


2,304




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






1,074


1,037


958


1,293


1,018


2,139


2,311




Hunter Valley Operations (b)


0.0%
































New South Wales




































Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)






284


445


                 -


                 -


                 -


1,084


                 -




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






3,539


2,112


                 -


                 -


                 -


6,390


                 -




Kestrel Coal mine (c)


80.0%
































Queensland




































Hard coking coal ('000 tonnes)






916


1,210


1,309


430


1,303


1,732


1,733




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






177


282


226


74


220


335


293




Mount Thorley Operations (b)


0.0%
































New South Wales




































Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)






389


149


                 -


                 -


                 -


726


                 -




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






746


703


                 -


                 -


                 -


1,308


                 -




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































COAL (continued)




































Warkworth mine (b)


0.0%
































New South Wales




































Semi-soft coking coal ('000 tonnes)






202


44


                 -


                 -


                 -


470


                 -




Thermal coal ('000 tonnes)






1,696


1,305


                 -


                 -


                 -


3,216


                 -




Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes)


1,918


2,766


2,864


1,354


2,683


3,869


4,037




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


875


639


                 -


                 -


                 -


2,280


                 -




Total thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)


7,232


5,439


1,183


1,367


1,238


13,388


2,605




Total coal production ('000 tonnes)






10,026


8,844


4,047


2,721


3,921


19,538


6,642










































Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)






9,871


9,298


4,092


3,050


3,717


18,664


6,767




Rio Tinto Coal Australia share (d)




































Share of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes)


1,717


2,511


2,429


1,368


2,228


3,241


3,596




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


759


485


                 -


                 -


                 -


1,525


                 -




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


4,539


3,804


896


1,119


791


8,486


1,910










































(a) On 20 March 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 82% interest in the Hail Creek mine.

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

(c) On 27 March 2018, Rio Tinto announced a binding offer to sell its 80% interest in the Kestrel mine.

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

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




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































COPPER & GOLD




































Escondida


30.0%
































Chile




































Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)


18,777


24,080


30,260


32,203


31,732


26,831


63,936




Average copper grade (%)






1.07


1.06


0.98


0.96


0.96


1.05


0.96




Mill production (metals in concentrates):




































Contained copper ('000 tonnes)






167.0


204.1


245.7


252.6


253.6


234.7


506.2




Contained gold ('000 ounces)






34


51


50


60


68


45


128




Contained silver ('000 ounces)






1,234


1,737


2,193


2,339


2,527


1,777


4,866




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


60.7


70.8


63.9


50.4


54.4


83.5


104.8




Refined production from leach plants:




































Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)






62.8


71.9


76.1


69.4


70.1


90.0


139.5




(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)






11,242


15,791


16,381


15,625


17,452


19,090


33,077




Average mill head grades:




































Copper (%)






1.03


0.91


1.03


1.12


1.04


1.08


1.08




Gold (g/t)






1.16


0.98


1.28


1.63


1.76


1.17


1.70




Silver (g/t)






4.09


3.96


4.36


4.68


2.57


4.57


3.57




Production of metals in concentrates:




































Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






103.9


130.1


153.2


159.9


164.8


184.9


324.7




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






358


417


579


693


845


606


1,538




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






900


1,016


1,293


1,513


877


1,567


2,390




Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (c)
































Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






124.6


109.6


154.3


157.4


160.4


186.3


317.8




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






429


343


584


676


825


613


1,501




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






851


666


1,044


1,184


698


1,255


1,882




(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 Q2 2018 results show the forecast from FCX's most recent five-year plan, because FCX is not releasing its actual 100% operating data for Q2 2018 until the release of its 2018 second-quarter results on 25 July 2018.

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

(c) Net of smelter deductions.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































COPPER & GOLD (continued)




































Rio Tinto Kennecott




































Bingham Canyon mine


100.0%
































Utah, US




































Ore treated ('000 tonnes)






10,709


10,092


9,074


9,260


8,974


20,216


18,234




Average ore grade:




































Copper (%)






0.47


0.29


0.43


0.43


0.63


0.49


0.53




Gold (g/t)






0.29


0.18


0.21


0.23


0.26


0.30


0.25




Silver (g/t)






2.66


1.51


1.89


2.25


2.73


2.93


2.49




Molybdenum (%)






0.025


0.032


0.036


0.025


0.025


0.025


0.025




Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


205


148


162


171


194


394


365




Average concentrate grade (% Cu)






21.5


17.3


21.5


20.7


26.4


22.4


23.7




Production of metals in copper concentrates:
































Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)






44.0


25.8


34.8


35.4


51.2


88.2


86.6




Gold ('000 ounces)






54


34


36


37


46


108


83




Silver ('000 ounces)






669


357


418


461


615


1,380


1,076




Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):


1.5


2.8


3.8


2.8


1.5


3.2


4.3




Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






0.8


1.4


1.9


1.5


0.7


1.6


2.2










Kennecott smelter & refinery


100.0%
































Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)


160


258


90


200


224


296


425




Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)


32.6


50.6


12.1


42.4


44.4


66.3


86.9




Production of refined metal:




































Copper ('000 tonnes)






20.3


53.6


22.1


35.3


40.7


50.1


76.0




Gold ('000 ounces) (c)






43.0


54.1


55.4


40.8


48.4


94.2


89.2




Silver ('000 ounces) (c)






729


731


516


867


461


1,131


1,328




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

(b) New metal excluding recycled material.

(c) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































COPPER & GOLD (continued)




































Turquoise Hill Resources




































Oyu Tolgoi mine (a)


33.5%
































Mongolia




































Ore Treated ('000 tonnes)






9,637


10,615


10,838


9,561


10,164


19,724


19,725




Average mill head grades:




































Copper (%)






0.51


0.48


0.53


0.51


0.48


0.51


0.50




Gold (g/t)






0.16


0.18


0.20


0.25


0.26


0.15


0.25




Silver (g/t)






1.38


1.34


1.54


1.32


1.17


1.34


1.24




Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)


171.0


170.0


205.5


177.3


178.8


347.0


356.1




Average concentrate grade (% Cu)






21.8


21.7


22.0


21.9


22.0


21.7


22.0




Production of metals in concentrates:




































Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






37.2


36.9


45.3


38.8


39.4


75.3


78.2




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






23.9


30.9


34.8


41.8


50.0


48.6


91.7




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






236


239


285


221


225


450


446




Sales of metals in concentrates:




































Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)






37.3


36.9


35.7


34.3


46.1


76.7


80.4




Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)






23


28


27


31


51


55


82




Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)






222


229


205


206


250


427


456




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




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































DIAMONDS




































Argyle Diamonds


100.0%
































Western Australia




































AK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes)






1,112


1,255


1,446


1,260


1,428


2,256


2,688




AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats)






3,216


4,757


6,146


3,551


3,476


6,232


7,027




Diavik Diamonds


60.0%
































Northwest Territories, Canada




































Ore processed ('000 tonnes)






556


578


525


556


652


1,086


1,208




Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)






1,865


1,961


1,767


1,774


1,916


3,758


3,690










Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































IRON ORE




































Rio Tinto Iron Ore




































Western Australia




































Pilbara Operations




































Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)
































Hamersley mines


   (a)


48,674


52,921


56,501


53,631


56,034


97,338


109,665




Hamersley - Channar


60.0%


3,172


2,661


2,241


1,893


2,045


5,896


3,939




Hope Downs


50.0%


12,575


11,956


11,975


10,685


11,567


23,010


22,252




Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)


53.0%


6,936


8,416


8,642


8,816


7,637


14,124


16,453




Robe River - West Angelas


53.0%


8,444


9,011


8,507


8,094


8,252


16,598


16,346




Total production ('000 tonnes)






79,801


84,965


87,866


83,120


85,534


156,966


168,654




Breakdown of total production:




































Pilbara Blend Lump






24,671


25,342


25,496


24,831


26,253


48,288


51,084




Pilbara Blend Fines






34,682


36,748


37,641


35,556


37,368


67,437


72,924




Robe Valley Lump






2,753


2,962


3,106


2,993


2,699


5,494


5,693




Robe Valley Fines






4,183


5,454


5,535


5,823


4,937


8,630


10,760




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,512


14,458


16,088


13,916


14,277


27,116


28,193




Breakdown of total sales:




































Pilbara Blend Lump






21,561


21,959


22,377


21,457


22,954


41,723


44,410




Pilbara Blend Fines






35,871


40,305


43,039


37,320


42,638


72,551


79,957




Robe Valley Lump






2,382


2,624


2,619


2,307


2,386


4,600


4,693




Robe Valley Fines






4,472


5,989


6,202


5,652


6,141


8,948


11,793




Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)






13,371


14,963


15,731


13,578


14,388


26,491


27,966




Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b)






77,658


85,840


89,968


80,314


88,506


154,313


168,820




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

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




Iron Ore Company of Canada


58.7%
































Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada
































Saleable iron ore production:




































Concentrates ('000 tonnes)






2,212


2,469


1,980


1,360


974


4,101


2,334




Pellets ('000 tonnes)






2,356


2,932


2,675


2,667


510


4,860


3,177




IOC Total production ('000 tonnes)






4,569


5,401


4,655


4,027


1,484


8,961


5,510




Sales:




































Concentrates ('000 tonnes)






1,599


2,319


2,655


1,271


105


3,630


1,376




Pellets ('000 tonnes)






2,536


2,707


2,750


2,681


343


4,945


3,024




IOC Total Sales ('000 tonnes)






4,135


5,027


5,404


3,951


449


8,575


4,400




Global Iron Ore Totals




































Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes)






84,370


90,365


92,521


87,146


87,018


165,927


174,164




Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes)






81,792


90,867


95,373


84,265


88,954


162,888


173,220




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.







 



Rio Tinto operational data














































Rio Tinto

interest


Q2

2017


Q3

2017


Q4

2017


Q1

2018


Q2

2018


H1

2017


H1

2018










































SALT




































Dampier Salt


68.4%
































Western Australia




































Salt production ('000 tonnes)






2,159


1,795


2,246


2,215


2,431


3,405


4,646










































TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG




































Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium


100.0%
































Canada and South Africa




































(Rio Tinto share) (a)




































Titanium dioxide slag ('000 tonnes)






316


327


341


294


232


647


525










































(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)






991


1,407


1,343


975


881


2,306


1,856




(a) ERA production data are drummed U3O8.




















Rössing Uranium Ltd (a)


68.6%
































Namibia




































U3O8 Production ('000 lbs)






1,254


1,103


1,314


1,236


1,352


2,235


2,589




(a) Rössing production data are drummed U3O8.




Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2018. The data represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.



 





[1] Formerly Forte a la Corne





This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
END
 
 
DRLGGUUWMUPRPPQ