REG - Rio Tinto - Update on Tropical Cyclone Veronica

Rio TintoAnnouncement

01/04/2019 07:00

RNS Number : 5835U
Rio Tinto PLC
31 March 2019
 


Update on Tropical Cyclone Veronica
 
1 April 2019
 
Rio Tinto's iron ore operations in the Pilbara, Western Australia, are progressively resuming following the passing of Tropical Cyclone Veronica. However, initial inspections uncovered some damage to the Cape Lambert A port facility. As a result, Rio Tinto has declared force majeure on certain contracts and is working with its customers to minimise any disruption in supply.
 
The impact of the disruption to production caused by the cyclone and repairing the damage sustained at the port facilities, combined with the damage caused by the fire at Cape Lambert A in January, will result in a loss of approximately 14 million tonnes of production in 2019. As a result Rio Tinto's Pilbara shipments in 2019 are expected to be at the lower end of the 338 and 350 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) guidance provided.
 
Safety remains our top priority as we ramp up operations, and undertake the necessary remediation work,  following the passing of the cyclone.
 
 
Notes for editors
 
Cape Lambert A is an iron ore terminal capable of loading more than 85 Mt/a.  Principal products loaded through this port are Hamersley Iron Yandicoogina (HIY) and Robe River products. In 2018, Rio Tinto shipped 57.4Mt of HIY and 32Mt of Robe River products.
 
Contacts
 
media.enquiries@riotinto.com 
 
riotinto.com 
 
  Follow @RioTinto on Twitter







Media Relations, United Kingdom
Illtud Harri
M +44 7920 503 600
 
David Outhwaite
T +44 20 7781 1623
M +44 7787 597 493
 
Media Relations, Americas
Matthew Klar
T +1 514 608 4429
 
Media Relations, Asia
Grant Donald
T +65 6679 9290
M +65 9722 6028
 


Media Relations, Australia
Jonathan Rose
T +61 3 9283 3088
M +61 447 028 913
 
Matt Chambers
T +61 (0) 3 9283 3087
M +61 433 525 739
 
Jesse Riseborough
T +61 8 6211 6013
M +61 436 653 412




 
Investor Relations, United Kingdom
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
 


 
Investor Relations, Australia
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



 




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
 
 
MSCLFFIFVTILVIA