RNS Number : 4999W
Rio Tinto PLC
16 July 2024
 

Rio Tinto releases second quarter production results

16 July 2024

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: "Our operational performance continues to progress. While there are still significant improvements ahead, we are beginning to see a step-change in production, including from our Queensland bauxite business following the roll-out of the Safe Production System.

"We are growing with discipline in the materials the world needs for the energy transition. Construction of the Simandou high grade iron ore project in Guinea is advancing at pace, the ramp up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground is on track and we are set to achieve first production from the Rincon starter plant by the end of the year.

"We continue to prioritise the decarbonisation of our business, announcing the installation of carbon free aluminium smelting cells using ELYSIS technology at our Arvida smelter in Quebec and an investment in a R&D facility to test our low-carbon ironmaking process, BioIron, in Western Australia. We also signed 20-year electricity arrangements backed by renewable electricity to secure the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in New Zealand.

"As we progress against our four objectives and strategy, we have a clear long-term pathway to profitable growth and continued attractive shareholder returns."

Production*

 

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis)

Mt

80.3

    +2%

    +3%

158.3

   -2%

Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis)

Mt

79.5

   -2%

    +2%

157.4

   -2%

Bauxite

Mt

14.7

    +9%

      +10%

28.1

      +10%

Aluminium**

kt

824

    +1%

  0%

1,650

    +3%

Mined copper (consolidated basis)

kt

171

      +18%

      +10%

327

      +13%

Titanium dioxide slag

kt

238

     -22%

   -6%

492

     -16%

IOC*** iron ore pellets and concentrate

Mt

2.2

    +6%

     -16%

4.8

    +5%

  * Rio Tinto share unless otherwise stated

  ** Includes primary aluminium only

  *** Iron Ore Company of Canada

Q2 2024 operational highlights and other key announcements

•     Our all injury frequency rate for the second quarter was 0.32, a decrease from both the first quarter of this year (0.37) and the same period in 2023 (0.38). We continue to prioritise the health, safety and well-being of our people and the communities where we operate. During the quarter, this included undertaking mid-year safety maturity assessments at our assets, helping us to continuously evaluate and evolve our safety approach across the organisation. The investigation by the authorities into the tragic plane crash at Diavik in January 2024 is ongoing.

•     In the Pilbara, we produced 79.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 67.5 million tonnes) in the second quarter, 2% lower than the corresponding period of 2023. Productivity gains offset ore depletion, however production and shipping in the quarter were impacted by a train collision in mid-May, which resulted in around six days of lost rail capacity and full stockpiles at some mines. Shipments of 80.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 66.2 million tonnes) were 2% higher than the second quarter of 2023, with the draw down of port stocks.

•     Bauxite production of 14.7 million tonnes was 9% higher than the second quarter of 2023. The increase reflects implementation of the Safe Production System (SPS), especially at Weipa where we achieved higher plant utilisation and feed rates.  As a consequence, our Group full year bauxite production guidance is expected to be around the top end of our 53 to 56 million tonne range.

•     Alumina production of 1.7 million tonnes was 10% lower than the second quarter of 2023 due to the continuing impacts to our Gladstone operations from the breakage of the third-party operated Queensland Gas Pipeline in March. As a result, we have reduced our Group full year alumina production guidance to 7.0 to 7.3 million tonnes (previously 7.6 to 7.9 million tonnes). We expect gas supplies from the pipeline to return to normal levels by the end of 2024.

•     Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 1% higher than the second quarter of 2023 with our smelters continuing to demonstrate stable performance during the period.

•     On 31 May, we announced that New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) has signed 20-year electricity arrangements that secure the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter to continue competitively producing high-purity, low carbon metal, backed by renewable electricity. In a separate transaction, we entered into an agreement to acquire Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited's (SCC's) 20.64% interest in NZAS for an undisclosed price. On completion of the transaction, NZAS will be 100% owned by Rio Tinto.

•     Mined copper production of 171 thousand tonnes (consolidated basis) was 18% higher than the second quarter of 2023.

◦     Kennecott was 30% higher than the second quarter of 2023 following a conveyor outage in the prior period. However, production was 1% lower than the previous quarter following changes to the mine plan to manage geotechnical risk in our mining area. These changes delayed access to pit ore and resulted in additional lower grade stockpiled material being processed. We are currently reworking our mine plan and expect to provide a further update in our Third Quarter Operations Review. Our Group full year mined copper production guidance is therefore expected to be around the bottom end of the 660 to 720 thousand tonne range.

◦     Escondida was 12% higher than the second quarter of 2023 due to a 7% improvement in concentrator feed grade as mining continued into higher grade zones, together with 12% higher concentrator output.

◦     Oyu Tolgoi was 23% higher than the second quarter of 2023 as the ramp-up in underground production continued in line with our long term plan, delivering a copper head grade of 2.02% (vs 1.56% in the second quarter of 2023) for the underground and an overall copper head grade of 0.61% (vs 0.52%).

•     Titanium dioxide slag production was 22% lower than the second quarter of 2023, primarily driven by weak market conditions. Whilst a furnace reconstruction is underway at our RTIT Quebec Operations, we continue to operate six out of nine furnaces in Quebec and three out of four at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).

•     IOC production was 6% higher than the second quarter of 2023 as production rates in the prior period were impacted by wildfires. However, production was 16% down quarter-on-quarter given lower output from the mine and an annual maintenance shut in June. Shipments were 7% lower than the second quarter of 2023 due to low portside inventories.

•     In the second quarter, we continued the deployment of SPS, now reaching 26 sites. We deepened the maturity of SPS at existing sites during the quarter, with three additional sites setting new best demonstrated throughput rates (over a 90 day period). We are on track to deliver our targeted 5 million tonne production uplift at Pilbara Iron Ore in 2024.

•     Subsequent to the end of the quarter, all conditions were satisfied for Rio Tinto's investment to develop the Simandou high-grade iron ore deposit in Guinea. The transaction to enable co-development of the infrastructure is now unconditional and expected to close during the week of 15 July.  Chalco Iron Ore Holdings Ltd (CIOH) has now paid its share of capital expenditures incurred or required by Simfer to progress critical works up to completion. A first payment of approximately $410 million, for expenditures until the end of 2023, was made on 28 June 2024, and a second payment of approximately $575 million, for 2024 expenditures, was made on 11 July 2024.  These amounts settle all expenditures incurred to date.

•     We saw a cash outflow of circa $0.7 billion from an increase in working capital in the first half of 2024. This reflected the draw down of royalties and taxes payable in the period as prices fell from late 2023, along with seasonal movements in amounts due to JV partners and employees.

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.

 

2024 guidance

Rio Tinto production share, unless otherwise stated

2023     Actuals

H1 2024

Actuals

2024

Previous

2024

Current

Pilbara iron ore (shipments, 100% basis) (Mt)

331.8

158.3

323 to 338

Unchanged

Bauxite (Mt)

54.6

28.1

53 to 56

53 to 561

Alumina (Mt)

7.5

3.5

7.6 to 7.9

7.0 to 7.3

Aluminium (Mt)

3.3

1.7

3.2 to 3.4

Unchanged

Mined copper (consolidated basis) (kt)

620

327

660 to 720

660 to 7202

Refined copper (kt)

175

125

230 to 260

Unchanged

Titanium dioxide slag (Mt)

1.1

0.5

0.9 to 1.1

Unchanged

IOC3 iron ore pellets and concentrate (Mt)

9.7

4.8

9.8 to 11.5

Unchanged

Boric oxide equivalent (Mt)

0.5

0.2

~0.5

Unchanged

1 Around the top end.

2 Around the bottom end.

3 Iron Ore Company of Canada continues to be reported at Rio Tinto share.

 

•     Guidance for 2024 alumina production has been reduced to 7.0 to 7.3 million tonnes (previously 7.6 to 7.9 million tonnes), as our Gladstone operations continue to operate at reduced rates following the breakage of a third party gas pipeline in March. We expect gas supplies from the pipeline to return to normal levels by the end of 2024.

•     Expectations for Pilbara iron ore shipments in 2024 remain at 323 to 338 million tonnes. SP10 levels are expected to remain elevated until replacement projects are delivered. This guidance remains subject to the timing of approvals for planned mining areas and heritage clearances.

•     Iron ore shipments and bauxite production guidance remain subject to weather impacts.

Operating costs

•     Guidance for 2024 Pilbara iron ore unit cash costs is unchanged at $21.75 to $23.50 per tonne (based on an average A$:US$ exchange rate of 0.66). Pilbara iron ore unit cash costs in the first half of 2024 are expected to be towards the top end of the full year guidance range, with shipments weighted to the second half.

•     Guidance for 2024 copper C1 unit costs is unchanged at 140 to 160 US cents/lb.

 

Aluminium modelling

To assist with modelling of aluminium operating costs during a volatile price environment for raw materials, we provide the following breakdown and sensitivities for the alumina and aluminium metal segments (Primary Metal and Pacific Aluminium). This excludes the effect of intra and inter segment eliminations on group profit.

 

Alumina refining

Production cash cost (%)

FY 23

H1 24

Bauxite

31

32

Conversion

34

39

Caustic

22

17

Energy

13

12

Total

   100

   100

 

Input costs (nominal)

H1 23

Index price

H2 23

Index price

H1 24

Index price

FY 24

Annual cost sensitivity impact on underlying EBITDA

Caustic soda1 ($/t)

424

369

376

$11m per $10/t

Natural gas2 ($/mmbtu)

2.54

2.79

2.21

$4m per $0.10/GJ

Brent oil ($/bbl)

79.7

85.5

84

$2m per $10/bbl

1North East Asia FOB | 2Henry Hub

 

Aluminium smelting

Production cash cost (%)

FY 23

HY 24

Alumina

38

41

Power

18

19

Conversion

21

22

Carbon

21

16

Materials

2

2

Total

100

100

 

Input costs (nominal)

H1 23

Index price

H2 23

Index price

H1 24

Index price

FY 24

Annual cost sensitivity impact on underlying EBITDA

Alumina1 ($/t)

352

335

400

$65m per $10/t

Petroleum coke2 ($/t)

631

491

394

$11m per $10/t

Coal tar pitch3 ($/t)

            1,386

            1,130

               958

$3m per $10/t

1Australia FOB | 2US Gulf FOB | 3North America FOB

Investments, growth and development projects

•     Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the income statement in 2024 was $487 million, compared with $392 million in 2023, on the same basis (excluding Simandou spend, which was $318 million in the first half of 2023). Approximately 24% of the spend was by central exploration, 36% by minerals (with the majority focusing on lithium), 27% by copper, 12% by iron ore and 1% by aluminium. In 2024, all qualifying expenditure relating to Simandou is being capitalised.

Pilbara projects

•     Construction of our Western Range mine is now 70% complete, with the development of the initial mining area completed during the quarter. We continue to focus on construction of the greenfield crushing and screening plant, and Paraburdoo plant tie-in, with first ore from that new system on plan for 2025.  

•     We continue to advance our next tranche of Pilbara mine replacement studies including Hope Downs 1 (Hope Downs 2 and Bedded Hilltop), Brockman 4 (Brockman Syncline 1), Greater Nammuldi and West Angelas projects. Early works have commenced at Hope Downs 1. Project timelines remain subject to timing of approvals and heritage clearances with the Greater Nammuldi project starting to diverge from the original development schedule.

•     The Rhodes Ridge pre-feasibility study (PFS) continues to progress with good engagement with Traditional Owners and government. The PFS, which is targeting an initial capacity of up to 40 million tonnes per year, subject to relevant approvals, is expected to be completed in 2025. First ore is expected by the end of the decade.

•     The Coastal Water desalination project received State Agreement approval in May 2024 allowing for commencement of early works.  The $395 million plant will provide water to our port operations in Dampier. At full capacity, it will produce approximately 4GL/year to reduce draw from the Bungaroo aquifer to sustainable levels.

Oyu Tolgoi underground project

•     The sinking of ventilation Shafts 3 and 4 was completed in April following the breakthrough to surface. Both shafts remain on track to be commissioned in the second half of 2024.

•     Construction works for the conveyor to surface continued to plan and were 97% complete at the end of the quarter. Commissioning remains on track for the second half of 2024. 

•     Construction works for the concentrator conversion remains on schedule. Commissioning is expected to be progressively completed from the fourth quarter of 2024 through to the second quarter of 2025.

•     Construction of primary crusher 2 is progressing to plan and remains on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

Simandou iron ore project

•     Subsequent to the end of the quarter, all conditions were satisfied for Rio Tinto's investment to develop the Simandou high-grade iron ore deposit in Guinea. Our transaction to implement a joint venture to co-develop the rail and port infrastructure with Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS)1 is now unconditional and expected to close during the week of 15 July.

•     The Simfer mine2 is on track to deliver first production in 2025, ramping up over 30 months to an annualised capacity of 60 million tonnes per year3 (27 million tonnes per year Rio Tinto share).

•     For the Simfer mine, work on support facilities, including camps, roads, and water and waste facilities is progressing well. With 8,500 workers on site for the Simfer mine and Simfer-managed scope of the co-developed infrastructure, the focus for the second half of the year is bulk earthworks, construction of the stockyard and rail loop, installation of early ore crushers and mobilisation of primary crusher construction teams.

•     During the second quarter, for the Simfer infrastructure scope, we completed preparatory work on the bridge foundations which will be used to construct the railway spur. All infrastructure contracts have now been awarded. The focus for the Simfer scope of rail and port for the remainder of the year is to advance construction for the earthworks, tunnels, piers, culverts, transhipment vessel (TSV) wharf and port facilities.

•     Biodiversity monitoring continues with several local communities, as do our rehabilitation efforts with 7,000 trees propagated in the Canga nursery. Our community commitments continue, and include two completed programs on education and land use, in addition to ten ongoing projects to promote social, infrastructure and economic development.

Other key projects and exploration and evaluation 

•     At Complexe Jonquière in Quebec, Canada, AP60 expansion construction activities progressed, with the first prefabricated steel structures delivered to site. Once completed, the project will add 96 new AP60 pots, increasing capacity by approximately 160,000 tonnes of primary aluminium per year by the end of 2026. This new capacity, in addition to 30,000 tonnes of new recycling capacity at Arvida expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2025, will offset the 170,000 tonnes of capacity lost through the gradual closure of potrooms at the Arvida smelter from 2024.

•     At Kennecott, first production from the Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS) area was achieved in June 2024, marking the mine's return to underground production after more than four decades. The LCS is expected to deliver about 30,000 tonnes of mined copper through to 2027 alongside open cut operations. Activities continued on the North Rim Skarn (NRS) underground development and infrastructure. Production from the NRS is forecast to commence around mid-year 2025 with a production target of approximately 250,000 tonnes through to 20334. 

•     At the Resolution Copper project in Arizona, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Apache Stronghold's request to further hear their case to stop the land exchange between Resolution Copper and the federal government. It is anticipated that Apache Stronghold will file a petition this fall for the case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. We continue to progress the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) with the United States Forest Service (USFS), but they have yet to advise on the date of re-publication. We also advanced partnership discussions with federally-recognised Native American Tribes who are part of the formal consultation process. While there is significant local support for the project, we respect the views of groups who oppose it and will continue our efforts to address and mitigate concerns.

•     Rio Tinto continues to work with the Traditional Owners to progress the Winu copper-gold project, which remains subject to all of the required approvals. Drilling, studies and fieldwork to advance the key environmental permitting and Project Agreement negotiations with Nyangumarta and the Martu remain our priority.

•     Nuton, Rio Tinto's copper heap leaching technology venture, continues to develop its path towards deployment, with nine partnerships in four countries: United States, Chile, Peru and Argentina. In May, Excelsior announced the execution of an agreement with Nuton to build an industrial scale demonstration heap that is expected to produce first Nuton copper in the first half of 2025.

•     The Constitutional Court of Serbia has issued a decision that states the 2022 decree to abolish the Jadar project spatial plan was unconstitutional and illegal. We welcome this decision and continue to believe that the Jadar project has the potential to be a world-class lithium-borates asset that could act as a catalyst for the development of other industries and thousands of jobs for the current and future generations in Serbia. We are focused on consultation with all key stakeholders, including providing comprehensive factual information about the project. To support a public dialogue, we recently released the draft Environmental Impact Assessment studies which provide insights into the project's potential environmental impacts and the proposed mitigation actions. Independent Serbian and international experts have confirmed the Jadar project can be implemented safely in line with the highest environmental standards. 

•     At the Rincon lithium project in Argentina, development of the three thousand tonne per annum lithium carbonate starter plant continues to progress to plan with civil concrete work completed and all steel, cable and piping on site, and being progressively installed. An additional 400-bed camp facility has also been constructed, bringing the total number of new beds on site to 900.  Commissioning planning is advancing and we continue to expect first production from the starter plant by the end of 2024.  We expect to complete the feasibility study for the full-scale operation in the third quarter of 2024.  We continue to engage with communities, the province of Salta and the Government of Argentina to ensure an open and transparent dialogue with stakeholders about the works underway.  

1 WCS is the holder of Simandou North Blocks 1 & 2 (with the Government of Guinea holding a 15% interest in the mining vehicle and WCS holding 85%) and associated infrastructure. WCS was originally held by WCS Holdings, a consortium of Singaporean company, Winning International Group (50%) and Weiqiao Aluminium (part of the China Hongqiao Group) (50%). On 19 June 2024, Baowu Resources completed the acquisition of a 49% share of the WCS mine and infrastructure projects, with WCS Holdings owning the remaining 51%. In the case of the mine, Baowu also has an option to increase to 51% during operations. After Closing, Simfer will hold 34% of the shares in the WCS infrastructure entities during construction with WCS holding the remaining 66%.

2 Simfer Jersey Limited is a joint venture between the Rio Tinto Group (53%) and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings Ltd (CIOH) (47%), a Chinalco-led joint venture of leading Chinese SOEs (Chinalco (75%), Baowu (20%), China Rail Construction Corporation (2.5%) and China Harbour Engineering Company (2.5%)). Simfer S.A. is the holder of the mining concession covering Simandou Blocks 3 & 4, and is owned by the Guinean State (15%) and Simfer Jersey Limited (85%). Simfer Infraco Guinée S.A.U. will deliver Simfer's scope of the co-developed rail and port infrastructure, and is, on the date of this notice, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simfer Jersey Limited, but will be co-owned by the Guinean State (15%) after closing of the co-development arrangements. Simfer Jersey will ultimately own 42.5% of Compagnie du Transguinéen, which will own and operate the co-developed infrastructure during operations.

3 The estimated annualised capacity of approximately 60 million dry tonnes per annum iron ore for the Simandou life of mine schedule was previously reported in a release to the ASX dated 6 December 2023 titled "Investor Seminar 2023". Rio Tinto confirms that all material assumptions underpinning that production target and those production profiles continue to apply and have not materially changed.

4 The LCS production target of around 30 thousand tonnes of additional mined copper over the period to 2027 and the NRS production target of around 250 thousand tonnes of additional mined copper over ten years (2023 to 2033) at Kennecott were previously reported in a release to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) dated 20 June 2023 titled "Rio Tinto invests to strengthen copper supply in US". Rio Tinto confirms that all material assumptions underpinning that production targets continue to apply and have not materially changed.


Sustainability highlights

During the second quarter, we continued to work on the Everyday Respect recommendations. As part of this, we commenced our independently led Progress Review. The outcomes will enable us to understand where our actions have had the most impact and where we need to focus on our journey of culture change to continue to create a safe, respectful and inclusive organisation. We expect to receive the final report in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will subsequently make this publicly available. 

In May, we published our 2023 Statement on Modern Slavery, which is our eighth report under Australian modern slavery reporting legislation, our fourth report under UK legislation and our first report under Canadian legislation. The statement highlights the steps we are taking to identify and address modern slavery risks in our global business, the communities in which we operate and across our supply chains.

Communities & Social Performance (CSP)

Key highlights from the second quarter include:

3 April 2024 | Rio Tinto to manage the Ranger Rehabilitation Project for ERA

8 April 2024 | Yinhawangka People and Rio Tinto partner to co-design 'Living Cultures Program'

12 April 2024 | Rio Tinto celebrates WA businesses as regional and Indigenous supplier spend grows

18 April 2024 | Rio Tinto donates $1.5 million to support the people and community of Grindavík in Iceland

3 June 2024 | Rio Tinto marks 70 years of operations in Kitimat

5 June 2024 | Rio Tinto invests $8 million in Pilbara conservation land management

Climate change, product stewardship and our value chain

We continued to make progress towards our 2030 goal of a 50% reduction in emissions (Scope 1 and 2) during the quarter with the signing of 20-year electricity arrangements backed by renewable electricity at NZAS, a partnership with BHP to collaborate on battery-electric haul truck trials in the Pilbara and a new renewable energy agreement at Richards Bay Minerals. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we also announced the construction of two new solar farms on the Gove Peninsula to secure a more sustainable power supply for our Gove operations and the region.

On steel decarbonisation, we have committed to developing a BioIronTM R&D facility in Western Australia and, in aluminium, we continue to develop and test ELYSISTM technology, with a new demonstration plant announced at our Arvida smelter in Quebec.

Further detail on these developments, and others in the second quarter, is provided in the links below:

10 April 2024 | Rio Tinto to invest in the world's best technology startups

12 April 2024 | Rio Tinto spends more than A$16.1 billion with suppliers in Australia

14 May 2024 | Rio Tinto IOC recognized with Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Environmental Excellence Award

27 May 2024 | Rio Tinto and BHP collaborate on battery-electric haul truck trials in the Pilbara

31 May 2024 | Long-term future for New Zealand's Tiwai Point aluminium smelter secured with new power deal

4 June 2024 | Rio Tinto to develop BioIronTM R&D facility in Western Australia to test low-carbon steelmaking

6 June 2024 | Richards Bay Minerals signs agreement for an additional 140 MW of renewable energy

28 June 2024 | Rio Tinto to install carbon free aluminium smelting cells using first ELYSISTM technology licence

3 July 2024 | Two new solar farms for Gove Peninsula as Rio Tinto works to secure more sustainable power


Our markets

The global economy remains resilient - industrial production is recovering, China's manufacturing growth is intact and the outlook for the US economy has improved through the year. Geopolitical tensions and monetary policy settings remain near-term global economic risks.

•     China's economy continues to be supported by a manufacturing recovery and more resilient exports. The government has provided additional measures for the property market to destock the large inventory overhang; however, housing activity remains weak. Disinflation pressures persist amidst muted domestic demand, while manufacturing faces risks of overcapacity in some sectors and increasing tariffs from external markets.

•     The US services sector continued to outperform manufacturing, with healthy consumer spending and modest construction investment. The labour market, resilient in the first half, is showing early signs of weakening. Similarly, latest inflation data shows further moderation, providing leeway for interest rate cuts in the second half.

•     The eurozone economic outlook remains uncertain. The pace of recovery is uneven, with Germany lagging given weakness in its manufacturing sector. The eurozone monthly composite PMI expanded consecutively during the quarter, but this has been driven by services, as manufacturing PMIs continue to be in contraction for most countries in the region.

•     Iron ore prices increased by 4% over the quarter, while the average monthly price in the second quarter of $112/dmt (Platts CFR 62% Fe index) was 9% lower than the first quarter. In the two-month period of April to May, China's crude steel production contracted by 5% year-on-year, despite a 16% year-on-year increase in its steel exports. As a result, domestic steel consumption in the period declined by 7% year-on-year from the corresponding two-month period of 2023. Meanwhile, strong seaborne supply maintained China's monthly average iron ore imports at almost 110 million tonnes in the quarter and portside inventories increased by 5 million tonnes to 149 million tonnes during the period. Lump premiums recovered strongly during the same period, while iron ore fines price relativities widened.

•     The LME aluminium price increased by 9% over the quarter, while the average price rose 15% from the first quarter to $2,520/t. Aluminium demand growth eased in the US and Canada and stabilised in Europe, albeit at a low level. On the supply side, Chinese smelting production rose to an annualised rate of over 43 million tonnes in June, following restarts in Yunnan province and commissioning of new capacity, and is now close to the 45 million tonne cap. Global reported aluminium inventories increased over the quarter, but remain at low levels historically, supporting market premiums. Alumina prices rose firmly over the quarter on refinery disruptions outside China and constrained bauxite supply to refineries in China. Chinese import bauxite prices remained strong on firm demand.

•     The LME copper price increased by 9% over the quarter, with the average price up 16% quarter-on-quarter to $4.42/lb. Chinese copper demand growth slowed moderately into the second quarter, as rising prices temporarily hit demand. Elsewhere, demand has stabilised in developed markets, with a notable decline in US inventories. Globally, exchange inventories have increased but remain low on a historic basis. The copper concentrate market remains tight, which is reflected in historically low smelting and refining charges (TCRCs).

•     Lithium prices remained subdued over the second quarter as demand growth continues to slow from very high rates amid robust supply growth in key producing countries. In the first five months of this year, global EV sales rose 21% year-on-year, compared to 40% over the same period in 2023. Europe and the US witnessed particularly weak growth (up ~6% year-on-year) due to the pull-back in EV subsidies and a high interest rate environment. On the supply side, upstream inventories are building and projects in Africa, Australia and China continue to progress despite softening lithium prices.

•     Underlying demand for titanium dioxide feedstocks remains soft, especially from paints and coatings due to weak property markets. Inventory is building downstream after re-stocking in the first quarter and early second quarter. The European Commission proceeded with provisional anti-dumping duties against Chinese titanium dioxide importers. The proposal to impose close to 40% duties on Chinese titanium dioxide may curtail exports to the EU, but is likely to push more Chinese exports into other markets, particularly Asia. Meanwhile, temporary pigment production outages in May and June resulted in lower feedstock consumption.

•     The borates market is recovering from supply chain disruptions surrounding the Red Sea and is   returning to a well-supplied position. Some sectors are showing signs of gradual recovery, including South American agriculture and industrial-related applications (textile, fibreglass). Demand from the US construction sector has been robust to date, while demand from China's construction sector remains weak.

 

Average realised prices achieved for our major commodities

 

Units

H1 2024

Q2 2024

Q1 2024

H1 2023

2023

Pilbara iron ore

FOB, $/wmt

97.3

92.1

102.6

98.6

99.7

Pilbara iron ore*

FOB, $/dmt

105.8

100.1

111.5

107.2

108.4

Aluminium**

Metal $/t

2,746

2,910

2,587

2,866

2,738

Copper***

US c/lb

419

446

387

396

390

IOC pellets

FOB $/wmt

153.9

147.7

159.9

154.7

155.0

 

*Assuming 8% moisture.

**LME plus all-in premiums (product and market).

***Average realised price for all units sold. Realised price does not include the impact of the provisional pricing adjustments, which positively impacted revenues in the first half by $93 million (first half 2023 negative impact of $10 million).

 

Iron Ore

Rio Tinto share of production (Million tonnes)

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Pilbara Blend and SP10 Lump1

20.8

   -1%

    +5%

40.7

  0%

Pilbara Blend and SP10 Fines1

31.3

   -1%

    +5%

61.1

   -2%

Robe Valley Lump

1.5

    +4%

    +1%

3.1

      +17%

Robe Valley Fines

2.6

      +10%

   -3%

5.4

      +22%

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

11.2

   -5%

   -7%

23.4

   -9%

Total Pilbara production

67.5

   -2%

    +2%

133.6

   -2%

Total Pilbara production (100% basis)

79.5

   -2%

    +2%

157.4

   -2%

 

Rio Tinto share of shipments (Million tonnes)

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Pilbara Blend Lump

12.5

     -15     %

   -3%

25.3

     -17%

Pilbara Blend Fines

24.7

     -10     %

    +7%

47.9

     -15%

Robe Valley Lump

1.3

      +16    %

    +9%

2.6

      +16%

Robe Valley Fines

3.1

      +24    %

    +5%

6.0

      +27%

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

11.4

     -10     %

   -7 %

23.6

     -10%

SP10 Lump1

5.1

        +207        %

      +13    %

9.5

        +186%

SP10 Fines1

8.2

      +24    %

     -11      %

17.4

      +30%

Total Pilbara shipments2

66.2

   -1         %

  0            %

132.3

   -3%

Total Pilbara shipments (100% basis)2

80.3

    +2        %

    +3        %

158.3

   -2 %

Total Pilbara Shipments (consolidated basis)2, 3

68.3

  0            %

    +1        %

136.2

   -3%

Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown, hence small rounding differences may appear.

1 SP10 includes other lower grade products.

2 Shipments includes material shipped from the Pilbara to our portside trading facility in China which may not be sold onwards by the group in the same period.

3 While Rio Tinto has a 53% net beneficial interest in Robe River Iron Associates, it recognises 65% of the assets, liabilities, sales revenues and expenses in its accounts (as 30% is held through a 60% owned subsidiary and 35% is held through a 100% owned subsidiary). The consolidated basis sales reported here include Robe River Iron Associates on a 65% basis to enable comparison with revenue reported in the financial statements. 

Pilbara operations

We produced 79.5 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 67.5 million tonnes) in the second quarter, 2% lower than the corresponding period of 2023. Productivity gains offset ore depletion, however production and shipping in the quarter were impacted by a train collision in mid-May, which resulted in around six days of lost rail capacity and full stockpiles at some mines.

Shipments of 80.3 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 66.2 million tonnes) were 2% higher than the second quarter of 2023, with the draw down of port stocks. SP10 volumes accounted for 17%1 of shipments in the second quarter, in line with the first quarter of 2024.

Approximately 10% of sales in the second 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, average of two months, forward month or on the spot market. Approximately 25% of sales in the second quarter were made on a free on board (FOB) basis, with the remainder sold including freight.

Achieved average pricing in the first half of 2024 was $97.3 per wet metric tonne ($98.6 in the first half of 2023) on an FOB basis (equivalent to $105.8 per dry metric tonne, with an 8% moisture assumption). This compares to the average first half price for the monthly average Platts index for 62% iron fines converted to a FOB basis of $106.0 per dry metric tonne.

 

China Portside Trading

Our iron ore portside sales in China were 14.0 million tonnes in the first half of 2024 (11.9 million tonnes in the first half of 2023). At the end of June, inventory levels were 6.1 million tonnes (6.4 million tonnes at the end of December 2023), including 3.2 million tonnes of Pilbara product. In the first half of 2024, approximately 90% of our portside sales were either screened or blended in Chinese ports.

1 Based on total Pilbara shipments on a 100% basis.

 

Aluminium

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Bauxite

        14,723

    +9%

      +10%

        28,142

      +10%

Bauxite third party shipments

        10,691

      +17%

      +26%

        19,187

      +13%

Alumina

          1,676

     -10%

     -10%

          3,540

   -5%

Aluminium

             824

    +1%

  0 %

          1,650

    +3 %

Recycled aluminium

               70

n/a

   -6 %

             144

n/a

Bauxite

Bauxite production of 14.7 million tonnes was 9% higher than the second quarter of 2023. The increase reflects implementation of the Safe Production System, especially at Weipa where we achieved higher plant utilisation and feed rates. As a consequence, our Group full year bauxite production guidance is expected to be around the top end of our 53 to 56 million tonne range.

We shipped 10.7 million tonnes of bauxite to third parties in the second quarter, 17% higher than the same period of 2023.

Alumina

Alumina production of 1.7 million tonnes was 10% lower than the second quarter of 2023 due to the continuing impacts to our Gladstone operations from the breakage of the third-party operated Queensland Gas Pipeline in March. Gas supplies are currently meeting ~90% of our requirements and are expected to return to normal levels by the end of 2024. As a result, we have reduced our Group full year alumina production guidance to 7.0 to 7.3 million tonnes (previously 7.6 to 7.9 million tonnes).

The gas pipeline outage has reduced our third party sales but there has been no impact on our aluminium production. As a result, our net long alumina position in the first half of 2024 was only 0.1 million tonnes.

As the result of sanction measures by the Australian Government, Rio Tinto has taken on 100% of capacity of Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) for as long as the sanctions continue. This results in use of Rusal's 20% share of capacity by Rio Tinto under the tolling arrangement with QAL. This additional output is excluded from the production tables in this report as QAL remains 80% owned by Rio Tinto and 20% owned by Rusal.

Aluminium

Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 1% higher than the second quarter of 2023. Our smelters continued to demonstrate stable performance during the quarter, with ISAL returning to 100% capacity after  reducing its electricity load following volcanic eruptions in the prior quarter.

Average realised aluminium prices including premiums for value-added products (VAP) decreased 4% to $2,746 per tonne in the first half of 2024 (first half 2023: $2,866 per tonne). The LME price increased by 1% to $2,358 per tonne (first half 2023: $2,329 per tonne), whilst the mid-west premium duty paid declined 28% to $417 per tonne in the first half of 2024 (first half 2023: $583 per tonne), which is 59% of our total volumes (56% in the first half of 2023). Our VAP sales decreased to 45% of primary metal sold in the first half of 2024 (first half 2023: 47%). Product premiums for VAP sales decreased, averaging $287 per tonne of VAP sold (first half 2023: $377 per tonne).

On 11 June, we announced that we will acquire Mitsubishi Corporation's 11.65% interest in Boyne Smelters Ltd (BSL), which owns and operates the Boyne Island aluminium smelter. Earlier in the quarter, we also announced that we will acquire SCC's 2.46% interest in BSL. On completion of these transactions, Rio Tinto's interest in BSL will increase to 73.5%.

In addition, on 18 June, we announced that we will invest $165 million in our Grande-Baie smelter to refurbish two anode baking furnaces that have reached the end of their useful life.

Recycled aluminium

Rio Tinto's share of production from Matalco was 70 thousand tonnes in the second quarter (139 thousand tonnes on a 100% basis), as production was impacted by weak market conditions in North America. Full year 2023 production from Matalco was 582 thousand tonnes (on a 100% basis) of recycled aluminium products.

 

Copper

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Mined copper

 

 

 

 

 

Kennecott

32.3

      +30%

   -1%

64.8

      +18%

Escondida

86.4

      +12%

      +12%

163.5

    +9 %

Oyu Tolgoi (66% basis)

34.7

      +23%

      +14%

65.1

      +15%

Total mined copper production

153.3

      +17%

    +9%

293.4

      +12%

Total mined copper production (consolidated basis1)

171.2

      +18%

      +10%

326.9

      +13%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined copper

 

 

 

 

 

Kennecott

47.5

   +229%

   -1%

95.3

      +64%

Escondida

15.2

     -30%

    +3%

29.9

     -19%

1 Includes Oyu Tolgoi and Kennecott on a 100% consolidated basis, and Escondida on an equity share basis.

Kennecott

Mined copper production was 30% higher than the second quarter of 2023 following a conveyor outage in the prior period. However, production was 1% lower than the previous quarter following changes to the mine plan to manage geotechnical risk in our mining area. These changes delayed access to pit ore and resulted in additional lower grade stockpiled material being processed. The change in ore type also impacted recoveries. We are currently reworking our mine plan and expect to provide a further update in our Third Quarter Operations Review. Our Group full year mined copper production guidance is therefore expected to be around the bottom end of our 660 to 720 thousand tonne range.

Refined copper production was 229% higher than the second quarter of 2023 and 1% lower than the prior quarter. The smelter continued normal operations, processing both material from the mine and concentrate inventory, following the largest rebuild of the smelter and refinery in Kennecott's history in 2023.

Escondida

Mined copper production was 12% higher than the second quarter of 2023 due to a 7% improvement in concentrator feed grade to 0.99% (0.93% in second quarter of 2023) as mining continued into higher grade zones, together with 12% higher concentrator output. Refined copper production was 30% lower than the same quarter of last year due to lower oxide ore grade and lower sulphide ore stacking. 

Oyu Tolgoi

Mined copper production increased 23% from the second quarter of 2023. We continue to see good performance from the underground mine, with a total of 114 drawbells opened from Panel 0, including 14 during the quarter.

During the quarter, we delivered 1.5 million tonnes of ore milled from the underground mine at an average copper head grade of 2.02% and 9.3 million tonnes from the open pit with an average grade of 0.37%. This ramp-up remains on track to reach 500 thousand tonnes of copper production per annum (100% basis and stated as recoverable metal) for the Oyu Tolgoi underground and open pit mines for the years 2028 to 2036[1]. 

We expect to enter negotiations on a new Collective Labour Agreement in the second half of the year. Our current agreement expires in April 2025.

Minerals

Rio Tinto share of production (million tonnes)

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Iron ore pellets and concentrate

 

 

 

 

 

IOC

2.2

    +6%

     -16%

4.8

    +5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 tonnes)

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Minerals

 

 

 

 

 

Borates - B2O3 content

125

   -6%

    +3%

246

   -4%

Titanium dioxide slag

238

     -22%

   -6%

492

     -16%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto share of production ('000 carats)

Q2

2024

vs Q2
2023

vs Q1
2024

H1

2024

vs H1

2023

Diavik

               702

     -28%

   -5%

            1,441

     -25%

Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)

Iron ore production was 6% higher than the second quarter of 2023, as production rates in the prior period were impacted by wildfires. However, production was 16% down quarter-on-quarter given lower output from the mine and an annual maintenance shut in June. Production is expected to be weighted to the second half of 2024 supported by seasonal factors.

Shipments were 7% lower than the second quarter of 2023 due to low portside inventories.

Borates

Borates production in the second quarter was 6% lower than the corresponding period of 2023 but 3% higher than the previous quarter. Second quarter production rates benefited from improved market demand and the re-start of the plant during the first quarter, following completion of a scheduled shut in December. These impacts were partially offset by unplanned plant downtime in April.

Iron and Titanium

Titanium dioxide slag production was 22% lower than the second quarter of 2023, primarily driven by weak market conditions. Whilst a furnace reconstruction is underway at our RTIT Quebec Operations, we continue to operate six out of nine furnaces in Quebec and three out of four at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).

Diamonds

At Diavik, carat production was 28% lower than the second quarter of 2023. Production was impacted by the tragic plane crash earlier in the year, as well as cessation of A21 open pit mining in the third quarter of 2023.

 

Exploration and evaluation

Pre-tax and pre-divestment expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the income statement in 2024 was $487 million, compared with $392 million in 2023 on the same basis (excluding Simandou, where spend for the first half of 2023 was $318m). Approximately 24% of the spend was by central exploration, 36% by minerals (with the majority focusing on lithium), 27% by copper, 12% by iron ore and 1% by aluminium. In 2024, all qualifying expenditure relating to Simandou has been capitalised.

Exploration highlights

Rio Tinto has a strong portfolio of projects with activity in 18 countries across eight commodities in early exploration and studies stages. The bulk of the exploration expenditure in the second quarter focused on copper in Chile, Kazakhstan and Serbia, nickel in Brazil and Canada, lithium in Canada, US, Chile, Rwanda and Australia, potash in Canada and heavy mineral sands (HMS) in South Africa and Rwanda. Rio Tinto operated Nuevo Cobre joint venture copper project in Chile continues to make good progress, with geological field programs, environmental studies and community engagement ongoing. Mine-lease exploration continued at Rio Tinto managed businesses including Bingham Canyon in the US and Pilbara Iron Ore in Australia.

A summary of activity for the quarter is as follows:

Commodities

Studies Stage

Advanced projects

Greenfield/ Brownfield programs

Bauxite

 

 

Cape York, Australia

Battery Materials

Rincon Lithium, Argentina

Lithium borates: Jadar, Serbia

Nickel: Tamarack, US (3rd party operated)

 

Nickel Greenfield: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland

Lithium Greenfield: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Finland, Rwanda, US

Copper

Copper/molybdenum: Resolution, US

Copper/Gold: Winu, Australia

Copper: La Granja, Peru (3rd party operated)

Copper Greenfield: Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Serbia, US, Zambia

Copper Brownfield: US (Bingham), Australia (Winu)

Diamonds

 

Chiri, Angola

 

Iron Ore

Pilbara, Australia

Pilbara, Australia

Greenfield and Brownfield: Pilbara, Australia

Minerals

Potash: KL262 (3rd party operated), Canada

HMS: Mutamba, Mozambique

Texas, Canada (potash), Kamiesberg, South Africa (HMS) (3rd party operated), Kasiya, Malawi (rutile-graphite) (3rd party operated)

 

 

Forward-looking statement

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report, including, without limitation, those regarding Rio Tinto's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to Rio Tinto's products, production forecasts 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" or similar expressions, commonly identify such forward-looking statement.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rio Tinto, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, uncertainty and disruption arising in connection with the Ukraine conflict. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Rio Tinto's present and future business strategies and the environment in which Rio Tinto will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause Rio Tinto's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: an inability to live up to Rio Tinto's values and any resultant damage to its reputation; the impacts of geopolitics on trade and investment; the impacts of climate change and the transition to a low-carbon future; an inability to successfully execute and/or realise value from acquisitions and divestments; the level of new ore resources, including the results of exploration programs and/or acquisitions; disruption to strategic partnerships that play a material role in delivering growth, production, cash or market positioning; damage to Rio Tinto's relationships with communities and governments; an inability to attract and retain requisite skilled people; declines in commodity prices and adverse exchange rate movements; an inability to raise sufficient funds for capital investment; inadequate estimates of ore resources and reserves; delays or overruns of large and complex projects; changes in tax regulation; safety incidents or major hazard events; cyber breaches; physical impacts from climate change; the impacts of water scarcity; natural disasters; an inability to successfully manage the closure, reclamation and rehabilitation of sites; the impacts of civil unrest; the impacts of the Ukraine conflict; breaches of Rio Tinto's policies, standard and procedures, laws or regulations; trade tensions between the world's major economies; increasing societal and investor expectations, in particular with regard to environmental, social and governance considerations; the impacts of technological advancements; and such other risks 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 report. Rio Tinto expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking (except as required by applicable law, the UK Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance 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. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

 

 

 

Contacts

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

 

Media Relations,

United Kingdom

 

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

 

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

 

Media Relations,

Australia

 

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

 

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

 

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

 

Michelle Lee

M +61 458 609 322

Media Relations,

Americas

 

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

 

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

 

Vanessa Damha

M +1 514 715 2152

 

 

Investor Relations,

United Kingdom

 

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

 

Laura Brooks

M +44 7826 942 797

 

Wei Wei Hu

M +44 7825 907 230

 

Investor Relations, Australia

 

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

 

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

 

 

Rio Tinto plc

 

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London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

 

Registered in England

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Rio Tinto Limited

 

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

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Registered in Australia

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This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Andy Hodges, Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.

 

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Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State

 

Rio Tinto production summary

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

 

 

Quarter

 

Half Year

 

% change

 

 

2023

Q2

2024

Q1

2024

Q2

 

2023

H1

2024

H1

 

Q2 24

vs

Q2 23

Q2 24

vs

Q1 24

H1 2024

vs

H1 2023

Principal commodities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumina

('000 t)

1,861

1,864

1,676


3,720

3,540

 

  -10  %

   10 %

   -5 %

Aluminium (Primary)

('000 t)

814

826

824

 

1,598

1,650

 

+1%

  0%

    +3%

Bauxite

('000 t)

13,492

13,418

14,723


25,581

28,142

 

+ %

   +10%

      +10%

Borates

('000 t)

133

121

125


257

246

 

 -6%

    +3%

   -4%

Copper - mined (consolidated)

('000 t)

145.0

155.8

171.2


290.2

326.9

 

 +18 %

  +10%

      +13%

Copper - refined

('000 t)

36.2

62.5

62.7


95.0

125.2

 

  +73%

  0%

      +32%

Iron Ore

('000 t)

70,632

68,701

69,712


140,416

138,413

 

 -1%

    +1%

   -1%

Titanium dioxide slag

('000 t)

303

254

238


589

492

 

 -22 %

   -6%

     -16%

Other Metals & Minerals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diamonds

('000 cts)

970

740

702


1,924

1,441

 

 -28%

   -5 %

     -25%

Gold - mined

('000 oz)

61.4

66.6

67.1


125.7

133.6

 

  +9%

    +1%

    +6%

Gold - refined

('000 oz)

19.2

35.3

39.7


41.2

75.0

 

 +107%

   

  +12 %

      +82 %

Molybdenum

('000 t)

0.3

0.7

0.6


0.4

1.3

 

 +102 %

     -12     %

        +206        %

Salt

('000 t)

1,652

1,425

1,540


3,101

2,965

 

   -7         %

    +8    %

   -4         %

Silver - mined

('000 oz)

775

973

1,072


1,710

2,046

 

      +38    %

      +10      %

      +20    %

Silver - refined

('000 oz)

329

550

606


761

1,156

 

      +84    %

      +10      %

      +52    %

 

Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously quoted on the equivalent page or reported for the first time. 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
2023

Q3
2023

Q4
2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALUMINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonquière (Vaudreuil)

        100        %

346

325

349

352

328

717

681

Jonquière (Vaudreuil) specialty Alumina plant

        100        %

27

28

29

27

30

51

57

Queensland Alumina

      80      %

677

720

664

675

602

1,309

1,277

São Luis (Alumar)

      10      %

66

88

90

87

93

159

179

Yarwun

        100        %

745

736

786

722

624

1,483

1,346

Rio Tinto total alumina production

 

1,861

1,897

1,919

1,864

1,676

3,720

3,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALUMINIUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia - Bell Bay

        100        %

46

47

47

47

47

92

93

Australia - Boyne Island

      59      %

73

76

76

75

75

143

150

Australia - Tomago

      52      %

75

77

77

73

75

150

148

Canada - six wholly owned

        100        %

389

398

410

405

399

756

804

Canada - Alouette (Sept-Îles)

      40      %

63

64

64

63

63

126

126

Canada - Bécancour

      25      %

29

28

30

29

30

58

59

Iceland - ISAL (Reykjavik)

        100        %

52

52

54

49

50

103

99

New Zealand - Tiwai Point

      79      %

66

66

67

66

65

132

131

Oman - Sohar

      20      %

20

20

20

20

20

39

40

Rio Tinto total primary aluminium production

 

814

828

846

826

824

1,598

1,650

Recycled production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matalco

      50      %

-

-

-

74

70

-

144

Rio Tinto total recycled aluminium production

 

-

-

-

74

70

-

144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAUXITE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes) (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gove

        100        %

2,739

3,015

3,234

3,104

3,172

5,317

6,276

Porto Trombetas (b)

      22      %

327

391

509

508

667

601

1,176

Sangaredi

   (c)

1,614

1,524

1,544

1,583

1,622

3,358

3,204

Weipa

        100        %

8,813

9,010

9,811

8,224

9,262

16,304

17,486

Rio Tinto total bauxite production

 

13,492

13,940

15,098

13,418

14,723

25,581

28,142

 

 

(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) On 30 November 2023, Rio Tinto's ownership interest in Porto Trombetas increased from 12% to 22%. Production is reported including this change from 1 December 2023.

(c) 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

Q2
2023

Q3
2023

Q4
2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BORATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)









Rio Tinto Borates - borates

       100       %

         133

         127

         111 

         121

         125

         257

         246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COPPER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a)









Bingham Canyon

       100       %

        24.8

        48.8

        47.8

        32.5

        32.3

        55.1

        64.8

Escondida

     30     %

        77.4

        78.6

        71.6

        77.2

        86.4

      149.7

      163.5

Oyu Tolgoi

     66     %

        28.3

        27.7

        26.8

        30.4

        34.7

        56.4

        65.1

Rio Tinto total mine production

 

      130.5

      155.1

      146.2

      140.1

      153.3

      261.1

      293.4

Rio Tinto total mine production - consolidated basis

 

      145.0

      169.4

      160.0

      155.8

      171.2

      290.2

      326.9

Refined production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Escondida

     30     %

        21.7

        15.6

        14.1

        14.7

        15.2

        37.0

        29.9

Kennecott (b)

       100       %

        14.4

        18.5

        32.0

        47.8

        47.5

        58.1

        95.3

Rio Tinto total refined production

 

        36.2

        34.1

        46.1

        62.5

        62.7

        95.0

      125.2

 

(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) We continue to process third party concentrate to optimise smelter utilisation, including 1.6 thousand tonnes of cathode produced from purchased concentrate in 2024 year-to-date. Purchased and tolled copper concentrates are excluded from reported production figures and production guidance. Sales of cathodes produced from purchased concentrate are included in reported revenues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIAMONDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 carats)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diavik

 100%

970

757

659

740

702

1,924

1,441

 

GOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mine production ('000 ounces) (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bingham Canyon

 100 %

18.7

32.0

33.5

26.7

22.5

39.3

49.2

Escondida

   30%

16.1

14.4

14.6

11.7

13.6

30.7

25.3

Oyu Tolgoi

   66%

26.6

33.8

27.5

28.2

30.9

55.7

59.2

Rio Tinto total mine production

 

61.4

80.2

75.6

66.6

67.1

125.7

133.6

Refined production ('000 ounces)


 

 

 

 

 

Kennecott (b)


20.6

35.3

39.7

41.2

75.0

 

(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) We continue to process third party concentrate to optimise smelter utilisation, including 1.6 thousand tonnes of cathode produced from purchased concentrate in 2024 year-to-date. Purchased and tolled copper concentrates are excluded from reported production figures and production guidance. Sales of cathodes produced from purchased concentrate are included in reported revenues.

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1

2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRON ORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes) (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hamersley mines

   (b)

55,004

57,322

59,138

53,373

54,691

109,437

108,064

Hope Downs

   50%

5,763

5,519

6,074

5,081

5,044

11,649

10,125

Iron Ore Company of Canada

   59 %

2,063

2,384

2,703

2,613

2,185

4,589

4,798

Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

   53%

3,897

4,106

4,330

4,245

4,186

7,020

8,431

Robe River - West Angelas

    53%

3,905

3,910

4,269

3,388

3,607

7,721

6,995

Rio Tinto iron ore production ('000 tonnes)

 

70,632

73,241

76,514

68,701

69,712

140,416

138,413

Breakdown of Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilbara Blend and SP10 Lump (c)

 

21,042

21,418

22,228

19,885

20,828

40,654

40,714

Pilbara Blend and SP10 Fines (c)

 

31,750

31,700

33,485

29,836

31,277

62,601

61,114

Robe Valley Lump

 

1,488

1,665

1,592

1,534

1,546

2,624

3,080

Robe Valley Fines

 

2,409

2,441

2,739

2,711

2,640

4,395

5,351

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

 

11,880

13,633

13,768

12,122

11,235

25,552

23,357

Pilbara iron ore production ('000 tonnes)

 

68,569

70,857

73,811

66,088

67,527

135,827

133,615

IOC Concentrate

 

1,120

1,137

1,298

1,130

930

2,361

2,060

IOC Pellets

 

943

1,247

1,405

1,483

1,255

2,228

2,738

IOC iron ore production ('000 tonnes)


2,063

2,384

2,703

2,613

2,185

4,589

4,798

Breakdown of Shipments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilbara Blend Lump

 

14,691

14,812

14,533

12,844

12,463

30,380

25,307

Pilbara Blend Fines

 

27,474

25,375

23,706

23,168

24,702

56,002

47,870

Robe Valley Lump

 

1,152

1,297

1,506

1,223

1,337

2,203

2,560

Robe Valley Fines

 

2,489

2,706

3,054

2,943

3,095

4,751

6,038

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

 

12,558

13,669

13,628

12,228

11,364

26,247

23,592

SP10 Lump (c)

 

1,652

4,180

4,620

4,474

5,071

3,338

9,544

SP10 Fines (c)

 

6,613

9,699

12,208

9,221

8,218

13,446

17,439

Pilbara iron ore shipments ('000 tonnes) (d)

 

66,629

71,736

73,255

66,100

66,250

136,367

132,350

Pilbara iron ore shipments - consolidated basis ('000 tonnes) (d) (f)

68,322

73,553

75,058

67,910

68,281

139,827

136,191

IOC Concentrate

 

1,247

1,232

1,196

1,162

986

2,231

2,147

IOC Pellets

 

1,352

1,066

1,369

1,493

1,438

2,495

2,931

IOC Iron ore shipments ('000 tonnes) (d)

 

2,599

2,298

2,565

2,654

2,423

4,726

5,078

Rio Tinto iron ore shipments ('000 tonnes) (d)

 

69,228

74,034

75,820

68,755

68,673

141,093

137,428

Rio Tinto iron ore sales ('000 tonnes)   (e)

 

71,678

74,488

76,269

69,356

71,920

145,951

141,275

 

(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, Western Turner Syncline, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass, Channar, Gudai-Darri,  Eastern Range and  Western Range mines. Whilst Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range and the Western Range mines, 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) SP10 includes other lower grade products.

(d) Shipments includes material shipped to our portside trading facility in China which may not be sold onwards in the same period.

(e) Represents the difference between amounts shipped to portside trading and onward sales from portside trading, and third party volumes sold.

(f) While Rio Tinto has a 53% net beneficial interest in Robe River Iron Associates, it recognises 65% of the assets, liabilities, sales revenues and expenses in its accounts (as 30% is held through a 60% owned subsidiary and 35% is held through a 100% owned subsidiary). The consolidated basis sales reported here include Robe River Iron Associates on a 65% basis to enable comparison with revenue reported in the financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto share of production

 

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1

2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOLYBDENUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mine production ('000 tonnes) (a)









Bingham Canyon

100

%

0.3

0.6

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.4

1.3

 

(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%

1,652

1,434

1,438

1,425

1,540

3,101

2,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SILVER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mine production ('000 ounces) (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bingham Canyon

 100%

296

462

504

370

368

652

738

Escondida

   30%

302

350

420

398

465

706

863

Oyu Tolgoi

   66%

17

189

176

205

239

352

444

Rio Tinto total mine production

 

775

1,001

1,100

973

1,072

1,710

2,046

Refined production ('000 ounces)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kennecott (b)

 100%

329

240

406

550

606

761

1,156

 

(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) We continue to process third party concentrate to optimise smelter utilisation, including 1.6 thousand tonnes of cathode produced from purchased concentrate in 2024 year-to-date. Purchased and tolled copper concentrates are excluded from reported production figures and production guidance. Sales of cathodes produced from purchased concentrate are included in reported revenues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (a)

       100       %

303

247

275

254

238

589

492

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024.

 

Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto
interest

Q2
2023

Q3
2023

Q4
2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALUMINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smelter Grade Alumina - Aluminium Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumina production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queensland Alumina Refinery - Queensland

     80     %

846

900

830

844

752

1,637

1,597

Yarwun refinery - Queensland

       100       %

745

736

786

722

624

1,483

1,346

Brazil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

São Luis (Alumar) refinery

     10     %

657

883

899

867

926

1,593

1,793

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonquière (Vaudreuil) refinery - Quebec (a)

       100       %

346

325

349

352

328

717

681

 

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

 

Speciality Alumina - Aluminium Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speciality alumina production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant - Quebec

       100       %

27

28

29

27

30

51

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio Tinto operational data

 

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALUMINIUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary Aluminium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Primary aluminium production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bell Bay smelter - Tasmania

       100       %

46

47

47

47

47

92

93

Boyne Island smelter - Queensland

   59     %

123

127

128

126

126

240

252

Tomago smelter - New South Wales

   52     %

146

149

149

142

146

291

288

Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alma smelter - Quebec

100  %

121

121

123

121

119

241

240

Alouette (Sept-Îles) smelter - Quebec

     40%

159

159

160

157

158

314

315

Arvida smelter - Quebec

       100%

43

43

43

43

37

85

80

Arvida AP60 smelter - Quebec

       100%

14

15

15

15

15

29

31

Bécancour smelter - Quebec

     25 %

118

114

119

116

119

232

235

Grande-Baie smelter - Quebec

       100%

57

58

58

57

57

114

114

Kitimat smelter - British Columbia

       100%

92

103

109

107

107

165

214

Laterrière smelter - Quebec

100

62

59

62

61

63

123

124

Iceland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISAL (Reykjavik) smelter

       100%

52

52

54

49

50

103

99

New Zealand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiwai Point smelter

     79%

83

83

85

83

82

166

165

Oman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sohar smelter

     20%

99

100

100

99

99

197

198

Recycled  Aluminium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycled  aluminium production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matalco

     50%

-

-

-

148

139

-

288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAUXITE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bauxite production ('000 tonnes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gove mine - Northern Territory

 100%

2,739

3,015

3,234

3,104

3,172

5,317

6,276

Weipa mine - Queensland

   100%

8,813

9,010

9,811

8,224

9,262

16,304

17,486

Brazil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine

   22%

2,724

3,258

3,202

2,310

3,034

5,012

5,344

Guinea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sangaredi mine (a)

   23%

3,586

3,387

3,430

3,517

3,604

7,462

7,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto share of bauxite shipments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of total bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)

 

13,603

13,954

15,513

12,715

15,177

25,867

27,892

Share of third party bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes)

9,159

9,550

10,749

8,496

10,691

17,039

19,187

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

 

 

 

Rio Tinto
interest

Q2
2023

Q3
2023

Q4
2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

BORATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto Borates - borates

       100       %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borates ('000 tonnes) (a)

 

      133

      127

      111 

      121

      125

          257

          246

 

(a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content.

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COPPER & GOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Escondida

     30     %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes)

 

30,749

33,332

34,752

31,653

34,377

     64,058

     66,030

Average copper grade (%)

 

     0.93

     0.85

     0.77

     0.92

     0.99

         0.85

         0.96

Mill production (metals in concentrates):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contained copper ('000 tonnes)

 

   228.9

   225.7

   217.6

   238.6

   279.5

       438.9

       518.2

Contained gold ('000 ounces)

 

     53.5

     48.1

     48.6

     39.0

     45.4

       102.5

         84.4

Contained silver ('000 ounces)

 

   1,008

   1,168

   1,401

   1,328

   1,549

       2,353

       2,877

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

     29.1

     36.4

     21.0

     18.6

       8.4

         60.2

         27.0

Refined production from leach plants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes)


     72.4

     52.0

     46.9

     49.0

     50.7

       123.2

         99.8

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COPPER & GOLD (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kennecott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bingham Canyon mine

       100       %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utah, US

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore treated ('000 tonnes)

 

   5,339

   9,804

10,579

   8,271

10,257

     12,744

     18,528

Average ore grade:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (%)

 

0.52

0.56

0.50

0.43

0.36

0.49

0.39

Gold (g/t)

 

0.16

0.16

0.14

0.14

0.11

0.14

0.12

Silver (g/t)

 

2.36

2.10

2.10

1.97

1.79

2.24

1.87

Molybdenum (%)

 

   0.018

   0.018

   0.019

   0.021

   0.020

       0.014

       0.020

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

 

        92

      180

      191

      127

      135

          208

          262

Average concentrate grade (% Cu)

 

26.8

26.8

25.0

25.6

23.9

26.4

24.7

Production of metals in copper concentrates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper ('000 tonnes) (a)

 

     24.8

     48.8

     47.8

     32.5

     32.3

         55.1

         64.8

Gold ('000 ounces)

 

     18.7

     32.0

     33.5

     26.7

     22.5

         39.3

         49.2

Silver ('000 ounces)

 

      296

      462

      504

      370

      368

          652

          738

Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes):

 

       0.6

       1.4

       1.6

       1.6

       1.6

           0.7

           3.2

Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

 

       0.3

       0.6

       0.8

       0.7

       0.6

           0.4

           1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kennecott smelter & refinery

       100       %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes)

 

        41

        59

      187

      171

      227

          241

          398

Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (b)

 

     18.2

       1.4

     44.1

     56.7

     54.4

         73.3

       111.2 

Production of refined metal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper ('000 tonnes) (c)

 

     14.4

     18.5

     32.0

     47.8

     47.5

         58.1

         95.3

Gold ('000 ounces) (d)

 

     19.2

     12.4

     20.6

     35.3

     39.7

         41.2

         75.0

Silver ('000 ounces) (d)

 

      329

      240

      406

      550

      606

          761

       1,156

 

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

(b) New metal excluding recycled material.

(c) We continue to process third party concentrate to optimise smelter utilisation, including 1.6 thousand tonnes of cathode produced from purchased concentrate in 2024 year-to-date. Purchased and tolled copper concentrates are excluded from reported production figures and production guidance. Sales of cathodes produced from purchased concentrate are included in reported revenues.

(d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto operational data

 

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COPPER & GOLD (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oyu Tolgoi mine

     66     %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mongolia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore Treated ('000 tonnes) - Open Pit

 

     8,809

     8,789

     8,714

     9,011

     9,284

     18,421

     18,295

Ore Treated ('000 tonnes) - Underground

 

        900

        900

        888

     1,313

     1,533

       1,575

       2,845

Ore Treated ('000 tonnes) - Total

 

     9,709

     9,689

     9,602

   10,323

   10,817

     19,996

     21,140

Average mill head grades:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Pit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (%)

 

       0.41

       0.39

       0.42

       0.39

       0.37

         0.42

         0.38

Gold (g/t)

 

       0.19

       0.25

       0.22

       0.19

       0.17

         0.20

         0.18

Silver (g/t)

 

       1.10

       1.19

       1.24

       1.25

       1.12

         1.13

         1.18

Underground

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (%)

 

       1.56

       1.73

       1.59

       1.67

       2.02

         1.47

         1.86

Gold (g/t)

 

       0.38

       0.37

       0.37

       0.42

       0.62

         0.36

         0.53

Silver (g/t)

 

       3.67

       3.94

       3.42

       3.28

       4.75

         3.49

         4.07

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (%)

 

       0.52

       0.52

       0.53

       0.55

       0.61

         0.51

         0.58

Gold (g/t)

 

       0.21

       0.26

       0.23

       0.22

       0.24

         0.21

         0.23

Silver (g/t)

 

       1.34

       1.44

       1.44

       1.50

       1.64

         1.32

         1.57

Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes)

 

     200.3

     197.6

     196.0

     208.5

     246.2

       402.0

       454.7

Average concentrate grade (% Cu)

 

       21.4

       21.3

       20.8

       22.1

       21.3

         21.2

         21.7

Production of metals in concentrates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

 

       42.8

       42.0

       40.7

       46.1

       52.5

         85.4

         98.6

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)

 

       40.3

       51.2

       41.7

       42.8

       46.9

         84.4

         89.6

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)

 

        268

        287

        266

        311

        363

          534

          673

Sales of metals in concentrates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes)

 

       43.2

       42.7

       38.4

       43.7

       48.3

         84.6

         92.0

Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces)

 

       40.4

       48.7

       41.5

       41.5

       43.3

         84.4

         84.8

Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces)

 

        257

        269

        240

        272

        317

          499

          588

 

 

 

 

Q2

2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1

2024

Q2

2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIAMONDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diavik Diamonds

       100       %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northwest Territories, Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed ('000 tonnes)

 

        446

        427

        388

        343

        361

          873

          705

Diamonds recovered ('000 carats)

 

        970

        757

        659

        740

        702

       1,924

       1,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 

Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2
2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRON ORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto Iron Ore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilbara Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes)









Hamersley mines

   (a)

55,004

57,322

59,138

53,373

54,691

109,437

108,064

Hope Downs

     50     %

11,527

11,037

12,148

10,163

10,087

23,298

20,250

Robe River - Pannawonica (Mesas J and A)

     53     %

7,353

7,747

8,171

8,009

7,898

13,244

15,907

Robe River - West Angelas

     53     %

7,368

7,377

8,054

6,393

6,805

14,568

13,198

Total production ('000 tonnes)

 

81,251

83,484

87,511

77,938

79,481

160,547

157,420

Breakdown of total production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilbara Blend and SP10 Lump (b)

 

24,910

25,268

26,308

23,386

24,416

48,106

47,802

Pilbara Blend and SP10 Fines (b)

 

37,108

36,836

39,264

34,422

35,932

73,645

70,354

Robe Valley Lump

 

2,808

3,142

3,004

2,894

2,916

4,952

5,811

Robe Valley Fines

 

4,544

4,605

5,167

5,115

4,982

8,293

10,096

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

 

11,880

13,633

13,768

12,122

11,235

25,552

23,357

Breakdown of total shipments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pilbara Blend Lump

 

17,757

17,785

17,355

15,635

15,832

36,489

31,467

Pilbara Blend Fines

 

33,668

31,008

29,840

28,475

31,336

69,018

59,811

Robe Valley Lump

 

2,173

2,447

2,842

2,308

2,522

4,156

4,830

Robe Valley Fines

 

4,696

5,105

5,762

5,553

5,839

8,964

11,392

Yandicoogina Fines (HIY)

 

12,558

13,669

13,628

12,228

11,364

26,247

23,592

SP10 Lump (b)

 

1,652

4,180

4,620

4,612

5,141

3,338

9,753

SP10 Fines (b)

 

6,613

9,699

12,208

9,221

8,275

13,446

17,496

Total shipments ('000 tonnes) (c)

 

79,118

83,892

86,255

78,033

80,309

161,658

158,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2
2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iron Ore Company of Canada

     59     %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saleable iron ore production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrates ('000 tonnes)

 

1,908

1,936

2,210

1,924

1,584

4,021

3,508

Pellets ('000 tonnes)

 

1,605

2,124

2,393

2,526

2,137

3,794

4,663

IOC Total production ('000 tonnes)


3,513

4,060

4,603

4,450

3,721

7,816

8,171

Shipments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrates ('000 tonnes)

 

2,124

2,098

2,037

1,978

1,678

3,800

3,657

Pellets ('000 tonnes)

 

2,302

1,815

2,331

2,542

2,449

4,248

4,991

IOC Total Shipments ('000 tonnes) (c)

 

4,426

3,913

4,368

4,520

4,127

8,048

8,647

Global Iron Ore Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iron Ore Production ('000 tonnes)


84,764

87,543

92,114

82,388

83,203

168,363

165,591

Iron Ore Shipments ('000 tonnes)

 

83,543

87,805

90,623

82,553

84,436

169,706

166,989

Iron Ore Sales ('000 tonnes) (d)

 

85,601

88,030

91,072

82,790

87,479

174,091

170,270

(a) Includes 100% of production from Paraburdoo, Mt Tom Price, Western Turner Syncline, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman, Nammuldi, Silvergrass, Channar, Gudai-Darri,  Eastern Range and Western Range mines. Whilst Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range and the Western Range mines, 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) SP10 includes other lower grade products.

(c) Shipments includes material shipped to our portside trading facility in China which may not be sold onwards in the same period.

(d) Include Pilbara and IOC sales adjusted for portside trading movements and third party volumes sold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

Rio Tinto operational data

 

Rio Tinto

interest

Q2
2023

Q3

2023

Q4

2023

Q1
2024

Q2
2024

H1
2023

H1
2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SALT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dampier Salt

     68     %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt production ('000 tonnes)

 

     2,416

     2,097

     2,103

     2,085

     2,253

       4,537

       4,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TITANIUM DIOXIDE SLAG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium

       100       %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada and South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Rio Tinto share) (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Titanium dioxide slag ('000 tonnes)


        303

        247

        275

        254

        238

          589

          492

 

 

(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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 June 2024. The data represents production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.

 


[1] The 500 thousand tonnes per annum copper production target (stated as recoverable metal) for the Oyu Tolgoi underground and open pit mines for the years 2028 to 2036 was previously reported in a release to the ASX dated 11 July 2023 "Investor site visit to Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, Mongolia". All material assumptions underpinning that production target and those production profiles continue to apply and have not materially changed.

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