Rio Tinto releases strong second quarter production results

OREANDA-NEWS. July 17, 2015. Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said “We have maintained our emphasis on efficiency and protecting returns, which is reflected in this solid production performance.

We have also delivered three significant achievements within our growth portfolio. In aluminium, our Kitimat smelter is now producing metal from its expanded facilities, bringing 80 per cent of our smelting capacity into the first cost quartile. In copper, the Oyu Tolgoi underground project is moving forward following the signing of the Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan. In iron ore, we have completed the key elements of our Pilbara infrastructure expansion. Our combination of world-class assets, financial strength, and operating and commercial excellence provides a sound base to continue to generate sustainable returns for our shareholders.”

Highlights 

• Iron ore production and shipments in the first half increased compared to last year despite severe and unseasonal weather in the Pilbara throughout the first half.
  • Second quarter production of iron ore was nine per cent higher than the same quarter of 2014 and was seven per cent above the first quarter of 2015.
• The key elements of the Pilbara 360 Mt/a infrastructure expansion are complete.
  • The focus is now on generating maximum value from the assets, including debottlenecking and productivity improvements.
• The modernised Kitimat aluminium smelter in Canada poured first hot metal during the quarter.
  • The progressive ramp up of production towards nameplate capacity of 420 thousand tonnes is expected to complete in early 2016. The modernised smelter will substantially increase output and lower production costs and emissions.
• The signing of the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Mine Development and Financing Plan (UDP) on 18 May 2015 represents a significant step forward for the project.
  • The UDP between the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto provides a pathway forward in addressing shareholder matters to restart underground development. Next steps include approval of the underground feasibility study and project financing, as well as obtaining necessary permits.

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 2014 have been excluded from Rio Tinto share of production data but assets sold in 2015 remain in comparisons.