In its second quarter operations review, the world's second biggest iron ore producer Australia-based Rio Tinto posted a 12 percent increase in its global iron ore production compared to the same quarter of 2010. Its iron ore production in the second quarter this year was 49 million mt, up 17 percent compared to the previous quarter.
Rio Tinto's operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia produced 59 million mt of iron ore, down three percent compared to the record fourth quarter of 2010. This fall is caused by the unseasonably wet weather throughout the second quarter.
Overall iron ore shipments from the Australian and Canadian operations in the first half of the year are six million mt lower than the first half of 2010, totaling 110 million mt, due to widespread flooding in Western Australia.
Rio Tinto stated that its Australian coal operations are recovering from harsh weather conditions, although there are still some problems related to port and rail systems.
In 2011, Rio Tinto expects to produce more than 240 million mt iron ore from its global operations located in Australia and Canada.