Australian mining giant Rio Tinto's global iron ore production in the first quarter this year amounted to 42 million mt - down three percent year on year and 16 percent quarter on quarter, as its operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia were disrupted by three tropical cyclones and widespread flooding.
In addition, the adverse weather conditions also affected Rio Tinto's Q1 hard coking coal production, which registered a 12 percent year-on-year decrease and a 29 percent quarter-on-quarter drop to about 1.63 million mt.
"Our Australian coal, iron ore, uranium and alumina operations were affected by the extreme weather in the first quarter, but most are recovering and are benefiting from continued strong prices. We have successfully gained control of Riversdale Mining Limited and plan to accelerate the development of these significant tier one coking coal assets," Rio Tinto's CE Tom Albanese said.
Rio Tinto forecasts increased production in 2011
In the current year, Rio Tinto's global iron ore production for its Australian and Canadian operations is expected to increase to 191 million mt (Rio Tinto share) and 244 million mt on a 100 percent basis, from 184.6 million mt and 239 million mt in 2010. Meanwhile, its share of Australian hard coking coal is expected rise to 9.3 million mt this year, while its thermal coal production is expected to drop to 18.2 million mt, from 8.97 million mt and 18.4 million mt respectively in 2010.
Rio Tinto, which is working to expand its capacity in the Pilbara to 283 million mt per year, said the capacity of the Pilbara iron ore operations increased to 225 million mt per year at the end of the first quarter, following completion of the first debottlenecking project at the Dampier port. The feasibility study to expand the Pilbara system to 333 million mt per year is well advanced and on track for a decision in early 2012.