Rio Tinto expects Pilbara cyclones to impact Q1 iron ore shipments

On February 21, Anglo-Australian iron ore giant Rio Tinto announced it expects Tropical Cyclones Dianne and Carlos affecting its coastal operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region to impact on shipped tonnage for the first quarter of this year.
 
Accordingly, TC Carlos, moving in a west-southwest direction at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, is expected to impact the Pilbara coast from early Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
 
Rio Tinto said it has maintained operations at all its 14 mines across the region and there have been frequent interruptions at its Dampier and Port Walcott (Cape Lambert) operations since February 14 from adverse weather. The reformed TC Carlos has required the tie-down of all port operations from later today, February 21. 
 
Rio Tinto said it would review the effect of the interruptions on stock levels and shipping schedules and would bring forward some maintenance work to help return rail and shipping operations to normal when conditions allowed.