In its first quarter operations review, the world's second biggest iron ore producer Australia-based Rio Tinto posted a 10 percent increase in its global iron ore production compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
In the given quarter, Rio Tinto's iron ore production was 59 million mt, while first quarter shipments were 54 million mt, below the production level, due to port shutdowns because of tropical cyclones.
Rio Tinto's operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia produced 56 million mt of iron ore in the first quarter. First quarter iron ore production of Rio Tinto subsidiary Iron Ore Company of Canada was 12 percent higher compared to the same quarter of 2011.
Rio Tinto stated that, in the given period, its Australian hard coking coal production improved by five percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year, declining 35 percent quarter on quarter.
In 2012, Rio Tinto expects to produce approximately 250 million mt from its global operations in Australia and Canada, subject to weather constraints.