Rio Tinto increased its iron ore production in the first quarter of 2026, led by strong performance in Pilbara operations, though shipments were constrained by cyclone-related disruptions. Sales rose only slightly, while the first Simandou shipment to China marked a key milestone.
Strong production performance in Pilbara
In the first quarter, Rio Tinto’s global iron ore production reached 82.8 million mt, rising 12 percent year on year, while Pilbara output totaled 78.8 million mt, up 13 percent year on year. This marks the second-highest first-quarter production level in the region since 2018.
The increase was driven by improved operational efficiency, continued investment in mine productivity, and relatively fewer weather-related disruptions compared to the previous year.
Shipments impacted by cyclones
Despite strong production, sales growth remained limited. Global iron ore sales increased by just 2 percent year on year to 75.7 million mt, while Pilbara shipments also rose by 2 percent to 72.4 million mt.
Severe weather played a key role in constraining volumes. Tropical cyclones Mitchell and Narelle disrupted logistics in the Pilbara, reducing shipments by around 8 million mt during the quarter. The company expects to recover roughly half of these losses in the coming periods.
Sales were conducted across a mix of pricing mechanisms, including spot and index-linked contracts, with 25 percent on FOB terms, while product mix remained broadly stable.
Mixed performance across other iron ore assets
At the Iron Ore Company of Canada, production declined by 13 percent year on year to 3.4 million mt, while sales fell by 3 percent to 3.3 million mt, mainly due to adverse weather conditions and operational challenges.
Meanwhile, the Simandou project in Guinea continued to progress, with 600,000 mt of production recorded in the first quarter and initial shipments sent to China. The first commercial sales from Simandou were realized in April, marking an important step in the project’s ramp-up phase.