Australia-based Rio Tinto, the world's second biggest iron ore producer, has announced that in the fourth quarter of last year its iron ore production from its Pilbara operations in Western Australia increased by three percent year on year to 87.9 million mt. In the given quarter, the company's iron ore shipments from its Pilbara operations amounted to 90 million mt, up three percent year on year, reflecting ongoing productivity improvements being made to the rail network, along with increased flexibility across the infrastructure system.
On the other hand, in 2017 the miner’s iron ore production from the Pilbara region amounted to 329.8 million mt, remaining stable, while its iron ore shipments from the Pilbara region increased by one percent to 330.1 million mt, in line with its guidance, both on year-on-year basis.
Rio Tinto's Australian hard coking coal production in the fourth quarter increased by six percent year on year to 2.32 million mt, while its hard coking coal production in 2017 declined by five percent year on year to 7.7 million mt, due to the impact of Cyclone Debbie in the first quarter of 2017.
In the current year, Rio Tinto’s iron ore shipments from the Pilbara region are expected to be between 330 million mt and 340 million mt, subject to market conditions and any weather constraints.