17th Oct 2007 07:01
Rio Tinto PLC17 October 2007 Third quarter 2007 operations review • Near record iron ore production and shipments were achieved in thequarter, and Australian production was 11 per cent ahead of 2006 for the firstnine months of the year, despite two derailments which impacted production forthe third quarter. • Yandicoogina's capacity of 52 million tonnes per annum was reachedduring the third quarter, making it the largest single iron ore mine inAustralia. The Hope Downs development of a 22 million tonne per annum mine andrelated infrastructure neared completion. • Margins in the Pilbara remain under pressure due to continuingincreases in contractor and other mining input costs. Further measures have beenput in place to ensure tighter control of manageable costs. • Mined copper production fell by six per cent compared with the samequarter of 2006, mainly attributable to lower grades, as expected, atNorthparkes and Kennecott Utah Copper. • Production of refined copper was 30 per cent above the level of thethird quarter of 2006 when the Kennecott Utah Copper smelter was shut down forscheduled maintenance. • Higher gold grades at Grasberg contributed to a 35 per centincrease in Rio Tinto's share of mined gold production compared with the thirdquarter of 2006. • Infrastructure challenges of congested ports and railways inQueensland and New South Wales continued to impact hard coking and thermal coalproduction in Australia in the third quarter, resulting in a decline of ten and24 per cent, respectively, compared with the same quarter of the prior year. • Third quarter uranium production was five per cent higher than the2006 comparative period, with the Ranger operation able to process higher gradeore following the successful implementation of dewatering strategies andoptimisation of the mine plan. This offset a reduction in Rossing productionfrom lower grades. All currency figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated IRON ORE AND IRON Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Hamersley 27,105 +7% -3% 79,046 +15%Robe River 6,381 -16% -8% 19,773 -5%IOC (pellets and concentrate) 2,376 -1% +37% 5,520 -20% In a very tight iron ore market, the Pilbara Blend product was successfullylaunched and is delivering improved product consistency to customers. The investment programme to increase production in the Pilbara region ofAustralia to 220 million tonnes per annum in 2009 remains on track, and earlyplanning for a further increase to 320 million tonnes per annum capacity around2012 to 2014 is under way, with a decision expected in 2008. Near record production and shipments were achieved in the quarter, andAustralian production was 11 per cent ahead of 2006 for the first nine months ofthe year. Hamersley and Robe River Completion of the Junction South East expansion has boosted Yandicoogina'scapacity to 52 million tonnes per annum, making it the largest single iron oremine in Australia. The Hope Downs development of a 22 million tonne per annummine and related infrastructure, including the Lang Hancock rail spur, nearedcompletion and first ore is expected by early 2008. Increased production rates from completed brownfield expansions were achieved atTom Price and Paraburdoo. The Dampier Upgrade B at Parker Point has beensuccessfully completed and the expansion of Cape Lambert port to 80 milliontonnes per annum capacity is under way. Robe River throughput was reduced by a planned 14 day maintenance shutdown of acar dumper at Cape Lambert. Two derailments in August impacted Hamersley's operations. The increase inshipments from the Pilbara in recent years has put the rail infrastructure understrain, resulting in a need to upgrade older sections of track. Plannedmaintenance was brought forward and completed for 12 sections of track withsimilar characteristics to reduce any risk of further derailments, and thepurchase of replacement consists has also been expedited. HIsmelt The HIsmelt plant achieved its best quarter of production on record, followingthe major refurbishment and vessel reline of the previous quarter. The plantoperated at up to 80 per cent of nameplate capacity and the three year ramp-uptowards achieving 800,000 tonne per annum nameplate capacity in 2008 remains ontarget. Iron Ore Company of Canada Production of concentrates and pellets at the Iron Ore Company of Canadarecovered further from the seven week strike which impacted the first and secondquarters of the year. Pellet production was 42 per cent higher than the secondquarter while third quarter concentrate production was 18 per cent higherdespite catch-up maintenance following the strike. ENERGY US thermal coal Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Rio Tinto Energy America 31,184 0% +3% 91,860 -1% Third quarter production was consistent with the same quarter of 2006. Coalinventories at power utilities have increased following lower demand for powercombined with stronger shipments at the end of 2006. Spring Creek production set a new quarterly record following the successfulimplementation of the expansion project. Australian coal Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Rio Tinto Coal Australia Hard coking coal 1,564 -10% -4% 4,635 +6% Other coal 5,855 -24% 0% 18,746 -20% Production of hard coking coal was severely impacted by ongoing port constraintsand reduced tonnage allotments in Queensland, which curtailed mined production,despite generally favourable market conditions. In New South Wales, reduced port throughput from coal chain infrastructurelimitations continued to impact all sites, offsetting a recovery in productionat Rio Tinto subsidiary Coal & Allied, following heavy rains and the declarationof force majeure in June. An investment programme by the owners and operators of the coal ports atNewcastle and Dalrymple Bay on the eastern seaboard of Australia is expected toincrease capacity in the second half of 2008 and into 2009. Uranium Rio Tinto share of production (000 lbs) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Energy Resources of Australia 1,980 +20% -11% 5,723 +26%Rossing 1,126 -14% +16% 3,389 -14% Production at the Ranger mine was 20 per cent higher in the third quarter,compared with the same quarter of 2006. The successful implementation of variouswater disposal strategies along with the optimisation of the mine plan made highgrade ore available for processing. Lower grades at Rossing impacted third quarter production compared with the sameperiod of 2006, although there was an improvement compared with the previousquarter. DIAMONDS AND MINERALS Diamonds Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Argyle 4,865 -42% +10% 12,749 -39%Diavik 1,874 +10% -5% 5,399 +23% Argyle's production remained low in Q3 2007 due to continued low feed gradeassociated with current mining locations. Variability in feed grade andproduction rates will continue as the open-pit operation approaches the end ofits life and the mine transitions to an underground operation. Production at Diavik was ten per cent higher than the third quarter of 2006 asmining continued to be predominately from the higher grade A154S pipe in 2007compared with a blend of A154S and A154N pipes in 2006. Third quarterproduction was five per cent lower than the second quarter when record levelswere achieved. Minerals Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Borates 134 -2% -8% 408 0%Titanium dioxide feedstocks 356 +5% -3% 1,075 +4% Third quarter production of borates and titanium dioxide feedstocks was broadlysimilar to the same quarter of the prior year as firm demand in Asia Pacific andEurope offset weakness in the US housing market. ALUMINIUM Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Rio Tinto Aluminium Bauxite 4,651 +15% +10% 13,113 +12% Alumina 679 -17% -1% 2,024 -17% Aluminium 216.2 0% 0% 644.4 +2% Third quarter bauxite production was 15 per cent above the third quarter of 2006and ten per cent above the previous quarter, reflecting increased capacity fromthe commissioning of the second shiploader. Alumina production at Yarwun was consistent with the level of the third quarterof 2006. Rio Tinto's overall share of alumina production in the third quarter of2007 was slightly ahead of the previous year on a comparable basis, but 17 percent lower taking into account the sale of Eurallumina in October 2006. Production at the aluminium smelters was comparable with the third quarter of2006 and the previous quarter of 2007. Year to date production was two per centhigher than 2006. COPPER Rio Tinto share of production Q3 07 vs Q3 06 vs Q2 07 9 mths 07 vs 9 mths 06Kennecott Utah Copper Mined copper (000 tonnes) 49.5 -28% -11% 159.2 -20% Refined copper (000 tonnes) 68.7 +25% +1% 206.3 +7% Molybdenum (000 tonnes) 3.5 -26% -9% 11.9 -5% Mined gold (000 ozs) 88 -35% -27% 317 -24% Refined gold (000 ozs) 128 -6% -12% 390 -1%Escondida Mined copper (000 tonnes) 101.2 +25% -4% 317.9 +8% Refined copper (000 tonnes) 16.1 +77% -18% 55.7 +140%Grasberg JV Mined copper (000 tonnes) 7.5 -10% +34% 18.9 -38% Mined gold (000 ozs) 149 +1777% +54% 320 +787% Kennecott Utah Copper A five day planned maintenance shutdown at the concentrator in the third quarterimpacted the quantity of ore treated, resulting in lower mined copper and goldproduction. Metal head grades for the quarter and the first nine months of 2007were lower than their respective 2006 comparative periods. Lower molybdenum production in the third quarter compared with the same periodin 2006 was a result of lower ore grade and high limestone levels in theorebody. Refined copper production in the third quarter of 2007 was higher than the 2006comparative period attributable to the shutdown of the smelter for majormaintenance having commenced in the third quarter of 2006. Escondida Third quarter mined copper production was 25 per cent above the correspondingquarter of 2006, reflecting higher grades and higher throughput in 2007 and thestrike in 2006. Refined copper production increased by 77 per cent compared withthe third quarter of 2006 when sulphide leach production was ramping up tocapacity. Grasberg Changes in the metal sharing rate for 2007 were a major factor in lowering RioTinto's share of copper production and increasing its share of gold productionin the third quarter of 2007, compared with the same quarter of 2006. Other copper operations Lower copper production at Northparkes was attributable to a significant declinein grades in the E26 block cave, as anticipated, as this resource nears the endof its life ahead of bringing E48 into production. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and lossaccount in the first nine months of 2007 was $348 million compared with $175million in same period of 2006. $76 million of this expenditure was chargedagainst business unit earnings. A summary of activity for the period is as follows: Product Group Advanced projects Greenfield programmesAluminium Brazil, AustraliaCopper Sulawesi nickel, Indonesia: Contract of Russia (Rio Nor JV), Kazakhstan, US, Work negotiations progressed. Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, southern Lakeview nickel-copper, US: order of and central Africa. magnitude study ready to commence.Diamonds & Minerals Bunder diamonds, India: Chilubane and India, Canada, Russia, Mauritania and Mali Mutamba ilmenite (formerly Xai Xai and (diamonds): Australia, Canada, US, Turkey, Inhambane), Mozambique: Jarandol and Serbia (industrial minerals) Jadar borates, Serbia: and Namekara vermiculite, Uganda: order of magnitude studies continued.Energy Huren Gol coal, Mongolia and Landazuri Colombia, Canada, US, southern Africa and coal, Colombia: coal measures intersected Mongolia in drilling.Iron Ore Pilbara, Australia: delineation drilling Brazil ,Guinea, and Gabon continued at several advanced prospects. Mine lease exploration continued at a number of Rio Tinto businesses includingKennecott Utah Copper, Northparkes, Greens Creek, Energy Resources of Australia,Rossing, Argyle, Diavik and Pilbara Iron. Drill activity has increased atRossing due to encouraging exploration results. Pre-feasibility or feasibility work progressed on a number of projects includingResolution (copper/gold, US), La Granja (copper, Peru), Eagle (nickel/copper,US), Potasio Rio Colorado (potash, Argentina), Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) andseveral Pilbara iron ore deposits. For further information, please contact:Media Relations, London Media Relations, AustraliaChristina Mills Ian HeadOffice: +44 (0) 20 8080 1306 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620Mobile: +44 (0) 7825 275 605 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101 Nick Cobban Amanda BuckleyOffice: +44 (0) 20 8080 1305 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3627Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 041 003 Mobile: +61 (0) 419 801 349 Investor Relations, London Investor Relations, AustraliaNigel Jones Dave SkinnerOffice: +44 (0) 20 7753 2401 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628Mobile: +44 (0) 7917 227 365 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309 David Ovington Investor Relations, North AmericaOffice: +44 (0) 20 7753 2326 Jason CombesMobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Office: +1 (0) 801 685 4535 Mobile: +1 (0) 801 558 2645 Email: [email protected] Website: www.riotinto.comHigh resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARYRIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION QUARTER 9 MONTHS % CHANGE 2006 2007 2007 2006 2007 Q3 07 Q3 07 9 mths 07 Q3 Q2 Q3 vs vs vsPrincipal Commodities Q3 06 Q2 07 9 mths 06Alumina ('000 t) 821 685 679 2,452 2,024 -17% -1% -17%Aluminium ('000 t) 215.2 216.5 216.2 629.0 644.4 0% 0% 2%Borates ('000 t) 137 145 134 408 408 -2% -8% 0%Coal - hard coking coal ('000 t) 1,732 1,633 1,564 4,393 4,635 -10% -4% 6%Coal - other Australian ('000 t) 7,665 5,850 5,855 23,376 18,746 -24% 0% -20%Coal - US ('000 t) 31,302 30,318 31,184 92,463 91,860 0% 3% -1%Copper - mined ('000 t) 182.8 186.5 172.5 593.6 557.1 -6% -8% -6%Copper - refined ('000 t) 75.6 100.7 98.7 245.1 301.0 30% -2% 23%Diamonds ('000 cts) 10,071 6,413 6,770 25,602 18,216 -33% 6% -29%Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 249 327 335 709 941 35% 3% 33%Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 137 147 128 395 390 -6% -12% -1%Iron ore ('000 t) 35,740 37,117 36,390 97,723 105,751 2% -2% 8%Titanium dioxidefeedstock ('000 t) 338 367 356 1,035 1,075 5% -3% 4%Uranium ('000 lbs) 2,962 3,207 3,105 8,487 9,112 5% -3% 7% Other Metals & MineralsBauxite ('000 t) 4,036 4,233 4,651 11,695 13,113 15% 10% 12%Lead ('000 t) 3.2 2.8 3.3 8.5 9.0 0% 18% 6%Molybdenum ('000 t) 4.7 3.8 3.5 12.6 11.9 -26% -9% -5%Pig Iron ('000 t) 15 0 29 34 42 90% - 23%Salt ('000 t) 1,447 958 1,012 4,098 3,087 -30% 6% -25%Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 3,543 3,480 3,371 9,993 10,124 -5% -3% 1%Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 1,148 1,014 1,164 3,554 3,048 1% 15% -14%Talc ('000 t) 340 326 318 1,066 997 -6% -3% -7%Zinc ('000 t) 7.6 7.5 9.6 23.2 25.9 27% 29% 12% Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since thefigure was previously quoted on the equivalent page.Production figures are sometimes more precise than the rounded numbers shown,hence small differences may result between the total of the quarter figures andthe nine month figures. RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007ALUMINAProduction ('000 tonnes)Eurallumina (a) 0% 158 52 - - - 461 -Queensland Alumina 39% 361 384 365 362 377 1,111 1,104Yarwun (b) 100% 302 360 296 323 301 880 920Rio Tinto total alumina production 821 795 661 685 679 2,452 2,024 ALUMINIUMRefined production ('000 tonnes)Anglesey 51% 18.7 18.1 17.5 18.9 18.8 55.3 55.2Bell Bay 100% 45.1 45.5 43.6 45.0 44.8 132.0 133.4Boyne Island 59% 82.7 81.0 81.7 82.3 82.2 244.0 246.3Tiwai Point 79% 68.8 71.2 68.9 70.2 70.4 197.7 209.5Rio Tinto total aluminium production 215.2 215.8 211.7 216.5 216.2 629.0 644.4 BAUXITEProduction ('000 tonnes)Weipa 100% 4,036 4,444 4,229 4,233 4,651 11,695 13,113 BORATESProduction ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)Rio Tinto Minerals - borates 100% 137 145 129 145 134 408 408 COAL - HARD COKINGRio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes) Hail Creek Coal 82% 1,119 1,193 1,124 1,032 864 2,533 3,020 Kestrel Coal 80% 613 324 314 601 700 1,860 1,615Rio Tinto total hard coking coal 1,732 1,516 1,438 1,633 1,564 4,393 4,635production COAL - OTHER *Rio Tinto Coal Australia ('000 tonnes) Bengalla 30% 490 434 398 324 422 1,245 1,144 Blair Athol Coal 71% 1,840 1,911 1,667 1,580 1,374 5,348 4,622 Hunter Valley Operations 76% 2,161 2,180 2,004 1,818 1,774 6,924 5,596 Kestrel Coal 80% 213 121 151 271 261 570 684 Mount Thorley Operations 61% 453 595 497 252 396 1,765 1,145 Tarong Coal 100% 1,713 1,778 1,736 1,021 872 5,200 3,629 Warkworth 42% 796 764 586 584 756 2,324 1,926Total Australian other coal 7,665 7,782 7,041 5,850 5,855 23,376 18,746Rio Tinto Energy America ('000 tonnes) Antelope 100% 7,760 7,640 7,691 7,682 7,601 23,109 22,975 Colowyo (c) 1,431 1,358 1,224 1,342 1,280 4,396 3,846 Cordero Rojo 100% 8,775 9,524 9,060 9,034 8,622 26,571 26,716 Decker 50% 775 866 744 784 833 2,358 2,361 Jacobs Ranch 100% 9,220 9,646 8,537 8,478 8,750 26,612 25,764 Spring Creek 100% 3,341 3,764 3,100 2,999 4,099 9,417 10,198Total US coal 31,302 32,797 30,357 30,318 31,184 92,463 91,860Rio Tinto total other coal production 38,967 40,580 37,398 36,169 37,039 115,839 110,606 COPPERMine production ('000 tonnes)Bingham Canyon 100% 68.9 66.4 54.1 55.6 49.5 199.1 159.2Escondida 30% 81.1 99.8 111.5 105.2 101.2 294.2 317.9Grasberg - Joint Venture (d) 40% 8.3 15.8 5.8 5.6 7.5 30.4 18.9Northparkes 80% 16.8 17.8 13.7 9.9 5.6 48.8 29.2Palabora (e) 58% 7.8 10.0 13.0 10.2 8.7 21.0 31.9Rio Tinto total mine production 182.8 209.8 198.1 186.5 172.5 593.6 557.1Refined production ('000 tonnes)Escondida 30% 9.1 17.1 19.9 19.7 16.1 23.2 55.7Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 55.1 24.2 69.7 67.9 68.7 193.7 206.3Palabora (e) 58% 11.4 12.7 12.0 13.2 13.8 28.2 39.0Rio Tinto total refined production 75.6 54.0 101.6 100.7 98.7 245.1 301.0 DIAMONDSProduction ('000 carats)Argyle 100% 8,330 8,026 3,470 4,414 4,865 21,052 12,749Diavik 60% 1,697 1,495 1,551 1,975 1,874 4,402 5,399Murowa 78% 44 39 12 24 31 148 67Rio Tinto total diamond production 10,071 9,561 5,033 6,413 6,770 25,602 18,216 Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal producedin concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are thenrefined on-site.* Coal - other includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal. See footnotes on page 11. RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued) Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007GOLDMine production ('000 ounces)Barneys Canyon 100% 5 3 2 3 3 12 8Bingham Canyon 100% 131 118 106 117 86 405 309Cortez/Pipeline 40% 55 61 45 61 53 116 160Escondida 30% 11 14 14 14 14 37 42Grasberg - Joint Venture (d) 40% 8 59 74 97 149 36 320Greens Creek 70% 11 13 11 11 13 31 35Northparkes 80% 23 21 20 17 12 55 50Rawhide 51% 3 3 3 3 2 10 8Others - 3 3 3 3 3 7 8Rio Tinto total mine production 249 294 278 327 335 709 941Refined production ('000 ounces)Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 137 67 115 147 128 395 390 IRON ORE & IRONProduction ('000 tonnes)Channar 60% 1,591 1,591 1,585 1,743 1,554 4,288 4,881Corumba 100% 538 549 460 424 528 1,433 1,413Eastern Range (f) 2,326 2,112 2,166 1,670 1,562 6,102 5,397Hamersley 100% 21,304 20,964 20,161 24,617 23,990 58,244 68,767Iron Ore Company of Canada 59% 2,412 2,519 1,413 1,730 2,376 6,923 5,520Robe River 53% 7,570 7,321 6,460 6,932 6,381 20,733 19,773Rio Tinto total mine production 35,740 35,057 32,245 37,117 36,390 97,723 105,751Pig iron production ('000 tonnes)HIsmelt(R) 60% 15 19 13 0 29 34 42 LEADMine production ('000 tonnes)Greens Creek 70% 3.2 3.4 2.9 2.8 3.3 8.5 9.0 MOLYBDENUMMine production ('000 tonnes)Bingham Canyon 100% 4.7 4.2 4.7 3.8 3.5 12.6 11.9 SALTProduction ('000 tonnes)Rio Tinto Minerals - salt (g) 68% 1,447 1,307 1,116 958 1,012 4,098 3,087 SILVERMine production ('000 ounces)Bingham Canyon 100% 1,033 928 856 981 757 3,286 2,595Escondida 30% 439 533 563 592 670 1,461 1,825Grasberg - Joint Venture (d) 40% 87 534 0 114 210 136 323Greens Creek 70% 1,794 1,754 1,666 1,627 1,607 4,476 4,900Others - 190 226 187 166 127 634 480Rio Tinto total mine production 3,543 3,975 3,272 3,480 3,371 9,993 10,124Refined production ('000 ounces)Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 1,148 598 870 1,014 1,164 3,554 3,048 TALCProduction ('000 tonnes)Rio Tinto Minerals - talc 100% 340 325 352 326 318 1066 997 TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCKProduction ('000 tonnes)Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 338 380 351 367 356 1,035 1,075 URANIUM (h)Production ('000 lbs U3O8)Energy Resources of Australia 68% 1,654 2,541 1,507 2,236 1,980 4,551 5,723Rossing 69% 1,308 1,534 1,292 971 1,126 3,935 3,389Rio Tinto total uranium production 2,962 4,075 2,799 3,207 3,105 8,487 9,112 ZINCMine production ('000 tonnes)Greens Creek 70% 7.6 10.2 8.8 7.5 9.6 23.2 25.9 Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal producedin concentrates or dore bullion irrespective of whether these products are thenrefined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production ofsaleable quantities of ore plus pellets. See footnotes on page 11. RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued) Production data notes (a) Rio Tinto sold its 56.2% share in Eurallumina with an effective date of31 October 2006 and production data are shown up to that date. (b) Yarwun was previously known as Comalco Alumina Refinery. (c) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under amanagement agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo'soutput is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. (d) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold(FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as aconsequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since1998. Rio Tinto's share of production reflects actual production for the firstnine months of 2007. (e) Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora varied during 2006 due to theprogressive conversion of debentures into ordinary shares. (f) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production fromthe Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement,Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mineproduction from the joint venture. (g) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Rio Tinto Minerals - salt to68.4% at the beginning of July 2007. (h) With effect from the second quarter of 2007 Rio Tinto is reportinguranium production as '000 lbs U3O8 rather than tonnes. Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicatedabove, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted averageinterest over the relevant periods. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above isat 30 September 2007. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007ALUMINIUMRio Tinto AluminiumWeipa mine 100.0%Queensland, AustraliaBeneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 4,036 4,444 4,229 4,233 4,651 11,695 13,113Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) 4,023 4,451 4,263 4,157 4,774 11,406 13,195Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 49 43 43 45 25 136 112Eurallumina refinery (a) 0.0%Sardinia, ItalyAlumina production ('000 tonnes) 281 92 - - - 821 -Queensland Alumina refinery 38.6%Queensland, AustraliaAlumina production ('000 tonnes) 936 993 945 938 977 2,877 2,860Yarwun alumina refinery (b) 100.0%Queensland, AustraliaAlumina production ('000 tonnes) 302 360 296 323 301 880 920Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0%United KingdomPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 36.6 35.4 35.2 36.8 36.9 108.4 108.9Bell Bay smelter 100.0%Tasmania, AustraliaPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 45.1 45.5 43.6 45.0 44.8 132.0 133.4Boyne Island smelter 59.4%Queensland, AustraliaPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 138.0 136.5 136.1 137.8 137.3 408.6 411.2Tiwai Point smelter 79.4%New ZealandPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 86.5 89.3 86.7 88.2 88.6 247.9 263.4Rio Tinto Aluminium shareShare of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes) 208.5 233.3 195.5 225.8 211.0 616.7 632.3 (a) Rio Tinto sold its 56.2% share in Eurallumina with an effective date of31 October 2006 and production data are shown up to that date. (b) Yarwun alumina refinery was previously known as Comalco Alumina Refinery. BORATESRio Tinto Minerals - borates 100.0%California, US and ArgentinaBorates ('000 tonnes) (a) 137 145 129 145 134 408 408 (a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007COALRio Tinto Coal AustraliaBengalla mine 30.3%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,618 1,433 1,315 1,070 1,394 4,112 3,779Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%Queensland, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,583 2,682 2,341 2,218 1,929 7,508 6,488Hail Creek Coal mine 82.0%Queensland, AustraliaHard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,365 1,455 1,371 1,259 1,054 3,089 3,683Hunter Valley Operations 75.7%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,435 2,264 2,316 2,020 1,883 7,957 6,219Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 419 616 331 381 460 1,188 1,173Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%Queensland, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 266 151 189 339 326 712 854Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 766 404 392 751 875 2,325 2,019Mount Thorley Operations 60.6%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 494 857 657 280 261 2,045 1,198Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 253 125 163 137 393 869 693Tarong Coal mine 100.0%Queensland, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,713 1,778 1,736 1,021 872 5,200 3,629Warkworth mine 42.1%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,803 1,686 1,343 1,172 1,663 5,328 4,178Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 90 130 51 216 133 197 400 Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,131 1,859 1,763 2,010 1,929 5,414 5,702Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,779 1,962 1,776 1,605 1,580 4,470 4,962Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (a) 11,674 11,722 10,443 8,854 9,314 35,116 28,611Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (b) (c) 11,845 11,173 11,127 9,762 9,322 35,588 30,211 Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 13,804 13,581 12,206 10,864 11,243 40,529 34,312Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 13,624 13,135 12,903 11,368 10,902 40,058 35,172Rio Tinto Coal Australia shareShare of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,450 1,603 1,447 1,306 1,285 3,639 4,038Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (b) (c) 7,743 7,525 7,523 6,453 5,937 23,751 19,912 (a) Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal. (b) Other coal sales includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal andsemi-hard coking coal (a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal). (c) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude tradedcoal. Rio Tinto Energy AmericaAntelope mine 100.0%Wyoming, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,760 7,640 7,691 7,682 7,601 23,109 22,975Colowyo mine (a)Colorado, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,431 1,358 1,224 1,342 1,280 4,396 3,846Cordero Rojo mine 100.0%Wyoming, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,775 9,524 9,060 9,034 8,622 26,571 26,716Decker mine 50.0%Montana, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,551 1,733 1,488 1,568 1,666 4,717 4,722Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0%Wyoming, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 9,220 9,646 8,537 8,478 8,750 26,612 25,764Spring Creek mine 100.0%Montana, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,341 3,764 3,100 2,999 4,099 9,417 10,198 Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 32,077 33,664 31,101 31,103 32,017 94,821 94,221Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 32,077 33,661 31,101 31,103 32,165 94,821 94,369 (a) In view of Rio Tinto Energy America's responsibilities under amanagement agreement for the operation of the Colowyo mine, all of Colowyo'soutput is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007COPPER & GOLDEscondida 30.0%ChileSulphide ore to concentrator ('000 tonnes) 18,258 22,585 23,450 23,064 22,406 61,573 68,920Average copper grade (%) 1.55 1.55 1.62 1.58 1.63 1.61 1.61Mill production (metals in concentrates): Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 234.0 289.4 319.1 305.6 305.2 832.8 929.9 Contained gold ('000 ounces) 35 46 45 48 48 124 141 Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,464 1,777 1,877 1,973 2,234 4,869 6,084Ore to leach ('000 tonnes) (a) 14,712 9,659 15,509 8,435 7,329 46,405 31,273Average copper grade (%) 0.25 0.45 0.34 0.53 0.44 0.32 0.41Contained copper in leachate/mined material('000 tonnes) 36 43 52 45 32 148 130Refined production from leach plants: Copper cathode production ('000 tonnes) 30 57 66 66 54 77 186Freeport-McMoRan Copper & GoldGrasberg mine (a) 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)Papua, IndonesiaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 21,170 22,681 20,563 19,568 18,111 61,035 58,242Average mill head grades: Copper (%) 0.85 1.08 1.21 0.82 0.60 0.76 0.89 Gold (g/t) 0.83 0.95 2.01 1.63 0.42 0.81 1.39 Silver (g/t) 3.46 3.87 4.75 3.56 2.02 3.82 3.50Production of metals in concentrates: Copper in concentrates ('000 152.9 220.3 225.6 145.9 92.7 390.5 464.2tonnes) Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 471 589 1,182 916 195 1,292 2,293 Silver in concentrates ('000 1,453 2,083 2,273 1,397 649 3,526 4,318ounces)Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b) Copper in concentrates ('000 155.5 211.3 194.2 157.4 91.1 378.3 442.7tonnes) Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 487 564 1,010 978 236 1,267 2,224 Silver in concentrates ('000 1,167 1,592 1,571 1,202 524 2,723 3,298ounces) (a) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold(FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40% of additional material mined as aconsequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since1998. The first nine months 2007 results include the first half 2007 actuals andthird quarter 2007 forecasts from FCX's most recent five year plan. FCX is notreleasing its actual 100% operating data for the third quarter 2007 until therelease of its 2007 third quarter and nine month results on October 24, 2007. (b) Net of smelter deductions. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007COPPER & GOLD (continued)Kennecott Minerals CompanyCortez/Pipeline mine 40.0%Nevada, USOre treated Milled ('000 tonnes) 956 842 763 697 914 2,456 2,375 Leached ('000 tonnes) 7,452 7,312 11,007 5,956 4,775 15,728 21,738 Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 35 -Average ore grade: gold Milled (g/t) 2.89 2.64 2.49 2.80 2.83 2.48 2.71 Leached (g/t) 0.43 0.42 0.52 0.51 0.50 0.41 0.51 Sold for roasting (g/t) - - - - - 6.50 -Gold produced ('000 ounces) 136 153 113 154 134 291 400Greens Creek mine 70.3%Alaska, USOre treated ('000 tonnes) 162 187 166 148 178 478 492Average ore grades: Gold (g/t) 4.39 4.82 4.44 4.57 4.85 4.30 4.63 Silver (g/t) 619 540 562 624 533 541 570 Zinc (%) 8.9 10.1 9.5 9.1 9.6 9.1 9.5 Lead (%) 4.0 3.6 3.6 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7Metals produced in concentrates: Gold ('000 ounces) 16 19 16 15 19 44 50 Silver ('000 ounces) 2,553 2,497 2,371 2,316 2,287 6,369 6,974 Zinc ('000 tonnes) 10.8 14.5 12.5 10.6 13.7 33.0 36.9 Lead ('000 tonnes) 4.6 4.8 4.2 3.9 4.6 12.1 12.7Rawhide mine (a) 51.0%Nevada, USMetals produced in dore: Gold ('000 ounces) 7 6 5 6 4 20 16 Silver ('000 ounces) 64 50 51 54 34 182 139 (a) Mining operations were completed in October 2002 and processing ofstockpiled ores was completed in May 2003. Residual gold and silver productioncontinues from the leach pads. Kennecott Utah CopperBarneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%Utah, USGold produced ('000 ounces) 5 3 2 3 3 12 8 (a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues tobe recovered from leach pads. Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%Utah, USOre treated ('000 tonnes) 12,333 12,083 11,922 12,499 10,988 35,774 35,409Average ore grade: Copper (%) 0.62 0.63 0.56 0.53 0.52 0.64 0.54 Gold (g/t) 0.47 0.44 0.43 0.42 0.36 0.51 0.41 Silver (g/t) 3.22 3.09 3.14 3.07 2.87 3.64 3.03 Molybdenum (%) 0.057 0.055 0.056 0.050 0.050 0.057 0.052Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 269 245 202 234 222 774 659Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 25.5 27.1 26.7 23.6 22.2 25.7 24.1Production of metals in copper concentrates: Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 68.9 66.4 54.1 55.6 49.5 199.1 159.2 Gold ('000 ounces) 131 118 106 117 86 405 309 Silver ('000 ounces) 1,033 928 856 981 757 3,286 2,595Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes): 8.3 7.4 8.3 6.7 6.2 22.8 21.2 Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 4.7 4.2 4.7 3.8 3.5 12.6 11.9Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 220 156 272 297 263 762 832Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 50.4 33.3 69.0 73.7 61.8 182.5 204.5Production of refined metal: Copper ('000 tonnes) 55.1 24.2 69.7 67.9 68.7 193.7 206.3 Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 137 67 115 147 128 395 390 Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 1,148 598 870 1,014 1,164 3,554 3,048 (b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates. (c) New metal excluding recycled material. (d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007COPPER & GOLD (continued)Northparkes Joint Venture 80.0%New South Wales, AustraliaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 1,427 1,499 1,367 1,363 1,264 4,290 3,994Average ore grades: Copper (%) 1.57 1.57 1.38 1.01 0.65 1.52 1.02 Gold (g/t) 0.69 0.71 0.78 0.67 0.50 0.61 0.65Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 52.4 54.2 42.2 32.4 21.4 153.2 96.0Contained copper in concentrates: Saleable production ('000 tonnes) 21.0 22.2 17.2 12.4 7.0 61.1 36.6 Sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 14.4 15.6 16.3 13.6 9.5 45.8 39.4Contained gold in concentrates: Saleable production ('000 ounces) 29.3 26.0 25.6 21.8 15.1 68.7 62.5 Sales ('000 ounces) (a) 16.1 17.0 19.1 16.2 23.3 45.7 58.6 (a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture. Palabora (a) 57.7%Palabora mineSouth AfricaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 2,668 2,783 2,886 3,025 3,046 7,947 8,957Average ore grade: copper (%) 0.72 0.72 0.71 0.70 0.68 0.71 0.70Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 53.4 61.0 82.1 56.0 48.6 147.9 186.7Average concentrate grade: copper (%) 29.4 28.5 27.4 31.5 31.0 29.9 29.6Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 15.7 17.4 22.5 17.6 15.0 44.1 55.2Palabora smelter/refineryNew concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes) 87.7 75.5 73.6 74.2 73.9 213.0 221.7New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) 22.4 22.2 21.2 22.9 24.0 56.4 68.0Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes) 22.9 22.1 20.8 22.9 24.0 59.1 67.7By-products:Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes) 299 281 262 321 361 846 943Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes) 25 32 21 164 489 88 674Vermiculite plantVermiculite produced ('000 tonnes) 52 50 50 50 50 148 150 (a) Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora varied during 2006 due to theprogressive conversion of debentures into ordinary shares. DIAMONDSArgyle Diamonds 100.0%Western AustraliaAK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,162 2,192 2,168 2,178 2,362 6,249 6,708AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) 8,330 8,026 3,470 4,414 4,865 21,052 12,749Diavik Diamonds 60.0%Northwest Territories, CanadaOre processed ('000 tonnes) 722 509 520 643 656 1,822 1,819Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 2,829 2,492 2,585 3,291 3,123 7,337 8,999Murowa Diamonds 77.8%ZimbabweOre processed ('000 tonnes) 44 47 30 46 55 170 131Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 57 50 15 31 40 190 86 Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007IRON ORE & IRONHamersley IronWestern AustraliaSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes): Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina, Brockman and Nammuldi 100.0% 21,304 20,964 20,161 24,617 23,990 58,244 68,767 Channar 60.0% 2,652 2,652 2,641 2,905 2,589 7,147 8,136 Eastern Range (a) 2,326 2,112 2,166 1,670 1,562 6,102 5,397Total production ('000 tonnes) 26,282 25,728 24,968 29,192 28,141 71,493 82,300Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b) 26,680 27,830 23,770 27,317 26,661 71,230 77,747 (a) Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine. Under the terms of thejoint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged topurchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of theproduction is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. (b) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports. HIsmelt(R) (a) 60.0%Western AustraliaPig iron production ('000 tonnes) 26 31 21 0 49 57 70Iron Ore Company of Canada 58.7%Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in CanadaSaleable iron ore production: Concentrates ('000 tonnes) 983 747 82 613 723 2,615 1,418 Pellets ('000 tonnes) 3,124 3,543 2,325 2,334 3,323 9,175 7,982Sales: Concentrate ('000 tonnes) 651 1,392 436 296 820 1,522 1,552 Pellets ('000 tonnes) 3,198 4,305 1,791 2,727 3,327 8,630 7,845Rio Tinto BrasilCorumba mine 100.0%Mato Grosso do Sul, BrazilSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a) 538 549 460 424 528 1,433 1,413Sales ('000 tonnes) 462 479 347 245 401 1,292 993(a) Production includes by-product fines.Robe River Iron AssociatesPannawonica mine 53.0%Western AustraliaSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 7,501 8,018 6,168 6,901 5,608 21,255 18,677Sales ('000 tonnes) 7,685 7,541 5,938 7,230 5,728 21,577 18,896West Angelas mine 53.0%Western AustraliaSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 6,781 5,795 6,020 6,178 6,432 17,864 18,630Sales ('000 tonnes) 6,224 6,513 5,143 6,793 8,055 16,802 19,992 Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS interest 2006 2006 2007 2007 2007 2006 2007SALTRio Tinto Minerals - salt (a) 68.4%Western AustraliaSalt production ('000 tonnes) 2,229 2,013 1,719 1,476 1,480 6,310 4,675 (a) Rio Tinto increased its shareholding in Rio Tinto Minerals - salt to68.4% at the beginning of July 2007. TALCRio Tinto Minerals - talc 100.0%Australia, Europe, and North AmericaTalc production ('000 tonnes) 340 325 352 326 318 1,066 997TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCKRio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%Canada and South Africa(Rio Tinto share)Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 338 380 351 367 356 1,035 1,075tonnes)URANIUMEnergy Resources of Australia LtdRanger mine 68.4%Northern Territory, AustraliaProduction ('000 lbs U3O8) 2,418 3,715 2,204 3,269 2,895 6,655 8,368Rossing Uranium Ltd 68.6%NamibiaProduction ('000 lbs U3O8) 1,908 2,237 1,884 1,417 1,641 5,738 4,941 Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2007. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Rio Tinto