18th Jan 2006 07:01
Rio Tinto PLC18 January 2006 Fourth quarter 2005 operations review • The strong operational performance seen in the first nine months of the year continued with many operations setting production records for the full year. • Hamersley's shipments of iron ore set a new record for both the quarter and the full year. The ramp-up of the new shiploading facilities at Dampier boosted export capacity and handled their first shipment of lump ore. • Kennecott Utah Copper continued its focus on the higher grade molybdenum ore to take advantage of higher margin production afforded by strong molybdenum markets. Fourth quarter molybdenum production was 16 per cent higher than the previous record set in the third quarter, and full year production was 130 per cent above prior year. This resulted in lower mined copper units in line with lower grades. • Gold and copper production at the Grasberg mine increased further during the quarter, benefiting from increased access to higher grade ore and improvements in mill throughput. • Full year alumina production for 2005 was 33 per cent higher than 2004. However, fourth quarter production at the Comalco Alumina Refinery continued to be impacted by digestion pump performance. Annual production at the Queensland Alumina Refinery was a record. • The underground development at the Argyle diamond mine and the life extension at the Rossing uranium mine were approved during the quarter. • Favourable market conditions enabled the sale of Rio Tinto's interest in Lihir Gold to take place in November. • Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation in 2005 was $60 million higher than in 2004 reflecting increased brownfield exploration to expand existing resources and continued evaluation work on advanced projects. In December Rio Tinto won the tender to evaluate the La Granja copper project in northern Peru. All currency figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated IRON ORE Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Hamersley 22,447 +11% +1% 86,132 +16%Robe River 7,362 +17% +0% 27,764 +8%IOC (pellets and concentrate) 2,424 +18% +6% 9,188 +40% Demand remained strong from all markets throughout the year. Further expansionsof Hamersley's wholly owned Yandicoogina mine and of the Dampier port in WesternAustralia were announced in October 2005 to take the capacity of Rio Tinto'sports in the Pilbara to close to 200 million tonnes by 2008. Hamersley Production remained at near record levels this quarter contributing to a recordproduction year for Hamersley, up 16 per cent on 2004. Record quarterly sales, up 15 per cent on the previous quarter, contributed to ayearly sales total up 18 per cent on 2004. Export capacity was boosted by theramp-up of new shiploading facilities at Dampier, which handled 5.7 milliontonnes this quarter, including their first shipment of lump ore. Robe River Production and sales of West Angelas ore reached record levels, following thecompletion of the expansion project last quarter. Pannawonica mine productionremained steady this quarter, with sales lifting slightly in response toincreased demand. Iron Ore Company of Canada Annual production of pellets reached record levels, with total saleableproduction up 40 per cent on 2004. Fourth quarter sales and production weresubstantially higher than 2004 due to improved plant reliability and throughputrates. ENERGY US Thermal Coal Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Kennecott Energy 29,135 -6% +3% 115,580 -2% Fourth quarter production improved on the third quarter performance. CorderoRojo recovered from the third quarter when spoil pile instability caused bysevere weather conditions curtailed production. Two train derailments in May 2005 and the subsequent major rail maintenanceprogramme instituted by the operators of the Joint Rail Line resulted indisappointing coal volumes shipped from KEC's Powder River Basin operations in2005. The rail maintenance programme was completed in early December. Australian Coal Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Rio Tinto Coal Australia Hard coking coal 1,585 +14% -10% 7,195 +6% Other coal 7,576 -8% -5% 30,863 -6% Production at Hail Creek continued to ramp up to a six million tonnes per annumrate accounting for the year-on-year increase in hard coking coal production.Production at Kestrel was lower in the current quarter compared with theprevious quarter due to a longwall changeover. Production at Blair Athol was reduced due to wet weather and coal plantmaintenance. Tarong production for the quarter was consistent with demand levelsfrom the Tarong Energy Corporation. Other Energy In October, Energy Resources of Australia announced an increase in totalreserves of 6,285 tonnes contained uranium oxide at its Ranger mine, as a resultof a reduction in cut-off grade, which added three years to the predictedoperational life. In December, Rio Tinto approved the life extension at theRossing uranium mine in Namibia. This project will extend the life of the mineat current production levels through to approximately 2016 and will involveadditional capital expenditure of $82 million. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Borates 151 +10% +7% 560 -1%Titanium dioxide feedstock 335 +5% +2% 1,312 +10% Production of borates was above both the preceding quarter and the correspondingquarter of 2004 reflecting increased demand for end use products anddebottlenecking productivity improvements. Titanium dioxide feedstock productionfor the full year was 10 per cent higher than the prior year following thecompleted ramp-up to 325,000 tonnes of QIT's Upgraded Slag (UGS) expansion. Anew monthly record was set in October for the UGS plant as it approaches fullnameplate capacity. ALUMINIUM Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes) Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Rio Tinto Aluminium Bauxite 4,576 +37% +21% 15,474 +21% Alumina 748 +11% +3% 2,963 +33% Aluminium 215.6 +3% -0% 853.7 +2% Bauxite production continued to increase due to the successful commissioning ofProject NeWeipa. 2005 production was a record as a result of increasedproduction from both the East Weipa and Andoom mines. The new Comalco Alumina Refinery produced 220,000 tonnes in the quarter, asefforts continued to improve the reliability of the pumps feeding the digestioncircuit. Queensland Alumina Refinery continued its strong performance andachieved record annual production. The Bell Bay, Boyne Island and Tiwai Point smelters also achieved annualproduction records. COPPER Rio Tinto share of production Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Kennecott Utah Copper Mined copper (000 tonnes) 51.6 -30% +3% 220.6 -16% Refined copper (000 tonnes) 65.1 +6% -4% 232.0 -6% Molybdenum (000 tonnes) 4.6 +63% +16% 15.6 +130% Mined gold (000 ozs) 103 -9% +8% 418 +27% Refined gold (000 ozs) 110 +63% +20% 369 +23%Escondida Mined copper (000 tonnes) 100.4 +9% -1% 381.1 +5%Grasberg JV Mined copper (000 tonnes) 38.2 +59% +62% 109.6 +128% Mined gold (000 ozs) 248 +608% +103% 670 +710% Kennecott Utah Copper With molybdenum prices remaining strong throughout the quarter, the optimisationof mine production in favour of molybdenum has continued, with a correspondingimpact on operating costs. Copper concentrate volumes therefore reduced in linewith lower copper grades compared with the fourth quarter and full year 2004.Improved recoveries following the completion of the moly plant expansion projectboosted molybdenum production further. Annual gold production improved in linewith the associated grade profile. Smelter and refinery production were higher in the fourth quarter of 2005compared with the same period of 2004, which was impacted by a ten day smeltermaintenance shutdown. Escondida Year on year production at Escondida benefited from the commissioning of theNorte crusher and ore handling system in September and continued improvements inmill performance. Tonnage for the fourth quarter fell back slightly in line withlower grades and declining output from the existing oxide leach pads. Grasberg Fourth quarter production benefited significantly from increased access to thehigh grade ore in 6 South and improvements in mill throughput. The superiorgrades from 6 South also favourably impacted the 2005 full year productionrelative to the prior year. There was a minor revision to the metal strip, whichdetermines the allocation of volumes between the joint venture partners,resulting in an additional 8,500 tonnes of copper being attributed to Rio Tintoduring the fourth quarter. Other Production at Northparkes continued to increase, being 13 per cent above thethird quarter with the full year 80 per cent above the previous year. Thesuccessful ramp up of Lift 2 has provided higher copper feed grades and allowedincreased throughput. At Palabora fourth quarter production fell 11 per cent compared with the thirdquarter. This was caused by loader availabilities and a number of unscheduleddowntime events. 2005 tonnage was 12 per cent higher than 2004, as a result ofhigher overall throughput rates and improved recoveries. DIAMONDS Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats) Q4 05 vs Q4 04 vs Q3 05 FY 05 vs FY 04Argyle 6,455 -28% +8% 30,476 +48%Diavik 1,098 +22% -16% 4,963 +9% Argyle Tonnes processed at Argyle for the quarter were in line with previous quarterperformance but lower than the same quarter last year. This reflects timing ofmaintenance activities as well as a reduction in throughput, due to changes inprocessing plant operational practices designed to improve recovery and lowercosts. Carat production is reflective of the grade of current face positions inthe open pit consistent with mine planning and the tight pit configuration. In December, Rio Tinto announced the decision to develop a $760 million blockcave underground project at the Argyle diamond mine, with an additional $150million to be spent on a related open pit cutback. This will extend the life ofthe operation to 2018. Diavik The decline in carat production from the prior quarter was attributable to ahigher proportion of lower grade A154N ore being accessed following thecompletion of a new mine plan. In addition, higher than planned maintenanceactivity in the plant reduced throughput. OTHER OPERATIONS In November Rio Tinto agreed to sell its 14.5 per cent investment in Lihir Goldfor approximately $295 million. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION Pre-tax expenditure on exploration and evaluation charged to the profit and lossaccount in the twelve months of 2005 was $250 million compared with $190 millionin the same period of 2004. $57 million of this expenditure was charged againstbusiness unit earnings. Exploration drilling continued on copper targets in Chile, Mexico and in Turkey.Diamond exploration continued in Canada, Botswana, Mauritania, India andBrazil. Iron ore exploration continued in the Hamersley Basin (WesternAustralia) and in West Africa. Exploration for thermal and coking coalopportunities continued in southern Africa, Australia, Mongolia and Canada. AtLa Sampala (nickel, Indonesia), negotiations for a Contract of Work continued. In December Rio Tinto received confirmation of success in two tenders. The firstwas the award of the La Granja copper project located in the Region of Cajamarcain northern Peru. The second was a successful bid for the Jarandol concessionhosting the Piskanja borate deposit located in southern Serbia. Both projectswill now enter a period of ongoing exploration and evaluation. Brownfield exploration is underway at a number of Rio Tinto businesses, withnotable efforts to expand resources continuing in the Pilbara, at Kennecott UtahCopper, on the Freeport and Cortez Joint Ventures, at Greens Creek and atNorthparkes. Evaluation work continued at Eagle (nickel/copper, US), Sari Gunay (gold, Iran),Resolution (copper/gold, US), Potasio Rio Colorado (potash, Argentina) andSimandou (iron ore, Guinea). For further information, please contact: LONDON AUSTRALIA Media Relations Media Relations Maria Darby Walker Ian HeadOffice: +44 (0) 20 7753 2305 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620Mobile: +44 (0) 7725 036 544 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101 Investor Relations Investor Relations Nigel 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 Susie CreswellOffice: +44 (0) 20 7753 2326 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3639Mobile: +44 (0) 7920 010 978 Mobile: +61 (0) 418 933 792 Website: www.riotinto.com High resolution photographs available at: www.newscast.co.uk RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARYRIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION QUARTER FULL YEAR % CHANGE 2004 2005 2005 2004 2005 Q4 05 Q4 05 2005 Q4 Q3 Q4 vs vs vsPrincipal Commodities Q3 05 Q4 04 2004Alumina ('000 t) 671 725 748 2,231 2,963 3% 11% 33%Aluminium ('000 t) 209.1 216.6 215.6 836.5 853.7 0% 3% 2%Borates ('000 t) 137 141 151 565 560 7% 10% -1%Coal - hard coking coal ('000 t) 1,389 1,755 1,585 6,760 7,195 -10% 14% 6%Coal - other Australian ('000 t) 8,255 7,996 7,576 32,943 30,863 -5% -8% -6%Coal - US ('000 t) 31,072 28,290 29,135 117,734 115,580 3% -6% -2%Copper - mined ('000 t) 204.9 195.4 210.7 753.1 784.4 8% 3% 4%Copper - refined ('000 t) 81.1 89.2 85.5 332.6 314.5 -4% 5% -5%Diamonds ('000 cts) 9,946 7,349 7,598 25,202 35,635 3% -24% 41%Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 428 376 469 1,552 1,726 25% 10% 11%Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 68 92 110 300 369 20% 63% 23%Iron ore ('000 t) 28,903 32,187 32,522 107,757 124,494 1% 13% 16%Titanium dioxide feedstock ('000 t) 319 327 335 1,192 1,312 2% 5% 10%Other Metals & MineralsBauxite ('000 t) 3,333 3,781 4,576 12,828 15,474 21% 37% 21%Lead - mined ('000 t) 3.4 2.5 2.7 25.1 11.9 8% -21% -53%Molybdenum ('000 t) 2.8 3.9 4.6 6.8 15.6 16% 63% 130%Salt ('000 t) 1,131 1,121 1,610 4,792 5,507 44% 42% 15%Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 4,031 3,197 3,982 14,830 14,926 25% -1% 1%Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 944 830 814 3,344 3,538 -2% -14% 6%Talc ('000 t) 354 336 356 1,443 1,412 6% 0% -2%Uranium (tonnes) 1,575 1,747 1,785 5,974 6,582 2% 13% 10%Zinc - mined ('000 t) 11.7 8.1 8.7 73.8 37.2 7% -25% -50% 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 full year figures. RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005ALUMINAProduction ('000 tonnes)Comalco Alumina Refinery (a) 100% 175 196 228 191 220 175 835Eurallumina 56% 154 148 150 150 153 597 601Queensland Alumina 39% 342 366 401 384 375 1,459 1,526Rio Tinto total alumina production 671 710 779 725 748 2,231 2,963ALUMINIUMRefined production ('000 tonnes)Anglesey 51% 18.4 18.2 18.2 18.3 18.7 73.8 73.4Bell Bay 100% 41.2 42.8 43.5 43.9 43.6 162.0 173.8Boyne Island 59% 79.1 79.5 81.6 82.4 82.7 321.2 326.2Tiwai Point 79% 70.4 67.8 70.0 72.0 70.6 279.5 280.3Rio Tinto total aluminium production 209.1 208.3 213.3 216.6 215.6 836.5 853.7BAUXITEProduction ('000 tonnes)Boke (b) 0% - - - - - 179 -Weipa 100% 3,333 3,443 3,674 3,781 4,576 12,649 15,474Rio Tinto total bauxite production 3,333 3,443 3,674 3,781 4,576 12,828 15,474BORATESBorates ('000 tonnes B2O3 content)Rio Tinto total borate production 100% 137 122 146 141 151 565 560COAL - HARD COKINGRio Tinto Coal Australia (c) ('000 tonnes) Hail Creek Coal (d) 82% 1,100 1,136 1,223 1,208 1,270 4,633 4,838 Kestrel Coal 80% 289 766 729 547 315 2,127 2,357Rio Tinto total hard coking coal production 1,389 1,902 1,952 1,755 1,585 6,760 7,195COAL - OTHER *Rio Tinto Coal Australia (c) ('000 tonnes) Bengalla 30% 295 433 386 366 622 1,609 1,806 Blair Athol Coal 71% 2,157 1,892 1,789 1,994 1,876 8,712 7,551 Hunter Valley Operations 76% 2,762 2,525 2,292 2,259 2,293 10,046 9,369 Kestrel Coal 80% 61 160 227 143 89 499 619 Mount Thorley Operations 61% 573 597 648 664 491 2,149 2,400 Tarong Coal 100% 1,651 1,784 1,334 1,804 1,549 7,004 6,470 Warkworth 42% 757 602 622 766 657 2,926 2,647Total Australian other coal 8,255 7,993 7,298 7,996 7,576 32,943 30,863Kennecott Energy ('000 tonnes) Antelope 100% 7,229 6,687 6,788 7,287 6,413 26,928 27,174 Colowyo (e) 1,412 1,315 1,315 1,219 1,477 5,788 5,325 Cordero Rojo 100% 9,358 9,170 8,736 7,687 8,642 35,233 34,234 Decker 50% 1,235 540 872 841 890 3,916 3,144 Jacobs Ranch 100% 8,792 9,032 8,188 8,014 8,590 34,979 33,823 Spring Creek 100% 3,046 2,497 3,018 3,243 3,122 10,892 11,881Total US coal 31,072 29,240 28,916 28,290 29,135 117,734 115,580Rio Tinto total other coal production 39,327 37,233 36,214 36,286 36,710 150,677 146,443COPPERMine production ('000 tonnes)Bingham Canyon 100% 73.9 62.1 56.7 50.2 51.6 263.7 220.6Escondida 30% 91.8 84.9 94.1 101.7 100.4 362.1 381.1Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% - - - - - 5.5 -Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 24.0 25.7 22.0 23.6 38.2 48.0 109.6Neves Corvo (g) 0% - - - - - 23.0 -Northparkes 80% 7.4 8.6 9.5 11.8 13.3 24.0 43.2Palabora (h) 47% 7.9 6.9 7.7 8.2 7.2 26.8 30.0Rio Tinto total mine production 204.9 188.2 190.1 195.4 210.7 753.1 784.4Refined production ('000 tonnes)Atlantic Copper (f) 0% - - - - - 7.0 -Escondida 30% 11.6 11.4 11.2 10.2 10.4 45.6 43.2Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 61.6 57.2 41.5 68.1 65.1 246.7 232.0Palabora (h) 47% 8.0 9.2 9.3 10.8 9.9 33.2 39.3Rio Tinto total refined production 81.1 77.8 62.0 89.2 85.5 332.6 314.5 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 10. RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued) FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005DIAMONDSProduction ('000 carats)Argyle 100% 9,011 8,633 9,393 5,995 6,455 20,620 30,476Diavik 60% 901 1,049 1,509 1,306 1,098 4,545 4,963Murowa (i) 78% 34 51 52 48 44 36 195Rio Tinto total diamond production 9,946 9,733 10,954 7,349 7,598 25,202 35,635GOLDMine production ('000 ounces)Barneys Canyon 100% 5 4 4 4 4 22 16Bingham Canyon 100% 109 115 95 92 99 308 401Cortez/Pipeline 40% 87 88 110 89 74 421 361Escondida 30% 15 16 13 13 13 65 55Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% - - - - - 14 -Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 35 159 140 122 248 83 670Greens Creek 70% 14 15 14 11 12 61 51Kelian (j) 90% 90 31 8 - - 295 38Lihir (k) 0% 24 15 19 28 - 87 61Morro do Ouro (l) 0% 23 - - - - 96 -Northparkes 80% 18 10 11 12 13 63 46Rawhide 51% 6 6 5 3 4 25 18Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (m) 0% - - - - - 6 -Others - 1 2 2 2 2 7 7Rio Tinto total mine production 428 460 420 376 469 1,552 1,726Refined production ('000 ounces)Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 68 90 76 92 110 300 369IRON OREProduction ('000 tonnes)Channar 60% 1,312 1,524 1,311 1,371 980 5,855 5,186Corumba 100% 375 377 372 371 290 1,301 1,410Eastern Range (n) 1,272 1,295 1,831 1,897 1,536 2,970 6,559Hamersley 100% 17,587 15,836 19,704 18,915 19,931 65,407 74,387Iron Ore Company of Canada (o) 59% 2,058 2,014 2,459 2,292 2,424 6,541 9,188Robe River 53% 6,299 6,572 6,489 7,341 7,362 25,684 27,764Rio Tinto total mine production 28,903 27,618 32,166 32,187 32,522 107,757 124,494LEADMine production ('000 tonnes)Greens Creek 70% 3.4 3.4 3.3 2.5 2.7 13.9 11.9Zinkgruvan (p) 0% - - - - - 11.2 -Rio Tinto total mine production 3.4 3.4 3.3 2.5 2.7 25.1 11.9MOLYBDENUMMine production ('000 tonnes)Bingham Canyon 100% 2.8 3.9 3.3 3.9 4.6 6.8 15.6NICKELToll refined metal production (tonnes)Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - Empress (m) 0% - - - - - 1,619 -SALTProduction ('000 tonnes)Dampier Salt 65% 1,131 1,383 1,392 1,121 1,610 4,792 5,507SILVERMine production ('000 ounces)Bingham Canyon 100% 1,121 1,140 1,050 884 884 3,584 3,958Escondida 30% 427 434 439 505 593 1,724 1,970Grasberg - FCX (f) 0% - - - - - 79 -Grasberg - Joint Venture (f) 40% 583 118 249 280 718 784 1,364Greens Creek 70% 1,664 2,120 1,797 1,313 1,562 6,821 6,791Zinkgruvan (p) 0% - - - - - 651 -Others - 235 209 193 216 226 1,187 843Rio Tinto total mine production 4,031 4,020 3,726 3,197 3,982 14,830 14,926Refined production ('000 ounces)Kennecott Utah Copper 100% 944 755 1,138 830 814 3,344 3,538 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 10. RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued) FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005TALCProduction ('000 tonnes)Luzenac Group 100% 354 357 363 336 356 1,443 1,412TINMine production (tonnes)Neves Corvo (g) 0% - - - - - 59 -TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCKProduction ('000 tonnes)Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100% 319 321 328 327 335 1,192 1,312URANIUMProduction (tonnes U3O8)Energy Resources of Australia 68% 1,026 1,025 936 1,035 1,040 3,517 4,037Rossing 69% 549 592 497 712 745 2,457 2,545Rio Tinto total uranium production 1,575 1,617 1,434 1,747 1,785 5,974 6,582ZINCMine production ('000 tonnes)Greens Creek 70% 11.7 10.0 10.4 8.1 8.7 44.1 37.2Zinkgruvan (p) 0% - - - - - 29.7 -Rio Tinto total mine production 11.7 10.0 10.4 8.1 8.7 73.8 37.2 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. See footnotes below. a) Comalco Alumina Refinery started production in the fourth quarter of 2004. b) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Boke mine on 25 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. c) Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages all the operations below; including the mines which were previously reported separately under the Coal & Allied name. d) Rio Tinto reduced its shareholding in Hail Creek from 92.0% to 82.0% on 15 November 2004. e) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. f) From mid 1995 until 30 March 2004, Rio Tinto held 23.93 million shares of Freeport-McMoRan-Copper & Gold (FCX) common stock from which it derived a share of production. This interest was sold to FCX on 30 March 2004. Also, through a joint venture agreement with FCX, Rio Tinto is entitled, as shown separately in the above tables, to 40% of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998. g) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 49% interest in Somincor on 18 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. h) During the second half of 2005, the conversion of debentures into ordinary shares resulted in a dilution of Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora from 49.2% to 47.2%. i) Ore mining and processing at Murowa commenced during the third quarter of 2004. j) Kelian ceased processing ore on 7 February 2005 and the final gold pour was on 27 May 2005. k) On 30 November 2005, Rio Tinto sold its interest in Lihir Gold; it had previously relinquished the management contract for Lihir at the end of September 2005. The production data are shown up to 30 September 2005, from which date the Rio Tinto interest in Lihir was held as an investment rather than being equity accounted. l) Rio Tinto sold its interest in Morro do Ouro on 31 December 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. m) As a result of the corporate restructuring completed on 8 July 2004, Rio Tinto has ceased to be an ordinary shareholder in the renamed RioZim but will retain a reduced cash participation in its gold and nickel assets for a period of ten years. n) Rio Tinto's share of production includes 100% of the production from the Eastern Range mine, which commenced production in March 2004. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture. o) Rio Tinto sold its 19% interest in the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund on 23 March 2005. The Fund has a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada but this was not included in the calculation of tonnage attributable to Rio Tinto. p) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Zinkgruvan mine on 2 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. 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 31 December 2005. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005ALUMINIUMRio Tinto AluminiumWeipa mine 100.0%Queensland, AustraliaBeneficiated bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 3,333 3,443 3,674 3,781 4,576 12,649 15,474Metal grade bauxite shipments ('000 tonnes) 3,242 3,466 3,472 3,979 4,034 12,298 14,952Calcined bauxite production ('000 tonnes) 44 32 42 34 22 168 130Boke mine (a) 0.0%GuineaBauxite production ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 5,773 -Comalco Alumina Refinery (b) 100.0%Queensland, AustraliaAlumina production ('000 tonnes) 175 196 228 191 220 175 835Eurallumina refinery 56.2%Sardinia, ItalyAlumina production ('000 tonnes) 274 264 267 267 273 1,064 1,070Queensland Alumina refinery 38.6%Queensland, AustraliaAlumina production ('000 tonnes) 887 948 1,038 995 972 3,778 3,953Anglesey Aluminium smelter 51.0%United KingdomPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 36.1 35.6 35.8 35.8 36.7 144.8 143.9Bell Bay smelter 100.0%Tasmania, AustraliaPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 41.2 42.8 43.5 43.9 43.6 162.0 173.8Boyne Island smelter 59.4%Queensland, AustraliaPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 135.8 132.5 136.1 137.9 138.4 540.5 544.9Tiwai Point smelter 79.4%New ZealandPrimary aluminium production ('000 tonnes) 88.6 85.4 87.7 90.2 88.1 350.3 351.4Rio Tinto Aluminium shareShare of primary aluminium sales ('000 tonnes) 210.2 196.7 215.3 221.6 225.0 840.7 858.6 (a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Boke mine on 25June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. (b) Comalco Alumina Refinery started production in the fourth quarter of 2004. BORATES Rio Tinto Borax 100.0% California, US and ArgentinaBorates ('000 tonnes) (a) 137 122 146 141 151 565 560 (a) Production is expressed as B2O3 content. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The datarepresent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005COALKennecott Energy and Coal CompanyAntelope mine 100.0%Wyoming, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 7,229 6,687 6,788 7,287 6,413 26,928 27,174Colowyo mine (a)Colorado, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,412 1,315 1,315 1,219 1,477 5,788 5,325Cordero Rojo mine 100.0%Wyoming, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 9,358 9,170 8,736 7,687 8,642 35,233 34,234Decker mine 50.0%Montana, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 2,471 1,080 1,745 1,683 1,781 7,831 6,288Jacobs Ranch mine 100.0%Wyoming, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 8,792 9,032 8,188 8,014 8,590 34,979 33,823Spring Creek mine 100.0%Montana, USThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,046 2,497 3,018 3,243 3,122 10,892 11,881 Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 32,307 29,780 29,789 29,131 30,025 121,649 118,724Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 32,307 29,780 29,789 29,131 30,025 121,649 118,724 (a) Kennecott Energy has a partnership interest in the Colowyo mine but, as it is responsible under a management agreement for the operation of the mine, all of Colowyo's output is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005COAL (continued)Rio Tinto Coal Australia (a)Bengalla mine 30.3%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 975 1,430 1,274 1,208 2,053 5,312 5,965Blair Athol Coal mine 71.2%Queensland, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,027 2,655 2,512 2,799 2,634 12,229 10,600Hail Creek Coal mine (b) 82.0%Queensland, AustraliaHard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,264 1,386 1,492 1,473 1,549 5,104 5,900Hunter Valley Operations 75.7%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 3,340 2,765 2,497 2,429 2,651 11,172 10,341Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 308 570 530 555 378 2,097 2,033Kestrel Coal mine 80.0%Queensland, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 76 200 283 179 112 623 774Hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 361 957 912 683 393 2,659 2,946Mount Thorley Operations 60.6%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 817 718 612 836 529 2,762 2,695Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 129 268 458 261 281 785 1,267Tarong Coal mine 100.0%Queensland, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,651 1,784 1,334 1,804 1,549 7,004 6,470Warkworth mine 42.1%New South Wales, AustraliaThermal coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,560 1,380 1,335 1,736 1,495 5,552 5,946Semi-soft coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 239 50 145 85 67 1,403 347 Total hard coking coal production ('000 tonnes) 1,625 2,343 2,403 2,157 1,943 7,763 8,846Total hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,734 1,973 2,312 1,557 1,684 6,864 7,526Total other coal production ('000 tonnes) (c) 12,122 11,821 10,979 11,891 11,746 48,939 46,438Total other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e) 11,526 12,409 10,813 12,424 11,816 48,780 47,463 Total coal production ('000 tonnes) 13,748 14,164 13,382 14,048 13,689 56,702 55,283Total coal sales ('000 tonnes) 13,260 14,382 13,126 13,981 13,500 55,644 54,989Rio Tinto Coal Australia shareShare of hard coking coal sales ('000 tonnes) 1,481 1,608 1,881 1,268 1,374 5,987 6,131Share of other coal sales ('000 tonnes) (d) (e) 7,767 8,306 7,241 8,399 7,719 32,804 31,666 (a) Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages all the operations below; the mines in New South Wales were previously reported separately under the Coal & Allied name (b) Rio Tinto reduced its shareholding in Hail Creek from 92.0% to 82.0% on 15 November 2004. (c) Other coal production includes thermal coal and semi-soft coking coal. (d) Other coal sales includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and semi-hard coking coal (a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal). (e) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005COPPER & GOLDEscondida 30.0%ChileSulphide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 20,925 19,913 21,725 22,255 22,161 82,378 86,054Average copper grade (%) 1.47 1.41 1.51 1.59 1.58 1.51 1.53Mill production (metals in concentrates): Contained copper ('000 tonnes) 265.1 241.1 277.8 304.4 304.0 1,045.6 1,127.3 Contained gold ('000 ounces) 51 55 44 42 43 217 183 Contained silver ('000 ounces) 1,424 1,446 1,462 1,682 1,975 5,747 6,565Oxide ore treated ('000 tonnes) 4,282 4,236 4,218 4,214 4,261 15,643 16,930Average copper grade (%) 0.96 0.99 0.85 0.82 0.72 1.03 0.84Contained copper in leachate/mined material ('000 41 42 36 35 31 162 143tonnes)Refined production: Oxide plant production ('000 tonnes) 38.5 37.9 37.2 34.1 34.8 152.1 143.9Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (a)Grasberg mine 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)Papua, IndonesiaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 21,142 17,946 19,271 19,899 21,791 67,750 78,907Average mill head grades: Copper (%) 1.17 1.14 0.98 1.06 1.31 0.87 1.13 Gold (g/t) 1.20 1.62 1.43 1.16 2.33 0.88 1.65 Silver (g/t) 4.32 5.26 4.54 4.36 5.36 3.85 4.88Production of metals in concentrates: Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 223.1 183.5 164.1 185.5 260.8 516.4 793.9 Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 684 788 750 609 1,400 1,584 3,546 Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,956 1,805 1,576 1,662 2,489 5,037 7,531Sales of payable metals in concentrates: (b) Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 213.1 173.0 164.4 179.9 249.0 495.6 766.3 Gold in concentrates ('000 ounces) 652 743 759 594 1,342 1,524 3,438 Silver in concentrates ('000 ounces) 1,490 1,358 1,257 1,284 1,897 3,857 5,795 (a) See note (f) on page 10 concerning Rio Tinto's previous direct interest in Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and its continuing 40% interest in the expansion of Grasberg. (b) Net of smelter deductions. Atlantic Copper smelter 0.0%SpainConcentrates and scrap smelted ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 187.1 -Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) - - - - - 57.5 -Copper cathodes produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 58.4 -Copper cathode sales ('000 tonnes) (d) - - - - - 50.8 - (c) New metal excluding recycled material. (d) Refers to copper cathode and wire rod sales. Kelian Equatorial Mining (a) 90.0%East Kalimantan, IndonesiaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 2,141 826 - - - 8,451 826Average ore grades: Gold (g/t) 2.15 1.68 - - - 1.78 1.68 Silver (g/t) 4.61 2.29 - - - 4.15 2.29Production: Gold ('000 ounces) 100 34 8 - - 328 43 Silver ('000 ounces) 86 27 4 - - 295 32Sales: Gold ('000 ounces) 19 90 10 - - 278 100 Silver ('000 ounces) - - 304 - - 148 304 (a) Kelian ceased processing ore on 7 February 2005 and the final gold pour was on 27 May 2005. Mine closure programmes including reclamation, rehabilitation and sustainable monitoring continue. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005COPPER & GOLD (continued)Kennecott Minerals CompanyCortez/Pipeline mine 40.0%Nevada, USOre treated Milled ('000 tonnes) 759 823 868 759 798 3,093 3,247 Leached ('000 tonnes) 8,619 8,021 5,962 5,725 3,352 34,649 23,059 Sold for roasting ('000 tonnes) 109 42 72 90 73 423 277Average ore grade: gold Milled (g/t) 3.82 4.78 5.62 4.81 4.71 5.43 5.00 Leached (g/t) 0.66 0.67 0.60 0.49 0.49 0.71 0.58 Sold for roasting (g/t) 7.95 7.26 6.52 6.73 8.89 6.76 7.33Gold produced ('000 ounces) 217 220 274 223 186 1,051 904Greens Creek mine 70.3%Alaska, USOre treated ('000 tonnes) 189 168 178 154 151 731 651Average ore grades: Gold (g/t) 4.95 5.46 5.22 4.71 5.02 5.60 5.12 Silver (g/t) 533 735 608 527 615 571 623 Zinc (%) 10.9 10.8 10.5 9.6 10.4 11.1 10.3 Lead (%) 3.9 4.3 4.1 3.6 3.9 4.1 4.0Metals produced in concentrates: Gold ('000 ounces) 20 21 20 15 17 86 73 Silver ('000 ounces) 2,368 3,016 2,557 1,869 2,222 9,707 9,664 Zinc ('000 tonnes) 16.6 14.2 14.7 11.6 12.4 62.7 52.9 Lead ('000 tonnes) 4.8 4.8 4.7 3.5 3.8 19.8 16.9Rawhide mine (a) 51.0%Nevada, USMetals produced in dore: Gold ('000 ounces) 12 11 9 7 8 50 35 Silver ('000 ounces) 121 103 88 63 67 462 320 (a) Mining operations were completed in October 2002 and processing of stockpiled ores was completed in May 2003. Residual gold and silver production continues from the leach pads. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005COPPER & GOLD (continued)Kennecott Utah CopperBarneys Canyon mine (a) 100.0%Utah, USGold produced ('000 ounces) 5 4 4 4 4 22 16 (a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be recovered from leach pads. Bingham Canyon mine 100.0%Utah, USOre treated ('000 tonnes) 12,219 11,664 11,757 11,875 11,369 45,712 46,664Average ore grade: Copper (%) 0.67 0.60 0.53 0.47 0.51 0.63 0.53 Gold (g/t) 0.38 0.42 0.35 0.34 0.38 0.29 0.37 Silver (g/t) 3.60 3.75 3.36 2.81 3.02 3.04 3.23 Molybdenum (%) 0.055 0.063 0.057 0.052 0.058 0.033 0.058Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 291 243 231 193 213 1,106 881Average concentrate grade (% Cu) 25.3 25.5 24.4 26.0 24.1 23.8 25.0Production of metals in copper concentrates: Copper ('000 tonnes) (b) 73.9 62.1 56.7 50.2 51.6 263.7 220.6 Gold ('000 ounces) 109 115 95 92 99 308 401 Silver ('000 ounces) 1,121 1,140 1,050 884 884 3,584 3,958Molybdenum concentrates produced ('000 tonnes): 5.3 7.1 6.3 7.6 8.6 12.9 29.5 Molybdenum in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 2.8 3.9 3.3 3.9 4.6 6.8 15.6Kennecott smelter & refinery 100.0%Copper concentrates smelted ('000 tonnes) 229 217 224 300 300 1,098 1,042Copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) (c) 54.8 50.4 43.1 68.6 67.3 239.6 229.3Production of refined metal: Copper ('000 tonnes) 61.6 57.2 41.5 68.1 65.1 246.7 232.0 Gold ('000 ounces) (d) 68 90 76 92 110 300 369 Silver ('000 ounces) (d) 944 755 1,138 830 814 3,344 3,538 (b) Includes a small amount of copper in precipitates.(c) New metal excluding recycled material.(d) Includes gold and silver in intermediate products. Northparkes Joint Venture 80.0%New South Wales, AustraliaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 1,306 1,300 1,360 1,372 1,421 5,008 5,453Average ore grades: Copper (%) 0.93 1.06 0.97 1.17 1.27 0.79 1.12 Gold (g/t) 0.59 0.46 0.43 0.47 0.49 0.66 0.46Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 25.5 30.2 33.7 39.5 43.9 83.0 147.2Contained copper in concentrates: Saleable production ('000 tonnes) 9.3 10.7 11.9 14.7 16.7 30.0 54.0 Sales ('000 tonnes) (a) 6.9 9.4 9.8 11.0 13.1 20.0 43.4Contained gold in concentrates: Saleable production ('000 ounces) 22.5 12.5 13.4 15.0 16.1 79.4 57.0 Sales ('000 ounces) (a) 18.1 15.5 9.0 10.6 14.7 59.9 49.9 (a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005COPPER & GOLD (continued)Palabora (a) 47.2%Palabora mineSouth AfricaOre treated ('000 tonnes) 2,314 2,156 2,459 2,572 2,349 8,657 9,536Average ore grade: copper (%) 0.73 0.72 0.71 0.71 0.72 0.74 0.72Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) 52.2 48.0 48.4 52.9 47.8 187.7 197.1Average concentrate grade: copper (%) 30.6 29.3 32.2 31.3 31.2 29.0 31.0Copper in concentrates ('000 tonnes) 16.0 14.1 15.6 16.6 14.9 54.4 61.2Palabora smelter/refineryNew concentrate smelted on site ('000 tonnes) 67.0 75.2 71.7 75.2 82.2 253.4 304.4New copper anodes produced ('000 tonnes) 17.3 20.0 19.4 22.7 22.4 67.2 84.5Refined new copper produced ('000 tonnes) 16.2 18.7 19.0 22.1 20.6 67.5 80.3By-products:Magnetite concentrate ('000 tonnes) 165 201 189 267 231 574 888Refined nickel sulphate (tonnes) 41 34 57 37 57 167 186Vermiculite plantVermiculite produced ('000 tonnes) 51 48 54 53 55 193 210 (a) During the second half of 2005, the conversion of debentures into ordinary shares resulted in a dilution of Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora from 49.2% to 47.2%. Rio Tinto Brasil LimitadaMorro do Ouro mine (a) 0.0%Minas Gerais, BrazilOre treated ('000 tonnes) 4,163 - - - - 17,342 -Average ore grade: gold (g/t) 0.46 - - - - 0.45 -Refined gold produced ('000 ounces) 46 - - - - 188 - (a) Rio Tinto sold its interest in Morro do Ouro on 31 December 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. Rio Tinto Zimbabwe (a)Renco mine 0.0%ZimbabweOre treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 146 -Average ore grade: gold (g/t) - - - - - 3.30 -Total gold produced ('000 ounces) - - - - - 11 - (a) As a result of the corporate restructuring completed on 8 July 2004, Rio Tinto has ceased to be an ordinary shareholder in the renamed RioZim but will retain a reduced cash participation in its gold and nickel assets for a period of ten years. Somincor (a)Neves Corvo mine 0.0%PortugalTotal ore treated ('000 tonnes) (b) - - - - - 878 - of which, treated to extract tin ('000 - - - - - 13 -tonnes)Average ore grades: Copper (%) - - - - - 6.04 - Tin (%) - - - - - 1.93 -Copper production: Copper concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 198.3 - Copper concentrate grade: copper (%) - - - - - 23.7 - Copper in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 46.9 -Tin production: Tin concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 0.2 - Tin concentrate grade: tin (%) - - - - - 65.9 - Tin in concentrates produced ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 0.1 - (a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 49% interest in Somincor on 18 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. (b) Total ore treated for both copper and tin production. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005DIAMONDSArgyle Diamonds 100.0%Western AustraliaAK1 ore processed ('000 tonnes) 2,618 2,342 2,358 2,111 2,158 9,576 8,969 AK1 diamonds produced ('000 carats) 9,011 8,633 9,393 5,995 6,455 20,620 30,476 Diavik Diamonds 60.0%Northwest Territories, CanadaOre processed ('000 tonnes) 455 495 612 619 497 1,950 2,222Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 1,502 1,749 2,515 2,177 1,831 7,575 8,272 Murowa Diamonds (a) 77.8%ZimbabweOre processed ('000 tonnes) 27 29 28 49 73 30 178Diamonds recovered ('000 carats) 44 66 67 61 57 47 251 (a) Ore mining and processing commenced during the third quarter of 2004. IRON OREHamersley IronWestern AustraliaSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes): Paraburdoo, Mount Tom Price, Marandoo, Yandicoogina and Brockman 100.0% 17,587 15,836 19,704 18,915 19,931 65,407 74,387 Channar 60.0% 2,187 2,540 2,185 2,284 1,634 9,759 8,644 Eastern Range (a) 1,272 1,295 1,831 1,897 1,536 2,970 6,559Total production ('000 tonnes) 21,046 19,671 23,720 23,097 23,101 78,135 89,590Total sales ('000 tonnes) (b) 20,913 20,024 21,885 22,387 25,793 76,512 90,090 (a) Rio Tinto owns 54% of the Eastern Range mine which commenced production in March 2004. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Hamersley Iron manages the operation and is obliged to purchase all mine production from the joint venture and therefore all of the production is included in Rio Tinto's share of production. (b) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports. Iron Ore Company of CanadaNewfoundland & Labrador and Quebec in CanadaCarol Lake operations 58.7%Saleable iron ore production: Concentrates ('000 tonnes) 155 307 745 581 683 1,225 2,316 Pellets ('000 tonnes) 3,349 3,122 3,442 3,322 3,445 9,914 13,331Sales: Concentrate ('000 tonnes) 432 204 612 552 755 1,638 2,123 Pellets ('000 tonnes) 2,517 2,344 3,326 2,951 4,230 9,841 12,851Rio Tinto BrasilCorumba mine 100.0%Mato Grosso do Sul, BrazilSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) (a) 375 377 372 371 290 1,301 1,410Sales ('000 tonnes) 362 392 243 391 276 1,381 1,303(a) Production includes by-product fines.Robe River Iron AssociatesPannawonica mine 53.0%Western AustraliaSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 7,610 7,333 7,574 8,076 7,998 29,970 30,981Sales ('000 tonnes) 9,260 7,939 7,118 7,802 8,203 31,202 31,062West Angelas mine 53.0%Western AustraliaSaleable iron ore production ('000 tonnes) 4,276 5,067 4,670 5,775 5,891 18,490 21,403Sales ('000 tonnes) 4,764 4,932 4,469 5,902 6,187 19,226 21,491 Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent full production and sales on a 100%basis unless otherwise stated. RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA FULL FULL Rio 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q YEAR YEAR Tinto interest 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2005NICKELRio Tinto Zimbabwe (a)Empress Nickel refinery 0.0%ZimbabweProduction (tonnes) - - - - - 2,889 - (a) As a result of the corporate restructuring completed on 8 July 2004, Rio Tinto has ceased to be an ordinary shareholder in the renamed RioZim but will retain a reduced cash participation in its gold and nickel assets for a period of ten years. SALTDampier Salt 64.9%Western AustraliaSalt production ('000 tonnes) 1,742 2,130 2,144 1,726 2,480 7,380 8,480TALCThe Luzenac Group 100.0%Australia, Europe, and North AmericaTalc production ('000 tonnes) 355 357 363 336 356 1,444 1,412TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCKRio Tinto Iron & Titanium 100.0%Canada and South Africa(Rio Tinto share)Titanium dioxide feedstock production ('000 tonnes) 319 321 328 327 335 1,192 1,312URANIUMEnergy Resources of Australia LtdRanger mine 68.4%Northern Territory, AustraliaProduction (tonnes U3O8) 1,500 1,499 1,369 1,514 1,521 5,143 5,903Rossing Uranium Ltd 68.6%NamibiaProduction (tonnes U3O8) 801 863 725 1,038 1,086 3,582 3,711ZINCZinkgruvan Mining AB 0.0%SwedenOre treated ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 335 -Average ore grades: Zinc (%) - - - - - 9.6 - Lead (%) - - - - - 3.9 - Silver (g/t) - - - - - 86 -Production of zinc concentrate ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 53.5 -Production of lead concentrate ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 15.8 -Production of metal in concentrates: Zinc ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 29.7 - Lead ('000 tonnes) - - - - - 11.2 - Silver ('000 ounces) - - - - - 651 - (a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Zinkgruvan mine on 2 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 31 December 2005. The data represent 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:
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