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[October 2000]
Rio Tinto Quarterly Production Report For the Quarter ending 30 September 2000
Rio Tinto's production of most commodities in the third quarter of 2000 was up substantially on the previous quarter helped by the full ownership of Comalco Limited and the acquisition of North Limited midway through the quarter.ENDS Iron ore production for the quarter was up 39% on the previous quarter. Much of this increase came from the first contribution from the iron ore assets of North but Hamersley Iron's production at 17.4 million tonnes was up 13% compared with the previous quarter. Hamersley Iron shipped a record 17.3 million tonnes during the quarter. Aluminium production was up 20% on the previous quarter and was also up 20% for the year to date compared with the same period in 1999 reflecting full ownership of Comalco and continuing strong performance at all the smelters. Copper mined production was 9% higher than the previous quarter, helped by higher production at Escondida, Chile and Grasberg, Indonesia. Coal production was 11% higher than the previous quarter, mainly due to higher production in the US. However, coal production for the first nine months of 2000 was 7% lower than the same period in 1999 due to reduced sales at the Cordero Rojo mine earlier in 2000 as a consequence of lower spot prices experienced in late 1999 and early 2000 and a related decision to reduce production. Gold production increased by 13% compared with the previous quarter due to higher grades at Kennecott Utah Copper, US and higher production at Kelian, Indonesia. Borate production increased by 19% in the quarter, primarily reflecting the timing of maintenance and resulting in a 3% increase year to date compared with 1999. Titanium dioxide feedstock production increased by 10% during the quarter after the reinstatement of full production capability following completion of repairs to the furnace at QIT, Canada which was damaged in 1999, although the year to date production is 7% lower than the same period in 1999.