Rio Tinto Posts Q1 Global Iron Ore Production Of 66.4 Mln Tonnes

(RTTNews) - Mining giant Rio Tinto plc (RIO, RIO.L, RTNTF, RTPPF) reported first quarter global iron ore production of 66.4 million tonnes(Rio Tinto share 52.3 million tonnes) with global iron ore shipments totaling 66.7 million tonnes. Rio Tinto's share of production was eight per cent higher than in the same period of 2013.

On a year-on-year basis, quarterly mined copper production was 17% ahead of the prior year amounting to 156,500 tonnes, whereas total aluminium output was nearly flat with year-ago quarter to 832,000 tonnes.

The company said it continues to expect iron-ore production in the Pilbara to reach 290 million tons on an annual basis by the end of the first half of 2014.

"Heavy rainfall associated with this cyclone and other adverse weather conditions in January and February impacted across mine, rail and port operations," Rio Tinto stated.