Posted on 18 Jan 2010
Rio Tinto Ltd has reported a big jump in fourth quarter global iron ore production and set a new record in sales of the bulk commodity for the period, exceeding expectations.
"Rio Tinto's global iron ore production was up 49 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2008," the mining giant said today. "Global iron ore sales set a new quarterly record of 61 million tonnes (100 per cent basis).
"Rio Tinto's global iron ore production in 2009 exceeded 217 million tonnes (172 million tonnes on an attributable basis), a 13 per cent increase on 2008, and also a new record."
Rio Tinto increased its calendar 2009 global iron ore output guidance in October to between 210 million tonnes and 215 million tonnes, from 200 million tonnes previously.
