Exhibit 99.1
[[Image Removed]]
News release…
Date: 20 October 2004
Ref: PR386q
Third quarter 2004 operations review
Overview
Third quarter production was strong across all the major products. New
projects in iron ore (Eastern Range), coking coal (Hail Creek), and diamonds
(Diavik) all increased volumes.
There were no significant operational developments in the quarter.
Hamersley produced record volumes of iron ore in what is traditionally the
strongest quarter of the year. August shipments through Dampier and Cape
Lambert were also at record levels.
The first bauxite was fed into the Comalco Alumina Refinery in the third
quarter and continuous alumina production is expected in the fourth quarter of
2004.
All figures in this report are US dollars unless otherwise stated
Cont…/
Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4LD
Telephone 020 7930 2399 Fax 020 7930 3249
REGISTERED OFFICE: 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4LD Registered in England No.
719885
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IRON ORE
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Hamersley 19,813 +12 % +7 % 54,060 +7 %
Robe River 6,828 +22 % -4 % 19,384 +12 %
IOC 315 -86 % -86 % 4,483 -27 %
Demand remained strong across the full product range, with most markets showing
continued strength.
New long-term agreements were finalised with Sumitomo Metal Industries securing
ten million tonnes per annum of iron ore sales from Hamersley and Robe over a
ten year period, commencing in 2005. This, together with other long term
arrangements announced in the first half of the year, further underpins the
current expansion programme due for completion at the end of 2005.
Australian operations achieved record production this quarter. Although less
than anticipated, this was consistent with the traditional strength of third
quarter performance. Shipments also reached record levels at both Dampier and
Cape Lambert in August.
Hamersley
Hamersley's production in the third quarter reflects the commissioning of the
Eastern Range mine and the completion of the first stage of expansion work at
Yandicoogina.
Robe River
Increased production and sales from West Angelas were in line with the expansion
programme.
Production from Pannawonica was affected by planned maintenance, but strong
sales volumes underlined the recovery from the effects of tropical cyclone
Monty.
Iron Ore Company of Canada
Output was severely curtailed at IOC due to industrial action for most of the
third quarter. Operations recommenced on a staged basis late in September, with
ramp up to normal levels expected early in the fourth quarter.
ENERGY
US Thermal Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Kennecott Energy 30,398 +11 % +5 % 86,662 +9%
Volume increases largely reflect higher output from the Jacob's Ranch mine and
strong demand for the higher energy coals of Colowyo and Spring Creek.
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Australian Coal
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Hard coking coal 2,070 +287 % -1 % 5,371 +295 %
Other coal 4,230 -6 % +2 % 12,346 0 %
Coal & Allied
Other coal 4,573 +28 % +3 % 12,342 +9 %
Other coal includes thermal, semi-soft and semi-hard coking coal
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Production from the new Hail Creek coking coal mine continued to ramp-up. Third
quarter shipments were above the initial capacity rate of 5.5 million tonnes per
year and a capacity expansion to eight million tonnes per year by 2006 was
approved by the joint venture in July 2004. The proportion of hard coking coal
from the Kestrel mine has increased in 2004, since mining has commenced in the
new 300 series area.
Blair Athol production was in line with the previous three quarters.
Coal & Allied
Third quarter production from all mines was above both the second quarter of
2004 and the corresponding period of 2003.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 tonnes)
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Borates 153 +8 % +9 % 428 +1 %
Titanium dioxide feedstock 296 +2 % +2 % 873 -3 %
Production of borates reflects some improvement in end use markets. Demand for
boric acid remains strong. Although production at Richards Bay Minerals was
interrupted in September due to a furnace run-out, titanium dioxide feedstock
sales volumes will not be affected. Demand for Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium's iron,
steel, rutile and zircon co-products remained strong.
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ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto share of production
(000 tonnes)
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Rio Tinto Aluminium -------- -------- -------- --------- ------------
Bauxite 3,157 +5 % -5 % 9,496 +3 %
Alumina 530 +6 % +2 % 1,560 +5 %
Aluminium 210.4 +3 % +2 % 627.4 +4 %
Production was strong at all smelters and refineries. Eurallumina refinery
production was a quarterly record while production at Queensland Alumina Limited
refinery was also above the second quarter of 2004 and the corresponding period
of 2003. Bauxite production has increased in 2004, in anticipation of the
commissioning of the Comalco Alumina Refinery. The new refinery remains on track
for continuous production in the fourth quarter of 2004.
COPPER
Rio Tinto share of production
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Kennecott Utah Copper ----- -------- -------- --------- ------------
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 63.3 -18 % -1 % 189.8 -10 %
Refined copper (000 tonnes) 63.1 -3 % +2 % 185.2 +8 %
Mined gold (000 ozs) 77 -13 % +23 % 216 -11 %
Refined gold (000 ozs) 74 +12 % -4 % 232 +2 %
Escondida
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 87.5 +19 % -12 % 270.3 +19 %
Grasberg JV
Mined copper (000 tonnes) 9.2 -68 % -1 % 24.0 -75 %
Mined gold (000 ozs) 22 -90 % +17 % 48 -92 %
Kennecott Utah Copper
Third quarter and year to date mined copper production at Kennecott Utah Copper
was below the corresponding periods of 2003, reflecting lower copper grades.
By-product production volumes have been affected by poor mineralogy for about
two years, but gold and molybdenum grades improved in the third quarter.
Escondida
Third quarter copper production from Escondida reflected lower copper grades due
to mine sequencing. Production in the first nine months reflects the return to
the normal mine plan from the beginning of the year and the ramp up of the
Laguna Seca throughput.
Grasberg
Production from the Grasberg mine continued to ramp-up. Mining rates are
gradually improving as bench development in the higher grade areas enables more
efficient ore access.
Rio Tinto's share of production is based on a preliminary allocation of volumes
between the joint venture partners, Rio Tinto and Freeport McMoRan.
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Other copper operations
Copper production from the Palabora underground mine has improved, due to higher
volumes hoisted and improved grades, but remains below design capacity.
Production from the new Lift 2 at Northparkes commenced in the quarter.
DIAMONDS
Rio Tinto share of production (000 carats)
Q3 04 vs Q3 03 vs Q2 04 9 Mths 04 vs 9 Mths 03
Argyle 5,328 -45 % +100 % 11,610 -49 %
Diavik 1,358 +54 % 0 % 3,644 +122 %
Argyle
Although still affected by tight mining conditions, output from the Argyle open
pit began to improve in the third quarter. Ore processed continued to consist of
lower grade ore from the open pit supplemented by ore from stockpiles.
Diavik
Diavik continued to perform well. The process plant comfortably exceeded design
capacity on a consistent basis.
Murowa
First diamonds were recovered from the small scale operation at Murowa.
EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION
Total pre-tax expenditure on exploration charged to the profit and loss account
up to the end of the third quarter of 2004 was $126 million compared with $97
million in 2003.
Exploration drilling continued on copper targets in Peru, Chile, Mexico, and
Alaska. Diamond exploration continued in India, Canada, Botswana, South Africa
and Brazil. Iron ore exploration continued in the Hamersley Basin (Western
Australia) and the order of magnitude study for Simandou (iron ore, Guinea) was
completed and the project handed over to Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Bauxite, coking
coal, and nickel exploration was carried out in a number of regions.
Evaluation work continued at Eagle (nickel/copper, US), Sari Gunay (gold, Iran),
Resolution (copper/gold, US) and at Potasio Rio Colorado (potash, Argentina)
where pilot solution mining began in the third quarter. An agreement for the
sale of a copper resource at Marcona in Peru to Chariot Resources was signed on
6 August 2004. The sale is expected to be completed by early 2005.
ASSET DISPOSALS
The restructuring of Rio Tinto Zimbabwe, as a result of which Rio Tinto will
hold its interest in the Murowa diamond project directly but cease to be an
ordinary shareholder of Rio Tinto Zimbabwe, was completed on 8 July 2004.
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For further information, please contact:
LONDON AUSTRALIA
Media Relations Media Relations
Lisa Cullimore Ian Head
Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2305 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3620
Mobile: +44 (0) 7730 418 385 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 360 101
Investor Relations Investor Relations
Peter Cunningham Dave Skinner
Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2401 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3628
Mobile: +44 (0) 7711 596 570 Mobile: +61 (0) 408 335 309
Richard Brimelow Susie Creswell
Office: +44 (0) 20 7753 2326 Office: +61 (0) 3 9283 3639
Mobile: +44 (0) 7753 783 825 Mobile: +61 (0) 418 933 792
Website: www.riotinto.com
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RIO TINTO PRODUCTION SUMMARY
RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION
QUARTER NINE MONTHS % CHANGE
2003 2004 2004 2003 2004 Q3 04 Q3 04 9 Mths 04
Q3 Q2 Q3 vs vs vs
Q2 04 Q3 03 9 Mths 03
Principal Commodities
Alumina ('000 t) 500 517 530 1,488 1,560 2 % 6 % 5 %
Aluminium ('000 t) 204.9 207.0 210.4 606.2 627.4 2 % 3 % 4 %
Borates ('000 t) 142 141 153 425 428 9 % 8 % 1 %
Coal - hard coking ('000 t) 535 2,101 2,070 1,361 5,371 -1 % 287 % 295 %
coal
Coal - other ('000 t) 9,784 8,597 8,803 29,883 24,688 2 % -10 % -17 %
Australian/Indonesian
Coal - US ('000 t) 27,391 28,861 30,398 79,759 86,662 5 % 11 % 9 %
Copper - mined ('000 t) 221.4 193.4 174.7 684.1 548.2 -10 % -21 % -20 %
Copper - refined ('000 t) 93.7 81.6 82.5 258.9 251.5 1 % -12 % -3 %
Diamonds ('000 cts) 10,588 4,033 6,688 24,304 15,255 66 % -37 % -37 %
Gold - mined ('000 ozs) 691 376 366 2,221 1,123 -3 % -47 % -49 %
Gold - refined ('000 ozs) 66 77 74 227 232 -4 % 12 % 2 %
Iron ore ('000 t) 25,826 28,048 27,307 74,616 78,854 -3 % 6 % 6 %
Titanium dioxide ('000 t) 291 291 296 899 873 2 % 2 % -3 %
feedstock
Other Metals &
Minerals
Bauxite ('000 t) 3,018 3,331 3,157 9,213 9,496 -5 % 5 % 3 %
Lead - mined ('000 t) 12.0 8.1 3.4 33.4 21.8 -58 % -72 % -35 %
Molybdenum ('000 t) 1.2 0.9 1.5 3.5 4.0 57 % 21 % 14 %
Nickel - refined (tonnes) 1,029 648 - 2,463 1,619 - - -34 %
Salt ('000 t) 1,420 1,257 1,271 3,513 3,661 1 % -10 % 4 %
Silver - mined ('000 ozs) 4,983 3,465 3,569 13,353 10,799 3 % -28 % -19 %
Silver - refined ('000 ozs) 691 768 854 2,310 2,400 11 % 24 % 4 %
Talc ('000 t) 350 361 371 1,036 1,088 3 % 6 % 5 %
Tin (tonnes) 16 38 - 39 59 - - 49 %
Uranium (tonnes) 1,395 1,357 1,610 3,752 4,399 19 % 15 % 17 %
Zinc - mined ('000 t) 26.8 21.5 10.7 82.6 62.1 -50 % -60 % -25 %
Throughout this report, figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the
figure 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 and
the nine month figures.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 7
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RIO TINTO SHARE OF
PRODUCTION
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
ALUMINA
Production ('000
tonnes)
Eurallumina 56 % 150 148 145 144 155 426 444
Queensland 39 % 350 378 368 373 375 1,062 1,116
Alumina
Rio Tinto total
alumina 500 526 514 517 530 1,488 1,560
production
ALUMINIUM
Refined
production ('000
tonnes)
Anglesey 51 % 18.3 19.0 18.3 18.2 18.9 54.9 55.4
Bell Bay 100 % 42.3 41.9 41.8 40.8 38.2 124.8 120.9
Boyne Island 59 % 76.9 80.9 80.5 79.7 82.0 230.2 242.2
Tiwai Point 79 % 67.5 70.2 69.5 68.3 71.2 196.3 209.0
Rio Tinto total
aluminium 204.9 211.9 210.1 207.0 210.4 606.2 627.4
production
BAUXITE
Production ('000
tonnes)
Bok (a) 0 % 123 58 121 58 - 360 179
Weipa 100 % 2,895 3,045 2,887 3,273 3,157 8,853 9,317
Rio Tinto total
bauxite 3,018 3,103 3,008 3,331 3,157 9,213 9,496
production
BORATES
Borates ('000
tonnes B2O3
content)
Rio Tinto total 100 % 142 134 134 141 153 425 428
borate production
COAL - HARD
COKING
Rio Tinto Coal
Australia (b)
('000 tonnes)
Hail Creek 92 % 204 608 831 1,325 1,376 204 3,532
Coal
Kestrel Coal 80 % 332 342 369 776 693 1,157 1,838
Rio Tinto total
hard coking coal 535 950 1,200 2,101 2,070 1,361 5,371
production
COAL - OTHER *
Australian coal
operations ('000
tonnes)
Coal & Allied
Industries
Bengalla 30 % 340 608 325 462 526 1,271 1,313
Hunter 76 % 2,198 2,272 1,988 2,625 2,671 6,819 7,284
Valley Operations
Mount
Thorley 61 % 475 491 407 576 593 1,419 1,576
Operations
Warkworth 42 % 563 616 612 774 783 1,853 2,169
Rio Tinto Coal
Australia (b)
Blair Athol 71 % 2,599 2,197 2,180 2,206 2,169 6,693 6,555
Coal
Kestrel Coal 80 % 263 292 98 167 173 867 438
Tarong Coal 100 % 1,635 1,713 1,678 1,787 1,888 4,825 5,352
Total Australian 8,073 8,189 7,287 8,597 8,803 23,746 24,688
other coal
Indonesian coal
operations ('000
tonnes)
Kaltim Prima 0 % 1,711 191 - - - 6,137 -
Coal (c)
US coal
operations ('000
tonnes)
Kennecott
Energy
Antelope 100 % 7,130 6,795 5,919 6,628 7,152 20,011 19,699
Colowyo (d) 1,093 1,138 1,467 1,415 1,494 3,396 4,376
Cordero Rojo 100 % 7,448 8,501 8,589 8,263 9,023 24,170 25,874
Decker 50 % 1,068 1,203 514 1,062 1,104 2,476 2,680
Jacobs Ranch 100 % 8,767 8,706 8,649 8,705 8,833 23,712 26,187
Spring Creek 100 % 1,887 2,074 2,265 2,789 2,791 5,995 7,845
Total US coal 27,391 28,417 27,403 28,861 30,398 79,759 86,662
Rio Tinto total
other coal 37,175 36,797 34,690 37,459 39,201 109,642 111,350
production
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dor bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site.
* Coal - other includes thermal coal, semi-soft coking coal and semi-hard coking
coal.
See footnotes on page 11.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 8
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RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER
Mine production
('000 tonnes)
Alumbrera (e) 0 % - - - - - 8.7 -
Bingham Canyon 100 % 77.6 71.6 62.5 64.0 63.3 210.2 189.8
Escondida 30 % 73.4 70.1 83.8 99.1 87.5 227.7 270.3
Grasberg - FCX 0 % 21.5 7.7 5.5 - - 76.8 5.5
(f)
Grasberg - 40 % 28.9 11.5 5.5 9.3 9.2 97.2 24.0
Joint Venture (f)
Neves Corvo (g) 0 % 7.5 9.6 11.6 11.4 - 28.4 23.0
Northparkes 80 % 5.4 5.2 5.8 4.7 6.0 16.5 16.6
Palabora 49 % 7.0 7.1 5.2 4.9 8.7 18.7 18.9
Rio Tinto total 221.4 182.9 180.0 193.4 174.7 684.1 548.2
mine production
Refined production
('000 tonnes)
Atlantic Copper 0 % 9.2 8.6 7.0 - - 29.6 7.0
(f)
Escondida 30 % 11.2 11.4 11.3 11.4 11.4 32.9 34.1
Kennecott Utah 100 % 64.8 59.9 60.3 61.7 63.1 170.7 185.2
Copper
Palabora 49 % 8.5 10.3 8.8 8.5 8.0 25.8 25.3
Rio Tinto total 93.7 90.2 87.4 81.6 82.5 258.9 251.5
refined production
DIAMONDS
Production ('000
t) carats)
Argyle 100 % 9,690 8,307 3,612 2,669 5,328 22,603 11,610
Diavik 60 % 880 661 922 1,364 1,358 1,639 3,644
Merlin 100 % 18 - - - - 62 -
Murowa (h) 78 % - - - - 2 - 2
Rio Tinto total 10,588 8,968 4,534 4,033 6,688 24,304 15,255
diamond production
GOLD
Mine production
('000 ounces)
Alumbrera (e) 0 % - - - - - 31 -
Barneys Canyon 100 % 10 6 7 4 5 29 16
Bingham Canyon 100 % 79 92 69 59 72 213 200
Cortez/Pipeline 40 % 100 106 113 115 105 329 334
Escondida 30 % 16 16 18 16 16 40 50
Grasberg - FCX 0 % 107 26 14 - - 327 14
(f)
Grasberg - 40 % 223 96 6 19 22 626 48
Joint Venture (f)
Greens Creek 70 % 17 17 16 16 15 53 46
Kelian 90 % 71 74 69 73 64 349 205
Lihir (i) 14 % 21 25 16 24 E 22 64 E 62
Morro do Ouro 51 % 24 26 25 23 24 77 73
Northparkes 80 % 9 15 17 15 14 24 45
Peak (e) 0 % - - - - - 20 -
Rawhide 51 % 9 8 7 7 6 25 19
Rio Tinto 0 % 3 3 3 3 - 11 6
Zimbabwe (j)
Others - 2 2 2 2 1 5 5
Rio Tinto total 691 511 381 376 366 2,221 1,123
mine production
Refined production
('000 ounces)
Kennecott Utah 100 % 66 81 81 77 74 227 232
Copper
IRON ORE
Production ('000
tonnes)
Channar 60 % 1,628 1,417 1,404 1,516 1,623 4,792 4,543
Corumb 100 % 292 279 268 306 352 795 926
Eastern Range (k) - - 3 645 1,050 - 1,698
Hamersley 100 % 16,079 17,462 14,407 16,273 17,140 45,595 47,819
Iron Ore
Company of Canada 59 % 2,220 2,191 1,969 2,199 315 6,161 4,483
(l)
Robe River 53 % 5,607 6,649 5,447 7,110 6,828 17,273 19,384
Rio Tinto total 25,826 27,997 23,499 28,048 27,307 74,616 78,854
mine production
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dor bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site, except for the data for iron ore which represent production of
saleable quantities of ore plus pellets.
See footnotes on page 11. E = Estimated number.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 9
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RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
LEAD
Mine production ('000
tonnes)
Greens Creek 70 % 4.0 4.1 3.3 3.9 3.4 11.7 10.6
Zinkgruvan (m) 0 % 8.0 10.1 7.0 4.2 - 21.7 11.2
Rio Tinto total mine 12.0 14.2 10.3 8.1 3.4 33.4 21.8
production
MOLYBDENUM
Mine production ('000
tonnes)
Bingham Canyon 100 % 1.2 1.1 1.6 0.9 1.5 3.5 4.0
NICKEL
Nickel in matte (tonnes)
Fortaleza (n) 0 % 1,284 1,524 - - - 4,426 -
Toll refined metal
production (tonnes)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe - 0 % 1,029 1,011 971 648 - 2,463 1,619
Empress (j)
SALT
Production ('000 tonnes)
Dampier Salt 65 % 1,420 1,120 1,133 1,257 1,271 3,513 3,661
SILVER
Mine production ('000
ounces)
Bingham Canyon 100 % 873 1,105 730 785 947 2,443 2,462
Escondida 30 % 375 368 411 482 404 1,050 1,297
Grasberg - FCX (f) 0 % 207 46 79 - - 698 79
Grasberg - Joint Venture 40 % 320 466 13 53 135 660 201
(f)
Greens Creek 70 % 2,472 2,035 1,761 1,584 1,813 6,191 5,157
Zinkgruvan (m) 0 % 460 571 426 225 - 1,270 651
Others - 275 366 346 336 270 1,041 952
Rio Tinto total mine 4,983 4,959 3,766 3,465 3,569 13,353 10,799
production
Refined production ('000
ounces)
Kennecott Utah Copper 100 % 691 653 778 768 854 2,310 2,400
TALC
Production ('000 tonnes)
Luzenac Group 99.9 % 350 321 356 361 371 1,036 1,088
TIN
Mine production (tonnes)
Neves Corvo (g) 0 % 16 60 21 38 - 39 59
TITANIUM DIOXIDE FEEDSTOCK
Production ('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Iron & 100 % 291 293 287 291 296 899 873
Titanium
URANIUM
Production (tonnes U3O8)
Energy Resources of 68 % 775 858 809 751 931 2,653 2,492
Australia
Rssing 69 % 620 548 622 607 679 1,099 1,907
Rio Tinto total uranium 1,395 1,406 1,431 1,357 1,610 3,752 4,399
production
ZINC
Mine production ('000
tonnes)
Greens Creek 70 % 11.7 11.3 10.7 11.0 10.7 37.2 32.4
Zinkgruvan (m) 0 % 15.1 19.1 19.2 10.5 - 45.4 29.7
Rio Tinto total mine 26.8 30.4 29.9 21.5 10.7 82.6 62.1
production
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced
in concentrates or dor bullion irrespective of whether these products are then
refined on-site. The nickel in matte production reflects the contained tonnage
of nickel.
See footnotes on page 11.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 10
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RIO TINTO SHARE OF PRODUCTION (continued)
Production data notes
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Bok mine on 25 June
2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
(b) Rio Tinto Coal Australia was previously known as Pacific Coal.
(c) Rio Tinto had a 50% share in Kaltim Prima and, under the terms of its Coal
Agreement, the Indonesian Government was entitled to a 13.5% share of Kaltim
Prima's production. Rio Tinto's share of production shown is before deduction
of the Government share. Rio Tinto completed the sale of its interest in PT
Kaltim Prima Coal on 10 October 2003. Production data are shown up to the
date of sale.
(d) 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.
(e) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% interest in Minera Alumbrera together
with its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March 2003. Production data are
shown up to the date of sale.
(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) Ore mining and processing commenced during the third quarter of 2004.
(i) Following a placement of shares on 13 November 2003, and a subsequent
allotment of shares under a Share Purchase Plan on 23 January 2004, Rio
Tinto's interest in Lihir changed from 16.3% to 14.4%. Rio Tinto's share of
gold production includes an estimate of the production from the Lihir gold
mine for the third quarter of 2004. The actual third quarter production,
which may be different from the figure in this report, will be announced by
Lihir Gold Ltd on 25 October 2004. The estimate in this report is based on
one quarter of the indicative full year 2004 production of 600,000 oz
previously disclosed in the Managing Director's report to the Lihir Gold Ltd
AGM (27 April 2004).
(j) 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.
(k) 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.
(l) Rio Tinto owns 19% of the Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Income Fund. The Fund has
a shareholding in Iron Ore Company of Canada but this has not been included
in the calculation of tonnage attributable to Rio Tinto.
(m) 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.
(n) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Fortaleza nickel
mine on 16 January 2004. The sale was effective from 1 January 2004.
Where Rio Tinto's beneficial interest in an operation has changed, as indicated
above, the share of production has been calculated using the weighted average
interest over the relevant periods. Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is
at 30 September 2004.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 11
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RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
ALUMINIUM
Rio Tinto
Aluminium
Weipa mine 100.0 %
Queensland,
Australia
Beneficiated
bauxite
production 2,895 3,045 2,887 3,273 3,157 8,853 9,317
('000
tonnes)
Metal grade
bauxite
shipments 2,709 3,160 2,981 2,861 3,213 8,255 9,056
('000
tonnes)
Calcined
bauxite
production 42 29 44 36 45 132 125
('000
tonnes)
Bok mine (a) 0.0 %
Guinea
Bauxite
production 2,970 3,648 2,812 2,961 - 8,412 5,773
('000
tonnes)
Eurallumina 56.2 %
refinery
Sardinia,
Italy
Alumina
production 267 263 258 256 275 758 790
('000
tonnes)
Queensland
Alumina 38.6 %
refinery
Queensland,
Australia
Alumina
production 906 980 954 966 971 2,750 2,891
('000
tonnes)
Anglesey
Aluminium 51.0 %
smelter
United
Kingdom
Primary
aluminium
production 35.9 37.2 35.9 35.6 37.2 107.6 108.6
('000
tonnes)
Bell Bay 100.0 %
smelter
Tasmania,
Australia
Primary
aluminium
production 42.3 41.9 41.8 40.8 38.2 124.8 120.9
('000
tonnes)
Boyne Island 59.4 %
smelter
Queensland,
Australia
Primary
aluminium
production 128.5 133.8 134.7 134.3 135.8 387.1 404.8
('000
tonnes)
Tiwai Point 79.4 %
smelter
New Zealand
Primary
aluminium
production 85.0 87.9 87.1 86.0 88.7 246.6 261.7
('000
tonnes)
Rio Tinto
Aluminium
share
Share of
primary
aluminium 205.1 213.1 203.5 218.5 208.5 606.9 630.5
sales ('000
tonnes)
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Bok mine on 25 June 2004. Production
data are shown up to the date of sale.
BORATES
Rio Tinto 100.0 %
Borax
California,
US and
Argentina
Borates
('000 142 134 134 141 153 425 428
tonnes) (a)
(a)
Production
is expressed
as B2O3
content.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 12
Back to Contents
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL
DATA
Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
Tinto
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COAL
Coal & Allied
Industries
Limited
Bengalla mine 30.3 %
New South
Wales,
Australia
Thermal coal
production 1,122 2,008 1,075 1,525 1,737 4,196 4,337
('000 tonnes)
Hunter Valley 75.7 %
Operations
New South
Wales,
Australia
Thermal coal
production 2,028 2,620 2,255 2,738 2,838 6,526 7,831
('000 tonnes)
Semi-soft
coking coal 875 381 371 729 689 2,480 1,790
production
('000 tonnes)
Mount Thorley 60.6 %
Operations
New South
Wales,
Australia
Thermal coal
production 416 433 514 710 722 1,287 1,946
('000 tonnes)
Semi-soft
coking coal 369 377 158 240 258 1,055 656
production
('000 tonnes)
Warkworth 42.1 %
mine
New South
Wales,
Australia
Thermal coal
production 1,212 1,371 1,217 1,394 1,381 3,997 3,992
('000 tonnes)
Semi-soft
coking coal 127 93 237 447 479 406 1,163
production
('000 tonnes)
Total coal
production 6,147 7,284 5,826 7,784 8,105 19,948 21,715
('000 tonnes)
Total coal
sales ('000 6,802 7,278 6,424 7,486 7,931 20,609 21,841
tonnes) (a)
Coal & Allied
Industries share
Share of coal
production ('000 4,723 5,266 4,401 5,861 6,040 15,006 16,302
tonnes)
Share of coal sales 5,178 5,456 4,776 5,669 6,002 15,629 16,446
('000 tonnes) (a)
(a) Sales relate only to coal mined
by the operations and exclude
traded coal.
Kaltim Prima
Coal (a)
Indonesia 0.0 %
Thermal coal:
Production 3,422 381 - - - 12,274 -
('000 tonnes)
Shipments 4,042 309 - - - 12,501 -
('000 tonnes)
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 50% interest in PT Kaltim Prima Coal on 10 October 2003. Production
data are shown up to the date of sale.
Kennecott
Energy and
Coal Company
Antelope mine 100.0 %
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal
production 7,130 6,795 5,919 6,628 7,152 20,011 19,699
('000 tonnes)
Colowyo mine (a)
Colorado, US
Thermal coal
production 1,093 1,138 1,467 1,415 1,494 3,396 4,376
('000 tonnes)
Cordero Rojo 100.0 %
mine
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal
production 7,448 8,501 8,589 8,263 9,023 24,170 25,874
('000 tonnes)
Decker mine 50.0 %
Montana, US
Thermal coal
production 2,135 2,406 1,028 2,123 2,209 4,952 5,360
('000 tonnes)
Jacobs Ranch 100.0 %
mine
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal
production 8,767 8,706 8,649 8,705 8,833 23,712 26,187
('000 tonnes)
Spring Creek 100.0 %
mine
Montana, US
Thermal coal
production 1,887 2,074 2,265 2,789 2,791 5,995 7,845
('000 tonnes)
Total coal
production 28,459 29,620 27,917 29,923 31,503 82,236 89,342
('000 tonnes)
Total coal
sales ('000 28,459 29,620 27,917 29,923 31,503 82,236 89,342
tonnes)
(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 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 13
Back to Contents
RIO TINTO
OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COAL (continued)
Rio Tinto Coal
Australia (a)
Blair Athol Coal 71.2 %
mine
Queensland,
Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 3,649 3,084 3,060 3,097 3,045 9,396 9,202
tonnes)
Sales ('000 3,179 3,473 2,867 3,218 3,198 9,105 9,283
tonnes)
Hail Creek Coal 92.0 %
mine
Queensland,
Australia
Coking coal:
Production ('000 221 661 903 1,441 1,496 221 3,840
tonnes)
Sales ('000 114 622 890 1,069 1,389 114 3,348
tonnes)
Kestrel Coal mine 80.0 %
Queensland,
Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 328 365 122 209 216 1,084 548
tonnes)
Sales ('000 145 177 - - - 712 -
tonnes)
Coking coal:
Production ('000 415 427 462 970 867 1,446 2,298
tonnes)
Sales ('000 331 357 409 536 837 727 1,782
tonnes)
Semi-hard coking
coal: (b)
Sales ('000 353 461 225 258 300 1,277 784
tonnes)
Tarong Coal mine 100.0 %
Queensland,
Australia
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 1,635 1,713 1,678 1,787 1,888 4,825 5,352
tonnes)
Sales ('000 1,623 1,749 1,744 1,781 1,819 4,871 5,345
tonnes)
Total coal
production ('000 6,248 6,250 6,225 7,503 7,512 16,972 21,240
tonnes)
Total coal sales 5,746 6,839 6,135 6,863 7,544 16,807 20,543
('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto Coal
Australia share
Share of coal
production ('000 5,033 5,152 5,156 6,261 6,300 13,746 17,717
tonnes)
Share of coal sales 4,656 5,591 5,113 5,693 6,286 13,636 17,092
('000 tonnes)
(a) Rio Tinto Coal Australia was previously known as Pacific Coal.
(b) Semi-hard coking coal is a mixture of thermal coal and coking coal. The product mix is
customer dependent.
COPPER & GOLD
Alumbrera (a) 0.0 %
Argentina
Ore treated ('000 - - - - - 7,053 -
tonnes)
Average ore grades:
Copper (%) - - - - - 0.54 -
Gold (g/t) - - - - - 0.69 -
Concentrates
produced ('000 - - - - - 130.9 -
tonnes)
Copper in
concentrates:
Production ('000 - - - - - 34.9 -
tonnes)
Sales ('000 - - - - - 37.0 -
tonnes)
Production of gold
in concentrates - - - - - 108 -
('000 ounces)
Production of gold
in dor ('000 - - - - - 16 -
ounces)
Total gold sales - - - - - 132 -
('000 ounces)
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 25% holding in Minera Alumbrera on 17 March
2003.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 14
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RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL
DATA
Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
Tinto
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD
(continued)
Escondida 30.0 %
Chile
Sulphide ore
treated ('000 18,888 18,299 19,619 21,197 20,637 52,048 61,453
tonnes)
Average copper 1.33 1.31 1.48 1.61 1.47 1.47 1.52
grade (%)
Mill production
(metals in
concentrates):
Contained
copper ('000 208.2 197.1 239.6 284.2 256.8 649.9 780.5
tonnes)
Contained gold 52 52 58 55 53 132 166
('000 ounces)
Contained
silver ('000 1,251 1,227 1,370 1,606 1,347 3,501 4,323
ounces)
Oxide ore
treated ('000 3,569 3,537 3,179 4,186 3,996 10,165 11,361
tonnes)
Average copper 1.02 1.03 1.25 1.10 0.87 1.07 1.06
grade (%)
Contained copper
in
leachate/mined 37 37 40 46 35 109 121
material ('000
tonnes)
Refined
production:
Oxide plant
production ('000 37.3 38.0 37.7 37.9 38.0 109.6 113.6
tonnes)
Freeport-McMoRan
Copper & Gold
(a)
Grasberg mine 0.0% (40.0% of the expansion)
Papua, Indonesia
Ore treated 19,453 13,071 13,817 14,946 17,845 61,032 46,608
('000 tonnes)
Average mill
head grades:
Copper (%) 1.08 0.77 0.50 0.82 0.83 1.16 0.73
Gold (g/t) 1.79 1.00 0.41 0.95 0.79 1.66 0.73
Silver (g/t) 3.90 4.26 3.09 4.01 3.74 3.98 3.63
Production of
metals in
concentrates:
Copper in
concentrates 189.3 86.9 55.9 107.7 129.7 628.9 293.2
('000 tonnes)
Gold in
concentrates 1,007 369 135 395 370 2,893 901
('000 ounces)
Silver in
concentrates 1,857 981 740 1,143 1,199 5,493 3,081
('000 ounces)
Sales of payable
metals in
concentrates:
(b)
Copper in
concentrates 184.7 85.5 53.0 101.7 127.9 607.5 282.5
('000 tonnes)
Gold in
concentrates 980 369 130 370 372 2,803 872
('000 ounces)
Silver in
concentrates 1,431 763 563 862 943 4,231 2,367
('000 ounces)
(a) See note (f) on page 11 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 0.0 %
smelter
Spain
Concentrates and
scrap smelted 253.0 224.7 187.1 - - 739.7 187.1
('000 tonnes)
Copper anodes
produced ('000 78.6 65.0 57.5 - - 225.3 57.5
tonnes) (c)
Copper cathodes
produced ('000 61.4 62.0 58.4 - - 185.1 58.4
tonnes)
Copper cathode
sales ('000 57.7 63.8 50.8 - - 184.2 50.8
tonnes) (d)
(c) New metal
excluding
recycled
material.
(d) Refers to
copper cathode
and wire rod
sales.
Kelian
Equatorial 90.0 %
Mining
East Kalimantan,
Indonesia
Ore treated 1,995 2,180 2,119 2,134 2,057 5,673 6,310
('000 tonnes)
Average ore
grades:
Gold (g/t) 1.76 1.66 1.57 1.84 1.56 2.64 1.66
Silver (g/t) 4.39 4.40 3.94 4.12 3.90 5.09 3.99
Production:
Gold ('000 79 82 76 81 71 387 228
ounces)
Silver ('000 66 73 64 52 93 274 209
ounces)
Sales:
Gold ('000 93 47 113 70 76 390 259
ounces)
Silver ('000 145 - 148 - - 299 148
ounces)
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 15
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RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD
(continued)
Kennecott Minerals
Company
Cortez/Pipeline mine 40.0 %
Nevada, US
Ore treated
Milled ('000 tonnes) 865 878 781 760 794 2,575 2,334
Leached ('000 tonnes) 5,507 6,161 9,246 7,110 9,673 11,306 26,030
Sold for roasting 111 62 96 111 107 402 314
('000 tonnes)
Average ore grade: gold
Milled (g/t) 5.55 5.61 6.14 6.43 5.31 6.84 5.95
Leached (g/t) 0.85 0.78 0.77 0.73 0.50 0.96 0.66
Sold for roasting 5.87 5.86 5.90 6.21 6.90 6.84 6.35
(g/t)
Gold produced ('000 249 264 283 288 264 821 835
ounces)
Greens Creek mine 70.3 %
Alaska, US
Ore treated ('000 185 177 182 177 182 532 541
tonnes)
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) 6.20 6.19 5.86 6.21 5.43 6.49 5.83
Silver (g/t) 764 671 572 560 619 677 584
Zinc (%) 11.1 11.8 10.7 11.9 11.1 12.5 11.2
Lead (%) 4.3 4.7 3.9 4.6 3.9 4.5 4.1
Metals produced in
concentrates:
Gold ('000 ounces) 25 24 23 23 21 75 66
Silver ('000 ounces) 3,518 2,897 2,506 2,254 2,580 8,810 7,339
Zinc ('000 tonnes) 16.6 16.1 15.3 15.6 15.3 52.9 46.2
Lead ('000 tonnes) 5.6 5.9 4.6 5.6 4.8 16.7 15.0
Rawhide mine (a) 51.0 %
Nevada, US
Ore treated ('000 - - - - - 1,614 -
tonnes)
Average ore grades:
Gold (g/t) - - - - - 0.51 -
Silver (g/t) - - - - - 9.4 -
Metals produced in dor:
Gold ('000 ounces) 17 15 13 13 11 49 38
Silver ('000 ounces) 131 114 108 122 111 416 341
(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 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 16
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RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD
(continued)
Kennecott Utah
Copper
Barneys Canyon 100.0 %
mine (a)
Utah, US
Gold produced 10 6 7 4 5 29 16
('000 ounces)
(a) Mining operations ceased in the first quarter of 2002. Gold continues to be recovered from
leach pads.
Bingham Canyon 100.0 %
mine
Utah, US
Ore treated ('000 11,904 11,988 10,497 11,054 11,943 34,117 33,493
tonnes)
Average ore
grade:
Copper (%) 0.72 0.64 0.64 0.62 0.58 0.69 0.61
Gold (g/t) 0.31 0.31 0.28 0.23 0.26 0.28 0.26
Silver (g/t) 2.88 3.53 2.74 2.81 2.95 2.84 2.84
Molybdenum (%) 0.028 0.038 0.027 0.019 0.028 0.024 0.025
Copper
concentrates 298 280 262 277 276 867 815
produced ('000
tonnes)
Average
concentrate grade 25.9 25.5 23.9 23.1 22.8 24.2 23.3
(% Cu)
Production of
metals in copper
concentrates:
Copper ('000 77.6 71.6 62.5 64.0 63.3 210.2 189.8
tonnes) (b)
Gold ('000 79 92 69 59 72 213 200
ounces)
Silver ('000 873 1,105 730 785 947 2,443 2,462
ounces)
Molybdenum
concentrates 2.1 2.2 3.0 1.8 2.8 6.6 7.6
produced ('000
tonnes):
Molybdenum in
concentrates 1.2 1.1 1.6 0.9 1.5 3.5 4.0
('000 tonnes)
Kennecott smelter 100.0 %
& refinery
Copper
concentrates 282 286 279 301 288 774 869
smelted ('000
tonnes)
Copper anodes
produced ('000 69.9 66.3 54.4 64.3 66.1 176.8 184.7
tonnes) (c)
Production of
refined metal:
Copper ('000 64.8 59.9 60.3 61.7 63.1 170.7 185.2
tonnes)
Gold ('000 66 81 81 77 74 227 232
ounces) (d)
Silver ('000 691 653 778 768 854 2,310 2,400
ounces) (d)
(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 80.0 %
Venture
New South Wales,
Australia
Ore treated ('000 1,284 1,263 1,275 1,157 1,270 3,905 3,702
tonnes)
Average ore
grades:
Copper (%) 0.70 0.71 0.78 0.71 0.75 0.66 0.75
Gold (g/t) 0.45 0.70 0.73 0.68 0.66 0.36 0.69
Copper
concentrates 18.3 17.9 19.3 16.6 21.7 57.2 57.5
produced ('000
tonnes)
Contained copper
in concentrates:
Saleable
production ('000 6.7 6.5 7.3 5.9 7.5 20.6 20.8
tonnes)
Sales ('000 4.5 6.2 2.8 7.2 3.1 16.3 13.1
tonnes) (a)
Contained gold in
concentrates:
Saleable
production ('000 11.4 18.7 21.0 18.7 17.2 29.9 56.9
ounces)
Sales ('000 6.4 12.4 8.7 21.7 11.4 25.8 41.8
ounces) (a)
a) Rio Tinto's 80% share of material from the Joint Venture.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 17
Back to Contents
RIO TINTO OPERATIONAL
DATA
Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
Tinto
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD
(continued)
Palabora 49.2 %
Palabora mine
South Africa
Ore treated 3,398 2,838 2,101 1,897 2,345 8,577 6,343
('000 tonnes)
Average ore
grade: copper 0.53 0.63 0.76 0.74 0.75 0.57 0.75
(%)
Copper
concentrates 43.5 46.3 35.9 35.4 64.2 117.0 135.5
produced ('000
tonnes)
Average
concentrate 32.9 31.3 29.7 28.3 27.7 32.4 28.4
grade: copper
(%)
Copper in
concentrates 14.3 14.5 10.7 10.0 17.8 37.9 38.4
('000 tonnes)
Palabora
smelter/refinery
New concentrate
smelted on site 64.0 72.5 59.4 68.0 59.0 195.2 186.5
('000 tonnes)
New copper
anodes produced 19.4 21.3 15.8 19.7 14.4 55.3 49.9
('000 tonnes)
Refined new
copper produced 17.4 20.9 17.9 17.2 16.2 52.5 51.3
('000 tonnes)
By-products:
Magnetite
concentrate 53 68 105 160 144 148 409
('000 tonnes)
Refined nickel
sulphate 26 38 53 37 36 114 126
(tonnes)
Vermiculite
plant
Vermiculite
produced ('000 32.5 35.6 38.4 51.5 52.7 137.6 142.6
tonnes)
Peak Gold Mine 0.0 %
(a)
New South Wales,
Australia
Ore treated - - - - - 144 -
('000 tonnes)
Average ore
grades:
Gold (g/t) - - - - - 5.23 -
Silver (g/t) - - - - - 3.16 -
Copper (%) - - - - - 0.13 -
Lead (%) - - - - - 0.11 -
Zinc (%) - - - - - 0.00 -
Bullion produced - - - - - 23 -
('000 ounces)
Containing:
Gold ('000 - - - - - 20 -
ounces)
Silver ('000 - - - - - 3 -
ounces)
Gold recovered
in concentrates - - - - - - -
('000 ounces)
Total gold
production ('000 - - - - - 20 -
ounces)
Bullion sales (fine gold) - - - - - 20 -
('000 ounces)
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its wholly owned Peak Gold Mine on 17 March 2003.
Rio Tinto Brasil
Limitada
Morro do Ouro 51.0 %
mine
Minas Gerais,
Brazil
Ore treated 4,655 4,640 4,499 4,271 4,409 13,771 13,179
('000 tonnes)
Average ore
grade: gold 0.45 0.43 0.45 0.46 0.44 0.45 0.45
(g/t)
Refined gold
produced ('000 48 51 50 45 48 150 142
ounces)
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data represent full production and sales
on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 18
Back to Contents
RIO TINTO
OPERATIONAL DATA
Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 9
Tinto MTHS MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
COPPER & GOLD
(continued)
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe
(a)
Patchway mine (b) 0.0 %
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 - - - - - 38 -
tonnes)
Average ore grade: - - - - - 2.13 -
gold (g/t)
Total gold
produced ('000 - - - - - 2 -
ounces)
Renco mine 0.0 %
Zimbabwe
Ore treated ('000 64 61 61 85 - 173 146
tonnes)
Average ore grade: 3.48 3.56 3.13 3.43 - 3.60 3.30
gold (g/t)
Total gold
produced ('000 6 6 5 6 - 17 11
ounces)
Total Rio Tinto ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- --- ---- -
Zimbabwe
Total gold
produced ('000 6 6 5 6 - 19 11
ounces)
(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.
(b) Rio Tinto Zimbabwe completed the sale of the Patchway mine in July 2003.
Somincor (a)
Neves Corvo 0.0 %
mine
Portugal
Total ore
treated 354 447 448 430 - 1,253 878
('000
tonnes) (b)
of which,
treated to
extract tin 4 10 5 8 - 12 13
('000
tonnes)
Average ore
grades:
Copper 5.13 5.15 6.02 6.07 - 5.40 6.04
(%)
Tin (%) 2.26 2.46 2.15 1.80 - 1.91 1.93
Copper
production:
Copper
concentrates
produced 66.2 84.0 100.1 98.3 - 245.6 198.3
('000
tonnes)
Copper
concentrate 23.2 23.4 23.7 23.6 - 23.6 23.7
grade:
copper (%)
Copper in
concentrates
produced 15.4 19.6 23.7 23.2 - 57.9 46.9
('000
tonnes)
Tin
production:
Tin
concentrates
produced 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 0.2
('000
tonnes)
Tin
concentrate 60.7 64.3 63.9 67.1 - 56.7 65.9
grade: tin
(%)
Tin in
concentrates
produced 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 - 0.1 0.1
('000
tonnes)
(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.
DIAMONDS
Argyle 100.0 %
Diamonds
Western
Australia
AK1 ore
processed 2,601 2,372 2,066 2,424 2,468 7,415 6,958
('000
tonnes)
AK1 Diamonds
produced 9,690 8,307 3,612 2,669 5,328 22,603 11,610
('000
carats)
Diavik 60.0 %
Diamonds
Northwest
Territories,
Canada
Ore
processed 388 300 394 541 560 894 1,495
('000
tonnes)
Diamonds
recovered 1,466 1,101 1,537 2,273 2,263 2,731 6,073
('000
carats)
Merlin (a) 100.0 %
Northern
Territory,
Australia
Ore
processed - - - - - 237 -
('000
tonnes)
Diamonds
recovered 18 - - - - 62 -
('000
carats)
(a) Ore mining and processing ceased during the second quarter of 2003.
Murowa 77.8 %
Diamonds (a)
Zimbabwe
Ore
processed - - - - 4 - 4
('000
tonnes)
Diamonds
recovered - - - - 3 - 3
('000
carats)
(a) Ore mining and processing commenced during the third quarter of 2004.
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 19
Back to Contents
RIO TINTO
OPERATIONAL
DATA
Rio 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
Tinto
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
IRON ORE
Hamersley Iron
Western
Australia
Saleable iron
ore production
('000 tonnes):
Paraburdoo,
Mount Tom 100.0 %
Price,
Marandoo,
Yandicoogina 16,079 17,462 14,407 16,273 17,140 45,595 47,819
and Brockman
Channar 60.0 % 2,713 2,361 2,341 2,526 2,705 7,986 7,572
Eastern 54.0 % - - 3 645 1,050 - 1,698
Range (a)
Total
production 18,792 19,823 16,751 19,443 20,895 53,581 57,089
('000 tonnes)
Total sales
('000 tonnes) 18,636 19,987 17,664 18,112 19,822 54,346 55,598
(b)
(a) The Eastern
Range mine
commenced
production in
March 2004.
(b) Sales represent iron ore exported from Western Australian ports (previously reported as Total
shipments).
Iron Ore
Company of
Canada
Newfoundland &
Labrador and
Quebec in
Canada
Carol Lake 58.7 %
operations
Saleable iron
ore production:
Concentrates 958 706 462 608 0 1,942 1,070
('000 tonnes)
Pellets 2,823 3,026 2,892 3,137 536 8,551 6,565
('000 tonnes)
Sales:
Concentrate 664 1,093 431 537 238 1,524 1,206
('000 tonnes)
Pellets 2,820 3,767 2,072 3,408 1,844 8,544 7,324
('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto
Brasil
Corumb mine 100.0 %
Mato Grosso do
Sul, Brazil
Saleable iron
ore production 292 279 268 306 352 795 926
('000 tonnes)
(a)
(a) Production
includes
by-product
fines.
Robe River Iron
Associates
Pannawonica 53.0 %
mine
Western
Australia
Saleable iron
ore production 7,583 8,035 6,281 8,437 7,643 23,999 22,360
('000 tonnes)
Sales ('000 8,413 7,470 7,325 7,014 7,602 23,604 21,942
tonnes)
West Angelas 53.0 %
mine
Western
Australia
Saleable iron
ore production 2,996 4,510 3,997 4,978 5,240 8,592 14,214
('000 tonnes)
Sales ('000 2,585 4,350 4,742 3,937 5,784 8,436 14,462
tonnes)
NICKEL
Rio Tinto
Brasil
Fortaleza mine 0.0 %
Brazil
Production 1,284 1,524 - - - 4,426 -
(tonnes)
(a) Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 100% interest in the Fortaleza nickel mine on 16
January 2004. The sale was effective from 1 January 2004.
Rio Tinto
Zimbabwe (a)
Empress Nickel 0.0 %
refinery
Zimbabwe
Production 1,836 1,804 1,733 1,156 - 4,395 2,889
(tonnes)
(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.
SALT
Dampier Salt 64.9 %
Western
Australia
Salt production 2,186 1,725 1,745 1,936 1,957 5,410 5,638
('000 tonnes)
Rio Tinto percentage interest shown above is at 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 20
Back to Contents
RIO TINTO
OPERATIONAL
DATA
Rio Tinto 3Q 4Q 1Q 2Q 3Q 9 MTHS 9 MTHS
interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 2004
TALC
The Luzenac 99.9 %
Group
Australia,
Europe, and
North America
Talc
production 350 321 356 361 371 1,037 1,089
('000 tonnes)
TITANIUM
DIOXIDE
FEEDSTOCK
Rio Tinto
Iron & 100.0 %
Titanium
Canada and
South Africa
(Rio Tinto
share)
Titanium
dioxide
feedstock 291 293 287 291 296 899 873
production
('000 tonnes)
URANIUM
Energy
Resources of
Australia Ltd
Ranger mine 68.4 %
Northern
Territory,
Australia
Production 1,133 1,255 1,183 1,098 1,362 3,879 3,643
(tonnes U3O8)
Rssing 68.6 %
Uranium Ltd
Namibia
Production 904 799 907 885 990 1,602 2,781
(tonnes U3O8)
ZINC
Zinkgruvan 0.0 %
Mining AB
Sweden
Ore treated 191 227 196 139 - 547 335
('000 tonnes)
Average ore
grades:
Zinc (%) 8.8 9.3 10.6 8.1 - 9.1 9.6
Lead (%) 4.8 5.3 4.2 3.6 - 4.5 3.9
Silver 102 105 95 77 - 101 86
(g/t)
Production of
zinc 27.5 35.0 34.8 18.7 - 82.0 53.5
concentrate
('000 tonnes)
Production of
lead 11.3 14.4 9.9 5.9 - 31.4 15.8
concentrate
('000 tonnes)
Production of
metal in
concentrates:
Zinc ('000 15.1 19.1 19.2 10.5 - 45.4 29.7
tonnes)
Lead ('000 8.0 10.1 7.0 4.2 - 21.7 11.2
tonnes)
Silver 460 571 426 225 - 1,270 651
('000 ounces)
(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 30 September 2004. The data
represent full production and sales on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review Page 21
INDEX TO OPERATIONAL DATA
Page
Aluminium
Anglesey Aluminium smelter UK 12
Bell Bay smelter Australia 12
Bok Guinea 12
Boyne Island smelter Australia 12
Eurallumina Italy 12
Queensland Alumina Australia 12
Tiwai Point smelter New Zealand 12
Weipa Australia 12
Borates
Boron US 12
Tincalayu Argentina 12
Coal
Coal & Allied: Australia 13
-Bengalla Australia 13
-Hunter Valley Operations Australia 13
-Mount Thorley Operations Australia 13
-Warkworth Australia 13
Kaltim Prima Coal Indonesia 13
Kennecott Energy & Coal: US 13
-Antelope US 13
-Colowyo US 13
-Cordero Rojo US 13
-Decker US 13
-Jacobs Ranch US 13
-Spring Creek US 13
Rio Tinto Coal Australia: Australia 14
-Blair Athol Australia 14
-Hail Creek Australia 14
-Kestrel Australia 14
-Tarong Australia 14
Copper
Alumbrera Argentina 14
Escondida Chile 15
Freeport Copper & Gold: US 15
-Grasberg Indonesia 15
-Atlantic Copper smelter Spain 15
Kennecott Utah Copper: US 17
-Bingham Canyon US 17
-Kennecott smelter and refinery US 17
Neves Corvo Portugal 19
Northparkes Australia 17
Palabora mine and smelter South Africa 18
Diamonds
Argyle Diamonds Australia 19
Diavik Diamonds Canada 19
Merlin Australia 19
Murowa Zimbabwe 19
Gold
Alumbrera Argentina 14
Escondida Chile 15
Freeport Copper & Gold: US 15
-Grasberg Indonesia 15
Kennecott Utah Copper: US 17
-Barneys Canyon US 17
-Bingham Canyon US 17
Kelian Indonesia 15
Kennecott Minerals: US 16
-Cortez/Pipeline US 16
-Greens Creek US 16
-Rawhide US 16
Page
Gold (continued)
Lihir Papua New Guinea 17
Morro do Ouro Brazil 18
Northparkes Australia 17
Peak Australia 18
Rio Tinto Zimbabwe: 19
-Patchway Zimbabwe 19
-Renco Zimbabwe 19
Iron Ore
Corumb Brazil 20
Hamersley: Australia 20
-Brockman Australia 20
-Channar Australia 20
-Eastern Range Australia 20
-Marandoo Australia 20
-Mt Tom Price Australia 20
-Paraburdoo Australia 20
-Yandicoogina Australia 20
Iron Ore Company of Canada Canada 20
Robe River Australia 20
Lead/Zinc
Kennecott Minerals: US 16
-Greens Creek US 16
Zinkgruvan Sweden 21
Molybdenum
Bingham Canyon US 17
Nickel
Empress refinery Zimbabwe 20
Fortaleza Brazil 20
Salt
Dampier Salt Australia 20
Silver
Bingham Canyon US 17
Escondida Chile 15
Grasberg Indonesia 15
Greens Creek US 16
Zinkgruvan Sweden 21
Talc
Luzenac Australia/Europe/US/
Canada 21
Tin
Neves Corvo Portugal 19
Titanium dioxide feedstock
QIT mine and smelter Canada 21
Richards Bay Minerals mine and
smelter South Africa 21
Uranium
Energy Resources of Australia Australia 21
-Ranger Australia 21
Rssing Namibia 21
Third Quarter 2004 Operations Review 22
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