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
R
EGISTERED
O
FFICE
:
6 St James’s Square London SW1Y 4LD Registered in England No. 719885
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mine production
figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates
or doré 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.
Mine production
figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates
or doré 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.
Mine production figures for metals refer to the total quantity of metal produced in concentrates or doré 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.
Rio
Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Boké 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.
(a)
Rio Tinto completed the sale of its 4.0% interest in the Boké mine
on 25 June 2004. Production data are shown up to the date of sale.
BORATES
Rio
Tinto Borax
100.0
%
California,
US and Argentina
Borates
('000 tonnes)
(a)
142
134
134
141
153
425
428
(a)
Production is expressed as B
2
O
3
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.
(a) Sales relate only to coal mined by the operations and exclude traded coal.
Kaltim Prima Coal
(a)
Indonesia
0.0
%
Thermal coal:
Production ('000 tonnes)
3,422
381
-
-
-
12,274
-
Shipments ('000 tonnes)
4,042
309
-
-
-
12,501
-
(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 ('000 tonnes)
7,130
6,795
5,919
6,628
7,152
20,011
19,699
Colowyo mine
(a)
Colorado, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)
1,093
1,138
1,467
1,415
1,494
3,396
4,376
Cordero Rojo mine
100.0
%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)
7,448
8,501
8,589
8,263
9,023
24,170
25,874
Decker mine
50.0
%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)
2,135
2,406
1,028
2,123
2,209
4,952
5,360
Jacobs Ranch mine
100.0
%
Wyoming, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)
8,767
8,706
8,649
8,705
8,833
23,712
26,187
Spring Creek mine
100.0
%
Montana, US
Thermal coal production ('000 tonnes)
1,887
2,074
2,265
2,789
2,791
5,995
7,845
Total coal production ('000 tonnes)
28,459
29,620
27,917
29,923
31,503
82,236
89,342
Total coal sales ('000 tonnes)
28,459
29,620
27,917
29,923
31,503
82,236
89,342
(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.
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