Rio Tinto meets annual production targets with record fourth quarter

(Alliance News) - Rio Tinto PLC on Tuesday reported broadly steady annual Pilbara iron ore volumes and said it achieved "record fourth?quarter production" from the region.

The London-based miner said 2025 Pilbara iron ore output slipped 0.2% to 327.3 million tonnes from 328.0 million tonnes a year earlier, while shipments eased 0.7% to 326.2 million tonnes from 328.6 million tonnes, still landing within its 323 million to 338 million tonne guidance range.

Bauxite production for the year rose 6.3% to 62.4 million tonnes from 58.7 million tonnes, topping the 61 million tonne target.

Alumina output increased 3.9% to 7.6 million tonnes from 7.3 million tonnes, in line with the 7.4 million to 7.8 million tonne forecast, while aluminium production grew 2.5% to 3.4 million tonnes from 3.3 million tonnes, near the upper end of its 3.25 million to 3.45 million tonne guidance.

Copper production climbed 11% to 883,000 tonnes from 793,000 tonnes, exceeding the 860,000 to 875,000 tonne range.

On a quarterly basis, Pilbara iron ore shipments for the fourth quarter ended December 31 grew 6.5% to 91.3 million tonnes from 85.7 million tonnes while production reached a record 89.7 million tonnes, up 3.4% from 86.5 million tonnes in the same period the previous year.

Bauxite output was flat at 15.4 million tonnes, alumina production fell 1.2% to 1.97 million tonnes from 1.99 million tonnes, and aluminium increased 1.5% to 852,000 tonnes from 837,000 tonnes.

Copper increased 5.3% to 240,000 tonnes from 228,000 tonnes.

Chief Executive Simon Trott said: "Our operations delivered exceptional production performance, both on a quarter-on-quarter and full year basis, as we leverage our strong foundation of operating excellence and project delivery across our portfolio. We achieved record quarterly iron ore production in the Pilbara, with a strong recovery from the extreme weather interruptions earlier in the year. At Simandou, we celebrated the major milestone of first shipment from the port; a testament to our ability to deliver major growth projects."

Looking ahead, Rio Tinto expects total iron shipments for 2026 between 343 million to 366 million tonnes, copper production within the range of 800,000 to 870,000 tonnes, and bauxite production of 58 million to 61 million tonnes.

Meanwhile, alumina production is expected between 7.6 to 7.8 million tonnes, and aluminium at 3.25 million to 3.45 million tonnes.

Shares in Rio Tinto were up 1.1% at AUD147.96 in Sydney on Wednesday morning, while shares in London closed 0.5% lower at 6,305.00 pence on Tuesday.

By Judy Amaca, Alliance News reporter Asia-Pacific

Comments and questions to [e-mail]

Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.