Rio Tinto Iron Ore Production Up 13%

(RTTNews) - Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto Plc (RTNTF, RIO, RIO.L, RTPPF) Monday said its iron ore production for the first quarter increased 13 percent, while shipments rose 11 percent.

Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest iron-ore producer, said its global iron ore production for the first quarter increased 13 percent to 84.0 million tons. Global iron ore shipments rose 11 percent to 80.8 million tons.

Chief Executive Sam Walsh said, "These results demonstrate our commitment to operational excellence in 2016, with notable improvements in several important areas, including a strong performance in Aluminum."

Bauxite production for the quarter rose 6 percent, while Aluminum production increased 10 percent. Mined copper production declined 2 percent, while Hard coking coal production inched down 1 percent. Semi-soft and thermal coal production declined 3 percent, while Titanium dioxide slag plunged 24 percent.