Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest metals and mining corporation, posted a mixed yet overall strong operational performance in the second quarter of 2025, reporting year-on-year growth across bauxite, alumina, and aluminium production. Bauxite and aluminium output rose both compared to Q2 2024 and the previous quarter, while alumina production increased from a year earlier but edged down slightly from Q1 2025.
Image source: Rio Tinto
Production overview
Bauxite production in Q2 2025 rose to 15.6 million tonnes, up 6 per cent from 14.7 million tonnes in Q2 2024. The figure also marked a slight increase from 15 million tonnes recorded in Q1 2025, signalling consistent quarterly growth.
Alumina production reached 1.8 million tonnes in Q2 2025, reflecting an 8 per cent year-on-year increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. However, production declined by approximately 6 per cent from Q1 2025’s 1.9 million tonnes, indicating a moderate sequential dip.
Meanwhile, aluminium output stood at 0.84 million tonnes in Q2 2025, up from 0.82 million tonnes in Q2 2024 and slightly higher than 0.83 million tonnes in Q1 2025. The data shows stable quarterly performance and continued year-on-year improvement in primary aluminium production.
Leadership comment
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: “We delivered excellent operational performance from our mine operations with record production from our bauxite business and from Oyu Tolgoi as it ramps up to become the world’s fourth largest copper mine before the end of the decade.
“We continue to make strong progress in our production and growth projects, achieving our highest Pilbara Q2 production since 2018 and accelerating the first shipment from the Simandou high-grade iron ore project in Guinea”.
He also stated that the company remains committed to advancing its long-term strategy focused on delivering profitable growth and building a stronger, more diversified business.
Full-year outlook and production targets
For the full year 2025, Rio Tinto projects primary aluminium production to be between 3.25 and 3.45 million tonnes
Rio Tinto is set to expand its recycled aluminium output with the addition of 30,000 tonnes of new recycling capacity at its Arvida facility, expected to become operational by the fourth quarter of 2025. This development marks a significant step in integrating circular economy practices into its operations and advancing the company’s low-carbon aluminium production strategy.
In parallel, Rio Tinto is progressing with the expansion of its primary aluminium production through the installation of 96 new AP60 pots. This project will boost AP60 capacity by 160,000 tonnes annually, with commissioning slated for the first half of 2026 and full ramp-up anticipated by the end of the year.
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