
Global miner Rio Tinto announced production results for the third quarter of 2018. The company’s bauxite production in Q3 2018 was one per cent lower than the corresponding quarter of 2017, with strong production at Weipa offset by lower production at the non-managed Sangaredi and Porto Trombetas (MRN) mines. Rio Tinto produced 12.7 million tonnes of bauxite in the third quarter of 2018.

The company said the production at Sangaredi was 24 per cent lower than the third quarter of 2017 due to tie-in works required to complete expansion works, whilst production was partly curtailed at MRN as a result of the declaration of force majeure at Norsk Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery. The company shipped 8.4 million tonnes of bauxite to third parties in Q3 2018, 2% higher than Q3 2017 due to firm demand.
The Amrun project is ahead of schedule, with first shipment now expected in the fourth quarter of 2018 and full ramp-up in 2019.
Rio Tinto’s expected share of bauxite production in 2018 has been revised to the upper end of the previous guidance range at between 50 and 51 million tonnes (previously 49 to 51 million tonnes).
Alumina production for the quarter was one per cent lower than the corresponding period in 2017. Alumina production stood at 1.9 million tonnes. Rio Tinto’s expected share of production in 2018 remains unchanged at 8.0 to 8.2 million tonnes of alumina.

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