Rio Tinto’s bauxite production in 2020 improves 2% Y-o-Y on capacity ramp-up at CBG mine; Aluminium output stands flat

Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest metals and mining corporation, has reported its full-year and the fourth quarter production results of 2020, revealing that bauxite output in Q4 2020 stood at 13.3 million tonnes. That was up by 12 per cent per cent quarter-on-quarter.

Full-year production was 56.1 per cent, increasing by 2 per cent year-on-year due to the ramp-up of the capacity expansion at the CBG mine in Guinea and steady performance at the Pacific mines.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said, “We have delivered a strong safety and operational performance in the face of the significant global challenges of COVID-19. Our 2020 performance reflects the resilience of the business, and the commitment and flexibility of our employees, customers, communities and host governments.”

Jakob Stausholm was appointed as Chief Executive on December 17, with effect from January 1, 2021.

Rio Tinto’s full-year aluminium production of 2020, however, remained flat at 3,180 thousand tonnes/3.18 million tonnes, compared to the same period last year, attributing to the lower production volume at Tiwai Point aluminium smelter for the curtailment of Line 4 and at Kitmat smelter for pot relining campaign, however, offset by the ramp-up of the Becancour smelter in Quebec. Output in the fourth quarter grew 4 per cent Q-o-Q to 815,000 tonnes.

Jakob Stausholm added, “Safe and well-run operations, together with world-class assets and a strong balance sheet, leave Rio Tinto well placed to generate superior returns for shareholders, invest in sustaining and growing our portfolio, while continuing to pay taxes and royalties in our host communities and make a broader contribution to society, including employment and procurement."