Steady output & green move, Rio Tinto’s Q3 unveils its aluminium edge

Rio Tinto Group has released its production figures for Q3 2025, highlighting continued output across its key commodities. The firm has just rolled out a fresh operating model along with a new executive team, all designed to streamline operations and boost shareholder value. The revamped organisation now features three main divisions: Iron Ore, Aluminium & Lithium and Copper. At the same time, Borates and Iron & Titanium are under strategic review, indicating a shift towards optimising the company’s portfolio.

Overall production summary

In Q3 2025, the company showcased a solid production performance across its diverse range of operations. Bauxite production reached 16.4 million tonnes, indicating a robust operational quarter. Alumina output was at 1.9 million tonnes, aluminium production climbed to 0.86 million tonnes, and copper (on a consolidated basis) wrapped up the quarter at 204 thousand tonnes, reflecting ongoing stability in key commodities. Pilbara iron ore shipments hit 84.3 million tonnes, closely matched by a production output of 84.1 million tonnes. The iron ore pellets and concentrate from IOC totalled 2.3 million tonnes. Other products, like titanium dioxide slag (0.3 million tons) and boric oxide equivalent (0.1 million tons), also kept up consistent production levels.

Quarter-on-quarter, Rio Tinto saw a 5 per cent increase in bauxite production, due to better operational efficiency and mine performance. Alumina output also climbed by 4 per cent, while aluminium production went up by 2 per cent, highlighting some steady improvements across the value chain. On the other hand, IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate experienced a 6 per cent drop and copper production fell by 11 per cent due to variations in grade and mine sequencing. Both titanium dioxide slag and boric oxide equivalent saw a 3 per cent decline quarter-on-quarter, suggesting minor fluctuations within the expected operational ranges.