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.
On a year-over-year basis, the company has shown impressive production growth across most of its commodities. IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate jumped by 11 per cent, while bauxite saw a 9 per cent increase, and alumina production rose by 7 per cent, due to steady supply improvements. Aluminium production went up by 6 per cent and copper output experienced a substantial 10 per cent rise, bolstered by higher throughput and better ore grades. Moreover, titanium dioxide slag faced a slight decline of 1 per cent, while boric oxide equivalent managed a modest 2 per cent increase year-on-year.
The firm reported a bauxite production total of 21.88 million tonnes in Q3 2025, representing steady output from its key mining sites in Australia, Brazil and Guinea. The Weipa mine in Queensland led the way, contributing 10.8 million tonnes, while the Gove mine in the Northern Territory added 3.24 million tonnes, showcasing a solid performance across Australian operations. Over in Guinea, the Sangaredi mine produced 3.71 million tonnes, keeping up a strong supply momentum, and the Porto Trombetas (MRN) mine in Brazil chipped in with 3.13 million tonnes. Overall, Rio Tinto’s share of total bauxite shipments hit 16.4 million tonnes.
In Q3 2025, the firm saw a total bauxite production rise by 3.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, hitting 21.88 million tonnes, up from 21.3 million tonnes in Q3 2024. This growth was mainly fueled by a significant boost from the Weipa mine, which increased output by 10.7 per cent. This gain helped to balance out slight declines at the Porto Trombetas and Sangaredi sites, which saw drops of 6.4 per cent and 5.0 per cent, respectively. The Gove mine also made a slight but notable improvement of 5.6 per cent, highlighting the steady operational performance across the firm's Australian assets. Additionally, the company's share of total bauxite shipments grew by 5.7 per cent, reaching 16.4 million tonnes, while third-party shipments increased by 4.3 per cent to 11.6 million tonnes.
The organisation has announced that it produced around 2.92 million tonnes of smelter-grade alumina in Q3 2025, mainly for the steady operations at its major refineries located in Australia, Brazil and Canada. The Queensland Alumina and Yarwun refineries together contributed more than 1.6 million tonnes, showcasing the strength of the company’s refining network in Australia. In Brazil, the São Luis (Alumar) refinery achieved an impressive quarterly output of 984 thousand tonnes, solidifying its position as a vital production centre. Meanwhile, the Jonquière (Vaudreuil) plant in Quebec produced 26 thousand tonnes of speciality alumina, reflecting a steady demand from the downstream aluminium applications that add value.
In Q3 2025, the company saw a slight increase in its total alumina production, up by 1.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, reaching 2.92 million tonnes, up from 2.85 million tonnes in Q3 2024. This growth was mainly fueled by a 6.1 per cent boost at the São Luis (Alumar) refinery in Brazil, along with a 5.6 per cent increase at the Yarwun refinery in Queensland. Meanwhile, production at the Queensland Alumina Refinery remained steady with a modest rise of 0.6 per cent and the Jonquière refinery in Quebec also maintained its output. However, speciality alumina production experienced a slight decline of 7.1 per cent, dropping to 26 thousand tonnes, which reflects the usual quarterly variations in demand for these high-value niche products.
The firm announced that it produced a total of 1.24 million tonnes of primary aluminium in Q3 2025, because of solid operational performance at its key smelters located in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The company’s major facilities, such as the Tomago, Boyne Island and Alma smelters, kept their throughput steady, while ISAL in Iceland and Tiwai Point in New Zealand consistently added to the overall output. On top of that, recycled aluminium production hit 135 thousand tonnes in Q3 2025, highlighting Rio Tinto’s commitment to circularity and sustainable metal production.
The firm’s aluminium production for the third quarter of 2025 hit 1.24 million tonnes, which is a slight 0.6 per cent increase compared to 1.2 million tonnes in the same period last year. This modest growth can be attributed to consistent output improvements at the Bell Bay with 4.3 per cent, Alma with 1.7 per cent and ISAL with 1.9 per cent smelters, showcasing better operational efficiencies. On the other hand, production at the Boyne Island and Tomago facilities mainly remained steady, with only minor fluctuations affecting the overall results. In the recycled aluminium sector, output climbed to 135 thousand tonnes, marking an 8 per cent rise from 125 thousand tonnes in Q3 2024, representing a clear indication of the firm’s ongoing commitment to boosting its low-carbon and circular aluminium production capabilities.
Rio Tinto's market performance
In the third quarter, the firm experienced a slight uptick globally due to favourable financial conditions, increased government spending in key economies and early investments made in anticipation of upcoming tariffs. However, both business and consumer confidence took a hit due to ongoing trade disputes.
China's economy faced challenges as it entered the quarter, grappling with ongoing deflation, a slowdown in manufacturing, declining exports, and a struggling property market. Despite these obstacles, the government is still aiming for a 5 per cent annual growth rate, concentrating on targeted stimulus efforts in infrastructure and technology instead of sweeping measures.
Meanwhile, the US economy decelerated in Q3 after a robust Q2, with GDP growth slowing down due to rising tariffs and an expanding trade deficit. While consumer spending held firm, there were noticeable signs of weakening in business investment and consumer sentiment.
Rio Tinto’s capital project
The organisation’s low-carbon AP60 aluminium smelter project in Quebec, Canada, highlights the company’s dedication to sustainable aluminium production. The facility will introduce 96 new AP60 pots, increasing its capacity by an impressive 160 thousand tonnes of primary aluminium each year. After receiving approval in June 2023, the project is set to begin operations by the first quarter of 2026, with a full ramp-up anticipated by the end of that year.
The Quebec government is backing this development with up to USD 113 million in funding, which will also support the new 30,000-tonne recycling facility at Arvida, expected to open in late 2025. Key construction milestones include finishing the pot-to-pot module fabrication and installation, significant structural and architectural work on the Gas Treatment Centre and the delivery of the first operational systems, with mechanical, electrical, and potlining tasks all progressing smoothly as planned.
Rio Tinto is stepping up its commitment to low-carbon aluminium with the Arctial partnership in Finland, teaming up with Swedish investment firm Vargas, Mitsubishi Corporation and a mix of international and local industry players. As the strategic industrial partner, Rio Tinto will bring its cutting-edge AP60 technology into the mix, which is exciting because it’s the first time this tech could be used outside of Quebec, Canada. The Arctial joint venture officially kicked off in the second quarter of 2025, and we can expect the pre-feasibility and environmental impact assessments to wrap up by the fourth quarter of 2025. This sets the stage for a potential greenfield low-carbon aluminium project in the area.
To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2025 outlook, read “Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025”
_md.webp)
