Rio Tinto has reported an 8 per cent year-on-year increase in copper equivalent production for 2025 and record quarterly output across several product groups, according to its latest ASX operations review.
In a statement, Rio Tinto chief executive Simon Trott said the company achieved record quarterly iron ore production in the Pilbara, alongside record copper output following the completion of the Oyu Tolgoi underground project in Mongolia, which continues to ramp up.
Iron ore shipments from Pilbara operations rose 7 per cent year-on-year in the December quarter to 91.3 million tonnes, while full-year shipments reached 326.2 million tonnes. The company said production recovered strongly after weather-related disruptions earlier in the year.
Across aluminium and lithium, Rio Tinto reported stable performance, with aluminium production up 3 per cent year-on-year to 3.38 million tonnes and record quarterly lithium output from its operations in Argentina.
The company said these materials remain central to manufacturing supply chains, particularly in electric vehicles, energy storage and industrial processing.
Copper production rose 11 per cent year-on-year to 883,000 tonnes, exceeding guidance, driven by higher grades and throughput at Oyu Tolgoi.
Rio Tinto said underground development at the site is now complete, supporting future production growth.
Looking ahead, Rio Tinto said its 2026 production guidance remains unchanged, while global market conditions continue to be influenced by manufacturing activity, particularly in China and the United States, where demand for industrial metals remains resilient despite broader economic uncertainty.
The content of this article is based on information supplied by Rio Tinto. For more information, please refer to the official company announcement and communications from Rio Tinto. Please consult a licensed and/or registered professional in this area before making any decisions based on the content of this article.
