Rio Tinto’s iron ore output in the Pilbara eased back from record highs during the final three months of 2009.
Attributable iron ore output from its Hamersley, Hope Downs, and Robe River mines was 44.8 million tonnes, down 1.86% from the all-time high of the previous quarter.
Rio said the decline was due to “planned maintenance”, and noted that production was 54% higher year-on-year.
“This was a very strong quarter for iron ore production, driven by continuing high demand from China,” said chief executive Tom Albanese.
While production fell, sales volumes from the Australian mines were at a record high of 56 million tonnes on a whole-mine basis.
“Shipments to all major markets, including the largest single market, China, were maintained at a high level and were primarily prices on a benchmark or its equivalent provisional basis,” Rio said.
Global iron ore output, including Rio’s 53% stake in Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) fell 0.6% to 47.23 million tonnes.