Rio Tinto’s 2018 alumina production down on maintenance shutdowns

Rio Tinto’s alumina production for the fourth quarter of 2018 was three per cent lower than the fourth quarter of 2017. Compared to Q3 2018, alumina production registered a hike by 2 per cent. The company produced 2 million tonnes of alumina in Q4 2018.

For the full year, alumina production stood at 7.9 million tonnes.  Alumina production in 2018 was two per cent lower than 2017, primarily due to the timing of maintenance shutdowns.

Rio Tinto’s expected share of alumina production in 2019 is between 8.1 to 8.4 million tonnes.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said: “We delivered a solid operational performance in the final quarter of 2018, in particular across our copper assets. During the year, we further strengthened our asset portfolio, continuing to invest in high quality growth. 2018 saw the early completion of Amrun, the deployment of AutoHaul™, the Koodaideri and Robe River investments and the signing of the power agreement at Oyu Tolgoi.

“With a firm ‘value over volume’ focus and disciplined allocation of capital, we will continue to progress our strategic objectives and to deliver superior returns to shareholders in the short, medium and long term.”