Rio Tinto reports higher Q3 iron ore production and sales on Pilbara shipments and Simandou ramp-up
2026-10-16 11:04:16 [Print]
Rio Tinto posted growth in global iron ore sales and production in the third quarter of 2026, supported by shipments from its Australian operations and rising output at the Simandou project in Guinea.
Global iron ore sales reached 90.8 million tons, up 3% year on year, while production rose 2% to 89.7 million tons. Pilbara iron ore shipments totaled 85.7 million tons, despite a 1% annual decline in regional production.
At Simandou, quarterly output soared 273% from the previous quarter to 2.5 million tons, with shipments to China reaching 2.2 million tons. The project achieved an annualized production rate of approximately 10 million tons and remains on track to reach 60 million tons annually in the second half of 2028.
Rio Tinto also maintained its global iron ore sales guidance of 343-366 million tons for 2026.
Global iron ore sales reached 90.8 million tons, up 3% year on year, while production rose 2% to 89.7 million tons. Pilbara iron ore shipments totaled 85.7 million tons, despite a 1% annual decline in regional production.
At Simandou, quarterly output soared 273% from the previous quarter to 2.5 million tons, with shipments to China reaching 2.2 million tons. The project achieved an annualized production rate of approximately 10 million tons and remains on track to reach 60 million tons annually in the second half of 2028.
Rio Tinto also maintained its global iron ore sales guidance of 343-366 million tons for 2026.
