In the second quarter of 2025, Rio Tinto mining company achieved the highest level of iron ore production in the Australian Pilbara region since 2018. Total production amounted to 83.7 million tons, which is 20% more than in the previous quarter and 5% more year-on-year, Rio Tinto said in its quarterly report.
The company also noted an increase in shipments of raw materials – by 13% sq.m., to 79.9 million tons, although the figure decreased by 1% year-on-year due to weather challenges and planned repairs of the port infrastructure. Production outstripped shipments by 3.9 million tons, and some of these stocks remained in warehouses.
The results were made possible by the recovery from cyclones that affected operations in the first quarter, as well as the successful launch of the new Western Range field. In addition, the company continues to implement the large-scale Simandou project in Guinea. The first shipments of high-quality ore from this deposit are expected in November 2025.
In parallel, Rio Tinto has updated its product strategy. Since July, the company has started to supply low-grade Pilbara Blend ore with an average iron content of 60.8% instead of the previous 61.6%. This will make it possible to more effectively manage the quality of raw materials in conditions of increasing demand variability.
The company noted that despite the pressure on global steel prices and declining margins of Chinese metallurgists, demand for raw materials remains stable. Mining and exports of ore from China increased, while reserves in the country's 47 main ports decreased by 5 million tons to 145 million tons.
Rio Tinto confirmed its forecast for 2025 – shipments are expected to range from 323-338 million tons, although it is more likely to be closer to the lower limit due to difficult weather and restrictions on access to new production areas.
