Rio Tinto’s global iron ore sales increased 3pct YoY to 255.3 mln tons in January-September 2026, supported by stronger shipments from its Pilbara operations in Western Australia.
In the third quarter, global iron ore sales rose 3pct YoY to 90.8 mln tons, while production increased 2pct to 89.7 mln tons. Compared with the previous quarter, sales grew 2pct and production rose 3pct.
Pilbara iron ore sales reached 243.3 mln tons in the first nine months, up 4pct YoY, while production increased 3pct to 245.7 mln tons. In Q3, Pilbara sales rose 2pct YoY to 85.7 mln tons, while production declined 1pct to 83.4 mln tons.
Rio Tinto said its Simandou iron ore project in Guinea reached an annualized production run-rate of around 10 mln tons in Q3, based on a 100pct project basis. The company remains on track to reach a production run-rate of 60 mln tons per year in the second half of 2028.
Rio Tinto maintained its 2026 guidance for global iron ore sales at 343-366 mln tons and Pilbara sales at 323-338 mln tons.