Rio Tinto reported a 6pct YoY increase in Pilbara iron ore production to 162.3 mln tons during the first half of 2026, supported by productivity improvements across its mining operations, while iron ore sales from the region rose 5pct to 157.7 mln tons.
In the second quarter, Pilbara iron ore production remained broadly unchanged YoY at 83.5 mln tons, while sales climbed 7pct to 85.3 mln tons, marking the highest quarterly sales since 2020. Rio Tinto attributed the strong performance to improved mine productivity, healthy stock levels and stronger system performance.
The miner maintained its 2026 Pilbara shipment guidance at 323-338 mln tons, while total global iron ore sales guidance remains 343-366 mln tons. Pilbara iron ore unit cash cost guidance was also left unchanged at USD 23.5-25.0 per wet ton FOB.
Rio Tinto said construction of the SimFer mine and port infrastructure at the Simandou iron ore project in Guinea is progressing well, with both now more than three-quarters complete. During the second quarter, the project shipped 1.6 mln tons of iron ore to China, while first customer deliveries were completed following tertiary crushing, with achieved iron content averaging 65.8pct Fe.
Looking ahead, the company said commissioning of key Simandou infrastructure will continue through 2026, supporting a gradual ramp-up toward full production in the second half of 2028.
Rio Tinto is one of the world’s largest iron ore producers, operating extensive mining and export facilities in Western Australia’s Pilbara region while also developing the high-grade Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, one of the world’s largest new iron ore developments.