Rio Tinto hits highest iron ore output since 2018

Rio Tinto has delivered its strongest second quarter (Q2) of Pilbara iron ore production in seven years.

 

Pilbara iron ore production rose five per cent year-on-year to 83.7 million tonnes (on a 100 per cent basis), rebounding sharply, up 20 per cent from the cyclone-affected Q1 2025.

 

However, shipments lagged at 79.9 million tonnes, down one per cent from Q2 2024 due to port maintenance carried over from the previous quarter.

 

“We continue to make strong progress in our production and growth projects, achieving our highest Pilbara Q2 production since 2018 and accelerating the first shipment from the Simandou high-grade iron ore project in Guinea,” Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said.

 

Simandou is one of the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore resources and will see its first shipment fast-tracked to around November 2025, with 0.5 to 1.0 million tonnes expected this year from blocks 3 and 4.

 

Rio continues to progress with its iron ore replacement strategy, opening the Western Range mine on-time and on budget, while its Hope Downs 2 received all government approvals.

 

Both mines will be vital to maintaining system capacity between 345 and 360 million tonnes per year.

 

Pricing remained under pressure, with the average realised price for Pilbara iron ore $80.5 per wet metric tonne in the second quarter, down from $84.8 in the first quarter of 2025.

Despite that, Rio reaffirmed its 2025 shipment guidance of 323 to 338 million tonnes, though it expects outcomes towards the lower end due to weather-related disruptions and permitting delays.

 

Portside sales in China hit 7.8 million tonnes, highlighting Rio’s strategy to extend the Pilbara value chain.

 

“We will continue to drive progress towards our long-term strategy to deliver profitable growth and build a stronger, more diversified business,” Stausholm said.

 

This comes after news of Rio, BHP, Hancock Prospecting and Fortescue travelling to China in a renewed effort to strengthen ties with the world’s largest steelmakers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led a roundtable discussion with China’s biggest steelmakers, reaffirming the long-standing trade ties that have underpinned both nations’ economic growth.