The British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto reported an increase in iron ore sales to 89 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2026, while total sales for the first half of the year were 157.7 million tonnes, up 5% year-on-year.
However, to meet its full-year forecast of 323 - 338 million tonnes, the company will need to deliver strong results in the second half of the year.
Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott said the company achieved its highest iron ore production in the Pilbara region in the first half of the year since setting a record in 2018.
Rio Tinto also reported a 20% year-on-year increase in lithium production, driven by ramp-up at the Rincon project in Argentina and early deliveries from the Sal de Vida and Fénix 1B smelters.
Hélène Tarin, Editor-in-Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
