Rio Tinto recently released a third quarter operations review. Bauxite and alumina production were 13% and 20% higher than the third quarter of 2011, driven by increased third-party demand for bauxite, expanded refining capacity at Yarwun, and record production at Gove. First bauxite was processed at Yarwun 2 on July 5, and the Yarwun refinery was operating at 90% of its nameplate capacity of 3.4 million tons per year in September. Aluminum production was 10% lower than the corresponding quarter in 2011, as the ramp-up to normal capacity continued following resolution of the Alma labor dispute.

Titanium dioxide feedstock production increased 5% from the corresponding period in 2011, following a successful furnace rebuild at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane and an increase in attributable volumes from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).

“We have delivered another strong set of production results in the third quarter, including record quarterly Pilbara iron ore production,” said Tom Albanese, chief executive. “Copper, bauxite, alumina, and titanium dioxide production were all higher than in the same quarter of 2011.”

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