Rio Tinto says first quarter iron ore sales at record high

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

SYDNEY (AFP) — The world's third largest miner Rio Tinto Wednesday said iron ore sales were at a record level in the first quarter despite lower production from Western Australia.

The miner also said aluminium output had reached an all-time high in the three months to March 2008, reflecting the first full quarter contribution from Canada's Alcan Inc which Rio acquired last year.

Rio did not provide figures on iron ore sales, but said output for the quarter rose to 37.4 million tonnes from 32.2 million tonnes a year earlier following expansion at the group's Western Australian operations.

The March quarter production was slightly lower than the fourth quarter figure of 38.9 million tonnes, after Western Australia operations were affected by cyclonic activity...