Rio Tinto: Titanium slag production in 2021 down 9% year-on-year

Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said: "In 2021, we continued to experience strong demand,
but operating conditions remained challenging, including prolonged exposure to Covid-19
.
Despite this, we have moved forward with a number of projects, Including the replacement mine in the Pilbara, emphasising the resilience of the business and the commitment and flexibility of our people, communities and employees
.

We are seeing some initial positive results, from the implementation of the Rio Tinto Safe production system, which we will have in 2022 Significant improvement as we continue to work to improve our operations to be the best performing operator
.

"In the fourth quarter, we set a new direction for the company and announced a number of partnerships focused on the decarbonized value of our products chain, including green steel
.
We also entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Rincon lithium project in Argentina, which aligns with our strategy
.

These actions will ensure that we continue to deliver attractive returns to shareholders, invest in maintaining and expanding our product portfolio, and advance our goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions
.

2021 Operational Priorities and Other Key Announcements The
safety and welfare of our employees and contractors remains our top priority
.
We have had no fatalities for the third year in a row and in the operations we manage
.
We are working hard with our partners Achieving this was the result of our non-managed assets and maritime operations
.

Pilbara iron ore production was 319.
70 million tonnes (100%), down 4% from 2020.

This was due to above-average rainfall in the first half of the year, Cultural Heritage Management Lagging Growth and Brownfield Mine Replacement Projects
.
Pilbara's 2021 shipments of 321.
6 million tonnes (100%) are 3% lower than 2020, including higher levels of SP10 product due to delays in growth and brownfield mine replacement collocation projects
.

Bauxite production was 54.
3 million tonnes, down 3% from 2020, due to a severe wet weather quarter in January impacting system stability throughout the year, equipment reliability issues and overrun plans to close our Pacific operations
.

Aluminium production of 3.
2 million tonnes was down 1% from 2020 due to reduced capacity at our Kitimat smelter in British Columbia, Canada following a strike that began in July 2021
.
Union workers have reached an agreement for a controlled restart in 2022
.

Copper production of 494,000 tonnes was down 7% from 2020 due to lower recovery rates Escondida's throughput was partially offset by higher levels at Oyu Tolgetao in Mongolia due to the long-term impact of COVID-19 Recover and grading were carried out by Le Guy and Kennecott in the US
.

Titanium slag production at 1,014,000 tonnes, down 9% from 2020, community disruption and subsequent business curtailment at Richards Bay Mining (RBM), plus unscheduled maintenance and equipment reliability at Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) problem
.
On August 24, after the security situation stabilized, RBM resumed operations, supported by national and provincial governments, and engaged in substantial engagement with host communities and their traditional authorities
.

Iron Ore Canada's (IOC) pellet and concentrate production fell 6% from 2020, due to chronic labour and equipment supply issues affecting product availability and various other operational challenges throughout the year
.