en.Wedoany.com Reported - Rio Tinto's second-quarter 2026 production results show that copper equivalent (CuEq) output increased by 3% year-on-year in the first half, with growth across copper, iron ore, aluminum, and lithium operations.

In its second-quarter operational highlights, the company stated that copper production from the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine rose 31% year-on-year in the first half, with the ramp-up plan progressing on schedule. Rio Tinto has revised its C1 net unit cost guidance downward from 65-75 cents per pound to 30-50 cents per pound.

Global iron ore sales in the second quarter reached 88.8 million tonnes, up 5% year-on-year, while Pilbara iron ore sales totaled 85.3 million tonnes, a 7% increase. In the aluminum segment, a strong recovery in bauxite output drove alumina production up 10% year-on-year in the second quarter, with aluminum output remaining stable.

In lithium operations, lithium carbonate equivalent production grew 20% year-on-year in the second quarter, primarily driven by increased output from the Rincon start-up plant and the early achievement of first production at the Sal de Vida and Fénix 1B projects.

Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trott said that amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, the company's scale, geographic diversification, and complex supply chain underpinned its resilience and strong operational performance. He noted that the Pilbara region achieved its highest first-half iron ore output since the record year of 2018, driven by continuous productivity improvement programs. In copper, Oyu Tolgoi's first-half output grew over 30%, while the integrated large-scale aluminum business also maintained robust performance.

Trott stated that the company continues to make progress on key growth projects. The Simandou project is advancing rapidly, with over three-quarters of mine construction and port infrastructure at SimFer completed, and full railway commissioning achieved in the first quarter. The next-generation copper growth options, Resolution and Winu, are progressing, while the Sal de Vida and Fénix 1B lithium projects have achieved early production.

Trott said Rio Tinto is driving a step-change in operational performance, aiming to deliver industry-leading returns and growth for shareholders.