Rio Tinto Q1 2025 Iron Ore Shipments Hit Low

Rio Tinto reported a 9% year-over-year decline in first-quarter 2025 iron ore shipments, totaling 70.7 million tons—the lowest first-quarter volume since 2019—primarily due to multiple tropical cyclones affecting its Pilbara operations in Western Australia. The volume missed analysts’ expectations, and the company had previously warned of up to 13 million metric tons in weather-related losses. Despite these disruptions, Rio Tinto has maintained its full-year shipment guidance but expects 2025 Pilbara shipments to be at the lower end of its prior range. The company achieved record bauxite production, a slight increase in alumina output, flat aluminum output, and a 16% rise in mined copper, though performance varied across sites. Both titanium dioxide slag output and production from the Iron Ore Company of Canada declined year over year. The ongoing operational challenges underscore the impact of extreme weather on global commodity supply chains.