Rio Tinto Q1 Aluminium Output Boosts 386% On Year

Sydney, April 16, 2008-- Rio Tinto announced Wednesday that its aluminium production set a soaring growth in the first quarter due to the acquisition of Alcan. But copper results fell slightly as the downgrading over ore; and iron ore production represented rise on year, but down in comparation with the previous quarter due to the bad weather. The company said in a report that the Q1 aluminium output rose 386% versus the same period last year, alumina at 236% and bauxite at 106% because of the major driver of Alcan. Q1 copper production fell 6.3% in comparation with the same period last year, with refined copper fell 22.9% to 390,000 tons because of the downgrading over its American operations as well as decline in oxide production in Escondida copper mine, Chile. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of WAM News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of WAM.