Rio Tinto plc reported production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017. For the quarter, the company reported Pilbara operations 87.9 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 72.9 million tonnes) was 3% higher than the fourth quarter of 2016. Bauxite production of 13.8 million tonnes was 14% higher than the corresponding quarter of 2016. Aluminium production was 887,000 tonnes. Mined copper production was 148,600 tonnes. Hard coking coal production was 2,322,000 tonnes. Titanium dioxide slag production was 341,000 tonnes. IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate was 2.7 million tonnes.

For the year, the company reported Pilbara operations produced 329.8 million tonnes (Rio Tinto share 271.3 million tonnes) in 2017. Bauxite production of 50.8 million tonnes in 2017 was 6% higher than 2016. Mined copper production in 2017 was 3% lower than 2016. Aluminium production was 3,551,000 tonnes. Mined copper production was 478,100 tonnes. Hard coking coal production was 7,704,000 tonnes. Titanium dioxide slag production was 1,315,000 tonnes. IOC iron ore pellets and concentrate was 11.2 million tonnes.

The company's Pilbara shipments in 2018 are expected to be between 330 and 340 million tonnes (100% basis). Share of production expected to be between 49 million tonnes and 51 million tonnes of bauxite, 8.0 million tonnes to 8.2 million tonnes of alumina and 3.5 million tonnes to 3.7 million tonnes of aluminium. share of mined copper production is expected to be between 510,000 tonnes and 610,000 tonnes. Refined copper production is expected to be between 225,000 tonnes to 265,000 tonnes. Diamond production guidance is between 17 million carats and 20 million carats. Expected share of 2018 production is 7.5 million tonnes to 8.5 million tonnes of hard coking coal, 3.8 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes of thermal coal, 11.5 million tonnes to 12.5 million tonnes of iron ore pellets and concentrates, 0.5 million tonnes of boric oxide equivalent production, 1.2 million tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes of titanium dioxide slag, and 6.2 million tonnes to 7.2 million pounds of uranium.