Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) has announced mixed production results for Q4 2016 resulting in a robust full year result. Copper production was up by 20% YoY to 134kt meaning full year production was up 4% to 523kt, however, this was short of guidance owing to no contribution from Grasberg. This was despite strongly higher production at Kennecott and a marginal recovery at Escondida.
Iron ore shipments were modestly higher, up 4% YoY and 3% QoQ to 86mnt with full year shipments of 330mnt up 6% YoY. As well as a targeted increase in production which met guidance, RIO also benefitted from minimal disruption from poor weather. Coking coal production was up strongly by 15% QoQ and 1 % YoY to 2.2mnt although up just 4% YoY to 8.1mnt. Semi soft and thermal coal production was weak, down 13% QoQ and 3% YoY to 5.2mnt in Q4 2016 and 4% lower YoY at 21.4mnt although this was in line with guidance.
Bauxite and aluminium production was strong, with record annual aluminium production. Bauxite production of 12mnt was up 8% QoQ although down 2% YoY while full year production was up 9% to 47.7mnt, ahead of guidance. Aluminium production driven by the improved Kitimat smelter was up 7% QoQ and flat YoY to 925kt while full year production was up 10% YoY to 3.6mnt.
RIO should benefit from stronger commodity prices in Q4 2016 which should offset production weakness in copper and thermal coal and enhance revenues in aluminium and iron ore.