Rio latest19 Jul 2018 18:06
Iron and Titanium (RTIT)
Titanium dioxide **** production for the quarter was 27 per cent lower compared to the second quarter of 2017.
On 26 April 2018 an employee suffered fatal injuries during an incident at the Rio Tinto Fer et Titane (RTFT) facility at Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada. As a result, operations were suspended for a period of ten days while the incident was investigated and operations were confirmed to be safe to recommence. The safe restart and ramp-up to normal operations was achieved by 2 July 2018.
**** production at Richard’s Bay Minerals (RBM) continues to be impacted by ongoing labour disputes between contractors and their employees. Following a suspension in the first quarter, mine and smelter operations restarted on 11 April 2018, but due to equipment damage the mine will reach full capacity later this year. RBM declared force majeure on deliveries to its titanium dioxide feedstock customers, which will be lifted once the operation returns to normal capacity.
On 9 July 2018, a serious incident occurred at RBM’s mining operation, resulting in the fatality of a security contractor. The incident is now the subject of a police investigation. Rio Tinto’s highest priority is the safety of its people, and operations at RBM were temporarily suspended.
Two of nine furnaces at RTFT remain idle, one of which is currently being rebuilt, along with one of four furnaces at RBM. The focus remains on maximising the productivity of the furnaces currently in operation, and a decision to restart idle furnaces will be based on maximising value over volume.
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