Last checked at 1 Apr 2019 07:00
Update on Tropical Cyclone Veronica
1 April 2019
Rio Tinto's iron ore operations in the Pilbara, Western Australia, are progressively resuming following the passing of Tropical Cyclone Veronica. However, initial inspections uncovered some damage to the Cape Lambert A port facility. As a result, Rio Tinto has declared force majeure on certain contracts and is working with its customers to minimise any disruption in supply.
The impact of the disruption to production caused by the cyclone and repairing the damage sustained at the port facilities, combined with the damage caused by the fire at Cape Lambert A in January, will result in a loss of approximately 14 million tonnes of production in 2019. As a result Rio Tinto's Pilbara shipments in 2019 are expected to be at the lower end of the 338 and 350 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) guidance provided.
Safety remains our top priority as we ramp up operations, and undertake the necessary remediation work, following the passing of the cyclone.
Notes for editors
Cape Lambert A is an iron ore terminal capable of loading more than 85 Mt/a. Principal products loaded through this port are Hamersley Iron Yandicoogina (HIY) and Robe River products. In 2018, Rio Tinto shipped 57.4Mt of HIY and 32Mt of Robe River products.
Contacts
media.enquiries@riotinto.com
riotinto.com
Follow @RioTinto on Twitter
Media Relations, United Kingdom Illtud Harri M +44 7920 503 600
David Outhwaite T +44 20 7781 1623 M +44 7787 597 493
Media Relations, Americas Matthew Klar T +1 514 608 4429
Media Relations, Asia Grant Donald T +65 6679 9290 M +65 9722 6028
| Media Relations, Australia Jonathan Rose T +61 3 9283 3088 M +61 447 028 913
Matt Chambers T +61 (0) 3 9283 3087 M +61 433 525 739
Jesse Riseborough T +61 8 6211 6013 M +61 436 653 412 |
Investor Relations, United Kingdom John Smelt T +44 20 7781 1654 M +44 7879 642 675
David Ovington T +44 20 7781 2051 M +44 7920 010 978
Nick Parkinson T +44 20 7781 1552 M +44 7810 657 556
|
Investor Relations, Australia Natalie Worley T +61 3 9283 3063 M +61 409 210 462
Rachel Storrs T +61 3 9283 3628 M +61 417 401 018 |
Rio Tinto plc 6 St James's Square London SW1Y 4AD United Kingdom
T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in England No. 719885 |
Rio Tinto Limited Level 7, 360 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 Australia
T +61 3 9283 3333 Registered in Australia ABN 96 004 458 404 |