Rio Tinto shipped 84.3 million tons of iron ore from Western Australia in Q3

Mining company Rio Tinto shipped 84.3 million tons of ore from its operations in Western Australia in the third quarter of 2025, up 6% from the previous quarter and broadly in line with the July-September period last year, according to the company’s report.

Ore production in the Pilbara region in July-September amounted to 84.1 million tons, compared to 83.7 million tons in the second quarter. These figures correspond to the level of the same period in 2024.

The company expects ore shipments for the year to end at the lower end of the forecast range of 323-338 million tons. Rio Tinto said it needs a strong finish to the year to meet its iron ore shipment targets, even with growing Chinese demand.

“We are focused on ensuring a strong finish to the year in the Pilbara region. Our growth projects are also progressing rapidly – at Simandou, we began loading the first ore at the mine for transport by rail to the port in October,” said Rio Tinto CEO Simon Trotter.

The mining giant also announced that the West Angelas Sustaining project, which is being implemented as part of its replacement strategy, received all government approvals in October.

Rio Tinto, together with its partners Mitsui and Nippon Steel, is investing $733 million in the development of the West Angelas project as part of the Robe River Joint Venture in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Rio Tinto’s share of the financing is $389 million.