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Rio Tinto's Copper Surges 11% Past Forecasts
22 Jan
Summary
- Copper output grew 11% to 883,000 metric tons, exceeding forecasts.
- Group production increased 8% overall, with shipments up 5%.
- Underground expansion at Mongolia's Oyu Tolgoi boosted copper.
Rio Tinto reported a substantial 11% year-over-year increase in copper production for 2025, exceeding its guidance with 883,000 metric tons. This performance outpaced investor expectations and was driven significantly by expanded output from the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia.
The company's overall production rose by 8% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with total commodity shipments increasing by 5%. Rio Tinto is actively shifting its investment focus towards metals like copper and lithium, aiming to reduce its dependence on iron ore and capitalize on anticipated demand from electric vehicles and renewable energy.
In its iron-ore business, Rio Tinto experienced a strong recovery in Australia's Pilbara region. Despite earlier disruptions from severe weather, the company achieved record quarterly iron ore production in the final quarter of 2025. Shipments from the Pilbara were down slightly by 1% for the full year, totaling 326.2 million tons.
