PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining major Rio Tinto has reported record production at its iron-ore, bauxite and thermal coal operations during the fourth quarter ended December.

“These are excellent fourth-quarter operational results, demonstrating continued delivery on our commitments. We have set new records for iron-ore production and shipments as we ramp up to our 290 expansion, as well as achieving an impressive recovery in copper volumes and record annual production in both bauxite and thermal coal,” said CEO Sam Walsh.

Global iron-ore production for the three months under review was up 6% on the previous corresponding period, to 70.4-million tonnes, and up 3% on the previous quarter.

The Pilbara operations delivered 66.5-million tonnes of iron-ore in the quarter, driven by productivity improvements and the continued ramp-up of recent mine expansions.

For the full year, global iron-ore production reached 266-million tonnes, which also set a new yearly record, and was 5% higher than 2012 production figures.

Iron-ore shipments for the full year were up by 5% on the previous financial period, to 259-million tonnes.

Copper production was also up by 5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2012, reaching 172 800 t. For the full year, copper production reached 631 500 t, up 15% on the previous financial year.

Rio told shareholders that the increased copper production resulted from the ramp-up of production at the Oyu Tolgoi mine, in Mongolia, to full capacity, and the continued grade improvements at the Kennecott Utah operation, in the US.

Meanwhile, coal production also increased significantly during the year, compared with 2012, with four of Rio’s operations reporting record yearly production levels.

Hard coking coal production was up 25% compared with the fourth quarter of 2012, to 2.4-million tonnes, while full-year production was up by 2%, to 8.2-million tonnes.

Semi-soft and thermal coal production during the three months to December was down 9% on the previous corresponding period, to 6.5-million tonnes, but up 12% for the full year, to 26.8-million tonnes.

Rio reported that the lower quarterly production resulted from mine sequencing at the Australia-based Mount Thorley Warkworth and Hunter Valley operations, as well as the closure of the Blair Athol mine in November last year, which was now being sold off.

Bauxite production also achieved record levels during the three months under review, with Rio reporting a 7% increase on the fourth quarter of 2012, to 11.4-million tonnes. Full-year bauxite production reached 43.2-million tonnes, up 10% on the previous financial year.

Walsh pointed out on Thursday that apart from setting production records, Rio had also exceeded its cost-cutting targets for the full year, and announced or completed some $3.5-billion of noncore asset sales.

“These actions, together with lower capital expenditure in 2013 and beyond, will ensure that Rio is well positioned to deliver greater value to shareholders,” he said.