Rio Tinto Limited
(ASX:RIO) has affirmed its annual output guidance after reporting a lift in iron ore production in the first three months of 2014.
The mining giant lifted its global iron ore production by 8 per cent to a first quarter record of 66.4 million tonnes.
Global iron ore shipments climbed 16 per cent to a first quarter record of 66.7 million tonnes, despite the impact of tropical cyclone Christine.
CEO Sam Walsh says Rio Tinto has started the year with a series of performance records as it continues to drive productivity gains across its operations.
Mr Walsh has also advised the company expects to boost its nameplate capacity in the Pilbara region of Western Australia to 290 million tonnes by the end of the first half.
Over the full year Rio Tinto has affirmed it expects to produce about 295 million tonnes from its global operations across Australia and Canada.
Rio Tinto swung from an annual loss to a profit of $1.2 billion in the 2013 calendar year.
