Rio Tinto maintains 2026 production, sales and unit cost guidance
RIO•Rio Tinto maintained its 2026 production and unit-cost guidance, citing strong third-quarter performance at Oyu Tolgoi and Pilbara. Pilbara iron ore unit cash cost guidance remains US$23.5–25.0 per wet metric tonne FOB, while the company reiterated its productivity and capital-release targets.
1. Guidance maintained
Rio Tinto maintained its 2026 production and unit-cost guidance, citing strong third-quarter performance at Oyu Tolgoi copper and Pilbara iron ore. Pilbara iron ore unit cash cost guidance remains US$23.5–25.0 per wet metric tonne FOB; higher diesel costs added US$0.9 per tonne year-to-date.
2. Costs and productivity
Assuming diesel at about US$175 per barrel in the fourth quarter, the full-year diesel impact is expected to rise to US$1.1 per tonne. Foreign exchange at US$0.70 per Australian dollar adds about US$1.0 per tonne. Copper C1 net unit cost guidance for Kennecott, Oyu Tolgoi and Escondida remains 30–50 US cents per pound. Rio Tinto reiterated its target of a US$1.8 billion annualized productivity benefit run-rate by the end of 2026 and said capital release exceeded US$2 billion year-to-date.
