Rio Tinto released its second quarter 2026 production results, reporting a 3% year-over-year increase in copper equivalent production for the first half of the year, according to a company statement.

Copper production on a consolidated basis reached 213 kilotonnes in Q2 2026, down 7% from both the prior quarter and the same period a year ago, bringing the H1 2026 total to 442 kilotonnes, up 1% year-over-year. Full-year copper production guidance of 800,000–870,000 tonnes remains unchanged. The company also lowered its copper C1 net unit cost guidance to $0.30–$0.50 per pound, from a prior range of $0.65–$0.75 per pound. The Oyu Tolgoi operation delivered 31% year-over-year copper production growth in H1 2026.

Global iron ore sales totaled 88.8 million tonnes in Q2 2026, up 5% year-over-year, while Pilbara iron ore sales rose 7% year-over-year to 85.3 million tonnes. H1 Pilbara iron ore production of 162.3 million tonnes was up 6% from a year earlier. The company's full-year global iron ore sales guidance of 343–366 million tonnes is unchanged.

Lithium carbonate equivalent production rose 20% year-over-year in Q2 to 14.6 kilotonnes, driven by the ramp-up at the Rincon starter plant and first production at Sal de Vida and Fénix 1B. H1 lithium production totaled 27.3 kilotonnes, up 53% compared to the same period in 2025. Full-year lithium guidance of 61–64 kilotonnes is unchanged.

Alumina production in Q2 reached 2.0 million tonnes, up 10% year-over-year, while aluminium production held flat at 0.84 million tonnes. Bauxite production of 15.2 million tonnes was down 3% year-over-year but up 14% from Q1 2026.

At Simandou, Rio Tinto said mine construction and port infrastructure are each more than three-quarters complete, with full rail commissioning achieved in Q1 2026. Chief Executive Simon Trott cited the results as evidence of ongoing productivity improvements across the group's operations.