Rio hits output highs but sounds warning

The mining giant Rio Tinto reported record production of iron ore and coking coal for the first half of the year yesterday, but issued a grim warning about the global economy.

The Anglo-Australian group said iron ore production rose by 4 per cent to 94.3 million tonnes in the first half of the year, while coking coal output jumped by 9 per cent to 3.7 million tonnes. Both are used in the production of steel. Production of other materials such as copper was flat, while aluminium output fell by 13 per cent over the period.