The first quarter production and sales reports of the four major mines have been released

Rio Tinto's iron ore production increased by 12% year-on-year

On April 21st, Rio Tinto released its production report for the first quarter of 2026. According to the report, Rio Tinto's iron ore production in the first quarter was 82.8 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 12% (including production from the Pilbara business and the Canadian iron ore company's Simandou project), of which its iron ore production in the Pilbara region was 78.8 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 13%.
Rio Tinto stated in the report that it achieved its second highest quarterly production since 2018 at the Pilbara iron mine, with a year-on-year increase of 13% and a 2% increase in product sales.
In addition, in the first quarter, Rio Tinto achieved a 9% increase in copper production, reaching 229000 tons, mainly due to the continued increase in production from the Oyu Tolgoi project; The production of lithium carbonate reached 12700 tons, and the production of bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminum also saw varying degrees of growth.
BHP's iron ore production increased by 2.8% year-on-year
On April 22, BHP released its production and sales report for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year (i.e. the first quarter of 2026). According to the report, BHP's iron ore production (100% equity) in Pilbara during the quarter was 69.75 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 2.8%; The total sales volume of Pilbara iron ore (100% equity) was 67.01 million tons, a decrease of 11.1% month on month and a year-on-year increase of 0.4%.
BHP stated in the report that it will continue to maintain its iron ore production guidance target for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026) unchanged, ranging from 284 million tons to 296 million tons.
Vale's iron ore production increased by 3% year-on-year
On April 16th, Vale released its first quarter production and sales report, stating that its iron ore production reached 69.7 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 3%; The sales volume of iron ore was 68.7 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 4%.
Vale stated that this growth is due to record breaking production in the S11D and Brucutu mining areas, as well as continued ramp up and increase in production from the Capanema and VGR1 projects.
In the first quarter, Vale's pellet mineral production reached 8.2 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 14%; The total copper production was 102300 tons, a year-on-year increase of 13%; The total nickel production was 49300 tons, a year-on-year increase of 12%.
It is reported that the growth of pellet mineral production is driven by the improved performance of Tubar ä o pellet factory; The increase in copper production is due to record breaking production in the Salobo and Sossego operating areas, as well as stable operations in the Voisey's Bay polymetallic mining area; The increase in nickel production is due to the stable operation of On ç a Puma 2 furnace throughout the quarter, as well as the stable operation of the underground mining area in Wois Bay, which has driven the LongHarbour nickel refinery to set a quarterly production record.
The freight volume of iron ore in the Fude River increased by 5% year-on-year
On April 24th, Fudeshi River released its production performance report for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year (i.e. the first quarter of 2026). According to the report, the total volume of iron ore shipped by the Fords River during the quarter was 48.4 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 5%.
In this quarter, the cash cost per wet ton of C1 unit at the Fudeshi River hematite mine was $18.29, a year-on-year decrease of 4%; The shipment volume of iron bridge magnet powder has reached 2 million tons. The company stated that its production and outbound operations in the third quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year were affected by tropical cyclones Mitchell and Narel.
The report reveals that the green iron-based project located in the Christmas Creek mining area of the Fords River is expected to produce the first batch of pig iron in the fourth quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year (i.e. the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year).
At the same time, Forbes River stated that its guidance target for total iron ore shipments for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026) remains unchanged at 195 million to 205 million tons, including shipments from the Tieqiao mining area of 9 million to 10 million tons (calculated at 100%, the previous guidance target was 10 million to 12 million tons); The guidance target for cash cost and capital expenditure per unit of hematite C1 remains unchanged, ranging from $17.50/wet ton to $18.50/wet ton.