Rio Tinto has cut iron ore production guidance and faces ongoing problems with getting ships in and out of one of its key port facilities in Western Australia damaged by a cyclone more than a month ago.
The mining giant, also hit by two recent fires at its Pilbara operations in WA, now expects to produce 333-343 million tonnes of iron ore this year, down from earlier guidance of 338-350 million tonnes.
The downgrade will add to global shortages in the wake of Vale's mine closures in Brazil that have already sent iron ore prices soaring.
Rio chief executive JS Jacques said the iron ore business faced several challenges in the first quarter of 2019, including Cyclone Veronica in March, and port damage from the wild weather was still being assessed
Brad Thompson has the full story here.