RIO Rio Tinto Limited

   By David Winning 
 

SYDNEY--Rio Tinto PLC (RIO.LN) forecast improved iron-ore shipments from its Australian mining hub this year after operational and weather-related setbacks curbed output in 2019.

The miner, one of the world's top exporters of the steel ingredient, expects to ship between 330 million and 343 million metric tons of iron ore in 2020. That would represent an increase on the 327.4 million tons shipped in 2019, after reporting fourth-quarter movements of 86.8 million tons on Friday.

Rio Tinto has benefited from high iron-ore prices over the past year, while experiencing operational and weather-related issues that meant it wasn't able to capitalize fully on the tailwind behind its most profitable division. The company in June lowered its 2019 production target from up to 343 million tons on setbacks at the Greater Brockman hub especially prompted a review of mine plans. Earlier in the year, Rio Tinto grappled with disruptions from a cyclone and a fire at a key port.

Iron ore prices remain above US$90 a ton, up roughly one-quarter on what it fetched at the start of 2019. Recent rains in Brazil have constrained supply there while a tropical cyclone bore down on iron-ore ports in Western Australia before passing by to the north. China's phase-one trade deal with the U.S. may support demand for iron ore, although mills there look to have largely restocked ahead of the lunar new year period, analysts say.

-Write to David Winning at david.winning@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 16, 2020 16:57 ET (21:57 GMT)

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