Australia Briefing

Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Shipments Drop

An employee works on sample trays of jadarite, containing lithium and borate, at the Rio Tinto Group research center in Loznica, Serbia, on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Photographer: Oliver Bunic/Bloomberg

Good morning, it’s Jackie here in Sydney. Here’s what we’re watching today.

Today’s must-reads:
• Rio Tinto’s iron ore exports decline
• Lessons for California’s wildfires
• Israel, Hamas ceasefire deal

Rio Tinto, the world’s top iron ore exporter, reported shipments of the steelmaking material slipped 1% in the fourth quarter from the year before, as demand from China remained lackluster amid an economic slowdown and ongoing property crisis. That also comes as iron ore shipments from Port Hedland in Western Australia reached a record in 2024.