Rio Tinto iron ore sales on track to meet forecast

That compares with 79.9Mt of iron ore sold in the same quarter last year.

Average pricing in the first half at its Pilbara ⁠operations improved to $US85.2 ($A122) per ‌wet ​metric tonne on a free on board basis from $US83.2 ($A119.1) last year.

Rio said copper production on a ​consolidated basis fell seven per cent to 213 Kt in the quarter, which was lower than the ​consensus estimate ​of 214.7​Kt.

Separately, the miner reduced its ‌2026 copper C1 net unit cost forecast to between 30 and 50 US cents per pound from 65 to 75 US cents a pound, ​due to higher-than-expected gold prices and productivity improvements.