The Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) share price is down after the miner revealed its quarterly update for March 2024.
March 2024 quarterly update
The miner reported it lost four Diavik colleagues and two airline crew members in a plane crash in January.
In terms of the production, it revealed how it performed for its main commodities.
The Pilbara iron ore production was 77.9mt for the first quarter of 2024, which was down 2% year on year and down 11% quarter on quarter. The performance of its iron ore division is normally a key influence on the Rio Tinto share price.
Bauxite production was 13.4mt, which was up 11% year on year and down 11% quarter on quarter.
Aluminium production was 826kt, this was up 5% year on year and down 2% quarter on quarter.
Mined copper was 156kt, which was an increase of 7% year on year and down 3% quarter on quarter.
The titanium dioxide slag production was 254kt, down 11% year on year and down 8% quarter on quarter.
Rio Tinto said it delivered stable operating results in the first quarter as it navigated “seasonal challenges” across its global operations.
It’s focused on growth with energy-transition commodities, with the ramp-up at (Mongolian copper mine) Oyu Tolgoi underground, the first full quarter of recycled aluminium production from Matalco and further progress at Simandou (a high grade iron ore project in African country in Guinea).
Decarbonisation
The large miner said it continues to decarbonise its operations, with power purchase agreements signed, marking a “significant step towards a competitive renewable energy solution” for its Gladstone operations.
Rio Tinto is also working with BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL) to investigate the development of Australia’s first electric smelting furnace pilot plant, which is progressing its work on steel decarbonisation.
Final thoughts on the Rio Tinto share price
The business didn’t change its 2024 guidance, which includes iron production of between 323mt to 338mt and mined copper production of between 660kt to 720kt.
In the last few weeks, the Rio Tinto share price has recovered close to its 52-week high, so I wouldn’t call this a cheap time to buy. The valuation doesn’t make a lot of sense to me considering the iron ore price is still below US$110 per tonne.
For now, I think there are other ASX dividend shares that could make a better buy.
