TIDMRIO
RNS Number : 6322Q
Rio Tinto PLC
22 February 2023
Changes to Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources
Rio Tinto has today announced to the Australian Securities
Exchange (ASX) changes in Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves to
support its 2022 annual reporting [1] , including:
-- Increased Ore Reserves at the Rio Tinto Kennecott (RTK)
copper operations Bingham Canyon deposit in Utah.
-- Increased Mineral Resources at the Winu copper project in Western Australia .
-- Revised resource classification for the Mineral Resources at
the QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) Petriky mineral sands deposit in
Madagascar .
-- Revised classification for the Ore Reserves at the Richards
Bay Minerals (RBM) Zulti South mineral sands deposit in South
Africa .
Supporting information relating to the changes of Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves is set out in the Table 1 Release and
its appendices. This release provides a summary of those changes.
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are quoted in this release on a
100 percent basis. Mineral Resources are reported in addition to
Ore Reserves. The figures used to calculate Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserve are often more precise than the rounded numbers shown
in the tables, hence small differences may result if the
calculations are repeated using the tabulated figures.
These changes will be included in Rio Tinto's 2022 Annual
Report, to be released to the market on 22 February 2023 (London
time) / 23 February 2023 (Melbourne time), which will set out in
full Rio Tinto's Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves position as at
31 December 2022, and Rio Tinto's interests.
Rio Tinto Kennecott
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves for the RTK Bingham Canyon
open pit are presented in Table A and Table B [2] . Ore Reserves
tonnes have increased by 70% as a result of the completion of a
pre-feasibility study for the Apex pit wall pushback which has
enabled the conversion of Mineral Resources plus previously
unclassified mineralisation to Ore Reserves. Mineral Resources have
decreased as a result of this conversion.
Winu
Mineral Resources for the Winu copper project are presented in
Table C [3] . This updated Mineral Resource represents a 19%
increase in tonnage, no change in copper grade, a 12% increase in
gold grade, a 19% increase in contained copper metal and a 33%
increase in contained gold metal. The updated Mineral Resource is
supported by the advancement of mining and processing studies and
additional drilling information acquired since the release of the
Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource published in the 2021 Rio
Tinto Annual Report. There are no Ore Reserves reported for
Winu.
Winu continues to advance agreement making with host Traditional
Owners, the Martu and Nyangumarta. Planned drilling, fieldwork and
study activities continue to strengthen the development pathway
ahead of applications for regulatory and other required
approvals.
QIT Madagascar Minerals
The Petriky Mineral Resources form part of the QMM Mineral
Resources which are presented in Table D [4] . The previously
reported Petriky Mineral Resource was classified as Indicated
however it was re-classified to Inferred for the 2022 reporting
period. The rationale to down-grade Petriky resources from
Indicated to Inferred was a combination of development risk and
delays in obtaining sufficient mineralogy and geotechnical data.
Government permitting to recommence drilling in the Petriky sector
has been delayed, increasing the risk of future resource
development of Petriky, which has been identified as one of the
alternatives to replace Mandena once depleted. There are no Ore
Reserves reported for Petriky; Ore Reserves for QMM are for the
Mandena deposit and are presented in the Rio Tinto 2022 Annual
Report.
Richards Bay Minerals
The Zulti South Ore Reserves form part of the RBM Ore Reserves
which are presented in Table E [5] . RBM Ore Reserve tonnes for
2022 include a change in classification for the Zulti South project
from Proven Reserves to Probable Reserves. The change results from
increased uncertainty in the modifying factors as a result of
schedule delays, due to ongoing community and security challenges.
The original project timelines have been affected. The project
remains on full suspension. Any restart of project activities is
dependent on the receipt of internal approvals, after which the
classification for the Zulti South Ore Reserves would be reviewed.
All Mineral Resources at Zulti South have been converted to Ore
Reserves, thus there are no additional Mineral Resources
reported.
Table A Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper Bingham Canyon Open Pit
Mineral Resources as at 31 December 2022
Measured Mineral Resources Indicated Mineral Resources Total Measured and Indicated
Mineral
========
as at 31 December as at 31 December Resources as at 31 December
2022 2022 2022
======================= ===== ====== ======================= ============= ======================================
Likely
mining
method
(1) Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
========= ======== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
Copper Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo
(2) Au Ag Au Ag Au Ag
Bingham
Canyon
(US)
========= ======== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
-
Bingham
Open
Pit (3) O/P 49 0.50 0.15 2.42 0.019 30 0.42 0.15 2.44 0.015 79 0.47 0.15 2.43 0.018
========= ======== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
Inferred Mineral Resources Total Mineral Resources Total Mineral
Resources
=========
as at 31 December as at 31 December 2022 Rio as at 31 December 2021
2022 Tinto
interest
======================= ===== ====== ====================================== ========= ======================================
Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
========= ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ========= ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
Copper Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo
(2) Au Ag Au Ag Mo % Au Ag
Bingham
Canyon
(US)
========= ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ========= ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
-
Bingham
Open
Pit (3) 14 0.21 0.16 1.19 0.006 93 0.43 0.15 2.24 0.016 100.0 256 0.39 0.20 1.75 0.017
========= ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ========= ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
1. Likely mining method: O/P = open pit/surface.
2. Copper Mineral Resources are reported on a dry in situ weight basis.
3. Bingham Canyon Open Pit Mineral Resource molybdenum grades
interpolated from exploration drilling assays have been factored
based on a long reconciliation history to blast hole and mill
samples.
Table B Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper Bingham Canyon Ore Reserves as at 31 December 2022
Proved Ore Reserves Probable Ore Reserves Total Ore Reserves
======
as at 31 December as at 31 December
2022 2022 as at 31 December 2022
======================= ===== ====== ======================= ============= ============================== ======
Type
of
mine
(1) Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
========= ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
Copper Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo Mt % g/t g/t % Mo
(2) Au Ag Au Ag Cu Au Ag
Bingham
Canyon
(US)
========= ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
-
Bingham
Open
Pit (3) O/P 484 0.40 0.18 2.10 0.037 395 0.35 0.17 1.82 0.029 880 0.38 0.18 1.97 0.033
========= ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
Average Rio Tinto Total Ore Reserves
mill recovery share
%
================ =========
recoverable metal as at 31 December 2021
=== ==== ===== ==============================
Rio
Tinto
interest Tonnage Grade
========= === ==== ===== === ========= ====== ====== ======= ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
Copper Cu Au Ag Mo % Mt Moz Moz Mt Mt % Cu g/t g/t % Mo
(2) Cu Au Ag Mo Au Ag
Bingham
Canyon
(US)
========= === ==== ===== === ========= ====== ====== ======= ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
-
Bingham
Open
Pit (3) 87 69 72 59 100.0 2.890 3.406 40.386 0.172 541 0.44 0.17 2.22 0.029
========= === ==== ===== === ========= ====== ====== ======= ====== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======
1. Type of Mine: O/P = open pit/surface.
2. Copper Ore Reserves are reported as dry mill feed tonnes.
3. Bingham Canyon Open Pit Ore Reserve molybdenum grades
interpolated from exploration drilling assays have been factored
based on a long reconciliation history to blast hole and mill
samples.
Table C Winu Mineral Resources as at 31 December 2022
Measured Mineral Resources Indicated Mineral Resources Total Measured and Indicated
Mineral
========
as at 31 December as at 31 December Resources as at 31 December
2022 2022 2022
========================== ===== ======================= ===== ===============================
Likely
mining
method
(1) Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
============= ======== ========= ======= ====== ===== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======== ====== ===== ======
Copper (2) Mt % Cu g/t g/t Mt % Cu g/t g/t Mt % Cu g/t g/t
Au Ag Au Ag Au Ag
Winu
(Australia) O/P - - - - 222 0.45 0.35 2.73 222 0.45 0.35 2.73
============= ======== ========= ======= ====== ===== ======== ====== ===== ===== ======== ====== ===== ======
Inferred Mineral Resources Total Mineral Resources Total Mineral Resources
=========
as at 31 December as at 31 December 2022 as at 31 December 2021
2022
======================= ===== ============================== ===============================
Rio
Tinto
Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade interest Tonnage Grade
============= ======== ====== ===== ===== ======== ====== ===== ===== ========= ======== ====== ====== =====
Copper (2) Mt % Cu g/t g/t Mt % Cu g/t g/t Mt % Cu g/t g/t
Au Ag Au Ag % Au Ag
Winu
(Australia) 499 0.38 0.33 1.98 721 0.40 0.34 2.21 100.0 608 0.40 0.30 2.26
============= ======== ====== ===== ===== ======== ====== ===== ===== ========= ======== ====== ====== =====
1. Likely mining method: O/P = open pit/surface.
2. Copper Mineral Resources are reported on a dry in situ weight basis.
Table D QIT Madagascar Minerals Mineral Resources as at 31 December 2022
Measured Mineral Resources Indicated Mineral Total Measured and Indicated
Resources Mineral
========
as at 31 December 2022 as at 31 December Resources as at 31 December
2022 2022
============================== ============================== ==============================
Likely
mining
method
(1) Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
============== ======== ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= =========
Titanium Mt % Ti % Zircon Mt % Ti % Zircon Mt % Ti % Zircon
dioxide Minerals Minerals Minerals
feedstock (2)
============== ========
QMM
(Madagascar) O/P 445 4.3 0.2 398 4.0 0.2 843 4.2 0.2
============== ======== ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= =========
Inferred Mineral Total Mineral Resources Total Mineral Resources
Resources
=========
as at 31 December as at 31 December Rio as at 31 December 2021
2022 2022 Tinto
interest
============================== ============================== ========= ==============================
Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
============== ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========= ========= ======== ========= =========
Titanium Mt % Ti % Zircon Mt % Ti % Zircon % Mt % Ti % Zircon
dioxide Minerals Minerals Minerals
feedstock (2)
==============
QMM
(Madagascar) 596 3.9 0.2 1,439 4.1 0.2 80.0 1,470 4.1 0.2
============== ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========= ========= ======== ========= =========
1. Likely mining method: O/P = open pit/surface.
2. Titanium dioxide feedstock Mineral Resources are reported as dry in situ tonnes.
Table E Richards Bay Minerals Ore Reserves as at 31 December 2022
Proved Ore reserves Probable Ore Reserves Total Ore Reserves
======
as at 31 December as at 31 December as at 31 December
2022 2022 2022
============================== ============================== =============================
Type
of
mine
(1) Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade Tonnage Grade
================ ====== ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========
Titanium Mt % Ti % Zircon Mt % Ti % Zircon Mt % Ti %
dioxide Minerals Minerals Minerals Zircon
feedstock (2)
================ ======
RBM (South
Africa) O/P 552 1.6 0.2 732 3.1 0.4 1,284 2.4 0.3
================ ====== ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========= ======== ========= ========
Rio Tinto share Total Ore Reserves
==========
Marketable as at 31 December
product 2021
===============================
Rio Tinto
interest Tonnage Grade
==================== ========== =================== ======== ======== ========== =========
Titanium dioxide % Mt Titanium Mt Mt % Ti % Zircon
feedstock (2) Dioxide Feedstock Zircon Minerals
====================
RBM (South Africa) 74.0 10.4 2.5 1,393 2.3 0.3
==================== ========== =================== ======== ======== ========== =========
1. Type of Mine: O/P = open pit/surface.
2. The marketable product (zircon at RBM and zirsil at QMM) is
shown after all mining and processing losses. Titanium dioxide
feedstock Ore Reserves are reported as dry in situ tonnes.
Contacts Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com
Media Relations, UK Media Relations, Australia
Matthew Klar Matt Chambers
M + 44 7796 630 637 M +61 433 525 739
David Outhwaite Jesse Riseborough
M +44 7787 597 493 M +61 436 653 412
Media Relations, Americas Alyesha Anderson
Simon Letendre M +61 434 868 118
M +1 514 796 4973
Malika Cherry
M +1 418 592 7293 Investor Relations, Australia
Tom Gallop
M +61 439 353 948
Investor Relations, UK
Menno Sanderse Amar Jambaa
M +44 7825 195 178 M +61 472 865 948
David Ovington
M +44 7920 010 978
Clare Peever
M +44 7788 967 877
Rio Tinto plc Rio Tinto Limited
6 St James's Square Level 43, 120 Collins Street
London SW1Y 4AD Melbourne 3000
United Kingdom Australia
T +61 3 9283 3333
T +44 20 7781 2000 Registered in Australia
Registered in England ABN 96 004 458 404
No. 719885
This announcement is authorised for release to the market by
Steve Allen, Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.
riotinto.com
[1] These Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves were reported in
accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration
Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 (JORC Code) and
the ASX Listing Rules in a release to the ASX dated 22 February
2023 titled "Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource updates: supporting
information and Table 1 checklists" (Table 1 Release). Rio Tinto
confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that
materially affects the information included in the Table 1 Release,
that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning
the estimates in the Table 1 Release continue to apply and have not
materially changed, and that the form and context in which the
Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially
modified.
[2] The Competent Persons responsible for the information in the
Table 1 Release that relates to Rio Tinto Kennecott Mineral
Resources were Kim Schroeder and Pancho Rodriguez, who are Members
of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM).
The Competent Person responsible for the information in the Table 1
Release that relates to Rio Tinto Kennecott Ore Reserves is Brady
Pett (MAusIMM).
[3] The Competent Person responsible for the information in the
Table 1 Release that relates to Winu Mineral Resources was James
Pocoe (MAusIMM).
[4] The Competent Person responsible for the information in the
Table 1 Release that relates to QIT Madagascar Minerals Mineral
Resources was Adriaan Louw, who is a Member of the South African
Council for Natural Scientific Professionals (SACNASP).
[5] The Competent Person responsible for the information in the
Table 1 Release that relates to Richards Bay Minerals Mineral
Resources was Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby (MAusIMM). The Competent
Person responsible for the information in the Table 1 Release that
relates to Richards Bay Minerals Ore Reserves is Sinetemba Mnunu
(MAusIMM).
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