Copper
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The Rio Tinto Copper group has interest in properties and mines operated by Kennecott Utah Copper in the US, Escondida in Chile, Grasberg in Indonesia, Northparkes in Australia and Palabora in South Africa. Kennecott Utah Copper is primarily a mining, smelting and refining operation. Escondida is one of the largest copper mines in the world, with a mine life expected to exceed 30 years at current rates of production.
The following table provides share and production details for these properties:
| Operation | Rio Tinto share | Commodity | Total annual production, '000 tonnes (as at December 31 2008) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bingham Canyon, North America | 100% | Copper (mined) | 238 |
| Escondida, South America | 30% | Copper (mined) Copper (refined) |
385 77 |
| Grasberg, Indonesia (n) | 40% | Copper (mined) | 7 |
| Kennecott Utah Copper, North America | 100% | Copper (refined) | 201 |
| Northparkes, Australia | 80% | Copper (mined) | 20 |
| Palabora, South Africa (o) | 57.7% | Copper (mined) Copper (refined) |
49 44 |
| Rio Tinto share of total copper production, '000 tonnes (as at December 31 2008) | Copper (mined) Copper (refined) |
699 322 |
Production data notes
(n) Through a joint venture agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX), Rio Tinto is entitled to 40 per cent of additional material mined as a consequence of expansions and developments of the Grasberg facilities since 1998.
(o) Rio Tinto's shareholding in Palabora varied during 2006 due to the progressive conversion of debentures into ordinary shares.
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