Rio Tinto Group (ASX:RIO) on Tuesday reported a 9% year-over-year increase in copper equivalent production in the first quarter, while global iron ore production jumped 12% to 82.8 million tonnes.

The company said first-quarter iron ore production at its Pilbara operations rose 13% year over year to 78.8 million tonnes, and Pilbara iron ore sales ticked 2% higher to 72.4 million tonnes.

Tropical cyclones impacted Pilbara shipments by about 8 million tonnes, with around half expected to be recovered, Rio Tinto said.

The company maintained its 2026 Pilbara iron ore sales guidance at 323 million to 338 million tonnes. It also reaffirmed consolidated copper production guidance of 800,000 to 870,000 tonnes and the total iron sales outlook of 343 million to 366 million tonnes.