OREANDA-NEWS. Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said “These strong results reflect the progress we are making to transform our business and demonstrate how we are fulfilling our commitments to improve performance, strengthen the balance sheet and deliver greater value for shareholders. We have achieved underlying earnings of USD 10.2 billion, exceeded our cost reduction targets and set production records. In turn, this has enhanced our cash flow generation and lowered net debt. The 15 per cent increase in our dividend reflects our confidence in the business and its attractive prospects.”

Underlying earnings of USD 10.2 billion were up ten per cent on 2012.

Operating cash cost improvements of USD 2.3 billion exceeded the 2013 target of USD 2.0 billion.

Exploration and evaluation savings delivered USD 1 billion, against the 2013 target of USD 750 million.

Production records set for iron ore, bauxite and thermal coal and a strong recovery in copper volumes. Iron ore volumes were bolstered by the completion in August of the Pilbara phase one infrastructure expansion to 290 Mt/a, with ramp-up on track to reach nameplate capacity before the end of the first half of 2014.

Net earnings of USD 3.7 billion reflect non-cash exchange losses of USD 2.9 billion and impairments of USD 3.4 billion, notably the impairment of a previous non-cash accounting uplift on first consolidation of Oyu Tolgoi, a project overrun at Kitimat and the previously announced curtailment of the Gove alumina refinery.

Cash flows from operations of USD 20.1 billion were up 22 per cent and capital expenditure was down 26 per cent to USD 12.9 billion.

Net debt reduced to USD 18.1 billion at 31 December 2013, USD 4.0 billion down on the half year and USD 1.1 billion down on the previous year end.

15 per cent increase in full year dividend to 192 cents per share reflects the sustainable growth of the business.