March 20 (Reuters) – Rio Tinto, the world’s largest iron ore producer, temporarily shut its Amrun and Andoom bauxite mines in Northern Queensland as tropical cyclone Narelle battered northeast Australia.
Those mines produce about 30 million metric tons of bauxite a year, a raw material used to make aluminium.
Rio said in a statement that the company has activated its cyclone response plans.
“We are focused on making sure our people are safe and our operations are secure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions,” Rio said.
Bloomberg reported the temporary shutdown of the mines earlier in the day.
Rio’s shares fell as much as 4% to A$145.36, their lowest level since January 13, after news of the temporary closure.
Cyclone Narelle lashed Australia’s northeast coast, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain and power outages as authorities urged residents to remain indoors and brace for significant damage.
(Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru and Praveen Menon in Sydney; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Sonia Cheema)
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