Rio Tinto earnings rise, shareholders in for bumper dividends

Diversified mining giant Rio Tinto on Wednesday announced strong financial results for 2018, and rewarded its shareholders with large dividends, including a $4-billion special dividend.

The miner’s underlying earnings advanced 2% to $8.81-billion, as higher iron-ore and copper volumes, as well as stronger prices for aluminium and copper, lifted its revenue to $40.5-billion in the 12 months to December.