//
The mining firm posted a profit of $2.66 billion (£1.6 billion) for the opening six months of the year, something that may interest those trading shares in the company on the stock market.
This was down from $7.33 billion for the first half of 2008, with the drop being attributed to the sliding prices of metals and minerals.
Despite the dip, chief executive Tom Albanese stated that operations at the firm are "running smoothly."
He added that it is on target to meet the efficiency goals set out in December of last year, having shed 16,000 jobs - 2,000 more than expected - so far in 2009.
Rio Tinto has also opted to relinquish some of its assets, and recently completed the sale of the packaging unit of Alcan to Amcor, an Australian business.
Shares in Rio Tinto climbed on the news, rising 43.5p to £23.55 at 09:50 BST.
