Rio Tinto Group, the world’s biggest iron ore exporter, warned shipments of the steelmaking material will be impacted this quarter after a tropical cyclone in Australia’s northwest damaged a port facility.

The world’s fourth-biggest iron-ore producer reported a rise in second-quarter iron-ore shipments and said first-half exports of the steel ingredient were the highest in its history.

For the calendar year, Rio Tinto shipped 328.6 million metric tons of iron ore from Pilbara, the lowest since 2022. It is under threat of Brazilian rival Vale potentially retaking its crown as the world’s biggest producer. Vale expects to produce 323-330 million tonnes for 2024.

The mining giant posted a sharp rise in second-quarter copper production thanks to a jump in output at Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine.