Rio Tinto says Pilbara iron ore at full capacity

PERTH, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto Ltd/Plc (RIO.AX) (RIO.L), the world's second-largest iron ore miner, is running its Australian operations at maximum capacity to meet strong demand for the steel-making raw material, its chief said on Tuesday.

Chief Executive Officer Tom Albanese told a business luncheon in Perth that long-term demand for iron ore remained strong, especially from China. Rio Tinto's major iron ore operations are in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

"Over the next five years China is expected to consume more iron ore than Australia exported throughout its history," he said, without putting a figure on expected Chinese consumption.

Rio last month raised its iron ore production target for this year to 210-215 million tonnes, based on strong demand. (Reporting by Fayen Wong; Editing by Mark Bendeich)