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Rio Tinto 2020 full year results Rio Tinto announces total dividend of 557 US cents per share for 2020 , a 72 % pay - out , from robust results during a challenging year 17 February 2021 Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said : " It has been an extraordinary year – our successful response to the COVID - 19 pandemic and strong safety performance were overshadowed by the tragic events at the Juukan Gorge , which should never have happened . " During 2020 , the agility and resilience of the business and our employees , coupled with strong commodity prices , enabled us to deliver underlying EBITDA of $ 23.9 billion and Return on Capital Employed of 27 % . As a result , the Board has approved a total dividend of 557 US cents per share including a special dividend of 93 US cents per share , representing a 72 % full year pay - out ratio , which builds on our five - year pay - out track record . " My new executive team and wider leadership of the company are all committed to unleashing Rio Tinto's full potential . We will increase our focus on operational excellence and project development and strengthen our ESG credentials . Working closely with the Board , we must earn the right to become a trusted partner for Traditional Owners , host communities , governments and other stakeholders but we all recognise that this will require sustained and consistent effort . " Safe and well - run operations , together with world - class assets , great people , capital discipline and a strong balance sheet , leave Rio Tinto well placed to generate superior returns for shareholders , invest in sustaining and growing our portfolio , and make a broader contribution to society . " At year end Net cash generated from operating activities ( US $ millions ) Capital expenditure¹ ( US $ millions ) Free cash flow² ( US $ millions ) Consolidated sales revenue ( US $ millions ) Underlying EBITDA² ( US $ millions ) Net earnings ( US $ millions ) Underlying earnings per share² ( EPS ) ( US cents ) Ordinary dividend per share ( US cents ) Total dividend per share ( US cents ) Net debt ( US $ millions ) Return on capital employed ( ROCE ) ² 2020 2019 Change 15,875 14,912 6 % 6,189 5,488 13 % 9,407 9,158 3 % 44,611 43,165 3 % 23,902 21,197 13 % 9,769 8,010 22 % 769.6 636.3 21 % 464.0 382.0 21 % 557.0 443.0 26 % ( 664 ) ( 3,651 ) 27 % 24 % Our financial results are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS ) and are unaudited - see page 34 for further information . Footnotes are set out on page 5 . • • • Strong safety performance in 2020 , fatality - free for a second year in a row , with the all injury frequency rate improving to 0.37 . However , fatigue and other pressures from COVID - 19 have heightened the safety risk in day - to - day operations and we recognise that there is no room for complacency . We are working to restore trust with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura ( PKKP ) people following the Juukan Gorge events . Progress has been made as set out in the joint statement issued in December following a meeting between the PKKP and Rio Tinto boards , but we do not underestimate the time and effort it will take for us to help restore trust and rebuild our reputation . 2020 was a significant year for our climate strategy with the introduction of new Scope 1 and 2 targets : today , we have set new Scope 3 emissions goals and the Board intends to put the Page 1