Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto's has more than doubled first-half profit, as a government stimulus in China spurred demand for iron ore and lifted prices sharply.
Underlying earnings for the six months ended June 30 rose to $US12.2 billion ($A16.55 billion), from $US4.75 billion a year earlier.
The world's largest iron ore miner declared a massive interim dividend of $US5.61 ($A7.62) per share, up from $US1.55 last year.
