Global mining giant Rio Tinto tripled the profit from its West Australian iron ore business last year, underpinning a strong rise in the group's underlying net profit to US$4.9 billion (A$6.5 billion).

Global mining giant Rio Tinto tripled the profit from its West Australian iron ore business last year, underpinning a strong rise in the group's underlying net profit to US$4.9 billion (A$6.5 billion).