Xstrata reported a 20% increase in production at South African operations following the ramp-up of the Goedgevonden opencut thermal coal mine, new production from the 5 Seam opencut operation and from Xstrata’s increased share in ATC/ATCOM. Total consolidated thermal coal production rose by 6%.

 

In Colombia, Xstrata Coal’s share of production increased by 4% over the prior year, in line with Cerrejón’s expansion to 32 million tonnes per annum.

 

Xstrata said production in New South Wales had shifted to higher margin semi-soft products with 21% growth, while overall Australian thermal production was slightly lower on a consolidated basis, which the company blamed on adverse weather conditions.

 

A planned reduction in thermal volumes from Queensland’s NCA Complex (Newlands and Collinsville operations) was offset by continued growth at Rolleston.

 

A combination of increased coking coal production at the new Newlands Wollombi pit and productivity improvements at Oaky Creek resulted in a 21% increase in overall coking coal production for the year.

 

Total consolidated production for the year was 82.8Mt, with Australia producing 35Mt of thermal coal, 6.8Mt of coking coal and 6.4Mt of semi-soft coal.