While production was up 5% on the March 2004 quarter, it did fall 7% from the December 2004 quarter, reflecting lower production at Queensland Coal due to the depletion of reserves at Riverside and scheduled maintenance at Peak Downs.
Energy coal levels were affected by lower output at South African subsidiary Ingwe due to product mix optimisation to improve export tonnages, along with longer production at New Mexico Coal (USA) due to a longwall move at the San Juan underground.
Energy Coal production for the March 2005 quarter was 20.1Mt, 6% lower than March 2004 and December 2004 results.
Hunter Valley Coal (Australia) achieved record export sales during the quarter reflecting the ramp-up of the Mount Arthur North expansion.
