Greater productivity at its Bulga mine in New South Wales and the ramp-up of production at Ravensworth North and Rolleston phase 1 also in NSW led to a 3% increase in thermal and semi soft coal production to 14.1Mt for the quarter.

Australia coking coal production was 1.5Mt, a decrease of 17%, reflecting the decision to move away from certain high-cost mines and areas to focus on higher margin thermal coal production.

Glencore’s Australian operations are faring much better than its South African counterparts.

South Africa thermal coal production was 10.4Mt, a 3% reduction over the prior year period.

The reduction relates mainly to delays resulting from wet weather, unprotected industrial action at Goedgevonden and the impact of mining through low yield areas at certain operations.

In addition, the Klippan and Wonderfontein underground mines were closed during Q4 2013, as part of an ongoing portfolio optimisation, the impact of which was only partially offset by the opening of Wonderfontein open cut in Q1 2014.