Saleable coal production for New Hope’s recent quarter, which ended on October 31 as the company’s reporting timeframes are unique, fell by 2% year-on-year to 1.48Mt.

New Hope embarked on plans to retrench about 30 workers, or 5% of its total workforce, in May with jobs going from the West Moreton mine and the corporate office.

While financial figures were not revealed in the operations-centred quarterly result, a profitable result was flagged.

“Despite Australian dollar revenue per tonne of coal sales being lower this quarter in comparison to the first quarter 2013 financial year, unaudited profit for the quarter is up on the same period last financial year,” New Hope said yesterday.

“Total administration and operating costs are down significantly this quarter compared to the previous period last year.”