Queensland operation Hail Creek continued to positively affect the global giant’s output with production higher than the first and fourth quarters of 2004. Hard coking coal Australian output for the quarter ending March 31 2005 was up significantly to 1.9 million tonnes. Other coal production for the quarter was 7.9Mt.

Shipments from Hail Creek and Blair Athol were affected by port congestion at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal.

Production at Kestrel was significantly above both the first and last quarters of 2004, both adversely affected by longwall changeovers.

In the US, production from subsidiary Kennecott Energy continued to increase with growth at Jacobs Ranch and stronger demand for the higher energy coal of Spring Creek.

Production from Antelope was 13% above the first quarter of 2004, thanks to the introduction of new equipment.

There was a 6% fall in overall US production from 2004’s fourth quarter.