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Total coal production for the quarter reached 6.177 million tonnes, compared to 6.922Mt in the corresponding period of 2006.
Coal sales of 6.671Mt also took a dive from 7.306Mt in the first quarter of 2006.
“As a result of Hunter Valley coal chain performance and strong demand, the port of Newcastle continued to experience vessel queuing,” the company said.
“Coal & Allied’s production in the quarter was aligned with allocated port capacity and sales levels were in line with the rate of sales achieved in the second half of 2006.
“Based on Coal & Allied’s 2007 allocated port capacity, it is anticipated that production and sales for the remainder of 2007 will be in line with production rates and sales levels achieved in the last two quarters.”
After posting a 29% profit slump in its full-year 2006 results, Coal & Allied managing director Douglas Ritchie predicted that despite infrastructure expansions, capacity would remain constrained during 2007.
