Total production increased by 5% to 8.0Mt, with a 24% increase and record production from Australian open cut operations.
Thermal coal production from Australia increased by 17% and by 29% compared to Q2 2011, also as a result of the recovery actions initiated earlier in the year.
Anglo also increased the price it received for its thermal coal from Australian power stations in the September quarter to $US35 per tonne compared with $US30/t for the previous corresponding period.
Thermal coal production from South Africa and Colombia decreased by 10% to 16.8Mt, mainly due to industrial action at the South African operations that was partly offset by an 18% increase in production from Colombia.
Thermal coal production in South Africa was impacted by industrial action and geological constraints. This has been partly offset by Zibulo, which continues to ramp up and is expected to reach commercial production in Q1 2012.
Cerrejon, in Colombia, delivered a strong performance benefiting from a reduction in weather-related stoppages.