Xstrata PLC (LSE: XTA) reported a 11 percent rise in coal output in the first half to end-June 2009, to 43.8 million tonnes from 39.6 million a year earlier, while total mined copper production rose 1 percent to 447,509 tonnes.
Australian thermal coal production increased by 11 percent, mainly from the highly productive Newlands Northern Underground mine in Queensland and due to New South Wales mines switching semi-soft coal production to thermal production. The increase more than compensated for lower production from South Africa due to the planned closure of Impunzi Underground and industrial action.
Total thermal coal production increased by 18 percent, due to higher production at the Newlands complex and the contribution of the acquired Prodeco operations in Colombia.
Solid operational performances and higher copper production from Mount Isa, Alumbrera, Collahuasi, Tintaya, Lomas Bayas and Kidd mines offset reduced production from Ernest Henry and Antamina.
Total mined nickel production increased by 7 percent in the first half to 28,505 tonnes due to increased production and higher grades from Raglan and Xstrata Nickel Australasia (XNA), and high-grade ores from initial production at the new, negative cash cost Nickel Rim South mine, which is on track to ramp up to 60% of full annual capacity by the end of 2009.
Ferrochrome production in the first half was 60 percent lower than the same period in 2008, following the temporary suspension of up to 80 percent of production capacity through late 2008 and early 2009 in response to lower demand.
Earlier this month, the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture announced that, in response to improved ferrochrome demand, production had been resumed at 60 percent of the Venture's total capacity through the re-commissioning of several furnaces across all five ferrochrome operations.
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