In the financial year ended on June 30, 2010, Australian mining giant BHP Billiton produced 124.96 million metric tons of iron ore, increasing by nine percent year on year, hitting a new record for the company. Meanwhile, in the last quarter of the financial year, BHP Billiton's iron ore output remained unchanged as compared to the previous quarter, totaling 31.24 million metric tons, up 16 percent year on year.
For the 2010 financial year, 39 percent of BHP Billiton's Western Australia iron ore shipments on a wet metric ton basis were priced on annually agreed terms, with the remainder sold on a shorter-term basis. BHP expect short-term pricing will continue for Western Australia iron ore shipments
Meanwhile, in the full financial year, BHP Billiton's metallurgical coal output totaled 37.38 million metric tons, rising by three percent year on year, thanks to improved operational and supply chain performance, supported by strong demand. In the last quarter of the financial year, BHP Billiton's metallurgical coal output was impacted by wet weather disruptions at Queensland Coal and planned longwall moves at Illawarra (both Australia). Despite this, Queensland Coal achieved record annual and quarterly shipments. In Q4, BHP Billiton's metallurgical coal output increased by 16 percent year on year and by 34 percent quarter on quarter, totaling 10.93 million metric tons. BHP Billiton said that Hay Point Coal Terminal in Australia, which is currently undergoing planned maintenance on Berth 2, is scheduled for completion in August 2010.
On the other hand, the company's nickel output in the financial year ended on June 30 came to 173,400 metric tons, rising by 45.7 percent year on year, while its nickel production in the last quarter totaled 45,700 metric tons, up 12 percent year on year and up six percent over the previous quarter. BHP Billiton announced that during the second half of the 2011 financial year, Cerro Matoso (Colombia) production will be impacted for nine months due to the planned replacement of one of its two furnaces.