International commodities producer and trader Glencore Xstrata has announced that in the first quarter of the current year its coking coal output from its Australian operations amounted to 1.5 million mt, falling 17 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The company said that the reduction relates to a decision to move away from certain high-cost mines and areas, based on the current weak coal price environment, and to focus on higher-margin thermal coal production.
During the first quarter, Glencore Xstrata's nickel production was 22,300 mt, declining by 15 percent year on year, due to the XNA mine in Australia and the Falcondo mine in the Dominican Republic being placed on care and maintenance during 2013.