Australia-based Wesfarmers Resources has announced that in the quarter ended March 31 its coking coal output from the Curragh coal mine in central Queensland amounted to 1.53 million mt, decreasing by 15.4 percent compared to the previous quarter. Coal production was impacted by wet weather associated with Cyclone Oswald, which significantly interrupted rail and port activity for four weeks and led to mine stockpiles reaching capacity.
During the twelve months ended March 31, the miner's coking coal output increased by 26.5 percent to 7.74 million mt, reflecting the additional capacity of Curragh's new coal handling and preparation plant.
According to Wesfarmers' statement, Curragh's metallurgical coal sales volume is forecast to remain in the range of 7.5 to 8 million mt for the financial year 2013-14. This forecast is subject to no further significant wet weather and satisfactory rail and port operations.
Wesfarmers also stated that its coking coal prices for the June quarter have increased four percent quarter on quarter to US$167/mt.