Australian miner BHP Billiton has announced its production results for the financial year 2016-17 ended June 30, achieving an iron ore output of 231 million mt from its Western Australian iron ore operations, rising four percent year on year, reflecting productivity improvements across the supply chain and additional capacity at Jimblebar mine.
Meeting its financial year 2016-17 iron ore production target, BHP Billiton’s Western Australian iron ore production guidance for the next financial year stands at 239-243 million mt.
In the given financial year, BHP Billiton's metallurgical coal production declined by six percent year on year to 39.77 million mt, as a result of damage caused by Cyclone Debbie to the network infrastructure of rail track provider Aurizon. Mine operations recovered quickly after the cyclone and the force majeure declared for all Queensland Coal products on April 5 was lifted on July 1, 2017. The miner’s metallurgical coal production is expected to increase to between 44 million mt and 46 million mt for the financial year 2017-18.