Australian mining giant BHP Billiton has released its production results for the second quarter of 2008.
Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2008 BHP Billiton registered a 15 percent increase year on year in its iron ore production to 29.763 million metric tons, while its metallurgical coal production dropped down 18 percent to 9.132 million metric tons due to the heavy rains that disrupted operations in the Australian state of Queensland.
BHP Billiton has also reported a 22 percent increase year on year in manganese ore production to 1.851 million mt and a two percent rise in its manganese alloy production to 190,000 mt.
Moreover, with the successful ramp up of the Western Australia Iron Ore Rapid Growth Project 3 and continuous operational improvement, in the next financial year BHP is expected to increase its iron ore output in Western Australia to 137 million metric tons.