Australian miner BHP Billiton has announced its production results for the first nine months ended March 31, 2015 of the financial year 2014-15, achieving an iron ore output of 188 million mt from its Western Australian iron ore operations, rising 16 percent year on year as a result of continued improvement in the performance of the integrated supply chain, the successful ramp-up of the Jimblebar mining hub to a rate in excess of 45 million mt per year, and the relatively limited impact of the wet season.
According to BHP Billiton, Western Australian iron ore production guidance for the given financial year now stands at 250 million mt, two percent higher than prior guidance. The company said that it will delay an Australian port project, slowing down its expansion plans to 290 million mt per year.
In the first nine months, BHP's metallurgical coal production increased by 14 percent year on year to 38 million mt, reflecting the successful ramp-up of the Caval Ridge mine.