On January 20, Australian mining giant BHP Billiton announced its production report for the last quarter and second half of 2009.
Accordingly, in the last quarter of 2009, BHP Billiton's iron ore output totaled 32.45 million metric tons, increasing by eight percent over the previous quarter and up 11 percent compared to Q4 2008. The company stated that the fourth quarter figure represents the highest quarterly iron ore output level it has ever achieved.
Meanwhile, in the last quarter of 2009, the company's metallurgical coal production, which includes coking coal output and some thermal coal production, totaled 8.89 million metric tons, decreasing by five percent compared to the third quarter and down 12 percent year on year. BHP's nickel output in the last quarter amounted to 49,000 metric tons, up 38 percent over Q3 and increasing by 20 percent year on year.
On the other hand, in the second half of 2009, BHP Billiton's iron ore output increased by six percent year on year, reaching 62.56 million metric tons. In the June-December period of 2009, 54 percent of BHP Billiton's Western Australian iron ore shipments were based on annually agreed pricing, with the remainder sold on shorter-term reference pricing.
In the second half of 2009, the company's metallurgical coal production amounted to 18.3 million metric tons, declining by five percent, while its nickel output grew by 45 percent to 84,400 metric tons, both compared to the corresponding period of 2008.