Australian miner BHP Billiton has announced its production results for the quarter ended September 30, achieving an iron ore output of 67 million mt from its Western Australian iron ore operations, rising eight percent year on year supported by the ramp-up of the Jimblebar mining hub and improved ore handling plant utilization at Newman. BHP Billiton also achieved record sales volumes of 67 million mt from its Western Australian iron ore operation as a result of an increase in direct shipping iron ore and continued optimization of port facilities.
According to BHP Billiton, Western Australian iron ore production forecast for the financial year 2015-16 remains at 270 million mt and the ramp-up of additional capacity at the Jimblebar mining hub along with further productivity improvements will deliver an increase in system capacity to 290 million mt per year over time.
In the given quarter, BHP's metallurgical coal production remained unchanged at 10.45 million mt, compared to the same period of the previous year. The company said that first production from the Haju mine in Indonesia was achieved during the quarter. At current mining rates, operations at the Crinum mine are expected to cease in the first quarter of the 2016 calendar year as the mine approaches the end of its economic reserve life.