International commodities producer and trader Glencore Xstrata has announced that in 2013 its coking coal output increased by six percent year on year to 7.3 million mt, with an average export price of $146/mt, down from $198/mt in 2012.
Glencore Xstrata stated that the annual increase in coking coal output was mainly due to productivity improvements at Oaky Creek mine and the resolution of some operational issues. Production growth was impacted by decisions to counter the low coal price environment, including moving from dual longwall to a single longwall operation at Oaky North and Collinsville mine being placed on care and maintenance.