On July 26, Australian coal producer Xstrata announced its production results for the first half of 2011. Total consolidated coal production of the company decreased to 38.5 million mt in the first six months of the current year, compared to 38.6 million mt in the same period of the previous year.
Xstrata posted a nine percent increase in thermal coal production in the first six months of the year, driven by the recently commissioned Mangoola operations. The coking coal production volumes from its Australian operations dropped to 3.1 million mt, down by 18 percent year on year.
Despite a rapid recovery at the majority of Xstrata's mines from the Queensland floods, domestic and export sales from the Rolleston operation were halted for several weeks due to delays in the repair of damaged rail infrastructure. On the other hand, South African coal production was slightly higher compared to the same period of the previous year.
For the second quarter of 2011, Xstrata posted stronger production volumes compared to first quarter production which was affected by heavy weather and other operational issues.