PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Coal miner Whitehaven Coal’s run-of-mine (RoM) production for the full year ended June has exceeded its expectations, following a record year at its Maules Creek mine.
RoM production for the full year had been estimated at between 21.8-million and 22.8-million tonnes, however, Whitehaven on Thursday announced that full-year RoM production had reached 23.2-million tonnes.
The Maules Creek operation contributed a record 11.7-million tonnes of RoM production during the full year, while the Narrabri mine exceeded expectations at 6.4-million tonnes, above the guidance of between 5.6-million and 6-million tonnes.
The Gunnedah opencut mines delivered an additional 5.1-million tonnes of RoM production in the full year, which was also slightly above guidance.
For the quarter ended June, Whitehaven reported a RoM production of 7.3-million tonnes, up 25% on the previous corresponding period, while saleable coal production was up by 9%, to 5.1-million tonnes, and total coal sales increased by 12%, to 5.3-million tonnes.
“It’s pleasing to see a respectable production result for the quarter and the year, particularly in respect of Narrabri, which demonstrated a strong return to form,” said Whitehaven MD and CEO Paul Flynn.
“Safety performance was also positive and we are absolutely focused on ensuring continued vigilance on this front,” he said.