LONDON (SHARECAST) - A ramp up in production during the last three months of 2009 helped Xstrata achieve record annual production of thermal coal, mined nickel, zinc in concentrate and lead metal.
It reported stronger second half volumes of chrome, platinum, copper, semi-soft and coking coal, with a ‘significant’ rise in fourth quarter volumes across almost all commodities compared to third quarter.
Total mined copper production fell 5% to 906,898 tonnes in the 12 months to 31 December versus the previous year, mainly due to a 75,000 tonne reduction in output at Ernest Henry and lower output at Alumbrera and Antamina.
Zinc in concentrate production rose 20% to over 1m tonnes due to expansions and restructuring at the Australian operations, the first full year of production at Perseverance mine, increased volumes at Brunswick mine and higher zinc production at the Antamina copper-zinc operation.
There was also an in increase in total mined nickel production, up 5% to 57,052 tonnes and 11% jump in coal production to 95.2m tonnes, with thermal and semi-soft coal up 13% and 17% respectively.
Some 30% less ferrochrome was produced though after the Xstrata-Merafe Chrome Venture's curtailment of up to 80% of ferrochrome production capacity in late 2008 and early 2009 in response to the rapid decline in market conditions.
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