Shipments also increased, with the shortfall in sales expected to be recouped during the remainder of the year, according to the company.

Baralaba produced 188,000 tonnes of ROM coal in the quarter, almost double the 99,687t produced in the March quarter.

The Baralaba mine, near the town of Baralaba in the Bowen Basin, is an open pit operation managed by the company and operated by contractors providing blasting, mining and haulage.

The company undertakes its own coal preparation services. PCI coal and thermal coal are produced from multiple seams from the Rangal coal measures. All the coal sold is exported through the Port of Gladstone.

Cockatoo continued to maintain positive cash margins from mining operations during the quarter.

“The company has also achieved positive cash margins for the 2013 financial year, despite coal prices decreasing significantly in the September 2012 and December 2012 quarters, and wet weather disrupting production and the Moura Rail System during the March 2013 quarter,” it said.