The company’s met coal production for the quarter came to 6.1 million tonnes -- with record production from its underground operations.

Capcoal underground operations increased longwall cutting hours by 63% while Moranbah North improved its figures by 33%.

Anglo is seeking to create a centre of underground coal mining excellence and innovation around Moranbah, with construction of its greenfield Grosvenor metallurgical coal project in Queensland nearing 50% completion.

Critical engineering and procurement activities have been completed and the majority of the project budget has been contracted and committed.

Longwall production remains scheduled to commence at the end of 2016 and within budget of $1.95 billion.

Australian export thermal coal production for the quarter decreased by 49% to 800,000 tonnes, due to a product mix change with an increase in metallurgical coal production, while lower production from the Drayton mine in New South Wales was due to the mine nearing the end of its life.

Export thermal coal production from South Africa increased by 6% to 4.1Mt due to improved operational performance at Greenside and mine ramp-up at Zibulo.

Production to Eskom was 9% lower at 7.4Mt due to excessive rainfall at New Vaal and a delayed start-up post the longwall move at New Denmark.

Domestic non-Eskom production decreased by 10% to 1.4Mt due to excessive rainfall at Landau.

Turning to Colombia, Cerrejon’s production increased by 95% predominantly due to the effect of a 32-day strike during Q1 2013.

Financial year 2014 export metallurgical coal production guidance for Australia and Canada remains at 18-20Mt.

Export thermal coal FY2014 production guidance for South Africa and Colombia is unchanged at 29-30Mt.