Despite this, saleable coal production of 1.2 million tonnes was consistent with the previous corresponding period due to improved coal processing yields. 

Due to the ship loader outage at the Queensland Bulk Handling terminal in November saleable coal stock levels have increased throughout the coal supply chain.

Coal sales for the quarter of 1.4Mt were 21% higher than the prior corresponding period due to sales deferred from Q2 to Q3 as a result of the ship loader outage.

On a year to date basis current year sales are 6% below the prior corresponding period though. 

“The company expects to recover some of this shortfall by year end, however, full year sales are expected to be marginally below the prior year,” New Hope said in its quarterly statement. Turning to New South Wales, New Hope’s 40% share of the Bengalla’s coal production for the quarter was 784,000t, 36% per cent above the prior corresponding period, but this only included two months of New Hope ownership.

The company said production in the quarter was impacted by wet weather and a scheduled shutdown of the washplant for major maintenance.