Metallurgical coal production reached 3.28 million tonnes from Anglo’s Queensland mines, eclipsing the 2.32Mt produced during the weak market demand of the corresponding period last year.

 

But the latest result was 14% down from the December quarter output due to the impact of wet weather on mines and the state’s coal chain.

 

Anglo American Metallurgical Coal declared force majeure on coal shipments from its Moranbah North, Capcoal and Foxleigh mines on March 17, with the FMs only lifted towards the end of the month.

 

Anglo’s thermal coal production from its Australian mines improved 4% year-on-year to 3.35Mt for the March quarter, but was also 4% lower than the December quarter figures.

 

Higher-than-average rainfall also lowered Anglo’s South African thermal coal mines with output slipping 3% year-on-year to 8.17Mt.

 

In February, Anglo said the headcount of its metallurgical coal operations had been reduced by 20% since late 2008.

 

The major miner’s much publicised announcement a year ago to cut a total of 19,000 jobs globally was also exceeded with 23,400 positions axed in 2009.

 

However, the company is set to boost its Queensland workforce again with its new $1.1 billion Grosvenor longwall project near Moranbah.

 

The project aims to produce up to 5 million tonnes per annum of coking coal for a mine life of more than 30 years, with construction slated for 2012.