The purchase of a 50% interest in the Springvale mine underpinned the growth momentum, while the Clarence colliery recently set new production records on a shift, daily and weekly basis.
On a tonnes under management basis, coal production rose 138% to 1.51 million tonnes while sales increased 30% to 1.09Mt over the corresponding quarter.
Centennial's share of production reached 1Mt from 513,000t a year ago, while total coal sold during the period increased to 728,000t from 671,000t.
Centennial said the sales figures, although in line with the budget, do not fully reflect the increase in production "because the corresponding September 2000 quarter was marked by heavy shipping commitments for delivery over the remainder of the financial year".
In September, Centennial reported posted its best full-year result since listing in August 1994.
Net profit after tax for the year ended June 30 rose to $9.7 million from $1.27 million the year before – 62% above the forecast contained in a prospectus released in April when Centennial raised $43 million through a share placement to fund the Springvale stake.
