The Queensland miner was able to get Coppabella’s performance back on line to achieve ROM production exceeding 1.6 million tonnes.

Performance improvements in the second half of the year were attributable to increased production by the principal contractor and the successful introduction of a second contractor – Peter Champion mining.

Despite the improvements, Macarthur couldn’t make up for the reduction in annual sales from Coppabella, down 10.7% for the year to date.

The reduction during the March quarter was attributable to pit flooding and the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal reclaimer collapse. The shortfall could not be fully recovered during the June quarter.

Moorvale performed in line with expectations in its first full year of production. Cumulative ROM production for the year surpassed the two million tonne milestone, the June quarter pitching in 581,000 tonnes.

Macarthur listed exploration as a company priority, revealing it had confirmed a coal deposit near its new Moorvale mine in central Queensland.

It was also assessing options for going ahead with the Monto thermal coal project, previously put on hold.