Thermal coal production for Xstrata was up thanks to the commissioning of the Ravensworth North, Ulan West and Ulan open cut mines in Australia, productivity improvements at Cerrejon and the transition of the South African operations into low-cost, large-scale mines.

Glencore also reported increased coal production in South Africa following the acquisitions of Optimum and Umcebo.

Combined group coal production was 134 million tonnes, up from 105.8Mt.

Refined nickel production for Xstrata was up after Raglan mine’s Kikialik expansion was commissioned, while Falcondo outperformed.

At Murrin Murrin, own-sourced production was 33,400 tonnes of nickel, a new record.

The combined 2012 nickel production of the two companies rose to 210,000t from 203,000t in 2011.

Xstrata reported lower mined copper production of 747,000t as it transitioned from older mines to new mines and expansions.

Glencore reported increased copper production at Kazzinc, Katanga and Mutanda, but combined copper production of near 2Mt was down from 2.2Mt in 2011.

Xstrata’s Australian zinc operations achieved record production for the second consecutive year, rising 8% and offsetting lower production in Canada.

Glencore and Xstrata’s combined zinc production of 2.4Mt was in line with 2011.

The two companies are due to finalise a merger next month.