Macarthur sold 1.32 million tonnes during the quarter, with 93% of this volume low-volatile pulverised coal injection coal.
The company said its traditional customers returned to the LV PCI market as they ramped up steel production.
“Macarthur Coal has witnessed the return of all its traditional customers to contractual levels with a number of them seeking volumes in line with faster than expected recovery in steel production,” the company said.
“As expected, sales of metallurgical coal from Australia into China have started to decline as traditional customers have returned to the market. Nevertheless, demand for metallurgical coal in China remains strong and with improving shipments to the rest of the world, combined with ongoing infrastructure constraints in Queensland, the outlook for metallurgical coals in coming months is positive.”
Macarthur said it expected to see the percentage of sales to traditional customers to continue to increase over the remainder of the year.
The Coppabella mine produced 10% more year-on-year with 690,000t in saleable coal production.
While overburden removal was down, it is expected to pick up again this quarter as the dragline returns to work and a second hydraulic excavator starts up.
Coppabella will welcome 36 new operators and a number of fixed-term employees to man its digger fleet. Employees made redundant in December last year will be considered for the roles.
The Moorvale mine produced 26% more year-on-year with 630,000t in saleable coal production.
The coal handling and preparation plant achieved a new throughput record with 384,948t of ROM coal washed in August.
In early September, Macarthur got the go-ahead for its Middlemount project and said it expected construction of the CHPP to begin early next quarter.
A call for proposals from potential alliances has been issued for the design and construction of the rail spur to the CHPP.
Macarthur spent $A3.2 million on exploration during the quarter with five drill rigs concentrating on the Wilunga and West Rolleston project areas.
Macarthur closed down 0.44% to $8.95.
