Whitehaven also increased margins in second half of FY2015 to $15/t from $10/t in the first half as it ramped up production at its Maules Creek mine in the Gunnedah Basin.
“Costs positioned in lowest quartile of cost curve,” the company said.
Average revenue declined by 6% year-on-year but in the second half the weaker Australian dollar offset the US dollar coal price fall.
Fully absorbed costs fell by a further 12% to average $61/t for the year, the company said.
Whitehaven’s three existing open cut mines in the Gunnedah Basin are planned to produce between 5.1Mt – 5.3Mt ROM coal in FY2016.
“Procurement initiatives, 30 tonne axle loads, operational improvements and roster changes at each mine successfully reduced costs and maintained production,” the company said.
