Diversified mining giant Rio Tinto's thermal coal production stood at 4.95 million mt in the April-June quarter, up 15% year on year and 17% from the January-March quarter, it said Tuesday while announcing its quarterly results.
It attributed the rise to mine sequencing at its Hunter Valley Operations in New South Wales and Queensland-based Hail Creek mine.
The miner maintained its thermal coal production guidance for 2017 at 17 million-18 million mt.
The guidance may, however, be adjusted depending on when the sale of Coal & Allied to Yancoal is completed. It was expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017, Rio said.
The New South Wales Hunter Valley Operations, Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines are all part of the Coal & Allied business.
Rio's share of production from those coal mines in the June quarter was 3.93 million mt, up 10% year on year and 22% from the March quarter, the miner said.
Rio's stake in HVO, Mount Thorley and Warkworth is 68%, 80% and 56%, respectively.
