Mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd
(ASX:BHP) has reported a jump in December quarterly production volumes with records achieved for the half year.
The company says half year production records were set for petroleum and iron ore, nickel and zinc also achieving record results.
Iron ore output jumped 11% to 32.449 million tonnes in the December quarter taking half year production to 62.2 million tonnes.
Petroleum production also set another record coming in 16% higher at 38.36 million barrels of oil equivalent in the December quarter taking half year production to 79.57 million barrels of oil equivalent.
BHP says during the December quarter there was a strong price recovery across the commodity suite driven by demand in China and restocking in the developed world.
Looking ahead BHP says it expects some degree of volatility in the short-term outlook for commodities as the speed of recovery in developed economies remains uncertain.
BHP earned over $7.2 billion in profit for the 2009 financial year.
