Global miner BHP Billiton Ltd
(ASX:BHP) says it produced a total 31,164 tonnes of iron ore during the March quarter, up 11% on the same period last year.
However, the result was a 4% drop on the December quarter due to weather related disruptions.
Oil production was a standout for the miner, up 26% for the year to date to close to 70 million tonnes, while natural gas output increased 5%.
BHP says this is the third consecutive year to date production record for its petroleum products.
Copper output, however, slumped 19% as a result of a number of events including the Olympic Dam Clark Shaft Failure, industrial action in Chile and lower grades across other South American mines.
The shaft failure at Olympic Dam also had an impact on the miner’s uranium production which plunged 74%.
Lead, zinc, silver and alumina production were all higher compared to the same period last year.
In other news BHP says it is cooperating with US authorities in an investigation relating primarily to certain terminated minerals exploration projects, where possible violations of anti-corruption laws have occurred in interactions with government officials.
BHP did not say which country this is related to. BHP earned $7.2 billion in fiscal 2009.
