BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) has bad weather to blame for a drop in third quarter production levels, but are still achieving record production figures in iron ore, condensate and manganese ore, and crude oil.
Total petroleum products for the March quarter declined four per cent, as delays in the Gulf of Mexico and tropical cyclones in Western Australia hit operations.
Iron ore wasn’t hit quite as badly, dropping one per cent due to seasonal weather, but coking coal dropped off 14 per cent.
Energy coal production for the mining giant gained six per cent, reflecting success in the recently commissioned Newcastle Coal Infrastructure group.
BHP Billiton posted a net profit of $10.5 billion, in the six months to December 31, 2010.
