BHP Billiton’s (ASX:BHP) 60 per cent owned GEMCO operation is set to boost annual manganese output to 4.8 million tonnes from 4.2 million from the end of 2013.
The company says there is also scope to increase production to 5.9 million tonnes at the world’s largest manganese mine.
Tom Schutte, BHP’s head of manganese businesses, said the first-phase expansion confirmed GEMCO’s status as the lowest-cost producer of manganese ore, and the second expansion will further enhance its competitive advantages and help to create more options for growth.
The mine accounts for more than 15 per cent of the world’s high-grade manganese ore production.
BHP Billiton’s (ASX:BHP) reported a profit of $10.5 billion in the second half of 2010.
