BHP Billiton Limited’s (ASX:BHP, NYSE:BHP) March quarter production report has come in broadly in line with expectations, despite some mixed results.
The global miner produced 38 million tonnes of iron ore in the first three months of this year.
The result was 14 per cent higher from March quarter last year but 8 per cent lower from the prior December quarter, weighed down by wet weather conditions.
First quarter metallurgical coal output also gained 10 per cent from the year before but fell 14 per cent from the quarter before, as the miner battled strikes and heavy rainfall at its Queensland operations.
BHP reported a net profit of $9.9 billion in the first half of its 2012 financial year.
