Coal production from the Queensland and New South Wales coal mines rebounded from the severe rains in the first half of the year. Australian hard coking coal production set a new quarterly record and was 14% higher than third quarter of 2010 and 55% higher than the second quarter. Other production from the Australian coal operations favored semi-soft coal which was 57% higher than the third quarter of 2010 with thermal coal 3% lower.
Rio Tinto also completed the $3.7 billion Riversdale acquisition on and the Benga operation in Mozambique is on track to be commissioned by year-end with substantial growth options ahead.
