30 January 2013
QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF PRODUCTION, DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLORATION 1 OCTOBER TO 31 DECEMBER 2012 CURRAGH Production
Overburden removal was 8.5 per cent lower than the previous quarter due to a scheduled three week mine shutdown over the December/January period (two week impact in December) consistent with Curragh's focus during the quarter on cost control and operational efficiency.
Coal production for the quarter was 2,673,000 tonnes (comprising 1,814,000 tonnes of metallurgical coal and 859,000 tonnes of steaming coal), 6.4 per cent lower than the previous quarter due to the utilisation of lower yielding feed stocks and the scheduled mine shutdown. Metallurgical coal production decreased by 11.6 per cent and steaming coal production, in line with domestic contractual requirements, increased by 7.0 per cent compared to the previous quarter.
For the 12 months to 31 December 2012, metallurgical coal production increased 49.5 per cent to 7,997,000 tonnes, reflecting the practical completion of Curragh's new coal handling and preparation plant in June 2012.
There was no significant development activity during the quarter.
ExplorationThe Curragh North drilling program continued with 52 holes drilled during the quarter. The primary objectives were infill structural definition and coal quality analysis.
Wesfarmers Limited ABN 28 008 984 049
11th Floor, 40 The Esplanade, Perth, Western Australia 6000. GPO Box M978, Perth WA 6843. www.wesfarmers.com.au
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BENGALLA ProductionWesfarmers' share of coal production for the quarter was 827,000 tonnes, 25.1 per cent higher than the previous quarter due to operating in a more productive section of the mining sequence.
DevelopmentThere was no significant construction activity during the quarter.
ExplorationThere was no significant exploration activity during the quarter.
For further information:
Media: | Alan Carpenter | (+61) 8 9327 4267 / (+61) 438 903 674 |
Investors: | Mark Scatena | (+61) 8 9327 4416 / (+61) 439 979 398 |
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ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTIONMine | Ownership | Beneficial Interest | Coal Type | Quarter ended ('000 tonnes) | Full year ended ('000 tonnes) | % Change | ||||||
Mine | Ownership | Beneficial Interest | Coal Type | Dec-11 | Sep-12 | Dec-12 | Dec-10 | Dec-11 | Dec-12 | Dec Qtr 2012 V | Dec Qtr 2012 V | Yr to Dec 2012 V |
Mine | Ownership | Beneficial Interest | Coal Type | Dec-11 | Sep-12 | Dec-12 | Dec-10 | Dec-11 | Dec-12 | Dec Qtr 2011 | Sep Qtr 2012 | Yr to Dec 2011 |
Curragh Wesfarmers Curragh Pty Ltd
100% Metallurgical 1,567 2,053 1,814 6,272 5,350 7,997 15.8% (11.6%) 49.5%
Steaming 640 803 859 2,648 2,493 3,182 34.2% 7.0% 27.6%
Bengalla Wesfarmers Bengalla Limited
40% Steaming 493 661 827 2,191 2,147 2,811 67.7% 25.1% 30.9%
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