Australian coking coal volumes were 5% lower than the corresponding period in 2009, due to production ceasing at Tahmoor mine in New South Wales during industrial action, which has now been resolved. This was partly offset by the inclusion of production from Oaky No. 1, which was not fully operational in the third quarter of 2009.
South African production for the third quarter was 5% lower than the same period in 2009 as a result of the planned closure of Southstock in late 2009 and lower volumes at ATCOM East, which was impacted by heavy rain. These were partially offset by the ramp up of the newly completed Goedgevonden mine, which is on schedule to reach full capacity of 7 million mtpy of thermal coal in 2011.
