South32 retains production outlook

Diversified miner South32 has reported an increase in coal and manganese production in the first quarter ended September, with the miner maintaining its production guidance for all of its operations for the full 2021. Energy coal production for the first quarter increased by 20% on the fourth quarter, to 6.7-million tonnes, while metallurgical coal production was up 22% on the previous quarter, to 1.8-million tonnes. Production during the first quarter was driven by a ramp-up of mining at the South African Energy Coal operations, following the disruption to operations relating to the nation-wide Covid-19 restrictions, while production at the Illawarra Metallurgical Coal project also increased with the successful return to a three longwall configuration in April.