PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Coal miner Whitehaven Coal has reported a 37% decline in run-of-mine production compared with the June quarter as wet weather conditions impacted operations.

Run-of-mine production for the September quarter reached four-million tonnes, which was down 22% on the previous corresponding period, while total equity coal sales for the quarter reached 2.9-million tonnes, down 32% on the June quarter and down 14% on the previous corresponding period.

Managed coal sales for the September quarter were down 31% on the June quarter, and 12% on the previous corresponding period, to 3.7-million tonnes.

“With demand for high quality coal continuing to outstrip global supply, coal prices set another record in the September quarter and continue to be well supported,” said Whitehaven MD and CEO Paul Flynn.

The company achieved a record average coal price of A$581/t for the quarter, compared with the A$514/t reported in the June quarter.

“We delivered strong operational performance in the September quarter at our Narrabri underground mine but our opencut operations were impacted by wet weather and flood-related road closures in September. With La Niña forecast to be a feature through the spring season, we have been working constructively with councils and developing measures to minimise the impacts of weather delays and flood-related road closures as much as possible.

“Whitehaven generated A$1.55-billion of cash in the September quarter and we have a net cash position of A$1.93-billion at the end of September. The company is performing well for the benefit of all of our stakeholders, and Whitehaven is extremely well placed to continue to support energy security for our customers and to deliver strong returns for our shareholders,” said Flynn.

Despite the weather impacts, Whitehaven has maintained its production guidance for the 2023 financial year, with managed run-of-mine production targeted at between 20-million and 22-million tonnes, and managed coal sales between 17.5-million and 18.5-million tonnes at a unit cost of A$89/t to A$96/t.