New bit platform

The company's Blackwater and Daunia mines in Queensland, which it recently purchased from BHP, produced 4.8 million tonnes.

China's imports of major commodities are often viewed through the prism of the performance of, and outlook for, the world's second-biggest economy.

The world's largest listed miner said iron ore output from Western Australia on a 100% basis was 76.8 million tonnes in the three months to June 30.

Environmental campaigners are challenging the approval of a coking coal mine in northwest England.