The newly acquired Ensham mine is forecast to ramp up output to about 4 million tons by 2026 from 2.9 million tons last year.

A consortium led by Golden Energy is sounding out private credit funds to finance its $1.65 billion acquisition of South32's Illawarra coal operation in Australia.

The storm has already led to the closure of a manganese mine on Groote Eylandt island, the world’s largest producer of the metal.

The decision follows its acquisition of the Lake Johnston nickel concentrator plant and tenure from Poseidon Nickel.

BHP has stood down around a quarter of the workers constructing its West Musgrave nickel and copper project in Western Australia.

Net loss after tax widened to A$31 million in the six-month period ended Dec. 31, from A$6.9 million a year earlier.