Coal miner lifts output

WHITEHAVEN Coal says it achieved a solid lift in production and sales the past quarter, helped by higher output from its mines and strong demand.

But the prices secured by the company during the three months were lower than market expectations, sending its shares lower yesterday.

The east coast miner revealed its production in the three months to September was up 14 per cent from a year earlier at 5.87 million tonnes of saleable coal as demand from customers in Asia remained strong.

Whitehaven shares dropped 11c, or 2.8 per cent, to closed yesterday at $3.77.