BHP iron ore output scales new peak

MELBOURNE: BHP Billiton Ltd, the world's largest mining company, said first-quarter iron ore production rose to a record, driven by a rebound in global steel demand.

Output of the ore was 30.1 million metric tons in the three months ended Sept 30, compared with 29.8 million tons a year earlier, the Melbourne-based company said. Rio Tinto Group also had record ore output in the same period.