Production and sales report for the six months ended 30 June 2010

Total iron ore production increased by 6% to 10.4Mt in the second quarter from a year earlier and by 15% to 21.9Mt for the six months ended 30 June 2010. This was due mainly to the 30% increase to 3.1Mt production delivered by the Jig plant during the quarter and the 45% increase to 6.4Mt for the six months, as well as an 8% increase to 14.6Mt in performance from the DMS plant for the six months.

Export sales for the second quarter of 2010 of 9.5Mt decreased by 14% from a year earlier. This was due to the record sales achieved of 11.0Mt in 2009 as lost volumes from the first quarter were sold in the second quarter by redirecting volumes to China. Total export sales for the six months of 18.8Mt were 10% higher than the 17.1Mt sold during the same period in 2009. The increase in export sales reflects the strengthening of demand from traditional markets and China.