AUSTRALIA July 23 2014 2:35 PM 
PERTH (Scrap Register): BHP Billiton reported a strong copper, iron ore, aluminum and nickel production during the second quarter of this year.

BHP BHP Billiton copper production advanced by 2% year-on-year to 470 kilo tons during the second quarter of this year while its iron ore output rose sharply by 19% year-on-year to 203,564 kilo tons.

Aluminum production rose by 11% year-on-year to 1,174 kilo tons during the second quarter of this year while its nickel output up by 23% year-on-year to 143.2 kilo tons.

"Our focus on productivity has resulted in a significant improvement in operating pe rformance at each of our major businesses this year, with a nine per cent increase in Group production and record output at 12 operations," said Andrew Mackenzie, BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer.

"We expect to maintain strong momentum and remain on track to generate Group production growth of 16 per cent over the two years to the end of the 2015 financial year," Mackenzie added.