West Australian miner Atlas Iron says it's on track to double production by the end of the year after increasing its shipments by 25 per cent in the June quarter.
The iron ore miner on Wednesday said it shipped 1.5 million tones during the June 2012 quarter, up 25 per cent on the March quarter, and consistent with the company's previous guidance.
Full year shipments to June of 5.57 million tonnes was a 21 per cent rise on the prior financial year and also in line with previous guidance, the company said.
Managing director Ken Brinsden said he was pleased with the production and cost figures given industry cost pressures, the impact of the Utah Point ship loader and adverse weather conditions earlier in the year.
"We have ensured Atlas is well on track to double production to 12 million tonnes per annum by the end of next year and we have made further significant progress in bedding down the reserves needed to underpin our longer-term production target of 46 million tonnes per annum ny 2017," Mr Brinsden said in a statement.
Atlas said cash operating costs were in line with previous guidance of $42 to $45 per tonne for the 2012 financial year.
The company also said it recorded a 70 per cent increase in Pilbara Ore Reserve to 414 million tonnes since it acquired FerrAus in the December 2011 Quarter.
Mr Brinsden said the reserve growth was a key step toward establishing the inventory to underpin the company's expansion strategy.
During the June quarter, Mark Hancock was appointed executive director of commercial and lawyer Geoff Simpson became an independent non-executive director, the company said.
Anton Rohner has been appointed chief financial officer, starting in October, 2012.
