Australian iron ore development company BC Iron said it has mined a record 809,753 tons for the quarter, up 19% on last quarter at its Nullagine joint venture (NJV) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, a 50:50 JV with Fortescue Metals Group.

The shipments were 1,033,290 tons, an increase of 51%, and 2.1Mt have been shipped for the financial year to date

The company said the crushing and screening plant is operating at sustained rates above the initial name-plate capacity of 3Mtpa.

First of the two planned upgrades started during April following which crushing and screening will achieve a rate of 5Mtpa.

The second upgrade will occur early in the next financial year and result in a capacity increase to nearly 5.5Mt per annum by the end of the financial year 2012.

Total channel iron deposit (CID) mineral resource explored was 106.2Mt, an increase from 102.9Mt, with grading of 54.1% and 61.8% CaFe.

The joint venture currently holds an updated ore reserve of 42.4Mt grading 57% Fe and 64.8% CaFe while its Bonnie East has an ore reserve of 7.7Mt grading 57.2% Fe and 65% CaFe while mining will begin at Warrigal during August 2012.