The company, however, said that reduced coking and spot thermal coal prices have resulted in decreased earnings from coal in the period starting 1 July 2012.
Xstrata said in a company release,"In response to industry-wide pressures, including low coal prices, high input costs and a strong Australian dollar against the US dollar, Xstrata Coal has initiated a planned restructuring of its business in Australia, including the reduction of around 600 contractor and permanent positions."
Through its subsidiary Xstrata Coal, the company settled annual thermal coal contracts at $97 a ton with Japanese customers in October.
The company also achieved an increased production of zinc and lead in the reported period.
