Rains, cyclones cut BHP's production

Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton has blamed cyclones and higher rainfall for reduced group production in key areas during the March quarter.

But the world's largest resources company said that despite the weather setbacks to iron ore, coal and petroleum, it achieved record year-to-date production in nickel, copper, natural gas and aluminium for the nine months to March.

The diversified mining house said group iron ore output dropped 5 percent to 22.5 million tons in the March quarter. - Sapa-AFP, Sydney