Higher coal production and prices boosted Exxaro's revenue by nearly 20percent to R5,8billion in its first half ended June from the same period last year. But losses from its Australian and KwaZulu-Natal mineral sands operations dragged its earnings before interest and tax down 10percent to R806million. Mike Kilbride, Exxaro's outgoing chief operating officer, said coal sales to Eskom's power stations hit a record 18,1million tons during the six month period. - Robert Laing

Higher coal production and prices boosted Exxaro's revenue by nearly 20percent to R5,8billion in its first half ended June from the same period last year. But losses from its Australian and KwaZulu-Natal mineral sands operations dragged its earnings before interest and tax down 10percent to R806million. Mike Kilbride, Exxaro's outgoing chief operating officer, said coal sales to Eskom's power stations hit a record 18,1million tons during the six month period. - Robert Laing