Australia-based mining and materials company Arrium Limited has announced that it produced a record 3.14 million mt of iron ore in the first quarter of the current year, up 22 percent compared to the previous quarter. The company's iron ore shipments in the given quarter amounted to 1.97 million mt, increasing by eight percent quarter on quarter.

According to Arrium, once completed, the Whyalla port expansion project will increase Arrium Mining's port capacity by approximately 7 million mt per year to 13 million mt per year. As of March 31, 2013, the company had spent A$171 million on the port expansion.

Arrium expects sales for the full financial year to reach 8.2-8.4 million mt, remaining unchanged from the previous guidance.