Global miner Glencore reported a 4.8% drop in total coal production for the first half of 2026, with output reaching 60.9 million tonnes compared with 64 million tonnes a year earlier.

Thermal coal output totaled 47.4 million tonnes in January-June, down 1.9% year on year, reflecting voluntary production cuts at the Cerrejon mine implemented from the second quarter of 2025 in response to market conditions.

Cerrejon produced 8.3 million tonnes of coal in the first half, down 6.7% from 8.9 million tonnes a year earlier.

Glencore's Australian thermal coal output stood at 30.6 million tonnes in the period, down 1.6% year on year. Export-grade thermal coal reached 25.8 million tonnes, up 0.4%, while domestic thermal coal fell 21.1% to 3 million tonnes. Semi-soft coking coal output rose 12.5% to 1.8 million tonnes.

South African thermal coal production rose 2.4% to 8.5 million tonnes, with export-grade output flat at 6.3 million tonnes and domestic output up 10% to 2.2 million tonnes.

Metallurgical coal output fell 14% year on year to 13.5 million tonnes in the first half, driven by lower coal recovery rates at the acquired Canadian Elk Valley Resources assets and weather-related challenges. Canadian met coal production dropped 18.9% to 10.3 million tonnes.

Australian met coal output rose 6.7% to 3.2 million tonnes, up 200,000 tonnes from a year earlier, as production gradually recovered following an underground water inrush incident at the Oaky Creek mine.

In the second quarter, Glencore's total coal output was 31.5 million tonnes, down 2.5% year on year but up 7.1% quarter on quarter. Thermal coal output reached 24.5 million tonnes, down 1.6% year on year and up 7% from the previous quarter.

Australian thermal coal output in the April-June period was 15.8 million tonnes, with export-grade output at 13.4 million tonnes, down 6.3% year on year but up 8.1% quarter on quarter. Domestic thermal coal fell 23.5% both year on year and quarter on quarter to 1.3 million tonnes. Semi-soft coking coal output rose 22.2% year on year and 57.1% quarter on quarter to 1.1 million tonnes.

South African thermal coal output in the second quarter was 4.4 million tonnes, with export-grade output up 3.1% year on year and 10% quarter on quarter to 3.3 million tonnes. Domestic thermal coal rose 22.2% year on year to 1.1 million tonnes, flat quarter on quarter. Cerrejon output was 4.3 million tonnes, up 10.3% year on year and 7.5% quarter on quarter.

Met coal output in the second quarter was 7 million tonnes, down 5.4% year on year but up 7.7% quarter on quarter. Canadian met coal output fell 18% year on year and 5.7% quarter on quarter to 5 million tonnes. Australian met coal output surged 53.8% year on year and 66.7% quarter on quarter to 2 million tonnes, driven by the completion of longwall moves at Oaky Creek and reduced rainfall.

Glencore's average thermal coal sales price in the first half was $93.9/t, up from $78.6/t a year earlier. The average met coal sales price rose to $206.9/t from $167.1/t.

The company slightly raised its full-year 2026 thermal coal production guidance to 96-101 million tonnes from the previous 95-100 million tonnes. Met coal guidance was adjusted to 30-32 million tonnes from 30-34 million tonnes.