BHP joins Rio in cutting iron ore output forecast

Perth

BHP Billiton Ltd, the world's biggest mining company, cut its iron ore production forecast for its Australian mines by 4 per cent because of bad weather and rail network maintenance, adding to bullish signals for the global market.

Output from its mines in Western Australia may be 260 million metric tonnes this fiscal year, Melbourne-based BHP said on Wednesday. Rio Tinto Group lowered its iron ore production forecasts on Tuesday, citing delays in implementing a driverless train system in the nation's Pilbara region.