Chinese demand boosts BHP Billiton

BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest mining company, increased production in its fourth quarter to meet demand from China.

The company set annual output records for iron ore, aluminium and nickel.

Iron ore production rose 6% to 20.5 million metric tons in the three months ended June 30, from 19.4 million tons a year earlier, BHP Billiton said.

Aluminium output rose 22% for the quarter.

Increased demand from China, the world’s fastest- growing economy, may help BHP Billiton report a 70% jump in full-year profit, according to estimates.