BC Iron says its Nullagine joint venture is now producing six million tonnes of iron ore per year in line with guidance.

The Pilbara iron ore miner said the joint venture with Fortescue Metals Group had now ramped up capacity from five to six million tonnes.

“I am delighted to report that we have hit our 6Mtpa throughput rate well before the end of this financial year, which is comfortably within our market guidance of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013,” BC Iron’s managing director Morgan Ball said.

The company expects its production level to be maintained for the life of the joint venture.

Shares in the company fell five cents, or 1.7 per cent, to $2.93 at 1433 AEST.