BHP says does not plan to cut its iron ore output

SYDNEY: BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc said on Monday it had no plans to reduce its iron ore output. "We have no plans to cut production and our strong balance sheet enables us to reinvest throughout the cycle," said BHP spokesman Peter Ogden. Earlier on Monday, BHP's rival and takeover target, Rio Tinto Ltd , said it would cut 2008 iron ore shipments from Australia by 10 percent due to weakening demand from China.