BHP Billiton Ltd. (ASX: BHP) has reported a 6 percent increase in its iron ore production, which meets higher steel demand and promotes wider expansion in Western Australia.

In a statement today, BHP, listed on the ASX, said its output was 32.0 million metric tons in the three months ending Sept. 30 coming from 30.1 million tons produced in the same period a year ago.

The world's biggest iron ore producer production of petroleum, the company's third-biggest earning unit, rose 3 percent to a record.

The company based in Melbourne further said it wants to double the size of its iron-ore production to 240 million tons annually beginning in 2013 to meet the rising demand from China still the world's largest metals consumer.

BHP said most of its metal mines are operating at full capacity because of strong demand.

There are 12 "buy" ratings, four "holds" and zero "sells", according to Bloomberg data.

"BHP Billiton remains positive on the prospects for many of its core commodities and the underlying performance of its business due to strength in the emerging economies and the ongoing delay in the supply side response," BHP said in the statement, that also noted uncertainty in developed economies.