Finally, the company warned that cash costs per tonne will increase by around $4 in 2013-14 as a result of underutilised port and rail infrastructure due to the slow ramp up of projects. Whitehaven blamed the delayed start at its Narrabri site last year and the slow approval process for its Maules Creek site had resulted in surplus capacity which the company would have to compensate for out of existing cashflow. Foolish takeaway Whitehaven is a relatively high cost coal producer with a history of cost overruns and delays to key projects. The company recently refinanced the majority of its debt and is in a relatively good position assuming there are no medium-sized problems in coming years. Major issues such as further delays to the company's Maules Creek flagship mine may spell disaster for the company.