Portman Ltd is faced with rising pressure in 2006 due to rising costs and labor shortages. The iron ore mining company announced that they will delay expansions at their West Australian mines as a result and this will cause production for the year to drop. Net profit for the first half of the year increased by 30.6 percent totaling $52.3 million with revenue rising by 30.9 percent to $208.78 million. Despite the rise in first half figures, it is expected that the company will not meet their full year predictions. "Cost pressures remain extremely strong ... salaries, fuel, consumable and construction costs are of particular concern," said company managing director Richard Mehan and this is seeing a drop in sales volume for the year. (Aug. 31)