Feb 16 (Reuters) - Australian miner Whitehaven Coal WHC.AX on Friday said its first-half underlying profit rose by about 63 percent, thanks to rising coal prices and higher output, and having slashed debt, it resumed paying a regular dividend.
Net profit rose to A$257.2 million ($204.03 million) for the half year ended Dec. 31 from A$157.5 million a year ago. The company also announced an interim dividend of 13 Australian cents a share - its first regular dividend since 2012.
($1 = 1.2596 Australian dollars)