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BHP BILLITON PLC - PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2004
Bhp Billiton Plc
Jse Share Code: BIL
ISIN Code: GB0000566504
PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2004
BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March
2004.
Production for all major minerals commodities higher than the March 2003
quarter.
Strong natural gas and LPG production compared with the March 2003 quarter.
Record quarterly aluminium production resulting from the ramp up of production
at the Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansion.
Record quarterly alumina production.
Record silver and lead production at Cannington (Australia) as a result of the
ongoing debottlenecking project.
Record quarterly nickel production.
* Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the March 2004 quarter was
29.8 million barrels of oil equivalent, five per cent higher than the March
2003 quarter and 2 per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter.
* Oil and Condensate - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 14.3
million barrels, six per cent lower than the 15.3 million barrels
produced in the March 2003 quarter. This was mainly due to natural
field decline in Laminaria (Australia), Griffin (Australia), Bass
Strait (Australia), North West Shelf (Australia) and Liverpool Bay
(UK) plus the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia in the
current quarter. This was partly offset by new production resulting
from the commissioning of Ohanet (Algeria) in October 2003, Boris
North (USA) in September 2003 and Boris South (USA) in February 2003.
Production for the quarter was four per cent lower than the 14.9
million barrels produced in the December 2003 quarter, reflecting
natural decline across the portfolio, higher cyclone downtime at North
West Shelf and Griffin and the divestment of our producing assets in
Bolivia. This was partly offset by the first full quarter production
from Ohanet.
* Natural Gas - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 76.5 billion
cubic feet, 14 per cent higher than the 67.0 billion cubic feet
produced in the March 2003 quarter. This was due to increased demand
from Bass Strait and the commissioning of the Zamzama Phase 1
development (Pakistan). These factors were partly offset by cyclone
downtime in North West Shelf and Griffin and the divestment of our
producing assets in Bolivia. Production for the quarter was one per
cent lower than the 77.6 billion cubic feet produced in the December
2003 quarter due to cyclone downtime at North West Shelf and Griffin
and divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly
offset by increased demand from Bass Strait and improved efficiency at
Bruce (UK) following maintenance shutdowns in the previous quarter.
* Alumina - Production for the March 2004 quarter was a record 1.1 million
tonnes, six per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter, mainly due to
stronger production at Worsley (Australia). Production was in line with
the December 2003 quarter.
* Aluminium - Production for the March 2004 quarter was a record 333,000
tonnes, 25 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter mainly reflecting
the ramp up of production from the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) and Hillside 3
expansions, which reached full commissioning in August 2003 and December
2003 respectively. Production was eight per cent higher than the December
2003 quarter mainly due to the ramp up of production at Hillside and higher
production at Alumar (Brazil) following an electrical outage in July 2003.
* Copper - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 240,600 tonnes, four per
cent higher than the March 2003 quarter and six per cent higher than the
December 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects higher production at Escondida
(Chile) and Tintaya (Peru), partly offset by sale of the Group"s interest
in Highland Valley Copper (Canada) and Alumbrera (Argentina) in January
2004 and April 2003 respectively.
* Iron Ore - Western Australian production of 22.3 million tonnes (100 per
cent basis) was in line with the December 2003 quarter and 26 per cent
higher than the March 2003 quarter due to ongoing strong market conditions,
and increased Chinese demand for iron ore. Despatches from Western
Australia also remained strong with the March 2004 quarter in line with the
December 2003 quarter and 13 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter.
Total iron ore production of 21.1 million tones (BHP Billiton share) from
Western Australia and Samarco (Brazil) was in line with the December 2003
quarter and 22 per cent higher than the March 2003 period.
* Metallurgical Coal - Production for the quarter of 8.5 million tonnes was
in line with both the December 2003 and March 2003 quarters, reflecting
continued strong market conditions. Queensland Coal (Australia) production
of 7.1 million tonnes in the March 2004 quarter was in line with the
December 2003 and March 2003 quarters, while Illawarra Coal (Australia)
production of 1.5 million tonnes was in line with the December 2003 quarter
and four per cent lower than the March 2003 quarter. The decrease in
production at Illawarra reflects difficult mining conditions at the West
Cliff colliery.
* Manganese - Ore production of 1.3 million tonnes was 42 per cent higher
than the March 2003 quarter and five per cent higher than the December 2003
quarter, reflecting increased customer demand, particularly from China.
Alloy production of 179,000 tonnes was in line with both the March 2003 and
December 2003 quarters, reflecting continued strong market conditions.
* Hot briquetted iron - Production for the March 2004 quarter of 399,000
tonnes was 24 per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter and 14 per cent
lower than the March 2003 quarter. The decrease in production was due to
maintenance activities and adverse weather conditions during the period.
* Ekati(TM) Diamonds - Production of 1.0 million carats was lower than the
1.7 million carats produced in the December 2003 quarter. This decrease
reflects the completion of processing from a pocket of high grade material
from the Koala pit in December 2003. March 2004 quarter production was in
line with the March 2003 quarter.
* Energy Coal - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 21.3 million
tonnes, eight per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter. The increase is
mainly due to higher production at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia), New Mexico
Coal (USA) San Juan mine and the ramp up at Mount Arthur North (Australia).
Production was seven per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter mainly
due to higher production at New Mexico Coal along with lower production at
Cerrejon Coal in December 2003 due to adverse weather conditions.
Production at Ingwe (South Africa) was in line with both the March 2003 and
December 2003 quarters.
* Nickel - Production for the quarter of 21,200 tonnes was 14 per cent higher
than the March 2003 quarter, mainly reflecting the benefit of ongoing
process enhancements arising from the operating excellence initiatives at
both Cerro Matoso (Colombia) and Yabulu (Australia). Production was six
per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter due to the conversion of
work in process inventories to finished goods at Yabulu following scheduled
maintenance in the December 2003 quarter.
BHP BILLITON
PRODUCTION SUMMARY
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED % CHANGE
MAR MAR YTD
Q04 Q04 04
MARCH DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH vs vs vs
2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 MAR DEC YTD
Q03 Q03 03
Petroleum
Crude oil & ("000 15,310 14,877 14,341 44,730 50,258 -6% -4% -11%
condensate bbl)
Natural gas (bcf) 66.99 77.57 76.47 239.23 208.26 14% -1% 15%
LPG ("000 160.62 200.51 217.83 617.67 537.55 36% 9% 15%
tonnes)
Ethane ("000 22.35 25.25 16.59 69.16 69.93 -26% -34% -1%
tonnes)
Total (million 28.4 30.2 29.8 92.1 91.5 5% -2% 1%
Petroleum boe)
Products
ALUMINIUM
Alumina ("000 1,003 1,050 1,062 3,165 3,032 6% 1% 4%
tonnes)
Aluminium ("000 267 308 333 923 801 25% 8% 15%
tonnes)
BASE METALS
Copper ("000 231.3 226.8 240.6 681.8 641.4 4% 6% 6%
tonnes)
Lead (tonnes) 59,065 55,211 70,838 185,413 180,653 20% 28% 3%
Zinc (tonnes) 46,755 45,912 35,194 130,200 139,412 -25% -23% -7%
Gold (ounces) 57,802 32,085 32,983 94,238 182,130 -43% 3% -48%
Silver ("000 10,355 9,980 12,055 32,631 31,485 16% 21% 4%
ounces)
Molybdenum (tonnes) 373 290 81 696 1,051 -78% -72% -34%
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
Iron ore ("000 17,237 21,728 21,085 63,683 54,312 22% -3% 17%
tonnes)
Metallurgic ("000 8,556 8,445 8,532 26,076 25,596 0% 1% 2%
al coal tonnes)
Manganese ("000 890 1,199 1,264 3,616 3,044 42% 5% 19%
ores tonnes)
Manganese ("000 177 183 179 509 542 1% -2% -6%
alloys tonnes)
Hot ("000 465 527 399 1,422 1,212 -14% -24% 17%
briquetted tonnes)
iron
DIAMONDS AND
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Diamonds ("000 1,015 1,704 1,015 4,271 3,040 0% -40% 40%
carats)
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal ("000 19,735 19,978 21,279 62,391 59,712 8% 7% 4%
tonnes)
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
Nickel ("000 18.6 20.0 21.2 61.8 57.1 14% 6% 8%
tonnes)
Ferrochrome ("000 263 269 266 762 731 1% -1% 4%
tonnes)
Throughout this report figures in italics indicate adjustments made since
the figure was previously reported.
BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE
PRODUCTION
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
BHP MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
Billiton
Interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & (000 15,310 15,635 15,512 14,877 14,341 44,730 50,258
condensate bbl)
Natural gas (bcf) 66.99 72.91 85.19 77.57 76.47 239.23 208.26
LPG ("000 160.62 205.57 199.33 200.51 217.83 617.67 537.55
tonnes)
Ethane ("000 22.35 24.97 27.32 25.25 16.59 69.16 69.93
tonnes)
Total Petroleum (million 28.4 30.3 32.1 30.2 29.8 92.1 91.5
Products boe)
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINA
Production ("000
tonnes)
Worsley 86% 658 724 699 700 704 2,103 2,018
Suriname 45% 222 223 227 230 228 685 656
Alumar 36% 123 113 127 120 130 377 358
Total 1,003 1,060 1,053 1,050 1,062 3,165 3,032
ALUMINIUM
Production ("000
tonnes)
Hillside 100% 133 132 135 151 169 455 402
Bayside 100% 48 46 47 46 45 138 139
Alumar 46.3% 45 45 31 36 44 111 133
Valesul 45.5% 10 11 11 11 11 33 32
Mozal 47% 31 39 58 64 64 186 95
Total 267 273 282 308 333 923 801
BASE METALS (a)
COPPER
Payable metal in
concentrate ("000 tonnes)
Escondida (b) 57.5% 118.5 126.6 115.9 109.1 130.8 355.8 292.5
Tintaya (c) 100% - - - 15.0 22.9 37.9 -
Antamina 33.8% 23.6 21.2 16.9 20.5 24.6 62.0 75.7
Alumbrera (d) 25% 9.9 - - - - - 34.4
Highland Valley 33.6% 13.2 13.8 14.1 14.2 - 28.3 42.4
Copper (e)
Selbaie (f) 100% 1.7 1.8 1.6 1.8 0.8 4.1 6.6
Total 166.9 163.4 148.5 160.6 179.1 488.1 451.6
Cathode ("000
tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 20.4 21.1 21.4 21.8 21.7 64.9 57.4
Cerro Colorado 100% 32.5 33.0 33.1 33.0 28.1 94.2 98.1
Tintaya (c) 100% 9.0 9.1 9.0 9.0 9.3 27.3 26.3
Pinto Valley 100% 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 7.3 8.0
Total 64.4 65.8 66.0 66.2 61.5 193.7 189.8
LEAD
Payable metal in
concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington 100% 58,711 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 185,413 178,038
Pering (g) 100% 354 - - - - - 2,615
Total 59,065 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 185,413 180,653
ZINC
Payable metal in
concentate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 15,480 18,479 14,850 11,692 13,589 40,131 45,383
Antamina 33.8% 20,519 28,553 27,933 27,026 19,099 74,058 54,132
Selbaie (f) 100% 6,421 7,364 6,311 7,194 2,506 16,011 22,801
Pering (g) 100% 4,335 - - - - - 17,096
Total 46,755 54,396 49,094 45,912 35,194 130,200 139,412
Refer footnotes on page 4.
BASE METALS
(continued)
GOLD
Payable metal in
concentrate (ounces)
Escondida (b) 57.5% 17,458 20,664 25,016 24,833 27,561 77,410 43,468
Tintaya (c) 100% - - - 2,658 4,009 6,667 -
Alumbrera (d) 25% 35,084 - - - - - 121,303
Selbaie (f) 100% 4,146 4,081 3,129 3,428 1,413 7,970 13,701
Highland Valley 33.6% 1,114 1,007 1,025 1,166 - 2,191 3,658
Copper (e)
Total 57,802 25,752 29,170 32,085 32,983 94,238 182,130
SILVER
Payable metal in
concentrate ("000 ounces)
Cannington 100% 8,773 8,161 9,177 8,287 10,485 27,949 26,711
Escondida 57.5% 471 538 561 550 605 1,716 1,162
Antamina 33.8% 617 517 435 494 588 1,517 1,710
Tintaya (c) 100.0% - - - 170 239 409 -
Alumbrera (d) 25.0% 75 - - - - - 200
Highland Valley 33.6% 140 143 160 163 - 323 461
Copper (e)
Selbaie (f) 100% 279 284 263 316 138 717 1,241
Total 10,355 9,643 10,596 9,980 12,055 32,631 31,485
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal in
concentrate (tonnes)
Antamina 33.8% 113 21 25 20 81 126 321
Highland Valley 33.6% 260 280 300 270 - 570 730
Copper (e)
Total 373 301 325 290 81 696 1,051
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
IRON ORE (h)
Production ("000
tonnes)
Mt Newman Joint 85% 4,964 6,221 6,639 6,707 6,031 19,377 15,737
Venture
Goldsworthy 85% 1,497 1,497 1,633 1,477 1,348 4,458 5,196
Joint Venture
(i)
Area C Joint 85% - 19 341 1,048 1,768 3,157 -
Venture (j)
Yandi Joint 85% 7,452 8,353 8,679 9,005 8,429 26,113 23,435
Venture
Jimblebar 100% 1,371 1,428 1,622 1,520 1,647 4,789 3,990
Samarco 50% 1,953 1,902 1,956 1,971 1,862 5,789 5,954
Total 17,237 19,420 20,870 21,728 21,085 63,683 54,312
METALLURGICAL
COAL (k)
Production ("000
tonnes)
BMA 50% 5,838 5,769 5,591 5,395 5,263 16,249 15,522
BHP Mitsui Coal 80% 1,200 2,033 1,926 1,591 1,811 5,328 4,535
(l)
Illawarra 100% 1,518 1,224 1,582 1,459 1,458 4,499 5,539
Total 8,556 9,026 9,099 8,445 8,532 26,076 25,596
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable
production ("000
tonnes)
South Africa (m) 60% 534 574 600 651 604 1,855 1,675
Australia (m) 60% 356 484 553 548 660 1,761 1,369
Total 890 1,058 1,153 1,199 1,264 3,616 3,044
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable
production ("000
tonnes)
South Africa (m) 60% 117 137 93 122 116 331 366
Australia (m) 60% 60 58 54 61 63 178 176
Total 177 195 147 183 179 509 542
Refer footnotes on page 4.
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS
(cont"d)
HOT BRIQUETTED
IRON
Production ("000
tonnes)
Boodarie(TM) 100% 465 458 496 527 399 1,422 1,212
Iron
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production ("000
carats)
Ekati(TM) 80% 1,015 1,300 1,552 1,704 1,015 4,271 3,040
ENERGY COAL
Production ("000
tonnes)
South Africa 100% 13,256 13,812 13,782 13,472 13,231 40,485 40,427
USA 100% 3,147 3,877 3,560 2,829 3,687 10,076 10,286
Australia 100% 1,922 2,041 1,756 2,054 2,318 6,128 4,400
Indonesia (n) 80% 28 - - - - - 273
Colombia 33% 1,382 2,261 2,036 1,623 2,043 5,702 4,326
Total 19,735 21,991 21,134 19,978 21,279 62,391 59,712
STAINLESS STEEL
MATERIALS
NICKEL
Production ("000
tonnes)
CMSA 99.8% 11.1 12.2 12.4 12.2 12.5 37.1 34.7
Yabulu 100% 7.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.7 24.7 22.4
Total 18.6 21.0 20.6 20.0 21.2 61.8 57.1
FERROCHROME
Saleable
production ("000
tonnes)
South Africa (m) 60% 263 259 227 269 266 762 731
(a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.
(b) The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002.
(c) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily reduced in January 2002
due to weak market conditions.
Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.
(d) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March
2003.The sale transaction reached closure in June 2003.
(e) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect
from January 3, 2004.
(f) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine
plan.Shipments are expected to cease in May 2004.
(g) Production ceased at Pering, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003.
(h) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(i) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003.
(j) Production commenced in May 2003.
(k) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product.Production
figures include some thermal coal.
(l) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest.
(m) Shown on 100% basis.BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
(n) Production shown on 86.5% basis after allowing for Indonesian state
owned corporation"s 13.5% share of production.
Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE
("000 barrels)
Bass Strait 5,391 5,643 5,872 5,333 5,174 16,379 17,989
North West Shelf - 1,566 1,560 1,491 1,204 1,352 4,047 4,678
condensate
North West Shelf - 1,679 1,606 1,604 1,675 1,519 4,798 5,210
Wanaea/Cossack
Laminaria 1,419 1,161 1,151 966 928 3,045 6,202
Griffin 831 708 742 563 380 1,685 3,201
Pakistan 16 14 53 53 50 156 51
Typhoon/Boris 852 1,430 1,214 1,605 1,457 4,276 2,739
(a)
Americas 816 715 608 586 332 1,526 2,186
Liverpool Bay 2,174 2,344 2,324 2,061 1,926 6,311 6,475
Bruce/Keith 566 454 453 387 423 1,263 1,527
Algeria (b) 444 800 1,244 -
Total 15,310 15,635 15,512 14,877 14,341 44,730 50,258
NATURAL GAS (billion
cubic feet)
Bass Strait 17.51 25.37 33.04 23.86 24.95 81.85 71.65
North West 3.81 4.07 3.99 3.95 3.91 11.85 11.25
Shelf -
Domestic
North West 15.11 15.41 16.74 14.93 13.74 45.41 46.59
Shelf - LNG
Griffin 0.81 0.81 0.96 0.90 0.44 2.30 2.79
Pakistan 2.57 2.33 7.86 7.83 7.51 23.20 8.16
Typhoon/Boris 2.03 2.03 1.58 2.41 2.14 6.13 4.12
(a)
Americas 3.34 3.42 3.25 3.73 2.60 9.58 11.05
Bruce 10.04 8.17 8.77 8.52 9.27 26.56 25.18
Keith 0.15 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.17 0.36 0.37
Liverpool Bay 11.62 11.16 8.89 11.36 11.74 31.99 27.10
Total 66.99 72.91 85.19 77.57 76.47 239.23 208.26
LPG ("000
tonnes)
Bass Strait 111.74 135.18 150.19 130.02 111.26 391.47 376.63
North West 32.67 32.39 34.21 28.11 29.59 91.91 100.03
Shelf
Bruce 15.10 37.24 14.12 17.71 18.40 50.23 58.02
Keith 1.11 0.76 0.81 0.31 0.82 1.94 2.87
Algeria (b) 24.36 57.76 82.12 -
Total 160.62 205.57 199.33 200.51 217.83 617.67 537.55
ETHANE ("000 22.35 24.97 27.32 25.25 16.59 69.16 69.93
tonnes)
TOTAL PETROLEUM 28.4 30.3 32.1 30.2 29.8 92.15 91.50
PRODUCTS
(million barrels of oil equivalent) (c)
(a) Boris commenced production in February 2003.
(b) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003.
(c) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions based on the
following:
6000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe
1 tonne of LPG equals 11.6 boe
1 tonne of ethane equals 4.4667 boe
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
("000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Production
Worsley, 658 724 699 700 704 2,103 2,018
Australia
Paranam, 222 223 227 230 228 685 656
Suriname
Alumar, Brazil 123 113 127 120 130 377 358
Total 1,003 1,060 1,053 1,050 1,062 3,165 3,032
Sales
Worsley, 751 636 697 740 652 2,089 2,115
Australia
Paranam, 243 228 221 250 233 704 697
Suriname
Alumar, Brazil 124 107 120 128 144 392 379
Total 1,118 971 1,038 1,118 1,029 3,185 3,191
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, 133 132 135 151 169 455 402
South Africa
Bayside, South 48 46 47 46 45 138 139
Africa
Alumar, Brazil 45 45 31 36 44 111 133
Valesul, 10 11 11 11 11 33 32
Brazil
Mozal, 31 39 58 64 64 186 95
Mozambique
Total 267 273 282 308 333 923 801
Sales
Hillside, 133 143 134 145 176 455 392
South Africa
Bayside, South 48 48 54 35 49 138 140
Africa
Alumar, Brazil 38 51 38 25 39 102 128
Valesul, 9 10 11 12 11 34 30
Brazil
Mozal, 33 41 61 40 78 179 95
Mozambique
Total 261 293 298 257 353 908 785
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Escondida,
Chile (a)
Material mined ("000 73,466 74,665 69,342 82,909 78,723 230,974 222,440
(100%) tonnes)
Sulphide ore ("000 16,744 16,416 18,888 18,299 19,618 56,805 41,518
milled (100%) tonnes)
Average copper (%) 1.49% 1.62% 1.33% 1.31% 1.48% 1.38% 1.52%
grade
Production ex ("000 210.8 230.9 208.2 197.1 239.6 644.9 528.2
Mill (100%) tonnes)
Production
Payable copper ("000 118.5 126.6 115.9 109.1 130.8 355.8 292.5
tonnes)
Payable gold (fine 17,458 20,664 25,016 24,833 27,561 77,410 43,468
concentrate ounces)
Copper cathode ("000 20.4 21.1 21.4 21.8 21.7 64.9 57.4
(SXEW) tonnes)
Payable silver ("000 471 538 561 550 605 1,716 1,162
concentrate ounces)
Sales
Payable copper ("000 113.5 128.9 116.2 114.8 127.3 358.3 295.3
tonnes)
Payable gold (fine 17,166 20,138 25,335 26,984 28,545 80,864 45,564
concentrate ounces)
Copper cathode ("000 19.3 20.3 18.1 23.8 26.2 68.1 56.9
(SXEW) tonnes)
Payable silver ("000 484 584 574 634 612 1,820 1,153
concentrate ounces)
(a) Includes production from the Escondida Phase IV expansion which
commissioned in October 2002.
Tintaya, Peru
(a)
Material mined ("000 - - 4,151 17,450 17,206 38,807 -
tonnes)
Ore milled ("000 - - - 1,408 1,609 3,017 -
tonnes)
Average copper (%) - - - 1.38% 1.61% 1.50% -
grade
Production
Payable copper ("000 - - - 15.0 22.9 37.9 -
tonnes)
Payable gold (fine - - - 2,658 4,009 6,667 -
concentrate ounces)
Copper cathode ("000 9.0 9.1 9.0 9.0 9.3 27.3 26.3
(SXEW) tonnes)
Payable silver ("000 - - - 170.0 238.5 408.5 -
concentrate ounces)
Sales
Payable copper ("000 - - - 10.6 23.1 33.7 -
tonnes)
Payable gold (fine - - - 3,086 4,372 7,458 -
concentrate ounces)
Copper cathode ("000 8.7 9.5 8.9 8.7 8.2 25.8 25.4
(SXEW) tonnes)
Payable silver ("000 - - - 100.0 240.1 340.1 -
concentrate ounces)
(a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended in January
2002 due to weak market conditions.
Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.
Cerro Colorado,
Chile
Material mined ("000 16,564 16,458 20,332 19,855 16,199 56,386 49,554
tonnes)
Ore milled ("000 3,916 4,130 4,346 4,405 3,700 12,451 11,617
tonnes)
Average copper (%) 1.00% 0.96% 0.99% 1.00% 0.92% 0.97% 1.00%
grade
Production
Copper cathode ("000 32.5 33.0 33.1 33.0 28.1 94.2 98.1
tonnes)
Sales
Copper cathode ("000 39.3 31.5 28.9 35.2 27.8 91.9 95.6
tonnes)
Antamina, Peru
Material mined ("000 25,290 28,353 30,174 28,474 28,588 87,236 81,322
(100%) tonnes)
Ore milled ("000 6,424 6,697 6,018 7,273 6,954 20,245 19,613
(100%) tonnes)
Average head
grades
- Copper (%) 1.32% 1.09% 1.17% 1.17% 1.26% 1.20% 1.35%
- Zinc (%) 1.54% 1.97% 2.17% 1.77% 1.48% 1.79% 1.32%
Production
Payable copper ("000 23.6 21.2 16.9 20.5 24.6 62.0 75.7
tonnes)
Payable zinc (tonnes) 20,519 28,553 27,933 27,026 19,099 74,058 54,132
Payable silver ("000 617 517 435 494 588 1,517 1,710
ounces)
Payable ("000 0.11 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.08 0.13 0.32
molybdenum tonnes)
Sales
Payable copper ("000 22.4 21.2 18.6 22.6 20.2 61.4 78.8
tonnes)
Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,400 31,034 26,781 26,928 14,219 67,928 48,991
Payable silver ("000 575 435 420 491 423 1,334 1,695
ounces)
Payable ("000 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.29
molybdenum tonnes)
Cannington,
Australia
Material mined ("000 601 588 637 699 729 2,065 1,805
tonnes)
Ore milled ("000 589 560 589 598 698 1,885 1,752
tonnes)
Average head
grades
- Silver (g/t) 550 525 564 497 539 533 550
- Lead (%) 11.8% 12.1% 11.5% 10.5% 11.4% 11.2% 11.8%
- Zinc (%) 4.3% 5.3% 4.0% 3.4% 3.5% 3.6% 4.3%
Production
Payable silver ("000 8,773 8,161 9,177 8,287 10,485 27,949 26,711
ounces)
Payable lead (tonnes) 58,711 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 185,413 178,038
Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,480 18,479 14,850 11,692 13,589 40,131 45,383
Sales
Payable silver ("000 8,800 8,412 6,765 10,716 8,569 26,050 27,225
ounces)
Payable lead (tonnes) 58,366 58,742 43,953 69,447 56,259 169,659 180,985
Payable zinc (tonnes) 18,155 13,288 16,223 15,443 12,790 44,456 45,111
Selbaie, Canada
(a)
Ore milled ("000 919 982 858 1,017 346 2,221 2,967
tonnes)
Average head
grades
- Zinc (%) 1.11% 1.18% 1.13% 1.13% 1.16% 1.14% 1.20%
- Copper (%) 0.25% 0.24% 0.25% 0.24% 0.30% 0.25% 0.29%
- Gold (g/t) 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.24 0.21 0.24
- Silver (g/t) 22.15 20.62 22.38 24.25 26.64 23.90 26.93
Production
Payable zinc (tonnes) 6,421 7,364 6,311 7,194 2,506 16,011 22,801
Payable copper (tonnes) 1,654 1,768 1,606 1,764 770 4,140 6,554
Payable gold (ounces) 4,146 4,081 3,129 3,428 1,413 7,970 13,701
concentrate
Payable silver ("000 279 284 263 316 138 717 1,241
ounces)
Sales
Payable zinc (tonnes) 6,649 6,812 6,209 7,429 4,127 17,765 23,755
Payable copper (tonnes) 2,751 1,612 1,918 1,615 1,741 5,274 7,681
Payable gold (ounces) 5,508 4,280 4,384 3,377 3,364 11,125 14,522
concentrate
Payable silver ("000 444 355 292 253 317 862 1,449
ounces)
(a) Production ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine
plan.Shipments are expected to cease in May 2004.
Pinto Valley,
USA
Production
Copper cathode ("000 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 7.3 8.0
(SXEW) tonnes)
Sales
Copper cathode ("000 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 7.2 7.9
(SXEW) tonnes)
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
("000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara,
Australia
Production
Mt Newman 4,964 6,221 6,639 6,707 6,031 19,377 15,737
Joint Venture
Goldsworthy Joint 1,497 1,497 1,633 1,477 1,348 4,458 5,196
Venture (b)
Area C Joint - 19 341 1,048 1,768 3,157 -
Venture (c)
Yandi Joint 7,452 8,353 8,679 9,005 8,429 26,113 23,435
Venture
Jimblebar 1,371 1,428 1,622 1,520 1,647 4,789 3,990
Total (BHP 15,284 17,518 18,914 19,757 19,223 57,894 48,358
Billiton
share)
Total 17,739 20,359 21,965 22,975 22,326 67,266 56,188
production
(100%)
Shipments
Lump 4,352 4,193 4,898 5,169 5,402 15,469 12,977
Fines 12,144 13,187 13,334 13,968 13,181 40,483 37,882
Total (BHP 16,496 17,380 18,232 19,137 18,583 55,952 50,859
Billiton
share)
Total 19,407 20,448 21,450 22,515 21,862 65,827 59,836
shipments
(100%)
(a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes
basis.
(b) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003.
(c) Mining commenced in May 2003.
Samarco, Brazil
Production 1,953 1,902 1,956 1,971 1,862 5,789 5,954
Shipments 2,049 2,153 2,013 1,886 1,918 5,817 6,087
METALLURGICAL
COAL (a)
Queensland,
Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 1,668 1,937 1,578 1,581 1,508 4,667 4,904
Goonyella 1,191 1,075 994 829 1,019 2,842 2,737
Peak Downs 1,009 1,076 1,004 1,004 881 2,889 2,555
Saraji 599 666 747 655 703 2,105 1,655
Norwich Park 610 527 524 582 556 1,662 1,634
Gregory Joint 761 488 744 744 596 2,084 2,037
Venture
BMA total 5,838 5,769 5,591 5,395 5,263 16,249 15,522
BHP Mitsui
Coal (b)
Riverside 300 1,014 969 812 967 2,748 1,627
South Walker 900 1,019 957 779 844 2,580 2,908
Creek
BHP Mitsui 1,200 2,033 1,926 1,591 1,811 5,328 4,535
Coal total
Queensland 7,038 7,802 7,517 6,986 7,074 21,577 20,057
total
Shipments
Coking coal 4,707 4,395 4,838 5,258 5,116 15,212 12,906
Weak coking 1,569 1,525 1,617 1,649 1,585 4,851 4,811
coal
Thermal coal 852 943 801 987 803 2,591 2,674
Total 7,128 6,863 7,256 7,894 7,504 22,654 20,391
(a) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable
product.Production figures include some thermal coal.
(b) BHP Mitsui Coal production shown on 100% basis before 20% outside
equity interest.
Illawarra,
Australia
Production 1,518 1,224 1,582 1,459 1,458 4,499 5,539
Shipments
Coking coal 1,611 1,571 1,513 1,293 1,359 4,165 5,026
Thermal coal 242 179 91 47 134 272 471
Total 1,853 1,750 1,604 1,340 1,493 4,437 5,497
MANGANESE ORES
South Africa
Saleable 534 574 600 651 604 1,855 1,675
production (a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
Australia
Saleable 356 484 553 548 660 1,761 1,369
production (a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
MANGANESE
ALLOYS
South Africa
Saleable 117 137 93 122 116 331 366
production (a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
Australia
Saleable 60 58 54 61 63 178 176
production (a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
HOT BRIQUETTED
IRON
Boodarie(TM)
Iron, Australia
Production 465 458 496 527 399 1,422 1,212
Shipments 416 487 435 570 436 1,441 1,082
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
DIAMONDS
Ekati(TM),
Canada
Ore Processed ("000 1,087 1,182 1,064 1,123 1,052 3,239 3,128
(100%) tonnes)
Production ("000 1,015 1,300 1,552 1,704 1,015 4,271 3,040
carats)
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
("000 tonnes)
Ingwe, South
Africa
Production 13,256 13,812 13,782 13,472 13,231 40,485 40,427
Sales
Export 5,696 6,339 5,274 5,500 5,354 16,128 17,953
Local utility 7,160 7,926 8,215 7,701 7,579 23,495 22,259
Inland 340 337 338 326 330 994 1,223
Total 13,196 14,602 13,827 13,527 13,263 40,617 41,435
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal 1,797 2,497 2,240 1,553 1,709 5,502 5,553
San Juan Coal 1,350 1,380 1,320 1,276 1,978 4,574 4,733
Total 3,147 3,877 3,560 2,829 3,687 10,076 10,286
Sales - local 3,316 3,643 3,713 3,327 3,213 10,253 10,210
utility
Hunter Valley,
Australia
Production 1,922 2,041 1,756 2,054 2,318 6,128 4,400
Sales
Export 1,036 1,301 952 861 1,729 3,542 2,700
Inland 704 1,285 873 633 1,044 2,550 1,346
Total 1,740 2,586 1,825 1,494 2,773 6,092 4,046
Kalimantan,
Indonesia
Production (a)
Petangis (b) 28 - - - - - 273
Total 28 - - - - - 273
Sales - export 56 - - - - - 294
(a) Reported on 86.5% basis after allowing for the Indonesian state-
owned corporation"s 13.5% share of all production.
(b) Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.
Cerrejon Coal,
Colombia
Production 1,382 2,261 2,036 1,623 2,043 5,702 4,326
Sales - export 1,971 2,247 1,966 1,999 1,828 5,793 5,068
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS
ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003
STAINLESS STEEL
MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
("000 tonnes)
NICKEL
CMSA, Colombia
Production 11.1 12.2 12.4 12.2 12.5 37.1 34.7
Sales 10.3 13.5 11.1 13.1 11.2 35.4 33.6
Yabulu,
Australia
Production
Nickel 7.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.7 24.7 22.4
Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.4 1.4
Sales
Nickel 8.1 9.5 7.8 8.4 8.0 24.2 23.5
Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.4 1.5
FERROCHROME
South Africa
Saleable 263 259 227 269 266 762 731
production (a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
22 April 2004
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia:
Tracey Whitehead, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Tania Price, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 419 152 780
email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom:
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
United States:
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa:
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 22/04/2004 08:44:35 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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