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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Production Report For The Nine Months
Ended 31 March 2007
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: BG0000566504
24 April 2007
Number 12/07
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2007
BHP Billiton today released its production report for the nine months
ended 31 March 2007. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated,
production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share and exclude suspended and
sold operations.
* Record year to date production of natural gas, alumina,
aluminium, copper, nickel, iron ore and manganese ore underpinned
by strong customer demand.
* Record year to date production achieved at Mad Dog (USA),
Zamzama (Pakistan), Paranam (Suriname), Alumar (Brazil), Hillside,
Bayside and Samancor (all South Africa), Mozal (Mozambique),
Worsley, Western Australia Iron Ore, BMA, Hunter Valley Coal and
GEMCO (all Australia), and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia).
* Record year to date production of natural gas from North West
Shelf (Australia) in response to strong demand.
* Strong ramp up of the Spence project (Chile) contributed to
quarterly production records for copper.
* Quarterly production records for the Zamzama and Escondida
(Chile) operations.
* Petroleum and iron ore operations located in Western Australia
were disrupted by cyclone activity.
MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
PETROLEUM YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06
Crude Oil, 42,128 13,239 0% -1% -3%
Condensate and
Natural Gas
Liquids (`000
bbl) (a)
Natural Gas (bcf) 260.47 86.67 2% 14% 4%
(a)
Total Petroleum 85.53 27.68 1% 6% 1%
Products (million
boe) (a)
Total Petroleum Production - Total production year to date was in line
with the nine months to March 2006. Natural field decline has been
completely offset by operational improvements and no new operations
commencing production during the period.
Production was higher than the March 2006 quarter mainly due to improved
facility uptime, reduced weather impacts, and increased gas sales.
Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids - Production for the nine
months and quarter ended March 2007 was in line with all previous
periods. Higher operational uptime and development drilling partly offset
natural field decline.
Cyclone activity impacted Western Australian operations during this
quarter.
Natural Gas - March 2007 quarterly production was higher than all
comparative periods. Record production for the nine months was primarily
driven by improved facility uptime that benefited from stronger customer
demand in Australia and Pakistan.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
ALUMINIUM YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
06
Alumina (`000 tonnes) 3,316 1,085 6% 1% -6%
Aluminium (`000 tonnes) 1,006 331 2% 1% -2%
(b)
Alumina - Production and sales for the nine months ended March 2007 were
all time records. Over the nine months period, the Worsley Development
Capital Project continued its` ramp up. Paranam had full utilisation of
its` expanded capacity and Alumar continued to perform strongly.
Production was lower than the December quarter due to stockpiling of
hydrate from the planned calciner outages at Worsley. This will be
calcined and shipped in the next quarter.
Aluminium - Production and sales from continuing operations were all time
records for the nine months ended March 2007. All operations performed at
record or near record levels due to successful implementation of a series
of business improvement initiatives.
MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
BASE METALS YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06
Copper (`000 tonnes) (c) 908.0 357.6 4% 22% 19%
Silver (`000 ounces) (c) 24,940 11,025 -32% -4% 68%
Lead (tonnes) 148,405 62,974 -30% -8% 73%
Zinc (tonnes) 79,547 35,760 -2% 26% 81%
Uranium Oxide Concentrate 2,498 883 -19% -3% 7%
(Uranium) (tonnes)
Copper - Record year to date and quarterly production reflecting the
successful ramp up of the Escondida Sulphide Leach Project and Spence
(both Chile). During the quarter Spence produced 33,500 tonnes, which is
equivalent to 67% of nameplate capacity on an annualised basis.
Silver / Lead - March 2007 quarterly production was significantly higher
than the December 2006 quarter as production ramped up following the
completion of the Cannington rehabilitation project together with strong
silver production from Escondida.
Zinc - The current quarter`s production was higher than the December and
March 2006 quarters. Higher grade and an increased proportion of zinc
contained ore was processed at Antamina (Peru).
Uranium - Year to date underperformance against the nine months ended
March 2006 due to the variability of ore sources and grade, and
maintenance activities at Olympic Dam (Australia).
Production in the March 2007 quarter increased versus the December 2006
quarter due to improved grade and recovery, and the impact of unscheduled
maintenance in the prior period.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
PRODUCTS 06
Diamonds (`000 carats) 2,313 889 17% 74% -5%
Diamonds - As Ekati (Canada) increases the diversity of its ore sources,
the mix of ore processed will change from time to time and impact the
carats recovered. Production was higher than the nine months and quarter
ended March 2006 due to processing of higher grade ore containing lower
value diamonds.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
06
Nickel (`000 tonnes) 138.6 45.8 4% 14% -5%
Nickel - Production for the nine months ended March 2007 was an all time
record, reflecting strong operational performances from all operations.
In comparison to the December 2006 quarter, production was lower due to
scheduled statutory maintenance at the Kwinana Nickel Refinery
(Australia). This has been completed successfully and production ramp up
commenced during the quarter.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
IRON ORE YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
06
Iron ore (`000 tonnes) (d) 72,451 22,884 9% 8% -10%
Iron Ore - Record production and sales were achieved for the nine months
ended March 2007. This reflects increased production from the recently
expanded Western Australia Iron Ore operations in response to continuing
strong customer demand.
Cyclone activity and tie-in activity for Rapid Growth Project 3
(Australia) impacted the Western Australia Iron Ore operations during the
current quarter.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
MANGANESE YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
06
Manganese Ore (`000 4,490 1,452 15% 18% -5%
tonnes)
Manganese Alloy (`000 542 197 14% 14% 3%
tonnes)
Manganese Ore - Production was higher than the nine months and quarter
ended March 2006 driven by stronger customer demand.
Manganese Alloy - Higher production was due to optimisation of the
product mix, improved equipment availability and utilisation.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
METALLURGICAL COAL YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
06
Metallurgical Coal (`000 27,297 9,084 3% 7% 1%
tonnes)
Metallurgical Coal - Production was higher for the nine months and
quarter ending March 2007 due to the start up of Poitrel (Australia) and
the impact of planned maintenance in prior periods.
MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07
07
2007 2007 vs vs vs
ENERGY COAL YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06
06
Energy Coal (`000 tonnes) 64,742 20,930 1% 12% -5%
Energy Coal - Production was in line with the nine months to March 2006.
Production for the March 2007 quarter was slightly below the December
2006 quarter mainly due to a planned 45 day longwall move at San Juan
(USA).
Operational improvement initiatives at Hunter Valley Coal, a shorter
longwall move at San Juan and reduced weather impacts in South Africa led
to higher production versus the March 2006 quarter.
Long vessel queues off the Newcastle Port (Australia) delayed export
sales from Hunter Valley Coal in the quarter.
(a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields (sold effective from 16
January 2006), Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter)
and Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).
(b) Excluding Valesul which was sold effective from 1 July 2006.
(c) Excluding Tintaya which was sold effective from 1 June 2006.
(d) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar
year 2006.
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY -
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE % CHANGE
MAR MAR MAR
YTD Q07 Q07
07
MAR DEC MAR MAR MAR vs vs vs
2006 2006 2007 2007 2006 MAR MAR DEC
YTD Q06 Q06
06
PETROLEUM
Crude oil & (`000 10,886 10,963 10,671 33,725 33,839 0% -2% -3%
condensate bbl)
(a)
Natural gas (bcf) 76.10 83.09 86.67 260.47 256.11 2% 14% 4%
(b)
Natural gas (`000 2,448 2,710 2,568 8,403 8,365 0% 5% -5%
liquid bbl)
Total (million 26.02 27.52 27.68 85.53 84.89 1% 6% 1%
Petroleum boe)
Products (b)
ALUMINIUM
Alumina (`000 1,075 1,153 1,085 3,316 3,115 6% 1% -6%
tonnes)
Aluminium (c) (`000 329 338 331 1,006 986 2% 1% -2%
tonnes)
BASE METALS
Copper (d) (`000 293.8 300.7 357.6 908.2 876.1 4% 22% 19%
tonnes)
Lead (tonnes) 68,754 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814 -30% -8% 73%
Zinc (tonnes) 28,419 19,776 35,760 79,547 81,494 -2% 26% 81%
Gold (d) (ounces) 44,063 38,564 43,904 123,628 136,181 -9% 0% 14%
Silver (d) (`000 11,517 6,566 11,025 24,940 36,410 -32% -4% 68%
ounces)
Uranium oxide (tonnes) 913 822 883 2,498 3,071 -19% -3% 7%
concentrate
(tonnes) 632 768 288 1,775 1,977 -10% -54% -63%
Molybdenum
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
Diamonds (`000 512 937 843 2,267 1,978 15% 65% -10%
carats)
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
Nickel (`000 40.2 48.3 45.8 138.6 133.3 4% 14% -5%
tonnes)
IRON ORE
Iron ore (e) (`000 21,128 25,370 22,884 72,451 66,524 9% 8% -10%
tonnes)
MANGANESE
Manganese ore (`000 1,226 1,529 1,452 4,490 3,891 15% 18% -5%
tonnes)
Manganese (`000 173 192 197 542 477 14% 14% 3%
alloy tonnes)
METALLURGICAL
COAL
Metallurgical (`000 8,460 8,966 9,084 27,297 26,419 3% 7% 1%
coal tonnes)
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal (`000 18,672 22,030 20,930 64,742 63,969 1% 12% -5%
tonnes)
(a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields and Typhoon / Boris. Green
Canyon 18 and 60 fields was disposed with effect from 16 January 2006.
The sale of Typhoon / Boris was completed in the December 2006 quarter.
(b) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields, Moranbah Coal Bed Methane
and Typhoon/ Boris. The sale of Moranbah Coal Bed Methane was
completed in the September 2006 quarter.
(c) Excluding Valesul which was disposed with effect from 1 July 2006.
(d) Excluding Tintaya which was disposed with effect from 1 June 2006.
(e) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar
year 2006.
Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has
been adjusted since it was previously reported.
BHP BILLITON
ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
YEAR TO DATE
BHP MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
Billiton
Interest 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & (`000 10,88 11,551 12,091 10,963 10,671 33,725 34,322
condensate bbl) 6
Natural gas (bcf) 77.85 98.59 91.83 83.09 86.67 261.59 261.85
NGL (a) (`000 2,448 3,063 3,125 2,710 2,568 8,403 8,365
bbl)
Total (million 26.31 31.04 30.52 27.52 27.68 85.72 86.32
Petroleum boe)
Products
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINA
Production (`000 tonnes)
Worsley 86% 717 694 704 776 708 2,188 2,069
Suriname 45% 228 247 253 241 241 735 674
Alumar 36% 130 131 121 136 136 393 372
Total 1,075 1,072 1,078 1,153 1,085 3,316 3,115
ALUMINIUM
Production (`000 tonnes)
Hillside 100% 174 177 177 176 174 527 523
Bayside 100% 46 46 49 50 48 147 133
Alumar 46.3% 44 44 44 45 44 133 134
Valesul (b) 45.5% 11 11 - - - - 32
Mozal 47% 65 66 67 67 65 199 196
Total 340 344 337 338 331 1,006 1,018
BASE METALS
(c)
COPPER
Escondida 57.5% 168.2 165.2 129.7 160.6 178.1 468.4 505.8
Antamina 33.8% 32.9 29.1 29.0 34.1 24.2 87.3 95.1
Tintaya (d) 100% 16.2 12.9 - - - - 51.6
Total 217.3 207.2 158.7 194.7 202.3 555.7 652.5
Escondida 57.5% 15.4 11.7 17.5 32.7 38.2 88.4 55.0
Cerro 100% 28.1 30.0 30.0 27.4 28.1 85.5 64.1
Colorado
Spence (e) 100% - - - 4 33.5 37.8 -
Tintaya (d) 100% 9.1 6.1 - - - - 28.7
Pinto Valley 100% 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.9 5.9 6.4
Olympic Dam 100% 47.1 54.6 41.6 39.7 53.6 134.9 149.7
Total 101.8 104.5 91.2 106.0 155.3 352.5 303.9
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814
68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814
Total
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 20,885 14,926 10,426 8,806 15,095 34,327 53,853
Antamina 33.8% 7,534 12,638 13,585 10,970 20,665 45,220 27,641
Total 28,419 27,564 24,011 19,776 35,760 79,547 81,494
Refer
footnotes on
page 4.
BASE METALS
(continued)
GOLD
Payable
metal in
concentrate
(ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 17,877 23,567 17,049 22,365 21,243 60,657 56,271
Tintaya (d) 100% 8,032 4,958 - - - - 24,280
Olympic Dam 100% 26,186 27,636 24,111 16,199 22,661 62,971 79,910
(refined
gold)
Total 52,095 56,161 41,160 38,564 43,904 123,628 160,46
1
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate (`000 ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 714 925 724 880 920 2,524 2,454
Antamina 33.8% 865 808 713 736 749 2,198 2,366
Tintaya (d) 100% 138 119 - - - - 473
Cannington 100% 9,693 7,503 5,714 4,805 9,160 19,679 30,944
Olympic Dam 100% 245 238 198 145 196 539 646
(refined
silver)
Total 11,655 9,593 7,349 6,566 11,025 24,940 36,883
URANIUM
OXIDE
CONCENTRATE
Payable
metal in
concentrate
(tonnes)
Olympic Dam 100% 913 865 793 822 883 2,498 3,071
Total 913 865 793 822 883 2,498 3,071
MOLYBDENUM
Payable
metal in
concentrate
(tonnes)
Antamina 33.8% 632 538 719 768 288 1,775 1,977
Total 632 538 719 768 288 1,775 1,977
DIAMONDS AND
SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production (`000 carats)
Ekati(TM) 80% 512 583 487 937 843 2,267 1,978
FERTILISER
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Southern 100% 222.5 141.3 84.3 - - 84.3 720.0
Cross
Fertiliser
Operations
(f)
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
NICKEL
Production (`000 tonnes)
CMSA 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.8 12.8 38.3 38.7
99.8%
Yabulu 7.0 4.3 7.3 7.5 8.0 22.8 19.0
100%
Nickel West 20.3 24.5 24.5 28.0 25.0 77.5 75.6
100%
Total 40.2 41.6 44.5 48.3 45.8 138.6 133.3
Refer
footnotes on
page 4.
IRON ORE
IRON ORE (g)
Production (`000 tonnes)
Mt Newman 5,884 6,490 7,394 7,536 6,711 21,641 18,284
Joint 85%
Venture
Goldsworthy 85% 1,371 1,808 806 84 142 1,032 4,433
Joint Venture
Area C Joint 85% 3,332 5,401 4,821 5,334 4,853 15,008 12,587
Venture
Yandi Joint 85% 8,561 8,854 8,504 9,106 8,277 25,887 25,342
Venture
Jimblebar 85% 1,549 1,607 1,490 1,449 1,177 4,116 4,763
Samarco 50% 1,802 1,955 1,988 1,945 1,866 5,799 5,548
Total 22,499 26,115 25,003 25,454 23,026 73,483 70,957
MANGANESE
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable production(`000 tonnes)
South Africa (h) 60% 532 673 644 663 632 1,939 1,627
Australia (h) 60% 694 716 865 866 820 2,551 2,264
Total 1,226 1,389 1,509 1,529 1,452 4,490 3,891
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable
production (`000
tonnes)
South Africa (h) 60% 119 131 93 126 133 352 303
Australia (h) 60% 54 44 60 66 64 190 174
Total 173 175 153 192 197 542 477
METALLURGICAL
COAL
METALLURGICAL COAL (i)
Production (`000 tonnes)
BMA 50% 5,972 6,474 6,657 6,106 6,478 19,241 19,106
BHP Mitsui 80% 763 850 873 873 1,067 2,813 2,199
Coal (j)
Illawarra 100% 1,725 1,900 1,717 1,987 1,539 5,243 5,114
Total 8,460 9,224 9,247 8,966 9,084 27,297 26,419
ENERGY COAL
Production (`000 tonnes)
South Africa 100% 11,60 12,854 13,151 13,032 12,863 39,046 39,094
5
USA 100% 2,829 3,891 3,467 3,871 3,106 10,444 11,455
Australia 100% 1,897 2,636 2,766 2,790 2,731 8,287 6,510
Colombia 33% 2,341 2,406 2,398 2,337 2,230 6,965 6,910
Total 18,67 21,787 21,782 22,030 20,930 64,742 63,969
2
(a) LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL),
consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions
will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
(b) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul on 1 July 2006.
(c) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.
(d) BHP Billiton sold Tintaya effective from 1 June 2006.
(e) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.
(f) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser
operations on 1 August 2006.
(g) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(h) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is
60%.
(i) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable
product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(j) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is
80%.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable
production unless
otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL &
CONDENSATE(`000 barrels)
Bass Strait 3,414 3,964 3,847 3,311 3,144 10,302 10,718
Minerva 18 20 23 21 24 68 78
North West Shelf - 1,263 1,091 1,350 1,410 1,365 4,125 4,038
condensate
North West Shelf - 751 1,111 1,634 1,325 1,167 4,126 2,879
Wanaea/Cossack
Griffin 204 296 323 312 174 809 984
Pakistan 59 60 61 62 65 188 162
Typhoon/Boris (a) - - - - - - 329
Mad Dog 549 698 528 549 613 1,690 1,593
Other Americas (b) 68 68 78 81 62 221 352
Angostura 1,080 1,191 1,174 618 899 2,691 3,096
Liverpool Bay 1,278 1,199 931 1,280 874 3,085 3,599
Bruce/Keith 209 182 178 202 179 559 719
Ohanet 389 426 357 472 425 1,254 1,225
ROD 1,604 1,245 1,607 1,320 1,680 4,607 4,550
10,886 11,551 12,091 10,963 10,671 33,725 34,322
Total
NATURAL GAS
(billion cubic feet)
Bass Strait 18.26 34.43 33.54 20.53 22.73 76.80 75.31
Minerva 5.78 6.36 7.73 6.90 8.06 22.69 24.22
North West Shelf - 3.55 4.63 3.54 3.89 4.86 12.29 11.33
Domestic
North West Shelf - 21.15 22.70 21.68 23.59 22.24 67.51 65.50
LNG
Griffin 0.12 0.19 0.49 0.45 0.19 1.13 1.09
Moranbah Coal Bed 1.75 1.86 1.12 - - 1.12 5.13
Methane (c)
Illawarra Coal Bed 1.50 1.35 1.50 0.95 1.58 4.03 4.22
Methane
Pakistan 8.52 9.02 9.14 9.34 10.11 28.59 24.24
Typhoon/Boris (a) - - - - - - 0.47
Mad Dog 0.11 0.25 0.17 0.16 0.14 0.47 0.31
Other Americas (b) 1.78 2.34 2.55 2.27 1.58 6.40 4.67
Bruce/Keith 6.52 5.40 4.21 5.42 5.05 14.68 18.61
Liverpool Bay 8.81 10.06 6.16 9.59 10.13 25.88 26.75
Total 77.85 98.59 91.83 83.09 86.67 261.59 261.85
NGL (`000 barrels) (d)
Bass Strait 1,574 2,254 2,224 1,726 1,643 5,593 5,486
North West Shelf 410 349 444 441 435 1,320 1,335
Bruce/Keith 94 59 138 107 93 338 429
370 401 319 436 397 1,152 1,115
Ohanet
Total 2,448 3,063 3,125 2,710 2,568 8,403 8,365
26.31 31.04 30.52 27.52 27.68 85.72 86.32
TOTAL PETROLEUM
PRODUCTS
(million barrels
of oil equivalent)
(e)
(a) BHP Billiton sold its interests in Typhoon / Boris, including the
Little Burn field with effect from 1 July 2006. The sale was completed on
6 October 2006.
(b) BHP Billiton sold its interests in the Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields
with effect from 16 January 2006.
(c) BHP Billiton completed the sale of its interest in Moranbah Coal Bed
Methane in September 2006 quarter.
(d) LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL),
consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions
will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
(e) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on
6000scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Production
Worsley, Australia 717 694 704 776 708 2,188 2,06
9
Paranam, Suriname 228 247 253 241 241 735 674
Alumar, Brazil 130 131 121 136 136 393 372
Total 1,075 1,072 1,078 1,153 1,085 3,316 3,11
5
Sales
Worsley, Australia 709 672 666 820 659 2,145 2,00
3
Paranam, Suriname 213 244 236 243 225 704 665
Alumar, Brazil 130 147 108 137 120 365 358
Total (a) 1,052 1,063 1,010 1,200 1,004 3,214 3,02
6
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, South 174 177 177 176 174 527 523
Africa
Bayside, South 46 46 49 50 48 147 133
Africa
Alumar, Brazil 44 44 44 45 44 133 134
Valesul, Brazil (b) 11 11 - - - - 32
Mozal, Mozambique 65 66 67 67 65 199 196
Total 340 344 337 338 331 1,006 1,01
8
Sales
Hillside, South 162 186 170 173 162 505 505
Africa
Bayside, South 40 48 44 47 46 137 117
Africa
Alumar, Brazil 48 44 44 42 38 124 134
Valesul, Brazil (b) 10 11 - - - - 33
Mozal, Mozambique 58 68 60 66 64 190 191
Total 318 357 318 328 310 956 980
Tolling Agreement (a) 22 38 24 20 33 77 67
340 395 342 348 343 1,033 1,04
7
(a) Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party
tolling agreement. These tonnages are allocated to equity sales.
(b) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul with effect 1 July 2006.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Escondida,
Chile
Material (`000
mined tonnes) 90,781 94,429 59,601 93,770 85,65 239,0 273,855
(100%) 4 25
Sulphide (`000
ore tonnes) 21,843 21,473 18,257 22,585 23,45 64,29 66,259
milled 0 2
(100%)
Average (%) 1.62% 1.63% 1.55% 1.55% 1.62% 1.58% 1.60%
copper
grade
Productio (`000
n ex Mill tonnes) 302.8 295.9 234.0 289.4 319.1 842.5 911.2
(100%)
Productio
n
Payable (`000
copper tonnes) 168.2 165.2 129.7 160.6 178.1 468.4 505.8
Payable (fine
gold ounces) 17,877 23,567 17,049 22,365 21,24 60,65 56,271
concentra 3 7
te
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 15.4 11.7 17.5 32.7 38.2 88.4 55.0
(EW)
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 714 925 724 880 920 2,524 2,454
concentra
te
Sales
Payable (`000
copper tonnes) 184.4 158.6 133.8 167.9 149.4 451.1 514.5
Payable (fine
gold ounces) 20,159 22,627 17,778 23,089 17,96 58,83 57,598
concentra 6 3
te
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 16.7 11.5 14.2 27.3 36.0 77.5 55.4
(EW)
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 802 891 752 909 785 2,446 2,497
concentra
te
Tintaya,
Peru (a)
Material (`000
mined tonnes) 15,960 11,539 - - - - 50,295
Sulphide (`000
Ore tonnes) 1,523 1,123 - - - - 4,803
milled
Average (%) 1.26% 1.33% - - - - 1.28%
copper
grade
Productio
n
Payable (`000
copper tonnes) 16.2 12.9 - - - - 52
Payable (fine
gold ounces) 8,032 4,958 - - - - 24,280
concentra
te
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 9.1 6.1 - - - - 29
(EW)
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 138 119 - - - - 473
concentra
te
Sales
Payable (`000
copper tonnes) 15.1 12.0 - - - - 52
Payable (fine
gold ounces) 8,016 5,079 - - - - 23,175
concentra
te
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 8.3 7.1 - - - - 28
(EW)
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 127 109 - - - - 495
concentra
te
(a) BHP Billiton sold Tintaya with effect from 1 June 2006.
Cerro
Colorado,
Chile
Material (`000
mined tonnes) 17,926 18,258 16,334 18,858 15,429 50,621 51,729
Ore (`000
milled tonnes) 4,266 4,490 4,508 4,578 4,398 13,484 11,958
Average (%) 0.94% 0.83% 0.80% 0.81% 0.90% 0.83% 0.88%
copper
grade
Productio
n
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 28.1 30.0 30.0 27.4 28.1 85.5 64.1
(EW)
Sales
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 24.4 34.5 27.9 28.3 27.9 84.1 59.1
(EW)
Spence,
Chile (a)
Material (`000
mined tonnes) - - - 20,329 19,684 40,013 -
Ore (`000
milled tonnes) - - - 3,510 4,282 7,792 -
Average (%) - - 1.76% 2.00% 1.89% -
copper
grade
Productio
n
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) - - - 4.3 33.5 37.8 -
(EW)
Sales
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) - - - 1.3 28.0 29.3 -
(EW)
(a) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.
Antamina,
Peru
Material (`000
mined tonnes) 28,982 29,740 29,917 28,317 24,428 82,662 94,419
(100%)
Sulphide (`000
ore milled tonnes) 7,549 7,196 7,581 7,930 7,841 23,352 23,265
(100%)
Average
head grades
- Copper (%) 1.48% 1.45% 1.22% 1.41% 1.10% 1.24% 1.38%
- Zinc (%) 0.62% 0.88% 0.87% 0.65% 1.25% 0.92% 0.71%
Production
Payable (`000
copper tonnes) 32.9 29.1 29.0 34.1 24.2 87.3 95.1
Payable (tonnes) 7,534 12,638 13,585 10,970 20,665 45,220 27,641
zinc
(`000
Payable ounces) 865 808 713 736 749 2,198 2,366
silver
Payable (tonnes) 632 538 719 768 288 1,775 1,977
molybdenum
Sales
Payable (`000
copper tonnes) 30.5 25.6 33.9 35.3 25.0 94.2 96.7
Payable (tonnes) 9,634 7,638 14,224 13,853 15,479 43,556 30,731
zinc
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 750 505 713 623 707 2,043 2,232
Payable (tonnes) 697 627 719 808 591 2,118 1,986
molybdenum
Cannington,
Australia
Material (`000
mined tonnes) 799 496 428 506 732 1,666 2,596
Ore milled (`000
tonnes) 809 589 478 478 704 1,660 2,431
Average
head grades
- Silver (g/t) 431 462 423 360 477 428 460
- Lead (%) 9.8% 10.9% 11.6% 8.8% 10.5% 10.3% 10.2%
- Zinc (%) 4.0% 4.1% 3.6% 3.1% 3.6% 3.5% 3.6%
Production
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 9,693 7,503 5,714 4,805 9,160 19,679 30,944
Payable (tonnes) 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,81
lead 4
Payable (tonnes) 20,885 14,926 10,426 8,806 15,095 34,327 53,853
zinc
Sales
Payable (`000
silver ounces) 9,061 8,516 5,010 6,637 8,331 19,978 30,111
Payable (tonnes) 63,112 62,787 39,694 51,521 56,726 147,941 202,52
lead 8
Payable (tonnes) 17,508 20,121 6,346 12,315 11,585 30,246 44,998
zinc
Olympic Dam,
Australia
Material (`000
mined (a) tonnes) 2,065 2,002 2,178 2,030 2,103 6,311 6,217
Ore milled (`000
tonnes) 2,343 2,517 2,043 2,182 2,117 6,342 7,118
Average (%) 2.10% 2.10% 2.10% 2.21% 1.96% 2.11% 2.23%
copper
grade
Average kg/t 0.59 0.55 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.63
uranium
grade
Production
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 43.1 50.5 38.4 35.4 50.2 124.0 135.9
(ER)
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 4.0 4.1 3.2 4.3 3.4 10.9 13.8
(EW)
Uranium
oxide (tonnes) 913 865 793 822 883 2,498 3,071
concentrate
Refined (fine
gold ounces) 26,186 27,636 24,111 16,199 22,661 62,971 79,910
Refined (`000
silver ounces) 245 238 198 145 196 539 646
Sales
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 44.1 49.0 41.6 33.7 51.6 126.9 136.5
(ER)
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 4.2 4.1 3.5 2.7 4.6 10.8 15.2
(EW)
Uranium
oxide (tonnes) 992 1,183 620 1,009 1,043 2,672 3,158
concentrate
Refined (fine
gold ounces) 27,300 27,375 23,233 18,404 22,983 64,620 74,861
Refined (`000
silver ounces) 178 320 188 157 183 528 576
(a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto
Valley, USA
Production
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.9 5.9 6.4
(EW)
Sales
Copper (`000
cathode tonnes) 1.5 2.2 1.6 1.6 1.5 4.7 6.4
(EW)
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
DIAMOND AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
EkatiTrade
Mark, Canada
Ore (`000
Processed tonnes) 995 1,181 1,199 1,100 1,046 3,345 3,115
(100%)
Production (`000
carats) 512 583 487 937 843 2,267 1,978
FERTILISER
Southern Cross
Fertiliser Operations,
Australia (a)
Production (`000
(b) tonnes) 222.5 141.3 84.3 - - 84.3 720.0
Sales (b) (`000
tonnes) 200.4 304.4 41.6 - - 41.6 597.1
(a) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser
operations on 1 August 2006.
(b) Includes diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
STAINLESS STEEL
MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
NICKEL
CMSA, Colombia
Production 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.8 12.8 38.3 38.7
Sales 12.4 13.6 11.7 14.4 12.4 38.5 37.7
Yabulu,
Australia
Production
Nickel metal 7.0 4.3 7.3 7.5 8.0 22.8 19.0
Cobalt 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.4 1.2 0.8
Sales
Nickel metal 6.9 4.9 6.0 7.2 7.1 20.3 19.8
Cobalt 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.2 1.1
Nickel West,
Australia
Production
Nickel
contained in 5.2 9.6 11.1 12.4 12.9 36.4 28.8
finished matte
Nickel metal 15.1 14.9 13.4 15.6 12.1 41.1 46.8
Nickel production (a) 20.3 24.5 24.5 28.0 25.0 77.5 75.6
Sales
Nickel 8.8 7.9 9.3 13.5 9.9 32.7 30.7
contained in
finished matte
Nickel metal 15.7 15.8 12.9 14.3 14.2 41.4 46.5
(b)
Nickel sales 24.5 23.7 22.2 27.8 24.1 74.1 77.2
(a)
(a) In addition to the production and sales reported above, Nickel
West also produced and sold 1.2 kt nickel in concentrate during the
quarter ended 30 June 2006. There has been no sales of nickel in
concentrate in the nine months ended March 2007.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
IRON ORE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Mt Newman Joint 5,884 6,490 7,394 7,536 6,711 21,641 18,284
Venture
Goldsworthy Joint 1,371 1,808 806 84 142 1,032 4,433
Venture
Area C Joint 3,332 5,401 4,821 5,334 4,853 15,008 12,587
Venture
Yandi Joint 8,561 8,854 8,504 9,106 8,277 25,887 25,342
Venture
Jimblebar 1,549 1,607 1,490 1,449 1,177 4,116 4,763
Total (BHP 20,697 24,160 23,015 23,509 21,160 67,684 65,409
Billiton share)
Total production (100%) 24,350 28,423 27,076 27,658 24,896 79,630 76,952
Sales
Lump 5,276 6,092 6,429 5,856 5,193 17,478 17,750
Fines 15,547 18,481 16,222 18,499 15,454 50,175 47,741
Total (BHP 20,823 24,573 22,651 24,355 20,647 67,653 65,491
Billiton share)
Total sales 24,498 28,909 26,648 28,653 24,290 79,591 76,758
(100%)
(a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet ones basis.
Samarco, Brazil
Production 1,802 1,955 1,988 1,945 1,866 5,799 5,548
Shipments 1,532 2,022 1,872 2,357 1,684 5,913 5,587
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
MANGANESE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
MANGANESE ORE
South Africa
Saleable production (a) 532 673 644 663 632 1,939 1,627
Australia
Saleable production (a) 694 716 865 866 820 2,551 2,264
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa
Saleable production (a) 119 131 93 126 133 352 303
Australia
Saleable production (a) 54 44 60 66 64 190 174
(a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
METALLURGICAL COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
(`000 tonnes)
METALLURGICAL COAL (a)
Queensland,
Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 1,533 1,449 1,536 1,388 1,484 4,408 4,569
Goonyella 1,751 1,986 1,892 1,296 1,896 5,084 5,281
Peak Downs 1,095 858 1,202 1,161 1,076 3,439 3,531
Saraji 563 794 682 893 883 2,458 1,840
Norwich Park 550 675 631 677 745 2,053 1,987
Gregory Joint 480 712 714 691 394 1,799 1,898
Venture
BMA total 5,972 6,474 6,657 6,106 6,478 19,241 19,10
6
BHP Mitsui
Coal (b)
South Walker 763 850 873 782 785 2,440 2,199
Creek
Poitrel (c) - - - 91 282 373 -
BHP Mitsui 763 850 873 873 1,067 2,813 2,199
Coal total
Queensland 6,735 7,324 7,530 6,979 7,545 22,054 21,30
total 5
Shipments
Coking coal 5,032 5,798 5,190 5,040 5,368 15,598 14,88
8
Weak coking 1,342 1,444 1,600 1,749 1,710 5,059 3,915
coal
Thermal coal 482 581 344 502 419 1,265 1,464
Total 6,856 7,823 7,134 7,291 7,497 21,922 20,26
7
(a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of
saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(b) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable
production is 80%.
(c) Poitrel was commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.
Illawarra,
Australia
Production 1,725 1,900 1,717 1,987 1,539 5,243 5,114
Shipments
Coking coal 1,508 1,292 1,366 1,583 1,624 4,573 4,155
Thermal coal 313 136 188 280 175 643 799
Total 1,821 1,428 1,554 1,863 1,798 5,216 4,954
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa
Production 11,605 12,854 13,151 13,03 12,863 39,04 39,094
2 6
Sales
Export 5,658 4,271 5,168 5,211 5,068 15,44 17,367
7
Local utility 7,328 7,365 7,552 7,413 7,874 22,83 22,591
9
Inland 203 253 255 227 259 741 780
Total 13,189 11,889 12,975 12,85 13,201 39,02 40,738
1 7
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal 2,305 1,471 1,778 2,104 1,971 5,853 6,795
San Juan Coal 524 2,420 1,689 1,767 1,135 4,591 4,660
Total 2,829 3,891 3,467 3,871 3,106 10,44 11,455
4
Sales - local 3,553 3,556 3,822 3,616 3,400 10,83 10,950
utility 8
Hunter Valley,
Australia
Production 1,897 2,636 2,766 2,790 2,731 8,287 6,510
Sales
Export 1,267 1,048 1,245 1,858 1,479 4,582 4,149
Inland 643 1,475 1,031 1,005 1,168 3,204 2,419
Total 1,910 2,523 2,276 2,863 2,647 7,786 6,568
Cerrejon Coal,
Colombia
Production 2,341 2,406 2,398 2,337 2,230 6,965 6,910
Sales - export 2,116 2,387 2,336 2,323 2,446 7,105 6,373
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 24/04/2007 09:56:30 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. |
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