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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - Bhp Billiton Production Report For The Nine Months Ended 31 March 2008
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
23 April 2008
Number 14/08
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2008
BHP Billiton today released its production report for the nine months ended
31 March 2008. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production
volumes refer to BHP Billiton share and exclude suspended and sold
operations.
* Year to date production increased for 12 commodities reflecting
our strong track record of consistent growth on the back of
projects delivered from our deep inventory of projects. First
product was delivered from eight projects into commodity markets
that remain strong.
* Significant increase in petroleum production with continuing
ramp up of recently commissioned projects and strong facility and
reservoir performance offsetting natural field decline. On track
to deliver 10% volume growth for the 2008 financial year.
* Western Australia iron ore operations (Australia) achieved
record quarterly and year to date production and shipments during
a seasonally challenging quarter.
* Record year to date manganese ore and alloy production delivered
in a strong price environment. Manganese ore also achieved
quarterly production record. This was set despite restrictions on
power consumption in South Africa.
* Record year to date copper production achieved as newly
commissioned projects continue to ramp up in a period of strong
pricing.
* The Yabulu Expansion Project (Australia) achieved first
production during the quarter.
* Record year to date production of natural gas and alumina.
* Year to date production records achieved at the Worsley, Western
Australia Iron Ore, GEMCO, TEMCO, Illawarra Coal, and Hunter
Valley Coal (all Australia), Escondida (Chile), Paranam
(Suriname), Alumar and Samarco (both Brazil), Samancor (South
Africa) and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) operations.
* Metallurgical coal production in Queensland (Australia) and
nickel production at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) has resumed following
extreme weather conditions and industrial action respectively.
Ramp up to normal operating levels continuing.
* Southern Africa aluminium production was impacted by a mandatory
10 per cent reduction. in power consumption.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
PETROLEUM YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Crude Oil, Condensate and 47,837 18,441 13% 39% 23%
Natural Gas Liquids (`000 bbl)
(a)
Natural Gas (bcf) (a) 272.65 85.75 6% 1% -6%
Total Petroleum Products 93.27 32.73 10% 19% 8%
(million boe) (a)
Total Petroleum Products - Significant growth in production was mainly driven
by the continued ramp up of Stybarrow (Australia), Genghis Khan and Atlantis
(both USA) and excellent operated facility performance.
Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids - Production was higher than
all comparative periods due to significant growth in high margin crude
production. Continued ramp up of new projects and successful development
drilling had a very positive impact. Partially offsetting this was the impact
of natural field decline, unplanned interruption at North West Shelf
(Australia) and the impact of cyclone activities in Western Australia.
Natural Gas - Production was lower than the December 2007 quarter due to
expected lower seasonal gas demand in southeast Australia and unplanned
interruption at North West Shelf.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR Q08
YTD 08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
ALUMINIUM YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC Q07
YTD 07 Q07
Alumina (`000 tonnes) 3,405 1,095 3% 1% -5%
Aluminium (`000 tonnes) 993 318 -1% -4% -6%
Alumina - Production and sales for the nine months ended March 2008 were all
time records due to record performance from all operations.
Production was marginally lower than the December 2007 quarter. This
primarily reflects reduced production at Worsley due to gas supply
curtailments.
Aluminium - Production was impacted by the mandatory 10 per cent reduction in
power consumption across the Southern Africa smelters. This was in part
offset by equalled quarterly and year to date record production from Alumar.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
BASE METALS YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Copper (`000 tonnes) 984.8 328.9 8% -8% -6%
Lead (tonnes) 199,950 67,885 34% 7% -4%
Zinc (tonnes) 101,036 35,970 27% 1% 29%
Silver (`000 ounces) 34,251 11,221 37% 2% -6%
Uranium Oxide Concentrate 3,117 993 25% 12% -17%
(Uranium) (tonnes)
Copper - Year to date production record was set with the continued ramp up of
Escondida Sulphide Leach and Spence (both Chile) and Pinto Valley (USA). In
aggregate, these projects contributed 166,000 tonnes during the nine months
ended March 2008. This was achieved despite the impact of two earthquakes in
Chile in the December 2007 quarter, and lower production from Antamina (Peru)
and Olympic Dam (Australia).
Production was lower than the March 2007 and December 2007 quarters mainly
due to lower grade and recovery from Escondida and unplanned interruptions at
Olympic Dam.
Lead - Year to date production increased due to the completion of the
Cannington (Australia) rehabilitation project.
Zinc - Production was higher than the nine months ended March 2007 and the
December 2007 quarter due to higher grade and an increased proportion of zinc
containing ore being processed at Antamina. The completion of the Cannington
rehabilitation project also had a positive impact on the production for the
nine months ended March 2008.
Silver - Production for the nine months ended March 2008 improved
significantly due to the successful completion of the Cannington
rehabilitation project and record performance from Escondida and Antamina.
Uranium - Production was higher than the nine months and quarter ended March
2007 due to ongoing progress at improving recovery and leach circuit
performance at Olympic Dam.
Production was lower than the December 2007 quarter mainly due to decline in
grade and scheduled maintenance.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Diamonds (`000 carats) 2,485 620 7% -30% -26%
Diamonds - Production decreased versus the March 2007 and December 2007
quarters mainly due to lower grades. Although production was lower, it
included an increased proportion of higher value carats. As Ekati (Canada)
transitions from open pit mining to underground mining the mix of ore
processed will change from time to time.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Nickel (`000 tonnes) 125.3 43.0 -10% -6% -2%
Nickel - Production in the nine months ended March 2008 was impacted by the
industrial stoppage at Cerro Matoso, wet weather interruptions at Yabulu
(Australia) and scheduled maintenance across all operations. This was
partially offset by continued strong production from the Kwinana Nickel
Refinery (Australia), which performed at near record levels.
The Yabulu Expansion Project delivered first production during the quarter,
and the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation (Australia) ramp up continues to
progress in line with schedule.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
IRON ORE YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Iron ore (`000 tonnes) (c) 81,646 28,033 13% 22% 1%
Iron Ore - Record production and shipments were achieved for the nine months
and quarter ended March 2008. Western Australia Iron Ore continued to perform
strongly and set new year to date and quarterly production records. Samarco
also set a year to date production record.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
MANGANESE YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Manganese Ore (`000 tonnes) 4,724 1,666 5% 15% 3%
Manganese Alloy (`000 tonnes) 585 192 7% -2% -8%
Manganese Ore - Record year to date and quarterly production achieved due to
record or near record performance from all operations. This was achieved
despite a mandatory 10% reduction in power consumption for the South African
sinter plant and weather related interruptions at GEMCO.
Manganese Alloy - Year to date production increased due to improved facility
availability and utilisation at Samancor achieved in the December 2007
quarter and record performance from TEMCO.
Production for the March 2008 quarter was impacted by the mandatory 10%
reduction in power consumption in South Africa.
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
METALLURGICAL COAL YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Metallurgical Coal (`000 26,061 6,846 -5% -25% -29%
tonnes)
Metallurgical Coal - Production and shipments were significantly impacted by
extreme wet weather experienced at Queensland Coal (Australia). Coal
production has resumed but continues to be constrained as the recovery
process proceeds and mines are brought back to full operational capacity.
This was partially offset by record year to date performance at Illawarra
Coal (Australia).
MAR MAR MAR MAR MAR
YTD 08 Q08 Q08
2008 2008 vs vs vs
ENERGY COAL YTD QTR MAR MAR DEC
YTD 07 Q07 Q07
Energy Coal (`000 tonnes) (d) 59,496 19,264 -2% -2% -7%
Energy Coal - Production for the March 2008 quarter was mainly impacted by
scheduled longwall move at San Juan (USA). This was offset by continued
strong production at Hunter Valley Coal which achieved its` third consecutive
quarterly record.
(a) Excluding Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and
Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).
(b) Earnings before interest and tax.
(c) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year
2006.
(d) Excluding Koornfontein operation which was sold effective 1 July 2007.
This report together with the Exploration and Development Report represent
the Interim Management Statement for the purposes of the UK Listing
Authority`s Disclosure and Transparency Rules. There have been no
significant changes in the financial position of the Group in the quarter
ended 31 March 2008.
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY -
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE % CHANGE
MAR YTD MAR MAR
08 Q08 Q08
MAR DEC MAR MAR MAR vs vs vs
2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 MAR YTD MAR DEC
07 Q07 Q07
PETROLEUM
Crude oil (`000
& bbl) 10,669 12,317 16,240 39,856 33,725 18% 52% 32%
condensat
e
Natural
gas (a) (bcf) 85.10 91.21 85.75 272.65 256.42 6% 1% -6%
Natural (`000
gas bbl) 2,626 2,685 2,201 7,981 8,503 -6% -16% -18%
liquid
Total
Petroleum (million
Products boe) 27.42 30.20 32.73 93.27 84.87 10% 19% 8%
(a)
ALUMINIUM
Alumina (`000
tonnes) 1,085 1,157 1,095 3,405 3,316 3% 1% -5%
Aluminium (`000
tonnes) 331 338 318 993 1,006 -1% -4% -6%
BASE
METALS
Copper (`000
tonnes) 357.6 348.1 328.9 984.8 908.0 8% -8% -6%
Lead (tonnes) 63,443 70,544 67,885 199,950 149,557 34% 7% -4%
Zinc (tonnes) 35,760 27,807 35,970 101,036 79,547 27% 1% 29%
Gold (ounces) 43,904 45,714 36,216 122,243 123,628 -1% -18% -21%
Silver (`000
ounces) 11,025 11,905 11,221 34,251 24,940 37% 2% -6%
Uranium (tonnes)
oxide 883 1,191 993 3,117 2,498 25% 12% -17%
concentra
te
Molybdenu (tonnes) 288 679 580 1,952 1,775 10% 101% -15%
m
DIAMONDS AND
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Diamonds (`000
carats) 889 843 620 2,485 2,313 7% -30% -26%
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
Nickel (`000
tonnes) 45.8 43.7 43.0 125.3 138.6 -10% -6% -2%
IRON ORE
Iron ore (`000
(b) tonnes) 22,884 27,746 28,033 81,646 72,451 13% 22% 1%
MANGANESE
Manganese (`000
ore tonnes) 1,452 1,613 1,666 4,724 4,490 5% 15% 3%
Manganese (`000
alloy tonnes) 196 209 192 585 546 7% -2% -8%
METALLURG
ICAL COAL
Metallurg (`000
ical coal tonnes) 9,084 9,643 6,846 26,061 27,297 -5% -25% -29%
ENERGY
COAL
Energy (`000
coal (c) tonnes) 19,737 20,609 19,264 59,496 60,935 -2% -2% -7%
(a) Excluding Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and
Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).
(b) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year
2006.
(c) Excluding Koornfontein which was disposed effective 1 July 2007.
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
Billit
on
Intere 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
st
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & (`000
condensate bbl) 10,671 11,443 11,299 12,317 16,240 39,856 33,725
Natural gas (bcf) 86.68 95.25 95.68 91.21 85.76 272.65 261.60
NGL (a) (`000
bbl) 2,626 3,018 3,095 2,685 2,201 7,981 8,504
Total (milli
Petroleum on 27.68 30.47 30.34 30.20 32.73 93.27 85.73
Products boe)
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINA
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Worsley 86% 708 768 784 771 712 2,267 2,188
Suriname 45% 241 243 244 252 247 743 735
Alumar 36% 136 133 125 134 136 395 393
Total 1,085 1,144 1,153 1,157 1,095 3,405 3,316
ALUMINIUM
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Hillside 100% 174 177 178 180 167 525 527
Bayside 100% 48 47 48 47 44 139 147
Alumar 40% 44 44 44 44 45 133 133
Mozal 47% 65 66 67 67 62 196 199
Total 331 334 337 338 318 993 1,006
BASE METALS
(b)
COPPER
Payable metal
in concentrate
(`000 tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 178.1 170.5 167.0 177.3 157.0 501.3 468.4
Antamina 33.8% 24.2 26.4 27.5 29.3 24.1 80.9 87.3
Pinto Valley 100% - - - 5.2 9.6 14.8 -
Total 202.3 196.9 194.5 211.8 190.7 597.0 555.7
Cathode (`000
tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 38.2 37.7 30.9 30.3 30.1 91.3 88.4
Cerro 100% 28.1 20.3 23.1 27.3 28.7 79.1 85.5
Colorado
Spence (c) 100% 33.5 37.7 23.9 34.2 41.6 99.7 37.8
Pinto Valley 100% 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.8 5.3 5.7
Olympic Dam 100% 53.6 47.6 33.6 42.8 36.0 112.4 134.9
Total 155.3 145.2 113.3 136.3 138.2 387.8 352.3
LEAD
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 62,974 62,409 61,073 70,369 67,505 198,947 148,405
Antamina 33.8% 469 317 448 175 380 1,003 1,152
Total 63,443 62,726 61,521 70,544 67,885 199,950 149,557
ZINC
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 15,095 11,355 14,503 15,487 13,735 43,725 34,327
Antamina 33.8% 20,665 27,793 22,756 12,320 22,235 57,311 45,220
Total 35,760 39,148 37,259 27,807 35,970 101,036 79,547
Refer
footnotes on
page 4.
BASE METALS
(continued)
GOLD
Payable metal
in concentrate
(ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 21,243 23,754 23,194 21,376 17,660 62,230 60,657
Olympic Dam
(refined 100% 22,661 28,689 17,119 24,338 18,555 60,012 62,971
gold)
Pinto Valley 100% - - - - 1 1 -
Total 43,904 52,443 40,313 45,714 36,216 122,243 123,628
SILVER
Payable metal in
concentrate (`000
ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 920 990 1,116 877 790 2,783 2,524
Antamina 33.8% 749 934 1,056 652 803 2,511 2,198
Cannington 100% 9,160 9,426 8,759 10,124 9,421 28,304 19,679
Olympic Dam
(refined 100% 196 275 193 239 169 601 539
silver)
Pinto Valley 100% - - - 13 38 52 -
Total 11,025 11,625 11,124 11,905 11,221 34,251 24,940
URANIUM OXIDE
CONCENTRATE
Payable metal
in concentrate
(ounces)
Olympic Dam 100% 883 988 933 1,191 993 3,117 2,498
Total 883 988 933 1,191 993 3,117 2,498
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Antamina 33.8% 288 493 693 679 580 1,952 1,775
Total 288 493 693 679 580 1,952 1,775
DIAMONDS AND
SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production
(`000 carats)
Ekati(TM) 80% 889 911 1,022 843 620 2,485 2,313
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
NICKEL
Production
(`000 tonnes)
CMSA 99.9% 12.8 12.7 12.5 11.4 7.8 31.7 38.3
Yabulu 100% 8.0 9.3 5.5 6.0 6.2 17.7 22.8
Nickel West 100% 25.0 26.6 20.6 26.3 29.0 75.9 77.5
Total 45.8 48.6 38.6 43.7 43.0 125.3 138.6
Refer
footnotes on
page 4.
IRON ORE
Production
(`000 tonnes)
(d)
Mt Newman
Joint Venture 85% 6,711 7,665 7,904 8,147 7,265 23,316 21,641
Goldsworthy
Joint Venture 85% 142 195 134 170 386 690 1,032
Area C Joint 85% 4,853 5,078 4,916 6,474 7,114 18,504 15,008
Venture
Yandi Joint 85% 8,277 9,661 9,823 9,770 10,061 29,654 25,887
Venture
Jimblebar 85% 1,177 1,341 1,157 1,248 1,660 4,065 4,116
Samarco 50% 1,866 2,001 2,067 2,107 1,933 6,107 5,799
Total 23,026 25,941 26,001 27,916 28,419 82,336 73,483
MANGANESE
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable
production
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa 60% 632 631 572 709 877 2,158 1,939
(e)
Australia (e) 60% 820 888 873 904 789 2,566 2,551
Total 1,452 1,519 1,445 1,613 1,666 4,724 4,490
MANGANESE
ALLOYS
Saleable
production
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa 60% 132 137 123 141 125 389 356
(e) (f)
Australia (e) 60% 64 49 61 68 67 196 190
Total 196 186 184 209 192 585 546
Production
(`000
tonnes) (g)
BMA 50% 6,478 7,442 5,917 6,138 4,232 16,287 19,241
BHP Mitsui
Coal (h) 80% 1,067 2,047 1,454 1,526 847 3,827 2,813
Illawarra 100% 1,539 1,643 2,201 1,979 1,767 5,947 5,243
Total 9,084 11,132 9,572 9,643 6,846 26,061 27,297
ENERGY COAL
Production
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa 100% 12,863 12,596 11,706 11,277 11,129 34,112 39,046
USA 100% 3,106 4,636 2,511 3,671 2,636 8,818 10,444
Australia 100% 2,731 2,610 2,918 2,959 2,965 8,842 8,287
Colombia 33% 2,230 2,441 2,488 2,702 2,534 7,724 6,965
Total 20,930 22,283 19,623 20,609 19,264 59,496 64,742
(a) LPG and Ethane are reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL). Product-
specific conversions are made and NGL is reported in barrels
of oil equivalent (boe).
(b) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.
(c) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006
quarter.
(d) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(e) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable
production is 60%.
(f) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.
(g) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of
saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(h) 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
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE
(`000 barrels)
Bass Strait 3,144 3,929 3,638 3,103 2,918 9,659 10,302
North West Shelf 2,532 2,514 2,532 2,493 1,912 6,937 8,251
Atlantis (a) - - - 615 3,320 3,935 -
Shenzi (a) - - - 32 194 226 -
Liverpool Bay &
Bruce / Keith 1,053 1,011 923 946 935 2,804 3,645
ROD / Ohanet 2,104 1,730 1,830 1,709 1,628 5,167 5,861
Other (b) 1,838 2,259 2,376 3,419 5,333 11,128 5,666
Total 10,671 11,443 11,299 12,317 16,240 39,856 33,725
NATURAL GAS (billion
cubic feet) (c)
Bass Strait 22.73 37.70 39.77 28.41 22.44 90.62 76.80
North West Shelf 27.10 25.70 27.17 28.13 26.43 81.73 79.80
Atlantis (a) - - - 0.12 1.54 1.66 -
Shenzi (a) - - - 0.01 0.06 0.07 -
Liverpool Bay &
Bruce / Keith 15.18 12.71 8.87 12.70 12.32 33.89 40.55
Other (b) 21.67 19.14 19.87 21.84 22.97 64.68 64.46
Total 86.68 95.25 95.68 91.21 85.76 272.65 261.60
NGL (`000 barrels)
Bass Strait 1,643 2,163 2,327 1,801 1,571 5,699 5,593
North West Shelf 435 369 438 417 300 1,155 1,320
Liverpool Bay &
Bruce / Keith 151 124 48 153 109 310 439
ROD / Ohanet 397 362 282 314 221 817 1,152
Total 2,626 3,018 3,095 2,685 2,201 7,981 8,504
TOTAL PETROLEUM
PRODUCTS 27.68 30.47 30.34 30.20 32.73 93.27 85.73
(million barrels of
oil equivalent) (d)
(a) Atlantis and Genghis Khan operations were commissioned during the
December 2007 quarter. Genghis Khan is reported in Shenzi.
(b) Other includes Stybarrow, Griffin, Minerva, Angostura, Mad Dog, West
Cameron 76, Mustang, Genesis, Starlifter, Green Canyon 18/60
and Pakistan. Stybarrow operation was commisioned during the December
2007 quarter.
(c) BHP Billiton completed the sale of its interest in Moranbah Coal Bed
Methane in the September 2006 quarter.
(d) 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
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Production
Worsley, Australia 708 768 784 771 712 2,267 2,188
Paranam, Suriname 241 243 244 252 247 743 735
Alumar, Brazil 136 133 125 134 136 395 393
Total 1,085 1,144 1,153 1,157 1,095 3,405 3,316
Sales
Worsley, Australia 659 794 792 803 683 2,278 2,145
Paranam, Suriname 225 253 244 265 246 755 704
Alumar, Brazil 120 164 131 128 135 394 365
Total (a) 1,004 1,211 1,167 1,196 1,064 3,427 3,214
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, South
Africa 174 177 178 180 167 525 527
Bayside, South
Africa 48 47 48 47 44 139 147
Alumar, Brazil 44 44 44 44 45 133 133
Mozal, Mozambique 65 66 67 67 62 196 199
Total 331 334 337 338 318 993 1,006
Sales
Hillside, South
Africa 162 188 165 180 159 504 505
Bayside, South
Africa 46 57 50 50 48 148 137
Alumar, Brazil 38 47 43 48 43 134 124
Mozal, Mozambique 64 70 56 72 57 185 190
Total 310 362 314 350 307 971 956
Tolling Agreement
(a) 33 32 33 33 30 96 77
343 394 347 383 337 1,067 1,033
(a) Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party
tolling agreement. These tonnages are allocated to equity sales.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT
REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Escondida, Chile
Material mined (`000
(100%) tonnes) 85,654 88,409 82,995 88,319 102,566 273,880 239,025
Sulphide ore (`000
milled (100%) tonnes) 23,450 23,064 22,406 21,777 22,029 66,212 64,292
Average copper
grade (%) 1.62% 1.58% 1.63% 1.72% 1.56% 1.64% 1.58%
Production ex Mill (`000
(100%) tonnes) 319.1 306.0 305.2 316.8 285.0 907.0 842.5
Production
Payable copper (`000
tonnes) 178.1 170.5 167.0 177.3 157.0 501.3 468.4
Payable gold (fine
concentrate ounces) 21,243 23,754 23,194 21,376 17,660 62,230 60,657
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 38.2 37.7 30.9 30.3 30.1 91.3 88.4
Payable silver (`000
concentrate ounces) 920 990 1,116 877 790 2,783 2,524
Sales
Payable copper (`000
tonnes) 149.4 199.0 162.9 173.0 160.6 496.5 451.1
Payable gold (fine
concentrate ounces) 17,966 27,623 22,957 21,158 18,190 62,305 58,833
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 36.0 43.0 32.0 23.8 32.3 88.1 77.5
Payable silver (`000
concentrate ounces) 785 1,153 1,089 864 813 2,766 2,446
Cerro Colorado,
Chile
Material mined (`000
tonnes) 15,429 13,984 17,095 17,798 16,769 51,662 50,621
Ore milled (`000
tonnes) 4,398 4,365 4,278 4,410 4,437 13,125 13,484
Average copper
grade (%) 0.90% 0.79% 0.84% 1.03% 0.80% 0.88% 0.83%
Production
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 28.1 20.3 23.1 27.3 28.7 79.1 85.5
Sales
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 27.9 24.1 23.5 24.5 28.5 76.5 84.1
Spence, Chile (a)
Material mined (`000
tonnes) 19,684 20,275 16,983 19,758 20,335 57,076 40,013
Ore milled (`000
tonnes) 4,282 3,718 4,132 4,333 3,918 12,383 7,792
Average copper
grade (%) 2.00% 1.80% 1.56% 1.61% 1.48% 1.60% 1.89%
Production
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 33.5 37.7 23.9 34.2 41.6 99.7 37.8
Sales
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 28.0 40.4 30.0 24.0 39.9 93.9 29.3
(a) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006
quarter.
Antamina, Peru
Material mined (`000
(100%) tonnes) 24,428 29,034 31,145 31,289 29,095 91,529 82,662
Sulphide ore (`000
milled (100%) tonnes) 7,841 8,033 8,344 6,955 6,518 21,817 23,352
Average head
grades
- Copper (%) 1.10% 1.17% 1.15% 1.47% 1.21% 1.27% 1.24%
- Zinc (%) 1.25% 1.46% 1.17% 0.69% 1.55% 1.16% 0.92%
Production
Payable copper (`000
tonnes) 24.2 26.4 27.5 29.3 24.1 80.9 87.3
Payable zinc (tonnes) 20,665 27,793 22,756 12,320 22,235 57,311 45,220
Payable silver (`000
ounces) 749 934 1,056 652 803 2,511 2,198
Payable lead (tonnes) 469 317 448 175 380 1,003 1,152
Payable
molybdenum (tonnes) 288 493 693 679 580 1,952 1,775
Sales
Payable copper (`000
tonnes) 25.0 20.7 28.5 32.6 20.4 81.5 94.2
Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,479 31,914 25,306 12,458 16,630 54,394 43,556
Payable silver (`000
ounces) 707 645 917 719 512 2,148 2,185
Payable lead (tonnes) 686 394 334 140 261 735 1,677
Payable
molybdenum (tonnes) 591 480 662 605 531 1,798 1,953
Cannington,
Australia
Material mined (`000
tonnes) 732 717 824 808 698 2,330 1,666
Ore milled (`000
tonnes) 704 688 661 755 726 2,142 1,660
Average head
grades
- Silver (g/t) 477 493 478 489 472 480 428
- Lead (%) 10.5% 10.3% 10.4% 10.7% 10.7% 10.6% 10.3%
- Zinc (%) 3.6% 3.0% 3.5% 3.3% 3.2% 3.3% 3.5%
Production
Payable silver (`000
ounces) 9,160 9,426 8,759 10,124 9,421 28,304 19,679
Payable lead (tonnes) 62,974 62,409 61,073 70,369 67,505 198,947 148,405
Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,095 11,355 14,503 15,487 13,735 43,725 34,327
Sales
Payable silver (`000
ounces) 8,331 10,352 6,725 11,266 7,727 25,718 19,978
Payable lead (tonnes) 56,726 66,411 46,148 78,325 53,167 177,640 147,941
Payable zinc (tonnes) 11,585 14,888 9,257 19,577 9,629 38,463 30,246
Olympic Dam,
Australia
Material mined (`000
(a) tonnes) 2,103 2,255 2,424 2,520 2,333 7,277 6,311
Ore milled (`000
tonnes) 2,117 2,272 2,239 2,552 2,225 7,016 6,342
Average copper
grade (%) 1.96% 1.93% 1.83% 1.86% 1.86% 1.85% 2.11%
Average uranium
grade kg/t 0.59 0.58 0.57 0.63 0.59 0.60 0.58
Production
Copper cathode (`000
(ER) tonnes) 50.2 44.1 30.6 40.2 32.9 103.7 124.0
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 3.4 3.5 3.0 2.6 3.1 8.7 10.9
Uranium oxide
concentrate (tonnes) 883 988 933 1,191 993 3,117 2,498
Refined gold (fine
ounces) 22,661 28,689 17,119 24,338 18,555 60,012 62,971
Refined silver (`000
ounces) 196 275 193 239 169 601 539
Sales
Copper cathode (`000
(ER) tonnes) 51.6 45.2 30.7 41.0 31.9 103.6 126.9
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 4.6 4.4 3.1 2.5 2.3 7.9 10.8
Uranium oxide
concentrate (tonnes) 1,043 646 562 346 1,182 2,090 2,672
Refined gold (fine
ounces) 22,983 27,589 20,118 21,760 19,767 61,645 64,620
Refined silver (`000
ounces) 183 294 192 237 173 602 528
(a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto Valley, USA
Production
Copper concentrate (`000
(a) tonnes) - - - 5.2 9.6 14.8 -
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.8 5.3 5.7
Payable silver (a) (`000
ounces) - - - 13.3 38.4 51.7 -
Payable gold (a) (`000
ounces) - - - - 1.3 1.3 -
Sales
Copper concentrate (`000
tonnes) - - - 2.6 7.9 10.5 -
Copper cathode (`000
(EW) tonnes) 1.5 2.5 0.9 0.9 4.0 5.8 4.7
Payable silver (`000
ounces) - - - 13.3 38.4 51.7 -
Payable gold (`000
ounces) - - - - 1.3 1.3 -
(a) Production restarted during the December 2007 quarter.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
Ekati(TM), Canada
Ore Processed (`000
(100%) tonnes) 1,046 1,194 1,009 1,080 967 3,056 3,345
Production (`000
carats) 889 911 1,022 843 620 2,485 2,313
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
STAINLESS STEEL
MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
NICKEL
CMSA, Colombia
Production 12.8 12.7 12.5 11.4 7.8 31.7 38.3
Sales 12.4 12.5 6.9 13.2 13.6 33.7 38.5
Yabulu, Australia
Production
Nickel metal 8.0 9.3 5.5 6.0 6.2 17.7 22.8
Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 1.2 1.2
Sales
Nickel metal 7.1 9.6 5.3 6.3 6.5 18.1 20.3
Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 1.3 1.2
Nickel West,
Australia
Production
Nickel contained in
concentrate - 0.9 - 1.2 1.3 2.5 -
Nickel contained in
finished matte 12.9 13.2 3.9 8.5 10.3 22.7 36.4
Nickel metal 12.1 12.5 16.7 16.6 17.4 50.7 41.1
Nickel production 25.0 26.6 20.6 26.3 29.0 75.9 77.5
Sales
Nickel contained in
concentrate - 0.9 - 0.9 0.6 1.5 -
Nickel contained in
finished matte 9.9 15.1 6.2 9.5 9.4 25.1 32.7
Nickel metal 14.2 11.5 14.7 14.4 15.7 44.8 41.4
Nickel sales 24.1 27.5 20.9 24.8 25.7 71.4 74.1
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
IRON ORE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Mt Newman Joint
Venture 6,711 7,665 7,904 8,147 7,265 23,316 21,641
Goldsworthy Joint
Venture 142 195 134 170 386 690 1,032
Area C Joint
Venture 4,853 5,078 4,916 6,474 7,114 18,504 15,008
Yandi Joint
Venture 8,277 9,661 9,823 9,770 10,061 29,654 25,887
Jimblebar 1,177 1,341 1,157 1,248 1,660 4,065 4,116
Total (BHP
Billiton share) 21,160 23,940 23,934 25,809 26,486 76,229 67,684
Total production
(100%) 24,896 28,165 28,159 30,363 31,160 89,682 79,630
Shipments
Lump 5,193 5,753 6,076 7,179 7,603 20,858 17,478
Fines 15,454 17,458 17,979 18,847 19,714 56,540 50,175
Total (BHP
Billiton share) 20,647 23,211 24,055 26,026 27,317 77,398 67,653
Total sales (100%) 24,290 27,307 28,300 30,619 32,138 91,057 79,591
(a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
Samarco, Brazil
Production 1,866 2,001 2,067 2,107 1,933 6,107 5,799
Shipments 1,684 2,159 1,850 2,316 1,589 5,755 5,913
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
MANGANESE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
MANGANESE ORE
South Africa
Saleable production
(a) 632 631 572 709 877 2,158 1,939
Australia
Saleable production
(a) 820 888 873 904 789 2,566 2,551
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa
Saleable production
(a) (b) 132 137 123 141 125 389 356
Australia
Saleable production
(a) 64 49 61 68 67 196 190
(a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is
60%.
(b) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
METALLURGICAL COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
METALLURGICAL COAL
(a)
Queensland,
Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 1,484 1,730 1,407 1,370 1,345 4,122 4,408
Goonyella 1,896 2,268 1,677 1,505 1,117 4,299 5,084
Peak Downs 1,076 1,045 881 1,243 849 2,973 3,439
Saraji 883 939 777 890 376 2,043 2,458
Norwich Park 745 797 502 576 306 1,384 2,053
Gregory Joint
Venture 394 663 673 554 239 1,466 1,799
BMA total 6,478 7,442 5,917 6,138 4,232 16,287 19,241
BHP Mitsui Coal
(b)
South Walker Creek 785 982 939 868 438 2,245 2,440
Poitrel (c) 282 1,065 515 658 409 1,582 373
BHP Mitsui Coal
total 1,067 2,047 1,454 1,526 847 3,827 2,813
Queensland total 7,545 9,489 7,371 7,664 5,079 20,114 22,054
Shipments
Coking coal 5,368 5,684 5,479 5,875 3,790 15,144 15,598
Weak coking coal 1,710 1,804 1,668 1,966 1,726 5,360 5,059
Thermal coal 419 854 516 328 497 1,341 1,265
Total 7,497 8,343 7,663 8,169 6,013 21,845 21,922
(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 1,539 1,643 2,201 1,979 1,767 5,947 5,243
Shipments
Coking coal 1,624 1,724 1,906 1,851 1,549 5,306 4,573
Thermal coal 175 288 199 290 194 683 643
Total 1,799 2,012 2,105 2,141 1,743 5,989 5,216
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR
2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa (a)
Production 12,863 12,596 11,706 11,277 11,129 34,112 39,046
Sales
Export 5,068 5,218 4,207 4,269 2,936 11,412 15,447
Local utility 7,874 7,416 7,063 7,351 7,430 21,844 22,839
Inland 259 310 388 209 190 787 741
Total 13,201 12,944 11,658 11,829 10,556 34,043 39,027
(a) Koornfontein was sold with effect from 1 July 2007.
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal 1,971 2,321 1,548 1,899 1,800 5,247 5,853
San Juan Coal 1,135 2,315 963 1,772 836 3,571 4,591
Total 3,106 4,636 2,511 3,671 2,636 8,818 10,444
Sales - local
utility 3,400 3,185 3,693 3,254 2,573 9,520 10,838
Hunter Valley,
Australia
Production 2,731 2,610 2,918 2,959 2,965 8,842 8,287
Sales
Export 1,479 1,934 1,423 1,892 1,842 5,157 4,582
Inland 1,168 909 1,179 985 791 2,955 3,204
Total 2,647 2,843 2,602 2,877 2,633 8,112 7,786
Cerrejon Coal,
Colombia
Production 2,230 2,441 2,488 2,702 2,534 7,724 6,965
Sales - export 2,446 2,401 2,761 2,334 2,534 7,629 7,105
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia
Emma Meade, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 409 199 236
email: Emma.Meade@bhpbilliton.com
Leng Lau, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706
email: Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom & South Africa
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: Andre.Liebenberg@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
Date: 23/04/2008 09:26:07 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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