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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Production Report For The Quarter Ended 31
December 2006
BHP Billiton Plc
Share Code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
Number 01/07
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended
31 December 2006. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated,
production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share.
* Record half year and quarterly production of aluminium, alumina, copper
cathode, iron ore, and manganese ore from continuing operations in
response to strong customer demand. A half year production record was
also achieved for molybdenum.
* Half year production records at Zamzama (Pakistan), Worsley
(Australia), Paranam (Suriname), Hillside and Bayside (both South
Africa), Mozal (Mozambique), Western Australia Iron Ore and GEMCO (both
Australia), Samancor (South Africa) and Hunter Valley Coal (Australia).
* Quarterly production records at Zamzama, Worsley, Alumar (Brazil),
Bayside, Mt Newman, Saraji and GEMCO (all Australia).
* Record quarterly production of natural gas from North West Shelf
(Australia) and copper from Escondida (Chile) in response to strong
demand.
* First production from the recently commissioned Spence (Chile) and
Poitrel (Australia) operations.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
PETROLEUM HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Crude Oil & Condensate and Natural 28,889 13,673 0% -1% -10%
Gas Liquid (`000 bbl) (a)
Natural Gas (bcf) (a) 173.47 82.93 -4% -2% -8%
Total Petroleum Products (million 57.85 27.52 -2% 0% -9%
boe) (a)
(a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields (sold March 2006 quarter),
Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and Typhoon /
Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).
Total Petroleum Production - Total production for the half year ended
December 2006 was broadly in line with the half year ended 31 December
2005. Improving base operational performance had a very positive impact
and reduced the effect of natural field decline.
Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquid - December 2006 half year
production was in line with previous period due to improved operational
uptime mitigating natural field decline.
Production for the December 2006 quarter was lower than the September
2006 quarter primarily due to lower liquids associated with expected
lower seasonal gas demand in southeast Australia, unscheduled equipment
changes at Angostura (Trinidad), and the timing of recognising
entitlement barrels in Production Sharing Contracts.
Natural Gas - Production for the December 2006 half year was lower than
the December 2005 half year primarily due to the strategy to limit gas
sales to maximise liquids recovery at Liverpool Bay, and lower
contractual demand.
Production from continuing operations for the December 2006 quarter was
lower than the September 2006 quarter primarily due to the expected lower
seasonal demand in southeast Australia. Well capacities remain strong and
in excess of the quarterly gas sales.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
ALUMINIUM HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Alumina (`000 tonnes) 2,231 1,153 9% 14% 7%
Aluminium (`000 tonnes) (a) 675 338 3% 1% 0%
(a) Excluding Valesul which was sold effective from 1 July 2006.
Alumina - Production and sales for the half year and quarter ended 31
December 2006 were all time records. Both half year and quarterly
production records were achieved at Worsley due to continued ramp up of
the Worsley Development Capital Project and processing of stockpiled
hydrate. Paranam achieved half year record production due to lower
downtime and full utilisation of expanded capacity. Record quarterly
production from Alumar also contributed to the strong result.
Aluminium - Third consecutive record half year production was achieved.
All operations performed at record or near record levels due to
successful implementation of a series of business improvement
initiatives.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
BASE METALS HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Copper (`000 tonnes) (a) 550.6 300.7 -5% 0% 20%
Silver (`000 ounces) (a) 13,915 6,566 -44% -52% -11%
Lead (tonnes) 85,431 36,454 -40% -53% -26%
Zinc (tonnes) 43,787 19,776 -17% -17% -18%
Uranium Oxide Concentrate (Uranium) 1,615 822 -25% -23% 4%
(tonnes)
(a) Excluding Tintaya which was sold effective from 1 June 2006.
Copper - Production from continuing operations (excluding Tintaya (Peru))
was in line with the December 2005 half year and quarter. Record half
year and quarterly copper cathode production from continuing operations
(excluding Tintaya) reflecting the continued ramp up of the Sulphide
Leach Project and the successful commissioning of Spence.
Escondida achieved a quarterly production record due to continued ramp up
of the Sulphide Leach Project which produced 20,700 tonnes for the half
year ended December 2006. Increased mill throughput and higher head
grades contributed to near record half year and quarterly production at
Antamina (Peru).
At the half year ended 31 December 2006 the Group had 205,129 tonnes of
copper sales that were provisionally priced at a weighted average price
of US$6,325 per tonne. The final price of these sales will be determined
in 2007. In addition, 274,280 tonnes of copper sales were subject to a
finalisation adjustment from the prior period. The finalisation
adjustment and provisional pricing impact as at 31 December 2006 will
decrease earnings by US$220 million for the period.
Silver / Lead - Production was lower as the rehabilitation of ground
support at Cannington (Australia) progressed. The rehabilitation project
is substantially complete.
Zinc - In addition to the temporary partial closure at Cannington,
production for the quarter was impacted by lower head grades at Antamina.
Uranium - Production was lower than the half year and quarter ended
December 2005 due to variability of ore sources, unscheduled maintenance
and reduced ore hoisting at Olympic Dam (Australia).
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS - IRON ORE HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Iron ore (`000 tonnes) (a) 49,567 25,370 9% 11% 5%
(a) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar
year 2006.
Iron Ore - Record production and sales were achieved for the half year
ended December 2006. This reflects the increased production from the
recently expanded Western Australia Iron Ore operations in response to
continuing strong customer demand. Tie-in activity for Rapid Growth
Project 3 (Australia), including the Goldsworthy suspension, negatively
impacted production and is expected to continue for the remainder of the
year.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS - HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
METALLURGICAL COAL DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Metallurgical Coal (`000 tonnes) 18,213 8,966 1% 0% -3%
Metallurgical Coal - Metallurgical coal production was in line with
previous periods. First production was achieved at Poitrel during the
quarter.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS - MANGANESE HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Manganese Ore (`000 tonnes) 3,038 1,529 14% 20% 1%
Manganese Alloy (`000 tonnes) 345 192 13% 16% 25%
Manganese Ore - Record production in response to stronger customer
demand.
Manganese Alloy - Higher production was due to optimisation of the
product mix, improved equipment availability, and scheduled maintenance
in prior periods.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Diamonds (`000 carats) 1,424 937 -3% 53% 92%
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. In the December 2006 quarter, processing of higher
grade, with lower diamonds values, had a positive impact on production.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
ENERGY COAL HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Energy Coal (`000 tonnes) 43,812 22,030 -3% 3% 1%
Energy Coal - Production was in line with all comparative periods. Hunter
Valley Coal achieved a record half year of production due to operational
improvement initiatives.
DEC DEC DEC DEC DEC Q06
2006 2006 H06 Q06 vs
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS HALF QTR vs vs SEPT
DEC DEC Q06
H05 Q05
Nickel (`000 tonnes) 92.8 48.3 0% -1% 9%
Nickel - Production for the December 2006 half year was in line with the
record production in the December 2005 half year.
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY -
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR % CHANGE
ENDED
DEC DEC DEC
H06 Q06 Q06
DEC SEPT DEC DEC DEC vs vs vs
2005 2006 2006 2006 2005 DEC DEC SEPT
H05 Q05 Q06
PETROLEUM
Crude oil & (`000 11,104 12,091 10,963 23,054 22,953 0% -1% -9%
condensate bbl)
(a)
Natural gas (bcf) 84.49 90.54 82.93 173.47 179.95 -4% -2% -8%
(b)
Natural gas (`000 2,672 3,125 2,710 5,835 5,917 -1% 1% -13%
liquid bbl)
Total (million 27.52 30.33 27.52 57.85 59.25 -2% 0% -9%
Petroleum boe)
Products (b)
ALUMINIUM
Alumina (`000 1,012 1,078 1,153 2,231 2,040 9% 14% 7%
tonnes)
Aluminium (c) (`000 334 337 338 675 657 3% 1% 0%
tonnes)
BASE METALS
Copper (d) (`000 300.4 249.9 300.7 550.6 582.3 -5% 0% 20%
tonnes)
Lead (tonnes) 77,187 48,977 36,454 85,431 142,060 -40% -53% -26%
Zinc (tonnes) 23,928 24,011 19,776 43,787 53,075 -17% -17% -18%
Gold (d) (ounces) 46,500 41,160 38,564 79,724 92,118 -13% -17% -6%
Silver (d) (`000 13,698 7,349 6,566 13,915 24,893 -44% -52% -11%
ounces)
Uranium oxide (tonnes) 1,070 793 822 1,615 2,158 -25% -23% 4%
concentrate
Molybdenum (tonnes) 772 719 768 1,487 1,345 11% -1% 7%
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
Iron ore (e) (`000 22,941 24,197 25,370 49,567 45,396 9% 11% 5%
tonnes)
Metallurgical (`000 8,973 9,247 8,966 18,213 17,959 1% 0% -3%
coal tonnes)
Manganese ore (`000 1,278 1,509 1,529 3,038 2,665 14% 20% 1%
tonnes)
Manganese (`000 165 153 192 345 304 13% 16% 25%
alloy tonnes)
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
Diamonds (`000 614 487 937 1,424 1,466 -3% 53% 92%
carats)
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal (`000 21,287 21,782 22,030 43,812 45,297 -3% 3% 1%
tonnes)
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
Nickel (`000 49.0 44.5 48.3 92.8 93.1 0% -1% 9%
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
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
BHP DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
Billiton
Interest 2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & (`000 11,202 10,886 11,551 12,091 10,963 23,054 23,436
condensate bbl)
Natural gas (bcf) 86.35 77.85 98.59 91.83 83.09 174.92 184.00
NGL (a) (`000 2,672 2,448 3,063 3,125 2,710 5,835 5,917
bbl)
Total (million 28.26 26.31 31.04 30.52 27.52 58.04 60.01
Petroleum boe)
Products
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINA
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Worsley 86% 663 717 694 704 776 1,480 1,352
Suriname 45% 219 228 247 253 241 494 446
Alumar 36% 130 130 131 121 136 257 242
Total 1,012 1,075 1,072 1,078 1,153 2,231 2,040
ALUMINIUM
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Hillside 100% 177 174 177 177 176 353 349
Bayside 100% 46 46 46 49 50 99 87
Alumar 46.3% 45 44 44 44 45 89 90
Valesul (b) 45.5% 10 11 11 - - - 21
Mozal 47% 66 65 66 67 67 134 131
Total 344 340 344 337 338 675 678
BASE METALS
(c)
COPPER
Payable metal
in concentrate
(`000 tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 169.0 168.2 165.2 129.7 160.6 290.3 337.6
Antamina 33.8% 34.3 32.9 29.1 29.0 34.1 63.1 62.2
Tintaya (d) 100% 18.1 16.2 12.9 - - - 35.4
Total 221.4 217.3 207.2 158.7 194.7 353.4 435.2
Cathode (`000
tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 20.0 15.4 11.7 17.5 32.7 50.2 39.6
Cerro 100% 21.5 28.1 30.0 30.0 27.4 57.4 36.0
Colorado
Spence (e) 100% - - - - 4.3 4.3 -
Tintaya (d) 100% 9.9 9.1 6.1 - - - 19.6
Pinto Valley 100% 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 4.0 4.3
Olympic Dam 100% 53.5 47.1 54.6 41.6 39.7 81.3 102.6
Total 107.0 101.8 104.5 91.2 106.0 197.2 202.1
LEAD
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 77,187 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 85,431 142,060
Total 77,187 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 85,431 142,060
ZINC
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Cannington 100% 18,780 20,885 14,926 10,426 8,806 19,232 32,968
Antamina 33.8% 5,148 7,534 12,638 13,585 10,970 24,555 20,107
Total 23,928 28,419 27,564 24,011 19,776 43,787 53,075
Refer
footnotes on
page 4.
BASE METALS
(continued)
GOLD
Payable metal
in concentrate
(ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 19,200 17,877 23,567 17,049 22,365 39,414 38,394
Tintaya (d) 100% 8,200 8,032 4,958 - - - 16,248
Olympic Dam 100% 27,300 26,186 27,636 24,111 16,199 40,310 53,724
(refined
gold)
Total 54,700 52,095 56,161 41,160 38,564 79,724 108,366
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate(`000 ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 945 714 925 724 880 1,604 1,740
Antamina 33.8% 859 865 808 713 736 1,449 1,501
Tintaya (d) 100% 168 138 119 - - - 335
Cannington 100% 11,672 9,693 7,503 5,714 4,805 10,519 21,251
Olympic Dam 100% 222 245 238 198 145 343 401
(refined
silver)
Total 13,866 11,655 9,593 7,349 6,566 13,915 25,228
URANIUM OXIDE
CONCENTRATE
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Olympic Dam 100% 1,070 913 865 793 822 1,615 2,158
Total 1,070 913 865 793 822 1,615 2,158
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal
in concentrate
(tonnes)
Antamina 33.8% 772 632 538 719 768 1,487 1,345
Total 772 632 538 719 768 1,487 1,345
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
IRON ORE (f)
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Mt Newman 85% 6,166 5,884 6,490 7,394 7,536 14,930 12,400
Joint Venture
Goldsworthy 85% 1,669 1,371 1,808 806 84 890 3,062
Joint Venture
Area C Joint 85% 4,969 3,332 5,401 4,821 5,334 10,155 9,255
Venture
Yandi Joint 85% 8,372 8,561 8,854 8,504 9,106 17,610 16,781
Venture
Jimblebar 85% 1,569 1,549 1,607 1,490 1,449 2,939 3,214
Samarco 50% 1,865 1,802 1,955 1,988 1,945 3,933 3,746
Total 24,610 22,499 26,115 25,003 25,454 50,457 48,458
METALLURGICAL
COAL (g)
Production
(`000 tonnes)
BMA 50% 6,441 5,972 6,474 6,657 6,106 12,763 13,134
BHP Mitsui 80% 710 763 850 873 873 1,746 1,436
Coal (h)
Illawarra 100% 1,822 1,725 1,900 1,717 1,987 3,704 3,389
Total 8,973 8,460 9,224 9,247 8,966 18,213 17,959
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable
production
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa 60% 529 532 673 644 663 1,307 1,095
(i)
Australia (i) 60% 749 694 716 865 866 1,731 1,570
Total 1,278 1,226 1,389 1,509 1,529 3,038 2,665
Refer
footnotes on
page 4.
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
(cont`d)
MANGANESE
ALLOYS
Saleable
production
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa 60% 105 119 131 93 126 219 184
(i)
Australia (i) 60% 60 54 44 60 66 126 120
Total 165 173 175 153 192 345 304
DIAMONDS AND
SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production
(`000 carats)
Ekati(TM) 80% 614 512 583 487 937 1,424 1,466
FERTILISER
Production
(`000 tonnes)
Southern 100% 252.6 222.5 141.3 84.3 - 84.3 497.5
Cross
Fertiliser
Operations
(j)
ENERGY COAL
Production
(`000 tonnes)
South Africa 100% 12,940 11,605 12,854 13,151 13,032 26,183 27,489
USA 100% 4,065 2,829 3,891 3,467 3,871 7,338 8,626
100% 2,045 1,897 2,636 2,766 2,790 5,556 4,613
Australia
Colombia 33% 2,237 2,341 2,406 2,398 2,337 4,735 4,569
Total 21,287 18,672 21,787 21,782 22,030 43,812 45,297
STAINLESS
STEEL
MATERIALS
NICKEL
Production
(`000 tonnes)
CMSA 99.8% 13.0 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.8 25.5 25.8
Yabulu 100% 5.9 7.0 4.3 7.3 7.5 14.8 12.0
Nickel West 100% 30.1 20.3 24.5 24.5 28.0 52.5 55.3
Total 49.0 40.2 41.6 44.5 48.3 92.8 93.1
(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) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(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%.
(i) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is
60%.
(j) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser
operations on 1 August 2006.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE
(`000 barrels)
Bass Strait 3,584 3,414 3,964 3,847 3,311 7,158 7,304
Minerva 26 18 20 23 21 44 60
North West Shelf 1,405 1,263 1,091 1,350 1,410 2,760 2,775
- condensate
North West Shelf 979 751 1,111 1,634 1,325 2,959 2,128
- Wanaea/Cossack
Griffin 344 204 296 323 312 635 780
Pakistan 54 59 60 61 62 123 103
Typhoon/Boris (a) 23 - - - - - 329
Mad Dog 604 549 698 528 549 1,077 1,044
Other Americas 161 68 68 78 81 159 284
(b)
Angostura 1,018 1,080 1,191 1,174 618 1,792 2,016
Liverpool Bay 1,161 1,278 1,199 931 1,280 2,211 2,321
Bruce/Keith 256 209 182 178 202 380 510
Ohanet 353 389 426 357 472 829 836
ROD 1,234 1,604 1,245 1,607 1,320 2,927 2,946
Total 11,202 10,886 11,551 12,091 10,963 23,054 23,436
NATURAL GAS
(billion cubic
feet)
Bass Strait 21.12 18.26 34.43 33.54 20.53 54.07 57.05
Minerva 8.14 5.78 6.36 7.73 6.90 14.63 18.44
North West Shelf 3.81 3.55 4.63 3.54 3.89 7.43 7.78
- Domestic
North West Shelf 23.16 21.15 22.70 21.68 23.59 45.27 44.35
- LNG
Griffin 0.41 0.12 0.19 0.49 0.45 0.94 0.97
Moranbah Coal Bed 1.73 1.75 1.86 1.12 - 1.12 3.38
Methane (c)
Illawarra Coal 1.60 1.50 1.35 1.50 0.95 2.45 2.72
Bed Methane
Pakistan 8.40 8.52 9.02 9.14 9.34 18.48 15.72
Typhoon/Boris (a) 0.01 - - - - - 0.47
Mad Dog 0.12 0.11 0.25 0.17 0.16 0.33 0.20
Other Americas 1.00 1.78 2.34 2.55 2.27 4.82 2.89
(b)
Bruce/Keith 6.28 6.52 5.40 4.21 5.42 9.63 12.09
Liverpool Bay 10.57 8.81 10.06 6.16 9.59 15.75 17.94
Total 86.35 77.85 98.59 91.83 83.09 174.92 184.00
NGL (`000 barrels) (d)
Bass Strait 1,719 1,574 2,254 2,224 1,726 3,950 3,912
North West Shelf 465 410 349 444 441 885 924
Bruce/Keith 176 94 59 138 107 245 336
Ohanet 312 370 401 319 436 755 745
Total 2,672 2,448 3,063 3,125 2,710 5,835 5,917
TOTAL PETROLEUM 28.26 26.31 31.04 30.52 27.52 58.04 60.01
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
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise
stated.
(`000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Production
Worsley, 663 717 694 704 776 1,480 1,352
Australia
219 228 247 253 241 494 446
Paranam,
Suriname
Alumar, Brazil 130 130 131 121 136 257 242
1,012 1,075 1,072 1,078 1,153 2,231 2,040
Total
Sales
Worsley, 710 709 672 666 820 1,486 1,294
Australia
Paranam, 249 213 244 236 243 479 452
Suriname
Alumar, Brazil 121 130 147 108 137 245 228
Total (a) 1,080 1,052 1,063 1,010 1,200 2,210 1,974
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, 177 174 177 177 176 353 349
South Africa
Bayside, South 46 46 46 49 50 99 87
Africa
Alumar, Brazil 45 44 44 44 45 89 90
Valesul, 10 11 11 - - - 21
Brazil (b)
Mozal, 66 65 66 67 67 134 131
Mozambique
Total 344 340 344 337 338 675 678
Sales
Hillside, 175 162 186 170 173 343 343
South Africa
Bayside, South 43 40 48 44 47 91 77
Africa
Alumar, Brazil 44 48 44 44 42 86 86
Valesul, 12 10 11 - - - 23
Brazil (b)
Mozal, 79 58 68 60 66 126 133
Mozambique
Total 353 318 357 318 328 646 662
Tolling Agreement 22 22 38 24 20 44 45
(a)
375 340 395 342 348 690 707
(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
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Escondida,
Chile
Material (`000 92,155 90,781 94,429 59,601 93,770 153,371 183,074
mined (100%) tonnes)
Sulphide ore (`000 22,161 21,843 21,473 18,257 22,585 40,842 44,416
milled tonnes)
(100%)
Average (%) 1.58% 1.62% 1.63% 1.55% 1.55% 1.55% 1.59%
copper grade
Production (`000 304.0 302.8 295.9 234.0 289.4 523.4 608.4
ex Mill tonnes)
(100%)
Production
Payable (`000 169.0 168.2 165.2 129.7 160.6 290.3 337.6
copper tonnes)
Payable gold (fine 19,200 17,877 23,567 17,049 22,365 39,414 38,394
concentrate ounces)
Copper (`000 20.0 15.4 11.7 17.5 32.7 50.2 39.6
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Payable (`000 945 714 925 724 880 1,604 1,740
silver ounces)
concentrate
Sales
Payable (`000 160.7 184.4 158.6 133.8 167.9 301.7 330.1
copper tonnes)
Payable gold (fine 18,145 20,159 22,627 17,778 23,089 40,867 37,439
concentrate ounces)
Copper (`000 19.4 16.7 11.5 14.2 27.3 41.5 38.7
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Payable (`000 892 802 891 752 909 1,661 1,695
silver ounces)
concentrate
Tintaya, Peru
(a)
Material (`000 17,107 15,960 11,539 - - - 34,335
mined tonnes)
Sulphide Ore (`000 1,734 1,523 1,123 - - - 3,280
milled tonnes)
Average (%) 1.26% 1.26% 1.33% - - - 1.29%
copper grade
Production
Payable (`000 18.1 16.2 12.9 - - - 35
copper tonnes)
Payable gold (fine 8,200 8,032 4,958 - - - 16,248
concentrate ounces)
Copper (`000 9.9 9.1 6.1 - - - 20
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Payable (`000 168 138 119 - - - 335
silver ounces)
concentrate
Sales
Payable (`000 19.4 15.1 12.0 - - - 36
copper tonnes)
Payable gold (fine 8,376 8,016 5,079 - - - 15,159
concentrate ounces)
Copper (`000 9.8 8.3 7.1 - - - 20
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Payable (`000 207 127 109 - - - 368
silver ounces)
concentrate
(a) BHP Billiton sold Tintaya with effect from 1 June 2006.
Cerro
Colorado,
Chile
Material (`000 17,107 17,926 18,258 16,334 18,858 35,192 3,803
mined tonnes)
Ore milled (`000 4,348 4,266 4,490 4,508 4,578 9,086 7,692
tonnes)
Average (%) 0.90% 0.94% 0.83% 0.80% 0.81% 0.81% 0.85%
copper grade
Production
Copper (`000 21.5 28.1 30.0 30.0 27.4 57.4 36.0
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Sales
Copper (`000 19.7 24.4 34.5 27.9 28.3 56.2 34.7
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Spence, Chile
(a)
Material (`000 - - - - 20,329 20,329 -
mined tonnes)
Ore milled (`000 - - - - 3,510 3,510 -
tonnes)
- - - - 1.76% 1.76% -
Average (%)
copper grade
Production
Copper (`000 - - - - 4.3 4.3 -
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Sales
Copper (`000 - - - - 1.3 1.3 -
cathode (EW) tonnes)
(a) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006
quarter.
Antamina,
Peru
Material (`000 32,598 28,982 29,740 29,917 28,317 58,234 65,437
mined (100%) tonnes)
Sulphide ore (`000 8,349 7,549 7,196 7,581 7,930 15,511 15,716
milled tonnes)
(100%)
Average head
grades
- Copper (%) 1.36% 1.48% 1.45% 1.22% 1.41% 1.32% 1.33%
- Zinc (%) 0.51% 0.62% 0.88% 0.87% 0.65% 0.76% 0.76%
Production
Payable (`000 34.3 32.9 29.1 29.0 34.1 63.1 62.2
copper tonnes)
(tonnes) 5,148 7,534 12,638 13,585 10,970 24,555 20,107
Payable zinc
Payable (`000 859 865 808 713 736 1,449 1,501
silver ounces)
(tonnes) 772 632 538 719 768 1,487 1,345
Payable
molybdenum
Sales
Payable (`000 35.5 30.5 25.6 33.9 35.3 69.2 66.2
copper tonnes)
Payable zinc (tonnes) 7,894 9,634 7,638 14,224 13,853 28,077 21,097
Payable (`000 813 750 505 713 623 1,336 1,482
silver ounces)
Payable 751 697 627 719 808 1,527 1,289
molybdenum (tonnes)
Cannington,
Australia
Material (`000 887 799 496 428 506 934 1,797
mined tonnes)
Ore milled (`000 850 809 589 478 478 956 1,622
tonnes)
Average head
grades
- Silver (g/t) 493 431 462 423 360 392 474
- Lead (%) 10.8% 9.8% 10.9% 11.6% 8.8% 10.2% 10.3%
- Zinc (%) 3.5% 4.0% 4.1% 3.6% 3.1% 3.4% 3.4%
Production
Payable (`000 11,672 9,693 7,503 5,714 4,805 10,519 21,251
silver ounces)
Payable lead (tonnes) 77,187 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 85,431 142,060
Payable zinc (tonnes) 18,780 20,885 14,926 10,426 8,806 19,232 32,968
Sales
Payable (`000 11,972 9,061 8,516 5,010 6,637 11,647 21,050
silver ounces)
Payable lead (tonnes) 79,474 63,112 62,787 39,694 51,521 91,215 139,416
Payable zinc (tonnes) 16,814 17,508 20121 6,346 12,315 18,661 27,490
Olympic Dam,
Australia
Material (`000 2,145 2,065 2,002 2,178 2,030 4,208 4,152
mined (a) tonnes)
Ore milled (`000 2,430 2,343 2,517 2,043 2,182 4,225 4,775
tonnes)
Average (%) 2.32% 2.10% 2.10% 2.10% 2.21% 2.16% 2.29%
copper grade
Average kg/t 0.65 0.59 0.55 0.57 0.58 1.15 1.29
uranium
grade
Production
Copper (`000 48.6 43.1 50.5 38.4 35.4 73.8 92.8
cathode (ER) tonnes)
Copper (`000 4.9 4.0 4.1 3.2 4.3 7.5 9.8
cathode (EW) tonnes)
1,070 913 865 793 822 1,615 2,158
Uranium (tonnes)
oxide
concentrate
Refined gold (fine 27,300 26,186 27,636 24,111 16,199 40,310 53,724
ounces)
Refined (`000 222 245 238 198 145 343 401
silver ounces)
Sales
Copper (`000 44.9 44.1 49.0 41.6 33.7 75.3 92.4
cathode (ER) tonnes)
Copper (`000 5.8 4.2 4.1 3.5 2.7 6.2 11.0
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Uranium (tonnes) 1,287 992 1,183 620 1,009 1,629 2,166
oxide
concentrate
Refined gold (fine 26,369 27,300 27,375 23,233 18,404 41,637 47,561
ounces)
Refined (`000 254 178 320 188 157 345 398
silver ounces)
(a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto Valley,
USA
Production
Copper (`000 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 4.0 4.3
cathode (EW) tonnes)
Sales
Copper (`000 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 1.6 4.2 4.9
cathode (EW) tonnes)
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
CARBON STEEL
MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Mt Newman Joint 6,166 5,884 6,490 7,394 7,536 14,930 12,400
Venture
Goldsworthy Joint 1,669 1,371 1,808 806 84 890 3,062
Venture
Area C Joint 4,969 3,332 5,401 4,821 5,334 10,155 9,255
Venture
Yandi Joint 8,372 8,561 8,854 8,504 9,106 17,610 16,781
Venture
Jimblebar 1,569 1,549 1,607 1,490 1,449 2,939 3,214
Total (BHP 22,745 20,697 24,160 23,015 23,509 46,524 44,712
Billiton share)
Total production 26,760 24,350 28,423 27,076 27,658 54,734 52,313
(100%)
Sales
Lump 6,483 5,276 6,092 6,429 5,856 12,285 12,474
Fines 16,357 15,547 18,481 16,222 18,499 34,721 32,194
Total (BHP 22,840 20,823 24,573 22,651 24,355 47,006 44,668
Billiton share)
Total sales 26,871 24,498 28,909 26,648 28,653 55,301 52,260
(100%)
(a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes
basis.
Samarco, Brazil
Production 1,865 1,802 1,955 1,988 1,945 3,933 3,746
Shipments 2,155 1,532 2,022 1,872 2,357 4,229 4,055
METALLURGICAL COAL
(a)
Queensland,
Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 1,409 1,533 1,449 1,536 1,388 2,924 3,036
Goonyella 1,921 1,751 1,986 1,892 1,296 3,188 3,530
Peak Downs 1,186 1,095 858 1,202 1,161 2,363 2,436
Saraji 602 563 794 682 893 1,575 1,277
Norwich Park 678 550 675 631 677 1,308 1,437
Gregory Joint 645 480 712 714 691 1,405 1,418
Venture
BMA total 6,441 5,972 6,474 6,657 6,106 12,763 13,134
BHP Mitsui Coal
(b)
South Walker 710 763 850 873 782 1,655 1,436
Creek
Poitrel (c) - - - - 91 91 -
BHP Mitsui Coal 710 763 850 873 873 1,746 1,436
total
Queensland total 7,151 6,735 7,324 7,530 6,979 14,509 14,570
Shipments
Coking coal 4,987 5,032 5,798 5,190 5,040 10,230 9,856
Weak coking coal 1,366 1,342 1,444 1,600 1,749 3,349 2,573
Thermal coal 403 482 581 344 502 846 982
Total 6,756 6,856 7,823 7,134 7,291 14,425 13,411
(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 1,822 1,725 1,900 1,717 1,987 3,704 3,389
Shipments
Coking coal 1,457 1,508 1,292 1,366 1,583 2,949 2,647
Thermal coal 103 313 136 188 280 468 486
Total 1,560 1,821 1,428 1,554 1,863 3,417 3,133
MANGANESE ORE
South Africa
Saleable production 529 532 673 644 663 1,307 1,095
(a)
Australia
Saleable production 749 694 716 865 866 1,731 1,570
(a)
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa
Saleable production 105 119 131 93 126 219 184
(a)
Australia
Saleable production 60 54 44 60 66 126 120
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production
is 60%.
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
Ekati(TM),
Canada
Ore Processed (`000 962 995 1,181 1,199 1,100 2,299 2,120
(100%) tonnes)
Production (`000 614 512 583 487 937 1,424 1,466
carats)
FERTILISER
Southern Cross
Fertiliser Operations,
Australia (a)
Production (b) (`000 252.6 222.5 141.3 84.3 - 84.3 497.5
tonnes)
Sales (b) (`000 221.2 200.4 304.4 41.6 - 41.6 396.7
tonnes)
(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
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
Ingwe, South
Africa
Production 12,940 11,605 12,854 13,151 13,032 26,183 27,489
Sales
Export 6,273 5,658 4,271 5,168 5,211 10,379 11,709
Local utility 7,250 7,328 7,365 7,552 7,413 14,965 15,263
Inland 268 203 253 255 227 482 577
Total 13,791 13,189 11,889 12,975 12,851 25,826 27,549
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal 2,252 2,305 1,471 1,778 2,104 3,882 4,490
San Juan Coal 1,813 524 2,420 1,689 1,767 3,456 4,136
Total 4,065 2,829 3,891 3,467 3,871 7,338 8,626
Sales - local 3,628 3,553 3,556 3,822 3,616 7,438 7,397
utility
Hunter Valley,
Australia
Production 2,045 1,897 2,636 2,766 2,790 5,556 4,613
Sales
Export 1,312 1,267 1,048 1,245 1,858 3,103 2,882
Inland 793 643 1,475 1,031 1,005 2,036 1,776
Total 2,105 1,910 2,523 2,276 2,863 5,139 4,658
Cerrejon Coal,
Colombia
Production 2,237 2,341 2,406 2,398 2,337 4,735 4,569
Sales - export 2,087 2,116 2,387 2,336 2,323 4,659 4,257
PRODUCTION AND
SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR
ENDED
DEC MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC
2005 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2005
STAINLESS STEEL
MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(`000 tonnes)
NICKEL
CMSA, Colombia
Production 13.0 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.8 25.5 25.8
Sales 14.2 12.4 13.6 11.7 14.4 26.1 25.3
Yabulu, Australia
Production
Nickel metal 5.9 7.0 4.3 7.3 7.5 14.8 12.0
Cobalt 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.8 0.5
Sales
Nickel metal 6.6 6.9 4.9 6.0 7.2 13.2 12.9
0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.7
Cobalt
Nickel West,
Australia
Production
Nickel contained 13.9 5.2 9.6 11.1 12.4 23.5 23.6
in finished
matte
Nickel metal 16.2 15.1 14.9 13.4 15.6 29.0 31.7
Nickel production (a) 30.1 20.3 24.5 24.5 28.0 52.5 55.3
Sales
Nickel contained 14.3 8.8 7.9 9.3 13.5 22.8 21.9
in finished
matte
Nickel metal (b) 14.9 15.7 15.8 12.9 14.3 27.2 30.8
Nickel sales (a) 29.2 24.5 23.7 22.2 27.8 50.0 52.7
(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 December 2006 half year.
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
Ivan Arriagada, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4183 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
email: Ivan.D.Arriagada@bhpbilliton.com
25 January 2007
Date: 25/01/2007 10:01:50 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. |
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