23rd Apr 2008 07:06
BHP Billiton PLC23 April 2008 23 April 2008Number 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 31March 2008. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumesrefer 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 YTD MAR MAR 08 Q08 Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs PETROLEUM YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR DEC 07 Q07 Q07Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas 47,837 18,441 13% 39% 23%Liquids ('000 bbl) (a)Natural Gas (bcf) (a) 272.65 85.75 6% 1% -6%Total Petroleum Products (million boe) (a) 93.27 32.73 10% 19% 8% Total Petroleum Products - Significant growth in production was mainly driven bythe continued ramp up of Stybarrow (Australia), Genghis Khan and Atlantis (bothUSA) and excellent operated facility performance. Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids - Production was higher than allcomparative periods due to significant growth in high margin crude production.Continued ramp up of new projects and successful development drilling had a verypositive impact. Partially offsetting this was the impact of natural fielddecline, unplanned interruption at North West Shelf (Australia) and the impactof cyclone activities in Western Australia. Natural Gas - Production was lower than the December 2007 quarter due toexpected lower seasonal gas demand in southeast Australia and unplannedinterruption at North West Shelf. MAR MAR MAR YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs ALUMINIUM YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Alumina ('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 alltime records due to record performance from all operations. Production was marginally lower than the December 2007 quarter. This primarilyreflects reduced production at Worsley due to gas supply curtailments. Aluminium - Production was impacted by the mandatory 10 per cent reduction inpower consumption across the Southern Africa smelters. This was in part offsetby equalled quarterly and year to date record production from Alumar. MAR MAR MAR YTD MAR MAR 08 Q08 Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs BASE METALS YTD QTR MAR YTD MAR DEC 07 Q07 Q07Copper ('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 (Uranium) 3,117 993 25% 12% -17%(tonnes) Copper - Year to date production record was set with the continued ramp up ofEscondida Sulphide Leach and Spence (both Chile) and Pinto Valley (USA). Inaggregate, these projects contributed 166,000 tonnes during the nine monthsended March 2008. This was achieved despite the impact of two earthquakes inChile 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 dueto lower grade and recovery from Escondida and unplanned interruptions atOlympic 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 theDecember 2007 quarter due to higher grade and an increased proportion of zinccontaining ore being processed at Antamina. The completion of the Canningtonrehabilitation project also had a positive impact on the production for the ninemonths ended March 2008. Silver - Production for the nine months ended March 2008 improved significantlydue to the successful completion of the Cannington rehabilitation project andrecord performance from Escondida and Antamina. Uranium - Production was higher than the nine months and quarter ended March2007 due to ongoing progress at improving recovery and leach circuit performanceat Olympic Dam. Production was lower than the December 2007 quarter mainly due to decline ingrade and scheduled maintenance. MAR MAR MAR YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Diamonds ('000 carats) 2,485 620 7% -30% -26% Diamonds - Production decreased versus the March 2007 and December 2007 quartersmainly due to lower grades. Although production was lower, it included anincreased proportion of higher value carats. As Ekati (Canada) transitions fromopen pit mining to underground mining the mix of ore processed will change fromtime to time. MAR MAR MAR YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Nickel ('000 tonnes) 125.3 43.0 -10% -6% -2% Nickel - Production in the nine months ended March 2008 was impacted by theindustrial stoppage at Cerro Matoso, wet weather interruptions at Yabulu(Australia) and scheduled maintenance across all operations. This was partiallyoffset 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, andthe Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation (Australia) ramp up continues to progress inline with schedule. MAR MAR MAR YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs IRON ORE YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Iron ore ('000 tonnes) (c) 81,646 28,033 13% 22% 1% Iron Ore - Record production and shipments were achieved for the nine months andquarter ended March 2008. Western Australia Iron Ore continued to performstrongly and set new year to date and quarterly production records. Samarco alsoset a year to date production record. MAR MAR MAR YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs MANGANESE YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Manganese 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 torecord or near record performance from all operations. This was achieved despitea mandatory 10% reduction in power consumption for the South African sinterplant and weather related interruptions at GEMCO. Manganese Alloy - Year to date production increased due to improved facilityavailability and utilisation at Samancor achieved in the December 2007 quarterand 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 YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs METALLURGICAL COAL YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Metallurgical Coal ('000 tonnes) 26,061 6,846 -5% -25% -29% Metallurgical Coal - Production and shipments were significantly impacted byextreme wet weather experienced at Queensland Coal (Australia). Coal productionhas resumed but continues to be constrained as the recovery process proceeds andmines are brought back to full operational capacity. This was partially offsetby record year to date performance at Illawarra Coal (Australia). MAR MAR MAR YTD 08 MAR Q08 MAR Q08 2008 2008 vs vs vs ENERGY COAL YTD QTR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 DEC Q07Energy Coal ('000 tonnes) (d) 59,496 19,264 -2% -2% -7% Energy Coal - Production for the March 2008 quarter was mainly impacted byscheduled longwall move at San Juan (USA). This was offset by continued strongproduction at Hunter Valley Coal which achieved its' third consecutive quarterlyrecord. (a) Excluding Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) andTyphoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter). (b) Earnings before interest and tax. (c) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year2006. (d) Excluding Koornfontein operation which was sold effective 1 July 2007. This report together with the Exploration and Development Report represent theInterim Management Statement for the purposes of the UK Listing Authority'sDisclosure and Transparency Rules. There have been no significant changes in thefinancial position of the Group in the quarter ended 31 March 2008. QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE % CHANGE MAR MAR MAR YTD Q08 Q08 08 MAR DEC MAR MAR MAR vs vs vs 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 MAR MAR DEC YTD Q07 Q07 07 Crude oil & ('000 bbl) 10,669 12,317 16,240 39,856 33,725 18% 52% 32%condensateNatural gas (a) (bcf) 85.10 91.21 85.75 272.65 256.42 6% 1% -6%Natural gas liquid ('000 bbl) 2,626 2,685 2,201 7,981 8,503 -6% -16% -18%Total Petroleum (million 27.42 30.20 32.73 93.27 84.87 10% 19% 8%Products (a) boe) Alumina ('000 1,085 1,157 1,095 3,405 3,316 3% 1% -5% tonnes)Aluminium ('000 331 338 318 993 1,006 -1% -4% -6% tonnes) Copper ('000 357.6 348.1 328.9 984.8 908.0 8% -8% -6% tonnes)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 11,025 11,905 11,221 34,251 24,940 37% 2% -6% ounces)Uranium oxide (tonnes) 883 1,191 993 3,117 2,498 25% 12% -17%concentrateMolybdenum (tonnes) 288 679 580 1,952 1,775 10% 101% -15% Diamonds ('000 889 843 620 2,485 2,313 7% -30% -26% carats) Nickel ('000 45.8 43.7 43.0 125.3 138.6 -10% -6% -2% tonnes) Iron ore (b) ('000 22,884 27,746 28,033 81,646 72,451 13% 22% 1% tonnes) Manganese ore ('000 1,452 1,613 1,666 4,724 4,490 5% 15% 3% tonnes)Manganese alloy ('000 196 209 192 585 546 7% -2% -8% tonnes) Metallurgical coal ('000 9,084 9,643 6,846 26,061 27,297 -5% -25% -29% tonnes) Energy coal (c) ('000 19,737 20,609 19,264 59,496 60,935 -2% -2% -7% tonnes) (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 sinceit was previously reported. YEAR TO DATE BHP MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR Billiton Interest 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 Production Crude oil & condensate ('000 10,671 11,443 11,299 12,317 16,240 39,856 33,725 bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 86.68 95.25 95.68 91.21 85.76 272.65 261.60 NGL (a) ('000 2,626 3,018 3,095 2,685 2,201 7,981 8,504 bbl) Total Petroleum Products (million 27.68 30.47 30.34 30.20 32.73 93.27 85.73 boe) ALUMINAProduction ('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 ALUMINIUMProduction ('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 COPPERPayable 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 Colorado 100% 28.1 20.3 23.1 27.3 28.7 79.1 85.5 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 LEADPayable 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 ZINCPayable 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. GOLDPayable 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 SILVERPayable metal in concentrate ('000ounces) 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 CONCENTRATEPayable metal in concentrate(tonnes) Olympic Dam 100% 883 988 933 1,191 993 3,117 2,498 Total 883 988 933 1,191 993 3,117 2,498 MOLYBDENUMPayable 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 DIAMONDSProduction ('000 carats) EkatiTM 80% 889 911 1,022 843 620 2,485 2,313 NICKELProduction ('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. 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 85% 142 195 134 170 386 690 1,032 Venture Area C Joint Venture 85% 4,853 5,078 4,916 6,474 7,114 18,504 15,008 Yandi Joint Venture 85% 8,277 9,661 9,823 9,770 10,061 29,654 25,887 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 ORESSaleable production ('000tonnes) South Africa (e) 60% 632 631 572 709 877 2,158 1,939 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 ALLOYSSaleable production ('000tonnes) South Africa (e) (f) 60% 132 137 123 141 125 389 356 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 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%. YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000barrels) 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 / 1,053 1,011 923 946 935 2,804 3,645 Keith 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 cubicfeet) (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 / 15.18 12.71 8.87 12.70 12.32 33.89 40.55 Keith 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 / 151 124 48 153 109 310 439 Keith 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 oilequivalent) (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. YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 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. YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production ispayable metal unless otherwise stated. Escondida, Chile Material mined ('000 85,654 88,409 82,995 88,319 102,566 273,880 239,025 (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore milled ('000 23,450 23,064 22,406 21,777 22,029 66,212 64,292 (100%) tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 1.62% 1.58% 1.63% 1.72% 1.56% 1.64% 1.58% Production ex Mill ('000 319.1 306.0 305.2 316.8 285.0 907.0 842.5 (100%) tonnes) Production Payable copper ('000 178.1 170.5 167.0 177.3 157.0 501.3 468.4 tonnes) Payable gold (fine 21,243 23,754 23,194 21,376 17,660 62,230 60,657 concentrate ounces) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 38.2 37.7 30.9 30.3 30.1 91.3 88.4 tonnes) Payable silver ('000 920 990 1,116 877 790 2,783 2,524 concentrate ounces) Sales Payable copper ('000 149.4 199.0 162.9 173.0 160.6 496.5 451.1 tonnes) Payable gold (fine 17,966 27,623 22,957 21,158 18,190 62,305 58,833 concentrate ounces) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 36.0 43.0 32.0 23.8 32.3 88.1 77.5 tonnes) Payable silver ('000 785 1,153 1,089 864 813 2,766 2,446 concentrate ounces) Cerro Colorado, Chile Material mined ('000 15,429 13,984 17,095 17,798 16,769 51,662 50,621 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 4,398 4,365 4,278 4,410 4,437 13,125 13,484 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 0.90% 0.79% 0.84% 1.03% 0.80% 0.88% 0.83% Production Copper cathode (EW) ('000 28.1 20.3 23.1 27.3 28.7 79.1 85.5 tonnes) Sales Copper cathode (EW) ('000 27.9 24.1 23.5 24.5 28.5 76.5 84.1 tonnes) Spence, Chile (a) Material mined ('000 19,684 20,275 16,983 19,758 20,335 57,076 40,013 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 4,282 3,718 4,132 4,333 3,918 12,383 7,792 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 2.00% 1.80% 1.56% 1.61% 1.48% 1.60% 1.89% Production Copper cathode (EW) ('000 33.5 37.7 23.9 34.2 41.6 99.7 37.8 tonnes) Sales Copper cathode (EW) ('000 28.0 40.4 30.0 24.0 39.9 93.9 29.3 tonnes) (a) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter. Antamina, Peru Material mined ('000 24,428 29,034 31,145 31,289 29,095 91,529 82,662 (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore milled ('000 7,841 8,033 8,344 6,955 6,518 21,817 23,352 (100%) tonnes) 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 24.2 26.4 27.5 29.3 24.1 80.9 87.3 tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 20,665 27,793 22,756 12,320 22,235 57,311 45,220 Payable silver ('000 749 934 1,056 652 803 2,511 2,198 ounces) 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 25.0 20.7 28.5 32.6 20.4 81.5 94.2 tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,479 31,914 25,306 12,458 16,630 54,394 43,556 Payable silver ('000 707 645 917 719 512 2,148 2,185 ounces) 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 ('000 732 717 824 808 698 2,330 1,666 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 704 688 661 755 726 2,142 1,660 tonnes) 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 9,160 9,426 8,759 10,124 9,421 28,304 19,679 ounces) 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 8,331 10,352 6,725 11,266 7,727 25,718 19,978 ounces) 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 (a) ('000 2,103 2,255 2,424 2,520 2,333 7,277 6,311 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 2,117 2,272 2,239 2,552 2,225 7,016 6,342 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 1.96% 1.93% 1.83% 1.86% 1.86% 1.85% 2.11% Average uranium kg/t 0.59 0.58 0.57 0.63 0.59 0.60 0.58 grade Production Copper cathode (ER) ('000 50.2 44.1 30.6 40.2 32.9 103.7 124.0 tonnes) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 3.4 3.5 3.0 2.6 3.1 8.7 10.9 tonnes) Uranium oxide (tonnes) 883 988 933 1,191 993 3,117 2,498 concentrate Refined gold (fine 22,661 28,689 17,119 24,338 18,555 60,012 62,971 ounces) Refined silver ('000 196 275 193 239 169 601 539 ounces) Sales Copper cathode (ER) ('000 51.6 45.2 30.7 41.0 31.9 103.6 126.9 tonnes) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 4.6 4.4 3.1 2.5 2.3 7.9 10.8 tonnes) Uranium oxide (tonnes) 1,043 646 562 346 1,182 2,090 2,672 concentrate Refined gold (fine 22,983 27,589 20,118 21,760 19,767 61,645 64,620 ounces) Refined silver ('000 183 294 192 237 173 602 528 ounces) (a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted. Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper concentrate ('000 - - - 5.2 9.6 14.8 - (a) tonnes) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.8 5.3 5.7 tonnes) Payable silver (a) ('000 - - - 13.3 38.4 51.7 - ounces) Payable gold (a) ('000 - - - - 1.3 1.3 - ounces) Sales Copper concentrate ('000 - - - 2.6 7.9 10.5 - tonnes) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 1.5 2.5 0.9 0.9 4.0 5.8 4.7 tonnes) Payable silver ('000 - - - 13.3 38.4 51.7 - ounces) Payable gold ('000 - - - - 1.3 1.3 - ounces) (a) Production restarted during the December 2007 quarter. YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDSEkatiTM, Canada Ore Processed ('000 tonnes) 1,046 1,194 1,009 1,080 967 3,056 3,345 (100%) Production ('000 carats) 889 911 1,022 843 620 2,485 2,313 YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes) NICKELCMSA, 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 12.9 13.2 3.9 8.5 10.3 22.7 36.4 matte 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 9.9 15.1 6.2 9.5 9.4 25.1 32.7 matte 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 YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 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 142 195 134 170 386 690 1,032 Venture 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 21,160 23,940 23,934 25,809 26,486 76,229 67,684 share) 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 20,647 23,211 24,055 26,026 27,317 77,398 67,653 share) 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 YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes) MANGANESE ORESouth 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 ALLOYSouth 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. YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 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 YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 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 United Kingdom & South AfricaEmma Meade, Media Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 409 199 236 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Leng Lau, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] United StatesTracey Whitehead, Investor & Media RelationsTel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031Mobile: +44 7917 648 093Email: [email protected] BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209Registered in Australia Registered in England and WalesRegistered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BHMelbourne Victoria 3000 United KingdomTelephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia END This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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