24th Apr 2007 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC24 April 2007 24 April 2007Number 12/07 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2007 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the nine months ended 31March 2007. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumesrefer to BHP Billiton share and exclude suspended and sold operations. • Record year to date production of natural gas, alumina, aluminium, copper, nickel, iron ore and manganese ore underpinned by strong customer demand. • Record year to date production achieved at Mad Dog (USA), Zamzama (Pakistan), Paranam (Suriname), Alumar (Brazil), Hillside, Bayside and Samancor (all South Africa), Mozal (Mozambique), Worsley, Western Australia Iron Ore, BMA, Hunter Valley Coal and GEMCO (all Australia), and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia). • Record year to date production of natural gas from North West Shelf (Australia) in response to strong demand. • Strong ramp up of the Spence project (Chile) contributed to quarterly production records for copper. • Quarterly production records for the Zamzama and Escondida (Chile) operations. • Petroleum and iron ore operations located in Western Australia were disrupted by cyclone activity. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsPETROLEUM YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids ('000 42,128 13,239 0% -1% -3%bbl) (a)Natural Gas (bcf) (a) 260.47 86.67 2% 14% 4%Total Petroleum Products (million boe) (a) 85.53 27.68 1% 6% 1% Total Petroleum Production - Total production year to date was in line with thenine months to March 2006. Natural field decline has been completely offset byoperational improvements and no new operations commencing production during theperiod. Production was higher than the March 2006 quarter mainly due to improvedfacility uptime, reduced weather impacts, and increased gas sales. Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids - Production for the nine monthsand quarter ended March 2007 was in line with all previous periods. Higheroperational uptime and development drilling partly offset natural field decline. Cyclone activity impacted Western Australian operations during this quarter. Natural Gas - March 2007 quarterly production was higher than all comparativeperiods. Record production for the nine months was primarily driven by improvedfacility uptime that benefited from stronger customer demand in Australia andPakistan. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsALUMINIUM YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Alumina ('000 tonnes) 3,316 1,085 6% 1% -6%Aluminium ('000 tonnes) (b) 1,006 331 2% 1% -2% Alumina - Production and sales for the nine months ended March 2007 were alltime records. Over the nine months period, the Worsley Development CapitalProject continued its' ramp up. Paranam had full utilisation of its' expandedcapacity and Alumar continued to perform strongly. Production was lower than the December quarter due to stockpiling of hydratefrom the planned calciner outages at Worsley. This will be calcined and shippedin the next quarter. Aluminium - Production and sales from continuing operations were all timerecords for the nine months ended March 2007. All operations performed at recordor near record levels due to successful implementation of a series of businessimprovement initiatives. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsBASE METALS YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Copper ('000 tonnes) (c) 908.0 357.6 4% 22% 19%Silver ('000 ounces) (c) 24,940 11,025 -32% -4% 68%Lead (tonnes) 148,405 62,974 -30% -8% 73%Zinc (tonnes) 79,547 35,760 -2% 26% 81%Uranium Oxide Concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes) 2,498 883 -19% -3% 7% Copper - Record year to date and quarterly production reflecting the successfulramp up of the Escondida Sulphide Leach Project and Spence (both Chile). Duringthe quarter Spence produced 33,500 tonnes, which is equivalent to 67% ofnameplate capacity on an annualised basis. Silver / Lead - March 2007 quarterly production was significantly higher thanthe December 2006 quarter as production ramped up following the completion ofthe Cannington rehabilitation project together with strong silver productionfrom Escondida. Zinc - The current quarter's production was higher than the December and March2006 quarters. Higher grade and an increased proportion of zinc contained orewas processed at Antamina (Peru). Uranium - Year to date underperformance against the nine months ended March 2006due to the variability of ore sources and grade, and maintenance activities atOlympic Dam (Australia). Production in the March 2007 quarter increased versus the December 2006 quarterdue to improved grade and recovery, and the impact of unscheduled maintenance inthe prior period. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsDIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Diamonds ('000 carats) 2,313 889 17% 74% -5% Diamonds - As Ekati (Canada) increases the diversity of its ore sources, the mixof ore processed will change from time to time and impact the carats recovered.Production was higher than the nine months and quarter ended March 2006 due toprocessing of higher grade ore containing lower value diamonds. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsSTAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Nickel ('000 tonnes) 138.6 45.8 4% 14% -5% Nickel - Production for the nine months ended March 2007 was an all time record,reflecting strong operational performances from all operations. In comparison to the December 2006 quarter, production was lower due toscheduled statutory maintenance at the Kwinana Nickel Refinery (Australia). Thishas been completed successfully and production ramp up commenced during thequarter. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsIRON ORE YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Iron ore ('000 tonnes) (d) 72,451 22,884 9% 8% -10% Iron Ore - Record production and sales were achieved for the nine months endedMarch 2007. This reflects increased production from the recently expandedWestern Australia Iron Ore operations in response to continuing strong customerdemand. Cyclone activity and tie-in activity for Rapid Growth Project 3 (Australia)impacted the Western Australia Iron Ore operations during the current quarter. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsMANGANESE YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Manganese Ore ('000 tonnes) 4,490 1,452 15% 18% -5%Manganese Alloy ('000 tonnes) 542 197 14% 14% 3% Manganese Ore - Production was higher than the nine months and quarter endedMarch 2006 driven by stronger customer demand. Manganese Alloy - Higher production was due to optimisation of the product mix,improved equipment availability and utilisation. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsMETALLURGICAL COAL YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Metallurgical Coal ('000 tonnes) 27,297 9,084 3% 7% 1% Metallurgical Coal - Production was higher for the nine months and quarterending March 2007 due to the start up of Poitrel (Australia) and the impact ofplanned maintenance in prior periods. MAR MAR MAR YTD 07 MAR Q07 MAR Q07 2007 2007 vs vs vsENERGY COAL YTD QTR MAR YTD 06 MAR Q06 DEC Q06Energy Coal ('000 tonnes) 64,742 20,930 1% 12% -5% Energy Coal - Production was in line with the nine months to March 2006.Production for the March 2007 quarter was slightly below the December 2006quarter mainly due to a planned 45 day longwall move at San Juan (USA). Operational improvement initiatives at Hunter Valley Coal, a shorter longwallmove at San Juan and reduced weather impacts in South Africa led to higherproduction versus the March 2006 quarter. Long vessel queues off the Newcastle Port (Australia) delayed export sales fromHunter Valley Coal in the quarter. (a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields (sold effective from 16 January2006), Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and Typhoon /Boris (sold December 2006 quarter). (b) Excluding Valesul which was sold effective from 1 July 2006. (c) Excluding Tintaya which was sold effective from 1 June 2006. (d) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year2006. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.comAustralia United KingdomSamantha Evans, Media Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246email: [email protected] email: [email protected] States South AfricaTracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Alison Gilbert, Investor RelationsTel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227email: [email protected] email: [email protected] BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE % CHANGE MAR YTD MAR Q07 MAR Q07 07 MAR DEC MAR MAR MAR vs vs vs 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006 MAR YTD MAR Q06 DEC Q06 06PETROLEUMCrude oil & condensate (a) ('000 bbl) 10,886 10,963 10,671 33,725 33,839 0% -2% -3%Natural gas (b) (bcf) 76.10 83.09 86.67 260.47 256.11 2% 14% 4%Natural gas liquid ('000 bbl) 2,448 2,710 2,568 8,403 8,365 0% 5% -5%Total Petroleum Products (b) (million 26.02 27.52 27.68 85.53 84.89 1% 6% 1% boe)ALUMINIUMAlumina ('000 1,075 1,153 1,085 3,316 3,115 6% 1% -6% tonnes)Aluminium (c) ('000 329 338 331 1,006 986 2% 1% -2% tonnes)BASE METALSCopper (d) ('000 293.8 300.7 357.6 908.2 876.1 4% 22% 19% tonnes)Lead (tonnes) 68,754 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814 -30% -8% 73%Zinc (tonnes) 28,419 19,776 35,760 79,547 81,494 -2% 26% 81%Gold (d) (ounces) 44,063 38,564 43,904 123,628 136,181 -9% 0% 14%Silver (d) ('000 11,517 6,566 11,025 24,940 36,410 -32% -4% 68% ounces)Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 913 822 883 2,498 3,071 -19% -3% 7%Molybdenum (tonnes) 632 768 288 1,775 1,977 -10% -54% -63%DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTSDiamonds ('000 512 937 843 2,267 1,978 15% 65% -10% carats)STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALSNickel ('000 40.2 48.3 45.8 138.6 133.3 4% 14% -5% tonnes)IRON OREIron ore (e) ('000 21,128 25,370 22,884 72,451 66,524 9% 8% -10% tonnes)MANGANESEManganese ore ('000 1,226 1,529 1,452 4,490 3,891 15% 18% -5% tonnes)Manganese alloy ('000 173 192 197 542 477 14% 14% 3% tonnes)METALLURGICAL COALMetallurgical coal ('000 8,460 8,966 9,084 27,297 26,419 3% 7% 1% tonnes)ENERGY COALEnergy coal ('000 18,672 22,030 20,930 64,742 63,969 1% 12% -5% tonnes)(a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields and Typhoon / Boris. Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields was disposed with effect from 16 January 2006. The sale of Typhoon / Boris was completed in the December 2006 quarter. (b) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields, Moranbah Coal Bed Methane and Typhoon/ Boris. The sale of Moranbah Coal Bed Methane was completed in the September 2006 quarter. (c) Excluding Valesul which was disposed with effect from 1 July 2006.(d) Excluding Tintaya which was disposed with effect from 1 June 2006.(e) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported. BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION YEAR TO DATE BHP MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR Billiton Interest 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006PETROLEUMProduction Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl) 10,886 11,551 12,091 10,963 10,671 33,725 34,322 Natural gas (bcf) 77.85 98.59 91.83 83.09 86.67 261.59 261.85 NGL (a) ('000 bbl) 2,448 3,063 3,125 2,710 2,568 8,403 8,365 Total Petroleum Products (million 26.31 31.04 30.52 27.52 27.68 85.72 86.32 boe)ALUMINIUMALUMINAProduction ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 717 694 704 776 708 2,188 2,069 Suriname 45% 228 247 253 241 241 735 674 Alumar 36% 130 131 121 136 136 393 372 Total 1,075 1,072 1,078 1,153 1,085 3,316 3,115ALUMINIUMProduction ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 174 177 177 176 174 527 523 Bayside 100% 46 46 49 50 48 147 133 Alumar 46.3% 44 44 44 45 44 133 134 Valesul (b) 45.5% 11 11 - - - - 32 Mozal 47% 65 66 67 67 65 199 196 Total 340 344 337 338 331 1,006 1,018BASE METALS (c)COPPERPayable metal in concentrate('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 168.2 165.2 129.7 160.6 178.1 468.4 505.8 Antamina 33.8% 32.9 29.1 29.0 34.1 24.2 87.3 95.1 Tintaya (d) 100% 16.2 12.9 - - - - 51.6 Total 217.3 207.2 158.7 194.7 202.3 555.7 652.5Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 15.4 11.7 17.5 32.7 38.2 88.4 55.0 Cerro Colorado 100% 28.1 30.0 30.0 27.4 28.1 85.5 64.1 Spence (e) 100% - - - 4 33.5 37.8 - Tintaya (d) 100% 9.1 6.1 - - - - 28.7 Pinto Valley 100% 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.9 5.9 6.4 Olympic Dam 100% 47.1 54.6 41.6 39.7 53.6 134.9 149.7 Total 101.8 104.5 91.2 106.0 155.3 352.5 303.9LEADPayable metal in concentrate(tonnes) Cannington 100% 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814 Total 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814ZINCPayable metal in concentrate(tonnes) Cannington 100% 20,885 14,926 10,426 8,806 15,095 34,327 53,853 Antamina 33.8% 7,534 12,638 13,585 10,970 20,665 45,220 27,641 Total 28,419 27,564 24,011 19,776 35,760 79,547 81,494 Refer footnotes on page 4.BASE METALS (continued)GOLDPayable metal in concentrate(ounces) Escondida 57.5% 17,877 23,567 17,049 22,365 21,243 60,657 56,271 Tintaya (d) 100% 8,032 4,958 - - - - 24,280 Olympic Dam (refined gold) 100% 26,186 27,636 24,111 16,199 22,661 62,971 79,910 Total 52,095 56,161 41,160 38,564 43,904 123,628 160,461SILVERPayable metal in concentrate('000 ounces) Escondida 57.5% 714 925 724 880 920 2,524 2,454 Antamina 33.8% 865 808 713 736 749 2,198 2,366 Tintaya (d) 100% 138 119 - - - - 473 Cannington 100% 9,693 7,503 5,714 4,805 9,160 19,679 30,944 Olympic Dam (refined silver) 100% 245 238 198 145 196 539 646 Total 11,655 9,593 7,349 6,566 11,025 24,940 36,883URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATEPayable metal in concentrate(tonnes) Olympic Dam 100% 913 865 793 822 883 2,498 3,071 Total 913 865 793 822 883 2,498 3,071MOLYBDENUMPayable metal in concentrate(tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 632 538 719 768 288 1,775 1,977 Total 632 538 719 768 288 1,775 1,977DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTSDIAMONDSProduction ('000 carats) Ekati(TM) 80% 512 583 487 937 843 2,267 1,978FERTILISERProduction ('000 tonnes) Southern Cross Fertiliser 100% 222.5 141.3 84.3 - - 84.3 720.0 Operations (f)STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALSNICKELProduction ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.8 12.8 38.3 38.7 Yabulu 100% 7.0 4.3 7.3 7.5 8.0 22.8 19.0 Nickel West 100% 20.3 24.5 24.5 28.0 25.0 77.5 75.6 Total 40.2 41.6 44.5 48.3 45.8 138.6 133.3 Refer footnotes on page 4.IRON OREIRON ORE (g)Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman Joint Venture 85% 5,884 6,490 7,394 7,536 6,711 21,641 18,284 Goldsworthy Joint Venture 85% 1,371 1,808 806 84 142 1,032 4,433 Area C Joint Venture 85% 3,332 5,401 4,821 5,334 4,853 15,008 12,587 Yandi Joint Venture 85% 8,561 8,854 8,504 9,106 8,277 25,887 25,342 Jimblebar 85% 1,549 1,607 1,490 1,449 1,177 4,116 4,763 Samarco 50% 1,802 1,955 1,988 1,945 1,866 5,799 5,548 Total 22,499 26,115 25,003 25,454 23,026 73,483 70,957MANGANESEMANGANESE ORESSaleable production ('000tonnes) South Africa (h) 60% 532 673 644 663 632 1,939 1,627 Australia (h) 60% 694 716 865 866 820 2,551 2,264 Total 1,226 1,389 1,509 1,529 1,452 4,490 3,891MANGANESE ALLOYSSaleable production ('000tonnes) South Africa (h) 60% 119 131 93 126 133 352 303 Australia (h) 60% 54 44 60 66 64 190 174 Total 173 175 153 192 197 542 477METALLURGICAL COALMETALLURGICAL COAL (i)Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,972 6,474 6,657 6,106 6,478 19,241 19,106 BHP Mitsui Coal (j) 80% 763 850 873 873 1,067 2,813 2,199 Illawarra 100% 1,725 1,900 1,717 1,987 1,539 5,243 5,114 Total 8,460 9,224 9,247 8,966 9,084 27,297 26,419ENERGY COALProduction ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 11,605 12,854 13,151 13,032 12,863 39,046 39,094 USA 100% 2,829 3,891 3,467 3,871 3,106 10,444 11,455 Australia 100% 1,897 2,636 2,766 2,790 2,731 8,287 6,510 Colombia 33% 2,341 2,406 2,398 2,337 2,230 6,965 6,910 Total 18,672 21,787 21,782 22,030 20,930 64,742 63,969 (a) LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe). (b) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul on 1 July 2006. (c) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (d) BHP Billiton sold Tintaya effective from 1 June 2006. (e) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter. (f) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser operations on 1 August 2006. (g) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis. (h) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (i) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (j) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006PETROLEUMBHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 3,414 3,964 3,847 3,311 3,144 10,302 10,718 Minerva 18 20 23 21 24 68 78 North West Shelf - condensate 1,263 1,091 1,350 1,410 1,365 4,125 4,038 North West Shelf - Wanaea/ 751 1,111 1,634 1,325 1,167 4,126 2,879 Cossack Griffin 204 296 323 312 174 809 984 Pakistan 59 60 61 62 65 188 162 Typhoon/Boris (a) - - - - - - 329 Mad Dog 549 698 528 549 613 1,690 1,593 Other Americas (b) 68 68 78 81 62 221 352 Angostura 1,080 1,191 1,174 618 899 2,691 3,096 Liverpool Bay 1,278 1,199 931 1,280 874 3,085 3,599 Bruce/Keith 209 182 178 202 179 559 719 Ohanet 389 426 357 472 425 1,254 1,225 ROD 1,604 1,245 1,607 1,320 1,680 4,607 4,550 Total 10,886 11,551 12,091 10,963 10,671 33,725 34,322NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 18.26 34.43 33.54 20.53 22.73 76.80 75.31 Minerva 5.78 6.36 7.73 6.90 8.06 22.69 24.22 North West Shelf - Domestic 3.55 4.63 3.54 3.89 4.86 12.29 11.33 North West Shelf - LNG 21.15 22.70 21.68 23.59 22.24 67.51 65.50 Griffin 0.12 0.19 0.49 0.45 0.19 1.13 1.09 Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (c) 1.75 1.86 1.12 - - 1.12 5.13 Illawarra Coal Bed Methane 1.50 1.35 1.50 0.95 1.58 4.03 4.22 Pakistan 8.52 9.02 9.14 9.34 10.11 28.59 24.24 Typhoon/Boris (a) - - - - - - 0.47 Mad Dog 0.11 0.25 0.17 0.16 0.14 0.47 0.31 Other Americas (b) 1.78 2.34 2.55 2.27 1.58 6.40 4.67 Bruce/Keith 6.52 5.40 4.21 5.42 5.05 14.68 18.61 Liverpool Bay 8.81 10.06 6.16 9.59 10.13 25.88 26.75 Total 77.85 98.59 91.83 83.09 86.67 261.59 261.85NGL ('000 barrels) (d) Bass Strait 1,574 2,254 2,224 1,726 1,643 5,593 5,486 North West Shelf 410 349 444 441 435 1,320 1,335 Bruce/Keith 94 59 138 107 93 338 429 Ohanet 370 401 319 436 397 1,152 1,115 Total 2,448 3,063 3,125 2,710 2,568 8,403 8,365TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 26.31 31.04 30.52 27.52 27.68 85.72 86.32(million barrels of oilequivalent) (e) (a) BHP Billiton sold its interests in Typhoon / Boris, including the Little Burn field with effect from 1 July 2006. The sale was completed on 6 October 2006. (b) BHP Billiton sold its interests in the Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields with effect from 16 January 2006. (c) BHP Billiton completed the sale of its interest in Moranbah Coal Bed Methane in September 2006 quarter. (d) LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe). (e) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6000scf of natural gas equals 1 boe. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006ALUMINIUMBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes)ALUMINA Production Worsley, Australia 717 694 704 776 708 2,188 2,069 Paranam, Suriname 228 247 253 241 241 735 674 Alumar, Brazil 130 131 121 136 136 393 372 Total 1,075 1,072 1,078 1,153 1,085 3,316 3,115 Sales Worsley, Australia 709 672 666 820 659 2,145 2,003 Paranam, Suriname 213 244 236 243 225 704 665 Alumar, Brazil 130 147 108 137 120 365 358 Total (a) 1,052 1,063 1,010 1,200 1,004 3,214 3,026ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South Africa 174 177 177 176 174 527 523 Bayside, South Africa 46 46 49 50 48 147 133 Alumar, Brazil 44 44 44 45 44 133 134 Valesul, Brazil (b) 11 11 - - - - 32 Mozal, Mozambique 65 66 67 67 65 199 196 Total 340 344 337 338 331 1,006 1,018 Sales Hillside, South Africa 162 186 170 173 162 505 505 Bayside, South Africa 40 48 44 47 46 137 117 Alumar, Brazil 48 44 44 42 38 124 134 Valesul, Brazil (b) 10 11 - - - - 33 Mozal, Mozambique 58 68 60 66 64 190 191 Total 318 357 318 328 310 956 980 Tolling Agreement (a) 22 38 24 20 33 77 67 340 395 342 348 343 1,033 1,047 (a) Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party tolling agreement. These tonnages are allocated to equity sales. (b) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul with effect 1 July 2006. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006BASE METALSBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unlessotherwise stated.Escondida, Chile Material mined (100%) ('000 90,781 94,429 59,601 93,770 85,654 239,025 273,855 tonnes) Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 21,843 21,473 18,257 22,585 23,450 64,292 66,259 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 1.62% 1.63% 1.55% 1.55% 1.62% 1.58% 1.60% Production ex Mill (100%) ('000 302.8 295.9 234.0 289.4 319.1 842.5 911.2 tonnes) Production Payable copper ('000 168.2 165.2 129.7 160.6 178.1 468.4 505.8 tonnes) Payable gold concentrate (fine 17,877 23,567 17,049 22,365 21,243 60,657 56,271 ounces) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 15.4 11.7 17.5 32.7 38.2 88.4 55.0 tonnes) Payable silver concentrate ('000 714 925 724 880 920 2,524 2,454 ounces) Sales Payable copper ('000 184.4 158.6 133.8 167.9 149.4 451.1 514.5 tonnes) Payable gold concentrate (fine 20,159 22,627 17,778 23,089 17,966 58,833 57,598 ounces) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 16.7 11.5 14.2 27.3 36.0 77.5 55.4 tonnes) Payable silver concentrate ('000 802 891 752 909 785 2,446 2,497 ounces)Tintaya, Peru (a) Material mined ('000 15,960 11,539 - - - - 50,295 tonnes) Sulphide Ore milled ('000 1,523 1,123 - - - - 4,803 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 1.26% 1.33% - - - - 1.28% Production Payable copper ('000 16.2 12.9 - - - - 52 tonnes) Payable gold concentrate (fine 8,032 4,958 - - - - 24,280 ounces) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 9.1 6.1 - - - - 29 tonnes) Payable silver concentrate ('000 138 119 - - - - 473 ounces) Sales Payable copper ('000 15.1 12.0 - - - - 52 tonnes) Payable gold concentrate (fine 8,016 5,079 - - - - 23,175 ounces) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 8.3 7.1 - - - - 28 tonnes) Payable silver concentrate ('000 127 109 - - - - 495 ounces) (a) BHP Billiton sold Tintaya with effect from 1 June 2006.Cerro Colorado, Chile Material mined ('000 17,926 18,258 16,334 18,858 15,429 50,621 51,729 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 4,266 4,490 4,508 4,578 4,398 13,484 11,958 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 0.94% 0.83% 0.80% 0.81% 0.90% 0.83% 0.88% Production Copper cathode (EW) ('000 28.1 30.0 30.0 27.4 28.1 85.5 64.1 tonnes) Sales Copper cathode (EW) ('000 24.4 34.5 27.9 28.3 27.9 84.1 59.1 tonnes)Spence, Chile (a) Material mined ('000 - - - 20,329 19,684 40,013 - tonnes) Ore milled ('000 - - - 3,510 4,282 7,792 - tonnes) Average copper grade (%) - - - 1.76% 2.00% 1.89% - Production Copper cathode (EW) ('000 - - - 4.3 33.5 37.8 - tonnes) Sales Copper cathode (EW) ('000 - - - 1.3 28.0 29.3 - tonnes) (a) Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.Antamina, Peru Material mined (100%) ('000 28,982 29,740 29,917 28,317 24,428 82,662 94,419 tonnes) Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 7,549 7,196 7,581 7,930 7,841 23,352 23,265 tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.48% 1.45% 1.22% 1.41% 1.10% 1.24% 1.38% - Zinc (%) 0.62% 0.88% 0.87% 0.65% 1.25% 0.92% 0.71% Production Payable copper ('000 32.9 29.1 29.0 34.1 24.2 87.3 95.1 tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 7,534 12,638 13,585 10,970 20,665 45,220 27,641 Payable silver ('000 865 808 713 736 749 2,198 2,366 ounces) Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 632 538 719 768 288 1,775 1,977 Sales Payable copper ('000 30.5 25.6 33.9 35.3 25.0 94.2 96.7 tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 9,634 7,638 14,224 13,853 15,479 43,556 30,731 Payable silver ('000 750 505 713 623 707 2,043 2,232 ounces) Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 697 627 719 808 591 2,118 1,986Cannington, Australia Material mined ('000 799 496 428 506 732 1,666 2,596 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 809 589 478 478 704 1,660 2,431 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 431 462 423 360 477 428 460 - Lead (%) 9.8% 10.9% 11.6% 8.8% 10.5% 10.3% 10.2% - Zinc (%) 4.0% 4.1% 3.6% 3.1% 3.6% 3.5% 3.6% Production Payable silver ('000 9,693 7,503 5,714 4,805 9,160 19,679 30,944 ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 68,754 55,507 48,977 36,454 62,974 148,405 210,814 Payable zinc (tonnes) 20,885 14,926 10,426 8,806 15,095 34,327 53,853 Sales Payable silver ('000 9,061 8,516 5,010 6,637 8,331 19,978 30,111 ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 63,112 62,787 39,694 51,521 56,726 147,941 202,528 Payable zinc (tonnes) 17,508 20,121 6,346 12,315 11,585 30,246 44,998Olympic Dam, Australia Material mined (a) ('000 2,065 2,002 2,178 2,030 2,103 6,311 6,217 tonnes) Ore milled ('000 2,343 2,517 2,043 2,182 2,117 6,342 7,118 tonnes) Average copper grade (%) 2.10% 2.10% 2.10% 2.21% 1.96% 2.11% 2.23% Average uranium grade kg/t 0.59 0.55 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.63 Production Copper cathode (ER) ('000 43.1 50.5 38.4 35.4 50.2 124.0 135.9 tonnes) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 4.0 4.1 3.2 4.3 3.4 10.9 13.8 tonnes) Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 913 865 793 822 883 2,498 3,071 Refined gold (fine 26,186 27,636 24,111 16,199 22,661 62,971 79,910 ounces) Refined silver ('000 245 238 198 145 196 539 646 ounces) Sales Copper cathode (ER) ('000 44.1 49.0 41.6 33.7 51.6 126.9 136.5 tonnes) Copper cathode (EW) ('000 4.2 4.1 3.5 2.7 4.6 10.8 15.2 tonnes) Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 992 1,183 620 1,009 1,043 2,672 3,158 Refined gold (fine 27,300 27,375 23,233 18,404 22,983 64,620 74,861 ounces) Refined silver ('000 178 320 188 157 183 528 576 ounces) (a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper cathode (EW) ('000 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.9 5.9 6.4 tonnes) Sales Copper cathode (EW) ('000 1.5 2.2 1.6 1.6 1.5 4.7 6.4 tonnes) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTSBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.DIAMONDSEkatiTM, Canada Ore Processed (100%) ('000 995 1,181 1,199 1,100 1,046 3,345 3,115 tonnes) Production ('000 512 583 487 937 843 2,267 1,978 carats)FERTILISERSouthern Cross Fertiliser Operations,Australia (a) Production (b) ('000 222.5 141.3 84.3 - - 84.3 720.0 tonnes) Sales (b) ('000 200.4 304.4 41.6 - - 41.6 597.1 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 YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALSBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes)NICKELCMSA, Colombia Production 12.9 12.8 12.7 12.8 12.8 38.3 38.7 Sales 12.4 13.6 11.7 14.4 12.4 38.5 37.7Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel metal 7.0 4.3 7.3 7.5 8.0 22.8 19.0 Cobalt 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.4 1.2 0.8 Sales Nickel metal 6.9 4.9 6.0 7.2 7.1 20.3 19.8 Cobalt 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.2 1.1Nickel West, Australia Production Nickel contained in finished 5.2 9.6 11.1 12.4 12.9 36.4 28.8 matte Nickel metal 15.1 14.9 13.4 15.6 12.1 41.1 46.8 Nickel production (a) 20.3 24.5 24.5 28.0 25.0 77.5 75.6 Sales Nickel contained in finished 8.8 7.9 9.3 13.5 9.9 32.7 30.7 matte Nickel metal (b) 15.7 15.8 12.9 14.3 14.2 41.4 46.5 Nickel sales (a) 24.5 23.7 22.2 27.8 24.1 74.1 77.2 (a) In addition to the production and sales reported above, Nickel West also produced and sold 1.2 kt nickel in concentrate during the quarter ended 30 June 2006. There has been no sales of nickel in concentrate in the nine months ended March 2007. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006IRON OREBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes)IRON ORE (a)Pilbara, Australia Production Mt Newman Joint Venture 5,884 6,490 7,394 7,536 6,711 21,641 18,284 Goldsworthy Joint Venture 1,371 1,808 806 84 142 1,032 4,433 Area C Joint Venture 3,332 5,401 4,821 5,334 4,853 15,008 12,587 Yandi Joint Venture 8,561 8,854 8,504 9,106 8,277 25,887 25,342 Jimblebar 1,549 1,607 1,490 1,449 1,177 4,116 4,763 Total (BHP Billiton share) 20,697 24,160 23,015 23,509 21,160 67,684 65,409 Total production (100%) 24,350 28,423 27,076 27,658 24,896 79,630 76,952 Sales Lump 5,276 6,092 6,429 5,856 5,193 17,478 17,750 Fines 15,547 18,481 16,222 18,499 15,454 50,175 47,741 Total (BHP Billiton share) 20,823 24,573 22,651 24,355 20,647 67,653 65,491 Total sales (100%) 24,498 28,909 26,648 28,653 24,290 79,591 76,758 (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.Samarco, Brazil Production 1,802 1,955 1,988 1,945 1,866 5,799 5,548 Shipments 1,532 2,022 1,872 2,357 1,684 5,913 5,587 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006MANGANESEBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes)MANGANESE ORESouth Africa Saleable production (a) 532 673 644 663 632 1,939 1,627Australia Saleable production (a) 694 716 865 866 820 2,551 2,264MANGANESE ALLOYSouth Africa Saleable production (a) 119 131 93 126 133 352 303Australia Saleable production (a) 54 44 60 66 64 190 174 (a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006METALLURGICAL COALBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes)METALLURGICAL COAL (a)Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,533 1,449 1,536 1,388 1,484 4,408 4,569 Goonyella 1,751 1,986 1,892 1,296 1,896 5,084 5,281 Peak Downs 1,095 858 1,202 1,161 1,076 3,439 3,531 Saraji 563 794 682 893 883 2,458 1,840 Norwich Park 550 675 631 677 745 2,053 1,987 Gregory Joint Venture 480 712 714 691 394 1,799 1,898 BMA total 5,972 6,474 6,657 6,106 6,478 19,241 19,106 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) South Walker Creek 763 850 873 782 785 2,440 2,199 Poitrel (c) - - - 91 282 373 - BHP Mitsui Coal total 763 850 873 873 1,067 2,813 2,199 Queensland total 6,735 7,324 7,530 6,979 7,545 22,054 21,305 Shipments Coking coal 5,032 5,798 5,190 5,040 5,368 15,598 14,888 Weak coking coal 1,342 1,444 1,600 1,749 1,710 5,059 3,915 Thermal coal 482 581 344 502 419 1,265 1,464 Total 6,856 7,823 7,134 7,291 7,497 21,922 20,267 (a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (b) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%. (c) Poitrel was commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.Illawarra, Australia Production 1,725 1,900 1,717 1,987 1,539 5,243 5,114 Shipments Coking coal 1,508 1,292 1,366 1,583 1,624 4,573 4,155 Thermal coal 313 136 188 280 175 643 799 Total 1,821 1,428 1,554 1,863 1,798 5,216 4,954 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT YEAR TO DATE MAR JUNE SEPT DEC MAR MAR MAR 2006 2006 2006 2006 2007 2007 2006ENERGY COALBHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.('000 tonnes)South Africa Production 11,605 12,854 13,151 13,032 12,863 39,046 39,094 Sales Export 5,658 4,271 5,168 5,211 5,068 15,447 17,367 Local utility 7,328 7,365 7,552 7,413 7,874 22,839 22,591 Inland 203 253 255 227 259 741 780 Total 13,189 11,889 12,975 12,851 13,201 39,027 40,738New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 2,305 1,471 1,778 2,104 1,971 5,853 6,795 San Juan Coal 524 2,420 1,689 1,767 1,135 4,591 4,660 Total 2,829 3,891 3,467 3,871 3,106 10,444 11,455 Sales - local utility 3,553 3,556 3,822 3,616 3,400 10,838 10,950Hunter Valley, Australia Production 1,897 2,636 2,766 2,790 2,731 8,287 6,510 Sales Export 1,267 1,048 1,245 1,858 1,479 4,582 4,149 Inland 643 1,475 1,031 1,005 1,168 3,204 2,419 Total 1,910 2,523 2,276 2,863 2,647 7,786 6,568Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 2,341 2,406 2,398 2,337 2,230 6,965 6,910 Sales - export 2,116 2,387 2,336 2,323 2,446 7,105 6,373 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 Melbourne Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH UnitedVictoria 3000 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 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
BHP Group