RNS Number:2583K
BHP Billiton PLC
23 April 2003
23 April 2003
Number: 13/03
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2003
BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March
2003.
* Oil and Condensate production for the quarter of 15.3 million barrels was
22 per cent lower than the March 2002 quarter. The decrease was mainly due
to natural field decline in Bass Strait (Australia), Laminaria (Australia)
and Griffin (Australia), and higher downtime and natural field decline at
Liverpool Bay (UK) and Typhoon (US). This was partly offset by the
commencement of production from Boris (US). Production was 7 per cent lower
than the December 2002 quarter. The decrease reflected natural field decline
in Bass Strait, Laminaria, and Griffin, and maintenance downtime and natural
field decline at Liverpool Bay. This was partially offset by the
commencement of production from Boris and infill drilling in Bolivia.
* Natural Gas production for the quarter of 66.99 billion cubic feet was in
line with the March 2002 quarter, reflecting increased production from Bruce
(UK) following removal of contract restrictions and increased demand at Bass
Strait. This was partly offset by natural field decline in West Cameron (US)
and lower demand from Brazil reducing production from Bolivia. Natural gas
production was 3 per cent lower than the December 2002 quarter mainly due to
seasonal conditions reducing demand from Bass Strait.
* Alumina production for the quarter of 1.0 million tonnes was in line with
the March 2002 and December 2002 quarters. Higher year on year production
mainly reflects a return to full production at Alumar (Brazil) following
government enforced power rationing.
* Aluminium production for the quarter of 267,000 tonnes was 7 per cent
higher than the March 2002 quarter, mainly due to a return to full
production at Alumar and Valesul (Brazil) following government enforced
power restrictions and increased pot amperage at Hillside (South Africa) in
March 2003. Aluminium production was in line with the December 2002 quarter.
* Copper production for the quarter of 231,300 tonnes was 23 per cent higher
than the March 2002 quarter due to the ramp up of the Escondida (Chile)
Phase IV expansion. This scheduled increase was realised despite the ongoing
capacity reductions at the Escondida and Tintaya (Peru) operations that were
originally announced in November 2001, and more recently extended in
December 2002. Production for the quarter was 3 per cent higher than the
December 2002 quarter mainly due to the successful ramp up of the Escondida
Phase IV expansion.
* Iron Ore production for the quarter of 17.2 million tonnes (BHP Billiton
share) was 5 per cent higher than the March 2002 quarter and 7 per cent
lower than the December 2002 quarter. Western Australian iron ore production
of 17.7 million tonnes (100 per cent terms) was 7 per cent lower than the
December 2002 quarter and 3 per cent higher than the March 2002 quarter.
Lower production compared to the December quarter was largely due to the
impact of cyclonic weather conditions during January 2003. Shipments of
Western Australian iron ore during the quarter continued to reflect strong
demand for all products in Asian markets. Samarco (Brazil) production for
the March 2003 quarter of 2.0 million tonnes was in line with the December
2002 quarter and 19 per cent higher than the March 2002 quarter, reflecting
strong customer demand for pellets during the year.
* Metallurgical Coal production for the quarter of 8.6 million tonnes was in
line with the December 2002 quarter and 5 per cent lower than the March 2002
quarter. Queensland (Australia) production of 7.0 million tonnes was 8 per
cent higher than the December 2002 quarter and 9 per cent lower than the
March 2002 quarter, matching customer demand for the period.
* Ekati(TM) Diamond (Canada) production for the quarter of 1.02 million
carats was 9 per cent higher than the March 2002 quarter mainly due to
continued benefits of a processing plant de-bottlenecking program and mining
of higher ore grades.
* Energy Coal production for the quarter of 19.7 million tonnes was in line
with the March 2002 quarter. Production at Mount Arthur North (Australia)
commenced in January 2003 in accordance with customer contractual
arrangements and higher production at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) reflects
increased ownership interest purchased in February 2002. These factors were
partly offset by lower South African production reflecting the closure of
Rietspruit in May 2002 and closure of the Petangis (Indonesia) mine in
October 2002.
* Nickel production for the quarter of 18,600 tonnes was 4 per cent higher
than the March 2002 quarter, reflecting ramp-up of production at Cerro
Matoso Line 2 (Colombia), benefits from ongoing improvement programs at
Cerro Matoso and improved efficiencies at Yabulu (Australia). Production was
4 per cent lower than the December 2002 quarter because of scheduled
maintenance shutdowns at Cerro Matoso.
* Ferrochrome production for the quarter of 263,000 tonnes was 31 per cent
higher than the March 2002 quarter and 14 per cent higher than the December
2002 quarter. The increase is driven by restart of idle furnaces in response
to increased market demand, and commissioning of the pelletising plant at
Tubatse (South Africa).
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
United States South Africa
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED % CHANGE
MAR Q03 MAR Q03 YTD 03
MARCH DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH vs vs vs
2002 2002 2003 2003 2002 MAR Q02 DEC Q02 YTD 02
PETROLEUM
Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl) 19,644 16,398 15,310 50,258 58,787 -22% -7% -15%
Natural gas (bcf) 66.30 69.41 66.99 208.26 212.82 1% -3% -2%
LPG ('000 161.20 167.97 160.62 537.55 517.13 0% -4% 4%
tonnes)
Ethane ('000 18.87 19.91 22.35 69.93 61.51 18% 12% 14%
tonnes)
ALUMINIUM
Alumina ('000 996 998 1,003 3,032 2,925 1% 1% 4%
tonnes)
Aluminium ('000 250 266 267 801 729 7% 0% 10%
tonnes)
BASE METALS
Copper ('000 187.6 225.6 231.3 641.4 610.8 23% 3% 5%
tonnes)
Lead (tonnes) 64,064 58,345 59,065 180,653 171,298 -8% 1% 5%
Zinc (tonnes) 47,147 44,115 46,755 139,412 123,551 -1% 6% 13%
Gold (ounces) 68,216 69,175 57,802 182,130 214,973 -15% -16% -15%
Silver ('000 11,604 9,870 10,355 31,485 30,074 -11% 5% 5%
ounces)
Molybdenum (tonnes) 121 250 260 730 426 115% 4% 71%
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS
Iron ore ('000 16,464 18,447 17,237 54,312 50,827 5% -7% 7%
tonnes)
Metallurgical coal ('000 8,989 8,390 8,556 25,596 26,173 -5% 2% -2%
tonnes)
Manganese ores ('000 891 1,059 890 3,044 2,751 0% -16% 11%
tonnes)
Manganese alloys ('000 166 190 177 542 449 7% -7% 21%
tonnes)
Hot briquetted iron ('000 277 414 465 1,212 1,047 68% 12% 16%
tonnes)
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Diamonds ('000 932 1,071 1,015 3,040 2,627 9% -5% 16%
carats)
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal ('000 19,236 20,648 19,707 59,684 62,264 2% -5% -4%
tonnes)
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
Nickel ('000 17.8 19.4 18.6 57.1 51.2 4% -4% 12%
tonnes)
Chrome ores ('000 549 714 679 2,106 1,787 24% -5% 18%
tonnes)
Ferrochrome ('000 201 230 263 731 614 31% 14% 19%
tonnes)
Throughout this report figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was
previously reported.
BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
BHP Billiton MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
Interest 2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & condensate (000 bbl) 19,644 19,732 18,550 16,398 15,310 50,258 58,787
Natural gas (bcf) 66.30 70.66 71.86 69.41 66.99 208.26 212.82
LPG ('000 161.20 180.43 208.96 167.97 160.62 537.55 517.13
tonnes)
Ethane ('000 18.87 25.62 27.67 19.91 22.35 69.93 61.51
tonnes)
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Worsley 86% 677 686 698 662 658 2,018 2,010
Suriname 45% 208 215 221 213 222 656 636
Alumar 36% 111 117 112 123 123 358 279
Total 996 1,018 1,031 998 1,003 3,032 2,925
ALUMINIUM
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hillside 100% 127 132 135 134 133 402 369
Bayside 100% 43 43 46 45 48 139 132
Alumar 46.3% 40 46 44 44 45 133 107
Valesul 45.5% 9 11 11 11 10 32 26
Mozal 47.1% 31 31 32 32 31 95 95
Total 250 263 268 266 267 801 729
BASE METALS (a)
COPPER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000
tonnes)
Escondida (b) 57.5% 75.3 94.4 68.4 105.6 118.5 292.5 244.7
Tintaya (b) 100% 0.8 0.2 - - - - 44.7
Antamina (c) 33.8% 25.1 30.5 25.7 26.4 23.6 75.7 51.3
Alumbrera 25% 12.3 12.8 11.1 13.4 9.9 34.4 35.7
Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 14.2 16.1 14.9 14.3 13.2 42.4 46.0
Selbaie 100% 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.1 1.7 6.6 7.5
Total 130.3 156.6 122.9 161.8 166.9 451.6 430.0
Cathode ('000 tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 21.2 21.5 17.9 19.1 20.4 57.4 65.0
Cerro Colorado 100% 31.3 31.3 32.5 33.1 32.5 98.1 99.5
Tintaya (b) 100% - 1.3 8.4 8.9 9.0 26.3 -
San Manuel 100% 1.8 - - - - - 6.3
Pinto Valley 100% 3.1 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 8.0 10.0
Total 57.4 56.9 61.6 63.8 64.4 189.8 180.8
LEAD
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington 100% 63,172 63,799 61,676 57,651 58,711 178,038 167,965
Pering (d) 100% 892 969 1,567 694 354 2,615 3,333
Total 64,064 64,768 63,243 58,345 59,065 180,653 171,298
Refer footnotes on
page 5.
BASE METALS (continued)
ZINC
Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)
Cannington 100% 15,002 12,511 15,182 14,721 15,480 45,383 46,346
Antamina (c) 33.8% 18,798 13,518 18,189 15,424 20,519 54,132 34,808
Selbaie 100% 8,495 8,121 9,840 6,540 6,421 22,801 26,075
Pering (d) 100% 4,851 4,793 5,331 7,430 4,335 17,096 16,322
Total 47,147 38,942 48,542 44,115 46,755 139,412 123,551
GOLD
Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)
Escondida (b) 57.5% 11,837 17,694 10,074 15,936 17,458 43,468 34,645
Tintaya (b) 100% 503 - - - - - 22,252
Alumbrera 25% 49,065 47,993 39,279 46,940 35,084 121,303 137,420
Selbaie 100% 5,685 5,117 4,486 5,069 4,146 13,701 17,118
Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 1,126 1,268 1,314 1,230 1,114 3,658 3,539
Total 68,216 72,072 55,153 69,175 57,802 182,130 214,973
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000
ounces)
Cannington 100% 9,980 10,265 9,612 8,326 8,773 26,711 25,699
Escondida 57.5% 295 344 304 387 471 1,162 913
Antamina (c) 33.8% 590 461 536 557 617 1,710 1,207
Alumbrera 25.0% 68 56 53 72 75 200 181
Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 168 183 162 159 140 461 526
Selbaie 100% 504 524 593 369 279 1,241 1,549
Total 11,604 11,833 11,260 9,870 10,355 31,485 30,074
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 121 232 220 250 260 730 426
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS
IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes)
Mt Newman Joint 85% 5,565 5,413 5,486 5,287 4,964 15,737 17,961
Venture
Goldsworthy Joint 85% 1,434 1,690 1,891 1,808 1,497 5,196 4,757
Venture
Yandi Joint Venture 85% 6,614 6,663 7,796 8,187 7,452 23,435 20,593
Jimblebar 100% 1,211 1,476 1,433 1,186 1,371 3,990 3,725
Samarco 50% 1,640 1,838 2,022 1,979 1,953 5,954 3,791
Total 16,464 17,080 18,628 18,447 17,237 54,312 50,827
METALLURGICAL COAL (e)
Production ('000 tonnes)
BMA (f) 50% 6,017 5,686 4,652 5,032 5,838 15,522 16,015
BHP Mitsui Coal (g) 80% 1,707 1,746 1,863 1,472 1,200 4,535 4,997
Illawarra 100% 1,265 1,927 2,135 1,886 1,518 5,539 5,161
Total 8,989 9,359 8,650 8,390 8,556 25,596 26,173
Refer footnotes on
page 5.
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (h) 60% 424 475 581 560 534 1,675 1,392
Australia (h) 60% 467 309 514 499 356 1,369 1,359
Total 891 784 1,095 1,059 890 3,044 2,751
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (h) 60% 115 121 124 125 117 366 285
Australia (h) 60% 51 48 51 65 60 176 164
Total 166 169 175 190 177 542 449
HOT BRIQUETTED IRON
Production ('000 tonnes)
BoodarieTM Iron (i) 100% 277 - 333 414 465 1,212 1,047
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
EkatiTM 80% 932 1,023 954 1,071 1,015 3,040 2,627
ENERGY COAL
Production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa 100% 13,633 13,815 13,838 13,333 13,256 40,427 41,895
USA 100% 3,266 3,703 2,800 4,339 3,147 10,286 9,542
Australia 100% 1,129 1,390 1,244 1,234 1,922 4,400 3,165
Indonesia (j) 80% 186 208 216 29 - 245 4,414
Colombia (k) 33% 1,022 1,455 1,231 1,713 1,382 4,326 3,248
Total 19,236 20,571 19,329 20,648 19,707 59,684 62,264
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
NICKEL
Production ('000 tonnes)
CMSA 99.8% 10.5 9.9 11.7 11.9 11.1 34.7 30.5
Yabulu 100% 7.3 7.8 7.4 7.5 7.5 22.4 20.7
Total 17.8 17.7 19.1 19.4 18.6 57.1 51.2
CHROME ORES
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (h) 60% 549 664 713 714 679 2,106 1,787
FERROCHROME
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (h) 60% 201 223 238 230 263 731 614
Refer footnotes on
page 5.
(a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.
(b) Sulphide production at Escondida and Tintaya was temporarily reduced in November 2001 and January 2002
respectively due to
weak market conditions. Commercial production of copper cathode commenced at Tintaya in June 2002.
The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002.
(c) Antamina commenced commercial production in October 2001.
(d) Production ceased, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003.
(e) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal
coal.
(f) BHP Billiton acquired its share of South Blackwater in July 2001. South Blackwater is equally owned by BHP
Billiton and
Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd. Effective January 2002, South Blackwater production is reported in BMA.
(g) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest.
(h) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
(i) Boodarie Iron recommenced production in July 2002 following the suspension of operations due to a tube failure in
a gas
re-heating furnace.
(j) Production shown on 86.5% basis after allowing for Indonesian state owned corporation's 13.5% share of
production.
BHP Billiton sold its interest in the Senakin and Satui mines effective 30 November 2001. Production
ceased
at Petangis in October 2002.
(k) BHP Billiton increased its interest in Cerrejon Zona Norte to 33.3% from 16.7% effective Februrary
2002.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)
Bass Strait 6,593 6,786 6,799 5,799 5,391 17,989 21,190
North West Shelf - condensate 1,525 1,466 1,602 1,510 1,566 4,678 4,166
North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack 1,851 1,892 1,876 1,655 1,679 5,210 5,422
Laminaria 1,958 2,200 2,914 1,869 1,419 6,202 7,528
Griffin 1,971 1,587 1,281 1,089 831 3,201 3,871
Pakistan 20 18 18 17 16 51 56
Typhoon/Boris (a) 1,507 1,754 1,233 654 852 2,739 3,785
Americas 917 861 718 652 816 2,186 2,645
Liverpool Bay 2,770 2,574 1,838 2,463 2,174 6,475 8,468
Bruce/Keith 532 594 271 690 566 1,527 1,655
Total 19,644 19,732 18,550 16,398 15,310 50,258 58,787
NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)
Bass Strait 17.18 26.77 33.07 21.07 17.51 71.65 70.08
North West Shelf - 3.45 2.86 3.62 3.82 3.81 11.25 10.86
Domestic
North West Shelf - LNG 15.22 13.01 16.55 14.93 15.11 46.59 46.54
Griffin 0.92 0.34 0.95 1.03 0.81 2.79 3.62
Pakistan 2.94 3.02 2.83 2.76 2.57 8.16 8.43
Typhoon/Boris (a) 2.01 1.93 1.38 0.71 2.03 4.12 4.16
Americas 4.40 4.63 3.91 3.80 3.34 11.05 14.50
Bruce 8.44 7.92 4.59 10.55 10.04 25.18 22.36
Keith 0.11 0.16 0.07 0.15 0.15 0.37 0.57
Liverpool Bay 11.63 10.01 4.89 10.59 11.62 27.10 31.69
Total 66.30 70.66 71.86 69.41 66.99 208.26 212.82
LPG ('000 tonnes)
Bass Strait 108.47 126.70 149.66 115.23 111.74 376.63 345.00
North West Shelf 33.33 35.08 36.32 31.04 32.67 100.03 105.18
Bruce 18.73 17.49 22.45 20.47 15.10 58.02 63.74
Keith 0.67 1.17 0.53 1.23 1.11 2.87 3.21
Total 161.20 180.43 208.96 167.97 160.62 537.55 517.13
ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 18.87 25.62 27.67 19.91 22.35 69.93 61.51
(a) Typhoon commenced production in July 2001. Boris commenced production in February 2003.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Production
Worsley, Australia 677 686 698 662 658 2,018 2,010
Paranam, Suriname 208 215 221 213 222 656 636
Alumar, Brazil 111 117 112 123 123 358 279
Total 996 1,018 1,031 998 1,003 3,032 2,925
Sales
Worsley, Australia 656 690 758 606 751 2,115 1,986
Paranam, Suriname 205 197 253 201 243 697 650
Alumar, Brazil 101 106 130 125 124 379 268
Total 962 993 1,141 932 1,118 3,191 2,904
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, South Africa 127 132 135 134 133 402 369
Bayside, South Africa 43 43 46 45 48 139 132
Alumar, Brazil 40 46 44 44 45 133 107
Valesul, Brazil 9 11 11 11 10 32 26
Mozal, Mozambique 31 31 32 32 31 95 95
Total 250 263 268 266 267 801 729
Sales
Hillside, South Africa 128 131 124 135 133 392 368
Bayside, South Africa 42 53 47 45 48 140 128
Alumar, Brazil 38 45 38 52 38 128 105
Valesul, Brazil 10 11 9 12 9 30 26
Mozal, Mozambique 31 34 27 35 33 95 95
Total 249 274 245 279 261 785 722
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless
otherwise stated.
Escondida, Chile (a) (b)
Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 80,401 77,244 74,671 74,303 73,466 222,440 250,565
Sulphide ore milled ('000 tonnes) 10,452 11,311 10,142 14,632 16,744 41,518 31,717
(100%)
Average copper grade (%) 1.53% 1.74% 1.45% 1.59% 1.49% 1.52% 1.67%
Production ex Mill ('000 tonnes) 134.9 170.3 125.6 191.8 210.8 528.2 441.2
(100%)
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 75.3 94.4 68.4 105.6 118.5 292.5 244.7
Payable gold (fine ounces) 11,837 17,694 10,074 15,936 17,458 43,468 34,645
concentrate
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 21.2 21.5 17.9 19.1 20.4 57.4 65.0
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 295 344 304 387 471 1,162 913
concentrate
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 77.0 85.3 77.0 104.8 113.5 295.3 247.7
Payable gold (fine ounces) 10,806 17,004 11,689 16,709 17,166 45,564 31,921
concentrate
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 24.6 22.7 19.5 21.7 19.3 60.5 65.4
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 313 248 269 400 484 1,153 959
concentrate
(a) Sulphide production at Escondida was temporarily reduced in November 2001 due to weak market
conditions.
(b) Includes production from the Escondida Phase IV expansion which commissioned in October 2002.
Tintaya, Peru (a) (b)
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 396 - - - - - 32,111
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 71 - - - - - 3,280
Average copper grade (%) 1.64% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 1.65%
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 0.8 0.2 - - - - 44.7
Payable gold (fine ounces) 503 - - - - - 22,252
concentrate
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 1.3 8.4 8.9 9.0 26.3 -
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 8.8 - - - - - 45.8
Payable gold (fine ounces) 5,452 212 - - - - 24,743
concentrate
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 1.9 8.0 8.7 8.7 25.4 -
(a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended in January 2002 due to weak market
conditions.
(b) Commercial production of copper cathode commenced in June 2002.
Cerro Colorado, Chile
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 15,760 18,628 17,963 15,027 16,564 49,554 46,032
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 3,698 3,581 3,759 3,942 3,916 11,617 11,078
Average copper grade (%) 1.03% 1.00% 0.97% 1.03% 1.00% 1.00% 1.07%
Production
Copper cathode ('000 tonnes) 31.3 31.3 32.5 33.1 32.5 98.1 99.5
Sales
Copper cathode ('000 tonnes) 33.2 34.5 23.2 36.1 39.3 98.6 98.6
Antamina, Peru (a)
Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 20,548 28,990 30,235 25,797 25,290 81,322 40,518
Ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 6,309 7,250 6,794 6,395 6,424 19,613 12,627
Average head grades
- Copper (%) 1.31% 1.43% 1.33% 1.41% 1.32% 1.35% 1.37%
- Zinc (%) 1.44% 0.93% 1.28% 1.15% 1.54% 1.32% 1.39%
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 25.1 30.5 25.7 26.4 23.6 75.7 51.3
Payable zinc (tonnes) 18,798 13,518 18,189 15,424 20,519 54,132 34,808
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 590 461 536 557 617 1,710 1,207
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 28.8 28.6 30.6 25.8 22.4 78.8 57.5
Payable zinc (tonnes) 23,031 15,009 19,184 14,407 15,400 48,991 32,014
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 602 489 590 530 575 1,695 1,198
(a) Commercial production commenced in October 2001.
Alumbrera, Argentina
Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 25,430 26,524 29,356 28,730 26,400 84,486 83,610
Ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 7,146 7,575 8,034 8,703 8,376 25,113 21,804
Average head grades
- Copper (%) 0.76% 0.73% 0.62% 0.69% 0.54% 0.62% 0.73%
- Gold (g/t) 1.1 1.0 0.8 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.1
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 12.3 12.8 11.1 13.4 9.9 34.4 35.7
Payable gold (fine ounces) 45,421 43,020 35,935 42,594 30,730 109,259 128,769
Payable gold - dore (fine ounces) 3,644 4,973 3,344 4,346 4,354 12,044 8,651
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 68 56 53 72 75 200 181
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 12.7 11.6 10.3 13.3 10.8 34.4 35.6
Payable gold (fine ounces) 47,261 36,874 33,957 42,381 33,438 109,776 129,945
Payable gold - dore (fine ounces) 3,710 4,466 3,082 4,409 4,159 11,650 7,548
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 67 67 53 72 75 200 180
Highland Valley, Canada
Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 18,322 18,522 20,455 18,682 16,642 55,779 59,115
Ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 11,778 12,224 12,941 12,924 11,602 37,467 37,531
Average copper grade (%) 0.42% 0.43% 0.40% 0.39% 0.40% 0.40% 0.42%
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 14.2 16.1 14.9 14.3 13.2 42.4 46.0
Payable molybdenum ('000 tonnes) 0.12 0.23 0.22 0.25 0.26 0.73 0.43
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 168 183 162 159 140 461 526
Payable gold (fine ounces) 1,126 1,268 1,314 1,230 1,114 3,658 3,539
concentrate
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 11.6 14.9 14.4 17.5 10.0 41.9 47.8
Payable molybdenum ('000 tonnes) 0.17 0.22 0.19 0.22 0.26 0.67 0.45
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 133 173 153 189 106 448 555
Payable gold (fine ounces) 1,096 1,467 1,240 1,644 843 3,727 4,998
concentrate
Cannington, Australia
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 569 574 631 573 601 1,805 1,667
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 567 575 599 564 589 1,752 1,601
Average head grades
- Silver (g/t) 619 675 564 535 550 550 595
- Lead (%) 12.7% 13.6% 11.7% 11.9% 11.8% 11.8% 12.7%
- Zinc (%) 4.6% 3.9% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.9%
Production
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 9,980 10,265 9,612 8,326 8,773 26,711 25,699
Payable lead (tonnes) 63,172 63,799 61,676 57,651 58,711 178,038 167,965
Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,002 12,511 15,182 14,721 15,480 45,383 46,346
Sales
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 9,383 10,788 9,401 9,027 8,717 27,145 24,659
Payable lead (tonnes) 59,712 67,650 59,876 62,735 58,366 180,977 161,712
Payable zinc (tonnes) 19,105 14,761 12,077 14,849 18,155 45,081 50,175
Selbaie, Canada
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 1,012 1,016 1,049 999 919 2,967 3,047
Average head grades
- Zinc (%) 1.32% 1.26% 1.37% 1.09% 1.11% 1.20% 1.37%
- Copper (%) 0.33% 0.34% 0.33% 0.28% 0.25% 0.29% 0.34%
- Gold (g/t) 0.26 0.25 0.23 0.25 0.23 0.24 0.28
- Silver (g/t) 29.10 28.99 35.10 22.75 22.15 26.93 30.49
Production
Payable zinc (tonnes) 8,495 8,121 9,840 6,540 6,421 22,801 26,075
Payable copper (tonnes) 2,452 2,642 2,789 2,111 1,654 6,554 7,544
Payable gold (ounces) 5,685 5,117 4,486 5,069 4,146 13,701 17,118
concentrate
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 504 524 593 369 279 1,241 1,549
Sales
Payable zinc (tonnes) 8,400 7,877 9,861 7,245 6,636 23,742 26,291
Payable copper (tonnes) 2,605 2,459 2,823 2,107 2,751 7,681 8,416
Payable gold (ounces) 5,048 5,142 5,932 3,082 5,508 14,522 21,162
concentrate
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 605 573 527 478 444 1,449 1,210
Pering, South Africa (a)
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 330 338 320 288 151 759 1,011
Average head grades
- Zinc (%) 1.73% 1.85% 2.21% 3.34% 3.47% 2.89% 1.88%
- Lead (%) 0.42% 0.52% 0.66% 0.40% 0.33% 0.50% 0.48%
Production
Payable zinc (tonnes) 4,851 4,793 5,331 7,430 4,335 17,096 16,322
Payable lead (tonnes) 892 969 1,567 694 354 2,615 3,333
Sales
Payable zinc (tonnes) 4,745 3,667 3,701 6,179 5,343 15,223 14,536
Payable lead (tonnes) 1,298 729 1,367 1,327 995 3,689 3,881
(a) Production ceased, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003.
San Manuel, USA (a)
Production
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 1.8 - - - - - 6.3
(a) San Manuel SXEW operations closed in March 2002.
Pinto Valley, USA
Production
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 3.1 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 8.0 10.0
Sales
Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 4.4 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.6 7.9 9.8
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
CARBON STEEL MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Mt Newman Joint 5,565 5,413 5,486 5,287 4,964 15,737 17,961
Venture
Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b) 1,434 1,690 1,891 1,808 1,497 5,196 4,757
Yandi Joint Venture 6,614 6,663 7,796 8,187 7,452 23,435 20,593
Jimblebar 1,211 1,476 1,433 1,186 1,371 3,990 3,725
Total (BHP Billiton 14,824 15,242 16,606 16,468 15,284 48,358 47,037
share)
Total production 17,226 17,671 19,284 19,165 17,739 56,188 54,679
(100%)
Shipments
Lump 3,316 4,151 4,335 4,290 4,352 12,977 10,528
Fines 11,083 10,517 11,842 13,896 12,144 37,882 35,442
Total (BHP Billiton 14,399 14,668 16,177 18,186 16,496 50,859 45,970
share)
Total shipments (100%) 16,940 17,256 19,033 21,396 19,407 59,836 54,082
(a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(b) Includes bulk sample production from Mining Area C.
Samarco, Brazil
Production 1,640 1,838 2,022 1,979 1,953 5,954 3,791
Shipments 1,705 1,768 2,034 2,004 2,049 6,087 4,301
METALLURGICAL COAL (a)
Queensland, Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 1,892 1,669 1,633 1,603 1,668 4,904 4,174
Goonyella 1,036 904 734 812 1,191 2,737 2,872
Peak Downs 1,028 1,185 789 757 1,009 2,555 2,643
Saraji 676 716 427 629 599 1,655 1,831
Norwich Park 524 527 573 451 610 1,634 1,546
South Blackwater (b) - - - - - - 1,194
Gregory 861 685 496 780 761 2,037 1,755
BMA total 6,017 5,686 4,652 5,032 5,838 15,522 16,015
BHP Mitsui Coal (c)
Riverside 907 928 927 400 300 1,627 2,474
South Walker Creek 800 818 936 1,072 900 2,908 2,523
BHP Mitsui Coal total 1,707 1,746 1,863 1,472 1,200 4,535 4,997
Queensland total 7,724 7,432 6,515 6,504 7,038 20,057 21,012
Shipments
Coking coal 4,799 5,252 4,165 4,034 4,707 12,906 13,614
Weak coking coal 1,604 1,124 1,739 1,503 1,569 4,811 4,871
Thermal coal 764 734 1,022 800 852 2,674 2,099
Total 7,167 7,110 6,926 6,337 7,128 20,391 20,584
(a) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(b) BHP Billiton acquired its share of South Blackwater in July 2001. South Blackwater is equally owned by BHP
Billiton and
Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd. Effective January 2002, South Blackwater production is included in Blackwater.
(c) BHP Mitsui Coal production shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest.
Illawarra, Australia
Production 1,265 1,927 2,135 1,886 1,518 5,539 5,161
Shipments
Coking coal 1,555 1,543 1,515 1,900 1,611 5,026 4,667
Thermal coal 49 268 134 95 242 471 279
Total 1,604 1,811 1,649 1,995 1,853 5,497 4,946
MANGANESE ORES
South Africa
Saleable production 424 475 581 560 534 1,675 1,392
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
Australia
Saleable production 467 309 514 499 356 1,369 1,359
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
MANGANESE ALLOYS
South Africa
Saleable production 115 121 124 125 117 366 285
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
Australia
Saleable production 51 48 51 65 60 176 164
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
HOT BRIQUETTED IRON
BoodarieTM Iron,
Australia (a)
Production 277 - 333 414 465 1,212 1,047
Shipments 391 93 202 464 416 1,082 1,051
(a) Boodarie Iron recommenced production in July 2002 following the suspension of operations due to a tube failure
in a gas re-heating furnace.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
EkatiTM, Canada
Production ('000 932 1,023 954 1,071 1,015 3,040 2,627
carats)
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
Ingwe, South Africa
Production 13,633 13,815 13,838 13,333 13,256 40,427 41,895
Sales
Export 5,605 5,744 5,648 6,609 5,696 17,953 17,977
Local utility 6,979 7,767 7,836 7,263 7,160 22,259 21,236
Inland 835 742 471 412 340 1,223 3,038
Total 13,418 14,253 13,955 14,284 13,196 41,435 42,250
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal 1,801 2,030 1,602 2,154 1,797 5,553 5,177
San Juan Coal (a) 1,465 1,673 1,198 2,185 1,350 4,733 4,365
Total 3,266 3,703 2,800 4,339 3,147 10,286 9,542
Sales - local utility 2,882 3,469 3,546 3,348 3,316 10,210 9,778
(a) Includes production from longwall operations commenced at San Juan in October 2002.
Hunter Valley, Australia
Production 1,129 1,390 1,244 1,234 1,922 4,400 3,165
Sales
Export 904 1,056 783 881 1,036 2,700 2,079
Inland 342 337 366 276 704 1,346 1,118
Total 1,246 1,393 1,149 1,157 1,740 4,046 3,197
Kalimantan, Indonesia
Production (a)
Senakin (b) - - - - - - 1,962
Satui (b) - - - - - - 1,845
Petangis (c) 186 208 216 29 - 245 608
Total 186 208 216 29 - 245 4,414
Sales - export 242 243 189 49 56 294 4,238
(a) Reported on 86.5% basis after allowing for the Indonesian state-owned corporation's 13.5% share of all
production.
(b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Senakin and Satui effective 30 November 2001.
(c) Production ceased at Petangis in October 2002.
Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
(a)
Production 1,022 1,455 1,231 1,713 1,382 4,326 3,248
Sales - export 971 1,144 1,246 1,851 1,971 5,068 2,757
(a) BHP Billiton increased its interest in CZN from 16.7% to 33.3% effective February 2002.
PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED
MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH
2002 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2002
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
NICKEL
CMSA, Colombia
Production 10.5 9.9 11.7 11.9 11.1 34.7 30.5
Sales 10.5 11.6 10.5 12.8 10.3 33.6 30.0
Yabulu, Australia
Production
Nickel 7.3 7.8 7.4 7.5 7.5 22.4 20.7
Cobalt 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 1.4 1.3
Sales
Nickel 7.3 7.1 7.1 8.3 8.1 23.5 21.9
Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 1.4
CHROME ORES
South Africa
Saleable production 549 664 713 714 679 2,106 1,787
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
FERROCHROME
South Africa
Saleable production 201 223 238 230 263 731 614
(a)
(a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United
3000 Kingdom
Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111
The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
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