Prod Rpt Q/E 30 June 03

BHP Billiton Limited 24 July 2003 BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange. The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc earlier. Date 24 July 2003 Number 24/03 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 JUNE 2003 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 30 June 2003. • Record annual Western Australian Iron Ore production of 76.5 million tonnes and record annual shipments of 80.3 million tonnes (100 per cent basis). • Record quarterly plant throughput of 1.18 million tonnes achieved at Ekati(TM) (Canada) (100 per cent basis). • Record annual nickel production of 78,100 tonnes. • Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the June 2003 quarter was 30 million barrels of oil equivalent, 7 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter and 10 per cent lower than the June 2002 quarter. Total production for the year ended 30 June 2003 was 122 million barrels of oil equivalent, a decrease of 9 per cent compared with the year ended 30 June 2002. • Oil and Condensate - Production for the June 2003 quarter was 15.6 million barrels, 2 per cent higher than the 15.3 million barrels produced in the March 2003 quarter, mainly due to a full quarter of production from Boris (US), increased condensate production from Bass Strait (Australia) as a result of increased gas demand and a higher proportion of wet gas from Bream, along with improved reliability and successful infill drilling at Liverpool Bay (UK). This was partly offset by natural field decline in Laminaria (Australia) and Griffin (Australia). As expected, production for the quarter was lower than the 19.7 million barrels produced in the June 2002 quarter, mainly due to natural field decline in Bass Strait, Laminaria, Griffin, Liverpool Bay and Typhoon (US). Typhoon performance was also affected by well workovers largely offset by the commencement of production from Boris. • Natural Gas - Production for the June 2003 quarter was 72.9 billion cubic feet, 9 per cent higher than the 67.0 billion cubic feet produced in the March 2003 quarter. Seasonal conditions led to increased demand for Bass Strait natural gas during the June 2003 quarter, which was partly offset by maintenance shut downs at Bruce (UK). Production for the quarter was 3 per cent higher than the 70.7 billion cubic feet produced in the June 2002 quarter due to increased demand for North West Shelf (Australia) LNG and domestic gas and higher sales from Liverpool Bay. This was partly offset by lower demand from Bass Strait driven by milder weather conditions and natural field decline in West Cameron (US). • Alumina - Production for the June 2003 quarter was 1.1 million tonnes, compared with 1.0 million tonnes in the June 2002 and March 2003 quarters. Production increased at Worsley (Australia) with hydrate stockpiled in the previous quarter being processed. Higher year on year production mainly reflects a return to full production at Alumar (Brazil) following the end of government enforced power rationing in the March 2002 quarter. • Aluminium - Production for the June 2003 quarter was 273,000 tonnes, compared with 263,000 tonnes in the June 2002 quarter and 267,000 tonnes in the March 2003 quarter. The increase mainly reflects the ramp up of production from the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) expansion where first metal was cast in April 2003, six months ahead of schedule. Higher year on year production also reflects increased tonnages from Hillside (South Africa) due to the success of the capacity creep program, completion of the pot relining program in June 2002 and non-recurrence of the September 2001 power outage, combined with a return to full production at Alumar and Valesul (Brazil) following the end of government enforced power rationing in the March 2002 quarter. • Copper - Production for the June 2003 quarter was 229,200 tonnes, 7 per cent higher than the 213,500 tonnes produced in the June 2002 quarter. This scheduled increase mainly reflects the ramp up of the Escondida (Chile) Phase IV expansion. • Iron Ore - Record annual Western Australian production of 76.5 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) was 6 per cent higher than the previous year, in response to strong demand in all Asian markets, particularly China. A new annual shipping record was set during the year in Western Australia, where despatches to customers were 80.3 million tonnes (100 per cent basis), an increase of 13 per cent compared with the 2002 year. Annual production from Samarco (Brazil) of 7.9 million tonnes was 40 per cent higher than the previous year, a reflection of strong customer demand resulting in the restart of previously idled pelletising capacity. Total iron ore production for the June 2003 quarter was 19.4 million tonnes (BHP Billiton share), 14 and 13 per cent higher than the June 2002 and March 2003 quarters respectively. • Metallurgical Coal - Production for the June 2003 quarter of 9.0 million tonnes was in line with the June 2002 quarter and 5 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter. Annual production of 34.6 million tonnes, while 3 per cent lower than in the corresponding period, reflects stronger customer demand in the second half of the year, offset by adverse mining conditions at the Crinum mine (Australia) and the closure of Tower Colliery (Australia). Annual shipments of Queensland Coal (Australia) were in line with the previous year. Annual shipments of Illawarra Coal (Australia) were 7.2 million tonnes, 7 per cent higher, also reflecting strong customer demand. • Manganese - Annual ore production of 4.1 million tonnes was 16 per cent higher than 2002 in response to strong customer demand, particularly from China. Full year alloy production of 737,000 tonnes was 19 per cent higher than 2002 also due to increased customer demand. • Ekati(TM) Diamonds - Record plant throughput of 1.18 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) was achieved at Ekati(TM) (Canada) during the June 2003 quarter, reflecting benefits of a processing plant de-bottlenecking program. Combined with improved ore grade, quarterly production of 1.30 million carats and annual production of 4.34 million carats were 27 per cent and 19 per cent respectively higher than for the corresponding period last year. • Energy Coal - Production for the June 2003 quarter was 22.0 million tonnes, compared with 20.6 million tonnes in the June 2002 quarter and 19.7 million tonnes in the March 2003 quarter. The increase mainly reflects higher production at Mount Arthur North (Australia) where deliveries to both the export and domestic thermal coal markets were in accordance with the ramp up plan, and higher production at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) largely reflecting strong demand from the European market during the June 2003 quarter. • Nickel - Record annual production of 31,200 tonnes was achieved at the QNI Yabulu refinery (Australia) during 2003, 9 per cent higher than production during the previous year. This mainly reflects ore processing enhancements resulting from operating excellence initiatives. Cerro Matoso (Colombia) also achieved record production, reflecting the ramp-up of Line 2 and benefits from ongoing improvement programs. Total Nickel production for the June 2003 quarter was 21,000 tonnes, compared with 17,700 tonnes in the June 2002 quarter and 18,600 tonnes in the March 2003 quarter, a result of operating excellence initiatives at both sites. • Ferrochrome - Annual production of 990,000 tonnes was 18 per cent higher than in the previous year, driven by the restart of idle furnaces in response to increased market demand. Production for the June 2003 quarter was 259,000 tonnes, compared with 223,000 tonnes in the June 2002 quarter and 263,000 tonnes in the March 2003 quarter. **** 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 Tania Price, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 419 152 780 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177 Mobile: +44 78 81 51 8715 email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations South Africa Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978 Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations email: Tracey.Whitehead@BHPBilliton.com Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com United States Francis McAllister, Investor Relations Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED % CHANGE JUN Q03 JUN Q03 FY 03 JUNE MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE vs vs vs 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 JUN Q02 MAR Q03 FY 02 PETROLEUM Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl) 19,732 15,310 15,635 65,893 78,519 -21% 2% -16% Natural gas (bcf) 70.66 66.99 72.91 281.17 283.47 3% 9% -1% LPG ('000 180.43 160.62 205.57 743.12 697.56 14% 28% 7% tonnes) Ethane ('000 25.62 22.35 24.97 94.90 87.13 -3% 12% 9% tonnes) Total Petroleum Products (million 34 28 30 122 134 -10% 7% -9% boe) ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 1,018 1,003 1,060 4,092 3,943 4% 6% 4% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 263 267 273 1,074 992 4% 2% 8% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 213.5 231.3 229.2 870.5 824.3 7% -1% 6% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 64,768 59,065 59,389 240,042 236,066 -8% 1% 2% Zinc (tonnes) 38,942 46,755 54,396 193,808 162,493 40% 16% 19% Gold (ounces) 72,032 57,802 25,752 207,882 286,971 -64% -55% -28% Silver ('000 11,833 10,355 9,643 41,128 41,958 -19% -7% -2% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 232 260 280 1,010 658 21% 8% 54% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 17,080 17,237 19,420 73,732 67,907 14% 13% 9% tonnes) Metallurgical coal ('000 9,359 8,556 9,026 34,622 35,532 -4% 5% -3% tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 784 890 1,058 4,102 3,535 35% 19% 16% tonnes) Manganese alloys ('000 169 177 195 737 618 15% 10% 19% tonnes) Hot briquetted iron ('000 - 465 458 1,670 1,047 100% -2% 60% tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,023 1,015 1,300 4,340 3,650 27% 28% 19% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 20,571 19,735 21,991 81,703 82,835 7% 11% -1% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 17.7 18.6 21.0 78.1 68.9 19% 13% 13% tonnes) Chrome ores ('000 664 679 720 2,826 2,451 8% 6% 15% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 223 263 259 990 837 16% -2% 18% tonnes) Throughout this report figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously reported. BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED BHP Billiton JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE Interest 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & condensate (000 bbl) 19,732 18,550 16,398 15,310 15,635 65,893 78,519 Natural gas (bcf) 70.66 71.86 69.41 66.99 72.91 281.17 283.47 LPG ('000 180.43 208.96 167.97 160.62 205.57 743.12 697.56 tonnes) Ethane ('000 25.62 27.67 19.91 22.35 24.97 94.90 87.13 tonnes) Total Petroleum (million 34 33 30 28 30 122 134 Products boe) ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 686 698 662 658 724 2,742 2,696 Suriname 45% 215 221 213 222 223 879 851 Alumar 36% 117 112 123 123 113 471 396 Total 1,018 1,031 998 1,003 1,060 4,092 3,943 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 132 135 134 133 132 534 501 Bayside 100% 43 46 45 48 46 185 175 Alumar 46.3% 46 44 44 45 45 178 153 Valesul 45.5% 11 11 11 10 11 43 37 Mozal 47% 31 32 32 31 39 134 126 Total 263 268 266 267 273 1,074 992 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida (b) 57.5% 94.4 68.4 105.6 118.5 126.6 419.1 339.1 Tintaya (b) 100% 0.2 - - - - - 44.9 Antamina (c) 33.8% 30.5 25.7 26.4 23.6 21.2 96.9 81.9 Alumbrera (d) 25% 12.8 11.1 13.4 9.9 - 34.4 48.5 Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 16.1 14.9 14.3 13.2 13.8 56.2 62.1 Selbaie 100% 2.6 2.8 2.1 1.7 1.8 8.3 10.2 Total 156.6 122.9 161.8 166.9 163.4 614.9 586.6 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 21.5 17.9 19.1 20.4 21.1 78.5 86.5 Cerro Colorado 100% 31.3 32.5 33.1 32.5 33.0 131.1 130.8 Tintaya (b) 100% 1.3 8.4 8.9 9.0 9.1 35.4 1.3 San Manuel 100% - - - - - - 6.3 Pinto Valley 100% 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.6 10.6 12.8 Total 56.9 61.6 63.8 64.4 65.8 255.6 237.7 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 63,799 61,676 57,651 58,711 59,389 237,427 231,764 Pering (e) 100% 969 1,567 694 354 - 2,615 4,302 Total 64,768 63,243 58,345 59,065 59,389 240,042 236,066 Refer footnotes on page 5. BASE METALS (continued) ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 12,511 15,182 14,721 15,480 18,479 63,862 58,856 Antamina (c) 33.8% 13,518 18,189 15,424 20,519 28,553 82,685 48,326 Selbaie 100% 8,121 9,840 6,540 6,421 7,364 30,165 34,196 Pering (e) 100% 4,793 5,331 7,430 4,335 - 17,096 21,115 Total 38,942 48,542 44,115 46,755 54,396 193,808 162,493 GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida (b) 57.5% 17,694 10,074 15,936 17,458 20,664 64,132 52,338 Tintaya (b) 100% - - - - - - 22,252 Alumbrera (d) 25% 47,993 39,279 46,940 35,084 - 121,303 185,413 Selbaie 100% 5,117 4,486 5,069 4,146 4,081 17,782 22,201 Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 1,228 1,314 1,230 1,114 1,007 4,665 4,767 Total 72,032 55,153 69,175 57,802 25,752 207,882 286,971 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 10,265 9,612 8,326 8,773 8,161 34,872 35,964 Escondida 57.5% 344 304 387 471 538 1,700 1,257 Antamina (c) 33.8% 461 536 557 617 517 2,227 1,719 Alumbrera (d) 25.0% 56 53 72 75 - 200 237 Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 183 162 159 140 143 604 709 Selbaie 100% 524 593 369 279 284 1,525 2,073 Total 11,833 11,260 9,870 10,355 9,643 41,128 41,958 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Highland Valley Copper 33.6% 232 220 250 260 280 1,010 658 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman Joint 85% 5,413 5,486 5,287 4,964 6,221 21,958 23,374 Venture Goldsworthy Joint 85% 1,690 1,891 1,808 1,497 1,516 6,712 6,447 Venture Yandi Joint Venture 85% 6,663 7,796 8,187 7,452 8,353 31,788 27,256 Jimblebar 100% 1,476 1,433 1,186 1,371 1,428 5,418 5,201 Samarco 50% 1,838 2,022 1,979 1,953 1,902 7,856 5,629 Total 17,080 18,628 18,447 17,237 19,420 73,732 67,907 METALLURGICAL COAL (f) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA (g) 50% 5,686 4,652 5,032 5,838 5,769 21,291 21,701 BHP Mitsui Coal (h) 80% 1,746 1,863 1,472 1,200 2,033 6,568 6,743 Illawarra 100% 1,927 2,135 1,886 1,518 1,224 6,763 7,088 Total 9,359 8,650 8,390 8,556 9,026 34,622 35,532 Refer footnotes on page 5. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (i) 60% 475 581 560 534 574 2,249 1,867 Australia (i) 60% 309 514 499 356 484 1,853 1,668 Total 784 1,095 1,059 890 1,058 4,102 3,535 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (i) 60% 121 124 125 117 137 503 406 Australia (i) 60% 48 51 65 60 58 234 212 Total 169 175 190 177 195 737 618 HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) Boodarie(TM) Iron (j) 100% - 333 414 465 458 1,670 1,047 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) Ekati(TM) 80% 1,023 954 1,071 1,015 1,300 4,340 3,650 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,815 13,838 13,333 13,256 13,812 54,239 55,710 USA 100% 3,703 2,800 4,339 3,147 3,877 14,163 13,245 Australia 100% 1,390 1,244 1,234 1,922 2,041 6,441 4,555 Indonesia (k) 80% 208 216 29 28 - 273 4,622 Colombia (l) 33% 1,455 1,231 1,713 1,382 2,261 6,587 4,703 Total 20,571 19,329 20,648 19,735 21,991 81,703 82,835 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 9.9 11.7 11.9 11.1 12.2 46.9 40.4 Yabulu 100% 7.8 7.4 7.5 7.5 8.8 31.2 28.5 Total 17.7 19.1 19.4 18.6 21.0 78.1 68.9 CHROME ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (i) 60% 664 713 714 679 720 2,826 2,451 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (i) 60% 223 238 230 263 259 990 837 Refer footnotes on page 5. (a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (b) Sulphide production at Escondida and Tintaya was 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) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March 2003. The sale transaction reached closure in June 2003. Participation in the joint venture ceased on 2 April 2003. (e) Production ceased, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003. (f) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (g) 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. (h) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest. (i) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (j) Boodarie Iron recommenced production in July 2002 following the suspension of operations due to a tube failure in a gas re-heating furnace. (k) 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. Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002. (l) BHP Billiton increased its interest in Cerrejon Zona Norte to 33.3% from 16.7% effective Februrary 2002. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 6,786 6,799 5,799 5,391 5,643 23,632 27,976 North West Shelf - condensate 1,466 1,602 1,510 1,566 1,560 6,238 5,633 North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack 1,892 1,876 1,655 1,679 1,606 6,816 7,314 Laminaria 2,200 2,914 1,869 1,419 1,161 7,363 9,728 Griffin 1,587 1,281 1,089 831 708 3,909 5,458 Pakistan 18 18 17 16 14 65 74 Typhoon/Boris (a) 1,754 1,233 654 852 1,430 4,169 5,376 Americas 861 718 652 816 715 2,901 3,669 Liverpool Bay 2,574 1,838 2,463 2,174 2,344 8,819 11,042 Bruce/Keith 594 271 690 566 454 1,981 2,248 Total 19,732 18,550 16,398 15,310 15,635 65,893 78,519 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 26.77 33.07 21.07 17.51 25.37 97.02 96.86 North West Shelf - 2.86 3.62 3.82 3.81 4.07 15.32 13.73 Domestic North West Shelf - LNG 13.01 16.55 14.93 15.11 15.41 62.00 59.55 Griffin 0.34 0.95 1.03 0.81 0.81 3.60 3.97 Pakistan 3.02 2.83 2.76 2.57 2.33 10.49 11.45 Typhoon/Boris (a) 1.93 1.38 0.71 2.03 2.03 6.15 6.19 Americas 4.63 3.91 3.80 3.34 3.42 14.47 19.03 Bruce 7.92 4.59 10.55 10.04 8.17 33.35 30.29 Keith 0.16 0.07 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.51 0.72 Liverpool Bay 10.01 4.89 10.59 11.62 11.16 38.26 41.69 Total 70.66 71.86 69.41 66.99 72.91 281.17 283.47 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 126.70 149.66 115.23 111.74 135.18 511.81 471.70 North West Shelf 35.08 36.32 31.04 32.67 32.39 132.42 140.26 Bruce 17.49 22.45 20.47 15.10 37.24 95.26 81.23 Keith 1.17 0.53 1.23 1.11 0.76 3.63 4.38 Total 180.43 208.96 167.97 160.62 205.57 743.12 697.56 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 25.62 27.67 19.91 22.35 24.97 94.90 87.13 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (million barrels of oil equivalent) 33.7 33.1 30.0 28.4 30.3 121.8 134.2 (b) (a) Typhoon commenced production in July 2001. Boris commenced production in February 2003. (b) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions based on the following: 6000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe 1 tonne of LPG equals 11.6 boe 1 tonne of ethane equals 4.4667 boe PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, Australia 686 698 662 658 724 2,742 2,696 Paranam, Suriname 215 221 213 222 223 879 851 Alumar, Brazil 117 112 123 123 113 471 396 Total 1,018 1,031 998 1,003 1,060 4,092 3,943 Sales Worsley, Australia 690 758 606 751 636 2,751 2,676 Paranam, Suriname 197 253 201 243 228 925 847 Alumar, Brazil 106 130 125 124 107 486 374 Total 993 1,141 932 1,118 971 4,162 3,897 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South Africa 132 135 134 133 132 534 501 Bayside, South Africa 43 46 45 48 46 185 175 Alumar, Brazil 46 44 44 45 45 178 153 Valesul, Brazil 11 11 11 10 11 43 37 Mozal, Mozambique 31 32 32 31 39 134 126 Total 263 268 266 267 273 1,074 992 Sales Hillside, South Africa 131 124 135 133 143 535 499 Bayside, South Africa 53 47 45 48 48 188 181 Alumar, Brazil 45 38 52 38 51 179 150 Valesul, Brazil 11 9 12 9 10 40 37 Mozal, Mozambique 34 27 35 33 41 136 129 Total 274 245 279 261 293 1,078 996 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 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) 77,244 74,671 74,303 73,466 74,665 297,105 327,809 Sulphide ore milled ('000 tonnes) 11,311 10,142 14,632 16,744 16,416 57,934 43,028 (100%) Average copper grade (%) 1.74% 1.45% 1.59% 1.49% 1.62% 1.55% 1.69% Production ex Mill ('000 tonnes) 170.3 125.6 191.8 210.8 230.9 759.1 611.5 (100%) Production Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 94.4 68.4 105.6 118.5 126.6 419.1 339.1 Payable gold (fine ounces) 17,694 10,074 15,936 17,458 20,664 64,132 52,338 concentrate Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 21.5 17.9 19.1 20.4 21.1 78.5 86.5 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 344 304 387 471 538 1,700 1,257 concentrate Sales Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 85.3 77.0 104.8 113.5 128.9 424.2 333.0 Payable gold (fine ounces) 17,004 11,689 16,709 17,166 20,138 65,702 48,925 concentrate Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 22.7 18.1 19.5 19.3 20.3 77.2 88.1 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 248 269 400 484 584 1,737 1,207 concentrate (a) Sulphide production at Escondida was 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) - - - - - - 32,111 Ore milled ('000 tonnes) - - - - - - 3,280 Average copper grade (%) - - - - - - 1.65% Production Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 0.2 - - - - - 44.9 Payable gold (fine ounces) - - - - - - 22,252 concentrate Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 1.3 8.4 8.9 9.0 9.1 35.4 1.3 Sales Payable copper ('000 tonnes) - - - - - - 45.8 Payable gold (fine ounces) 212 - - - - - 24,955 concentrate Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 1.9 8.0 8.7 8.7 9.5 34.9 1.9 (a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was 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) 18,628 17,963 15,027 16,564 16,458 66,012 64,661 Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 3,581 3,759 3,942 3,916 4,130 15,747 14,688 Average copper grade (%) 1.00% 0.97% 1.03% 1.00% 0.96% 0.99% 1.04% Production Copper cathode ('000 tonnes) 31.3 32.5 33.1 32.5 33.0 131.1 130.8 Sales Copper cathode ('000 tonnes) 34.5 27.2 29.1 39.3 31.5 127.1 133.2 Antamina, Peru (a) Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 28,990 30,235 25,797 25,290 28,353 109,675 69,508 Ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 7,250 6,794 6,395 6,424 6,697 26,310 19,877 Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.43% 1.33% 1.41% 1.32% 1.09% 1.29% 1.39% - Zinc (%) 0.93% 1.28% 1.15% 1.54% 1.97% 1.49% 1.23% Production Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 30.5 25.7 26.4 23.6 21.2 96.9 81.9 Payable zinc (tonnes) 13,518 18,189 15,424 20,519 28,553 82,685 48,326 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 461 536 557 617 517 2,227 1,719 Sales Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 28.6 30.6 25.8 22.4 21.2 100.0 86.2 Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,009 19,184 14,407 15,400 31,034 80,025 47,023 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 489 590 530 575 435 2,130 1,687 (a) Commercial production commenced in October 2001. Alumbrera, Argentina (a) Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 26,524 29,356 28,730 26,400 - 84,486 110,134 Ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 7,575 8,034 8,703 8,376 - 25,113 29,379 Average head grades - Copper (%) 0.73% 0.62% 0.69% 0.54% - 0.62% 0.73% - Gold (g/t) 1.0 0.8 0.9 0.7 - 0.8 1.0 Production Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 12.8 11.1 13.4 9.9 - 34.4 48.5 Payable gold (fine ounces) 43,020 35,935 42,594 30,730 - 109,259 171,789 Payable gold - dore (fine ounces) 4,973 3,344 4,346 4,354 - 12,044 13,624 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 56 53 72 75 - 200 237 Sales Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 11.6 10.3 13.3 10.8 - 34.4 47.2 Payable gold (fine ounces) 36,874 33,957 42,381 33,438 - 109,776 166,819 Payable gold - dore (fine ounces) 4,466 3,082 4,409 4,159 - 11,650 12,014 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 67 53 72 75 - 200 247 (a) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March 2003. The sale transaction reached closure in June 2003. Participation in the joint venture ceased on 2nd April 2003. Highland Valley, Canada Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 18,522 20,455 18,682 16,642 18,186 73,965 77,637 Ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 12,224 12,941 12,924 11,602 12,565 50,032 49,755 Average copper grade (%) 0.43% 0.40% 0.39% 0.40% 0.39% 0.39% 0.42% Production Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 16.1 14.9 14.3 13.2 13.8 56.2 62.1 Payable molybdenum ('000 tonnes) 0.23 0.22 0.25 0.26 0.28 1.01 0.66 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 183 162 159 140 143 604 709 Payable gold (fine ounces) 1,228 1,314 1,230 1,114 1,007 4,665 4,767 concentrate Sales Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 14.9 14.4 17.5 10.0 10.7 52.6 62.7 Payable molybdenum ('000 tonnes) 0.22 0.19 0.22 0.26 0.23 0.90 0.67 Payable silver ('000 ounces) 173 153 189 106 116 564 729 Payable gold (fine ounces) 1,467 1,240 1,644 843 793 4,520 6,465 concentrate Cannington, Australia Material mined ('000 tonnes) 574 631 573 601 588 2,393 2,240 Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 575 599 564 589 560 2,312 2,176 Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 675 564 535 550 525 544 615 - Lead (%) 13.6% 11.7% 11.9% 11.8% 12.1% 11.9% 12.9% - Zinc (%) 3.9% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 5.3% 4.5% 4.6% Production Payable silver ('000 ounces) 10,265 9,612 8,326 8,773 8,161 34,872 35,964 Payable lead (tonnes) 63,799 61,676 57,651 58,711 59,389 237,427 231,764 Payable zinc (tonnes) 12,511 15,182 14,721 15,480 18,479 63,862 58,856 Sales Payable silver ('000 ounces) 10,788 9,401 9,081 8,956 8,412 35,850 35,448 Payable lead (tonnes) 67,650 59,856 62,735 57,961 58,742 239,294 229,362 Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,761 12,077 14,849 18,056 13,288 58,270 64,935 Selbaie, Canada Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 1,016 1,049 999 919 982 3,949 4,063 Average head grades - Zinc (%) 1.26% 1.37% 1.09% 1.11% 1.18% 1.19% 1.34% - Copper (%) 0.34% 0.33% 0.28% 0.25% 0.24% 0.28% 0.34% - Gold (g/t) 0.25 0.23 0.25 0.23 0.23 0.24 0.27 - Silver (g/t) 28.99 35.10 22.75 22.15 20.62 25.36 30.12 Production Payable zinc (tonnes) 8,121 9,840 6,540 6,421 7,364 30,165 34,196 Payable copper (tonnes) 2,642 2,789 2,111 1,654 1,768 8,322 10,186 Payable gold (ounces) 5,117 4,486 5,069 4,146 4,081 17,782 22,201 concentrate Payable silver ('000 ounces) 524 593 369 279 284 1,525 2,073 Sales Payable zinc (tonnes) 7,877 9,861 7,245 6,649 6,812 30,567 34,464 Payable copper (tonnes) 2,459 2,823 2,107 2,751 1,612 9,293 10,876 Payable gold (ounces) 5,142 5,932 3,082 5,508 4,280 18,802 26,304 concentrate Payable silver ('000 ounces) 573 527 478 444 355 1,804 1,783 Pering, South Africa (a) Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 338 320 288 151 - 759 1,349 Average head grades - Zinc (%) 1.85% 2.21% 3.34% 3.47% - 2.89% 1.88% - Lead (%) 0.52% 0.66% 0.40% 0.33% - 0.50% 0.49% Production Payable zinc (tonnes) 4,793 5,331 7,430 4,335 - 17,096 21,115 Payable lead (tonnes) 969 1,567 694 354 - 2,615 4,302 Sales Payable zinc (tonnes) 3,667 3,701 6,179 5,343 4,466 19,689 18,203 Payable lead (tonnes) 729 1,367 1,327 995 117 3,806 4,610 (a) Production ceased, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003. San Manuel, USA (a) Production Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) - - - - - - 6.3 (a) San Manuel SXEW operations closed in March 2002. Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.6 10.6 12.8 Sales Copper cathode (SXEW) ('000 tonnes) 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.6 2.6 10.5 12.7 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 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 5,413 5,486 5,287 4,964 6,221 21,958 23,374 Venture Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b) 1,690 1,891 1,808 1,497 1,516 6,712 6,447 Yandi Joint Venture 6,663 7,796 8,187 7,452 8,353 31,788 27,256 Jimblebar 1,476 1,433 1,186 1,371 1,428 5,418 5,201 Total (BHP Billiton 15,242 16,606 16,468 15,284 17,518 65,876 62,279 share) Total production 17,671 19,284 19,165 17,739 20,359 76,547 72,350 (100%) Shipments Lump 4,151 4,335 4,290 4,352 4,193 17,170 14,679 Fines 10,517 11,842 13,896 12,144 13,187 51,069 45,959 Total (BHP Billiton 14,668 16,177 18,186 16,496 17,380 68,239 60,638 share) Total shipments (100%) 17,256 19,033 21,396 19,407 20,448 80,284 71,338 (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 1,838 2,022 1,979 1,953 1,902 7,856 5,629 Shipments 1,768 2,034 2,004 2,049 2,153 8,240 6,069 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,669 1,633 1,603 1,668 1,937 6,841 5,843 Goonyella 904 734 812 1,191 1,075 3,812 3,776 Peak Downs 1,185 789 757 1,009 1,076 3,631 3,828 Saraji 716 427 629 599 666 2,321 2,547 Norwich Park 527 573 451 610 527 2,161 2,073 South Blackwater (b) - - - - - - 1,194 Gregory/Crinum 685 496 780 761 488 2,525 2,440 BMA total 5,686 4,652 5,032 5,838 5,769 21,291 21,701 BHP Mitsui Coal (c) Riverside 928 927 400 300 1,014 2,641 3,402 South Walker Creek 818 936 1,072 900 1,019 3,927 3,341 BHP Mitsui Coal total 1,746 1,863 1,472 1,200 2,033 6,568 6,743 Queensland total 7,432 6,515 6,504 7,038 7,802 27,859 28,444 Shipments Coking coal 5,252 4,165 4,034 4,707 4,395 17,301 18,866 Weak coking coal 1,124 1,739 1,503 1,569 1,525 6,336 5,995 Thermal coal 734 1,022 800 852 943 3,617 2,833 Total 7,110 6,926 6,337 7,128 6,863 27,254 27,694 (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 Jauary 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 1,927 2,135 1,886 1,518 1,224 6,763 7,088 Shipments Coking coal 1,543 1,515 1,900 1,611 1,571 6,597 6,210 Thermal coal 268 134 95 242 179 650 547 Total 1,811 1,649 1,995 1,853 1,750 7,247 6,757 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable production (a) 475 581 560 534 574 2,249 1,867 (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable production (a) 309 514 499 356 484 1,853 1,668 (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable production (a) 121 124 125 117 137 503 406 (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable production (a) 48 51 65 60 58 234 212 (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Boodarie(TM) Iron, Australia (a) Production - 333 414 465 458 1,670 1,047 Shipments 93 202 464 416 487 1,569 1,144 (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 YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS Ekati(TM), Canada Ore Processed (100%) ('000 tonnes) 883 996 1,045 1,087 1,182 4,310 3,354 Production ('000 carats) 1,023 954 1,071 1,015 1,300 4,340 3,650 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,815 13,838 13,333 13,256 13,812 54,239 55,710 Sales Export 5,744 5,648 6,609 5,696 6,339 24,292 23,721 Local utility 7,767 7,836 7,263 7,160 7,926 30,185 29,003 Inland 742 471 412 340 337 1,560 3,780 Total 14,253 13,955 14,284 13,196 14,602 56,037 56,503 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 2,030 1,602 2,154 1,797 2,497 8,050 7,207 San Juan Coal (a) 1,673 1,198 2,185 1,350 1,380 6,113 6,038 Total 3,703 2,800 4,339 3,147 3,877 14,163 13,245 Sales - local utility 3,469 3,546 3,348 3,316 3,643 13,853 13,247 (a) Includes production from longwall operations commenced at San Juan in October 2002. Hunter Valley, Australia Production 1,390 1,244 1,234 1,922 2,041 6,441 4,555 Sales Export 1,056 783 881 1,036 1,301 4,001 3,135 Inland 337 366 276 704 1,285 2,631 1,455 Total 1,393 1,149 1,157 1,740 2,586 6,632 4,590 Kalimantan, Indonesia Production (a) Senakin (b) - - - - - - 1,962 Satui (b) - - - - - - 1,845 Petangis (c) 208 216 29 28 - 273 815 Total 208 216 29 28 - 273 4,622 Sales - export 243 189 49 56 - 294 4,481 (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) Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002. Cerrejon Coal, Colombia (a) Production 1,455 1,231 1,713 1,382 2,261 6,587 4,703 Sales - export 1,144 1,246 1,851 1,971 2,247 7,315 3,901 (a) BHP Billiton increased its interest in CZN from 16.7% to 33.3% effective February 2002. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2002 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 9.9 11.7 11.9 11.1 12.2 46.9 40.4 Sales 11.6 10.5 12.8 10.3 13.5 47.1 41.6 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 7.8 7.4 7.5 7.5 8.8 31.2 28.5 Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.9 1.7 Sales Nickel 7.1 7.1 8.3 8.1 9.5 33.0 29.0 Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.0 1.9 CHROME ORES South Africa Saleable production (a) 664 713 714 679 720 2,826 2,451 (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable production (a) 223 238 230 263 259 990 837 (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 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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