Prod Rpt Q/E 31/12/03

BHP Billiton Limited 28 January 2004 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 29 January 2004 Number 05/04 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2003 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 December 2003. • Record quarterly Western Australian Iron Ore production of 23.0 million tonnes and record quarterly despatches of 22.5 million tonnes (100 per cent basis). • Record quarterly Aluminium production resulting from early commissioning of the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) and Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansions. • Record quarterly production of Ekati(TM) Diamonds (Canada). • First production from Ohanet wet gas development in Algeria. • Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the December 2003 quarter was 30.2 million barrels of oil equivalent, one per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter and six per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter. Total production for the second half of calendar year 2003 was 6.3 per cent higher than the first half, as the predicted decline in some of our legacy oil assets was more than offset by increased gas production and production from new assets. • Oil and Condensate - Production for the December 2003 quarter was 14.9 million barrels, nine per cent lower than the 16.4 million barrels produced in the December 2002 quarter. This was mainly due to natural field decline in Laminaria (Australia), Griffin (Australia), Bass Strait (Australia) and Liverpool Bay (UK), along with a scheduled maintenance shut down at North West Shelf (Australia) and maintenance shut downs at Bruce (UK). This was partly offset by new production from Ohanet in October 2003, Boris North (USA) in September 2003 and Boris South (USA) in February 2003. Production was four per cent lower than the 15.5 million barrels produced in the September 2003 quarter, reflecting natural field decline across the portfolio and the shut downs at North West Shelf and Bruce. This was partly offset by the new production from Ohanet and Boris North. • Natural Gas - Production for the December 2003 quarter was 77.6 billion cubic feet, 12 per cent higher than the 69.4 billion cubic feet produced in the December 2002 quarter. This was due to the commissioning of Zamzama Phase 1 (Pakistan), Boris South and Boris North, and increased demand from Bass Strait due to unseasonably cool weather conditions. These factors were partly offset by maintenance shut downs at Bruce. Production for the quarter was nine per cent lower than the 85.2 billion cubic feet produced in the September 2003 quarter due to seasonally driven demand for Bass Strait natural gas and a scheduled shut down at North West Shelf. This was partly offset by higher production at Liverpool Bay due to winter demand. • Alumina - Production for the December 2003 quarter was 1.1 million tonnes, five per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter, due to power disruptions at Worsley (Australia) and Paranam (Suriname) last year. Production was in line with the September 2003 quarter. • Aluminium - Production for the December 2003 quarter was a record 308,000 tonnes, 16 per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter, and nine per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. The increase mainly reflects the ramp up of production from the Mozal 2 and Hillside 3 expansions, which reached full commissioning in August 2003 and December 2003, respectively. This was partly offset by lower production at Alumar (Brazil) following an electrical outage in July 2003. Sales were 14 per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter due to timing of shipments. • Copper - Production for the December 2003 quarter of 226,800 tonnes was in line with the December 2002 quarter, reflecting resumed sulphide mining operations at Tintaya (Peru) in August 2003, offset by sale of the Group's interest in the Alumbrera (Argentina) mine in April 2003 and lower production at Antamina (Peru) while access to ore is restricted to the flanks of the deposit. Production was six per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter, mainly a result of resumed sulphide operations at Tintaya. In October 2003, BHP Billiton announced that Escondida would return to its normal mine plan and production profile commencing January 2004. In preparing for the return to the normal plan, Escondida has experienced difficulty in achieving the expected water recovery rates from the new tailings dam constructed during the Phase IV expansion. Escondida has identified the associated technical issues related to the water recovery rates and will begin to implement a solution. During this process, it is expected that the concentrators at Escondida will operate between 5 and 10 per cent below full rated throughput capacity. • Iron Ore - A new quarterly production record of 23.0 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) was set at Western Australia during the December 2003 quarter, 20 per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter, and five per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. The increased production is in response to ongoing strong customer demand in all Asian markets, particularly China. A quarterly despatch record of 22.5 million tonnes (100% basis) was also set in Western Australia during the December 2003 quarter. Total iron ore production for the December 2003 quarter was 21.7 million tonnes (BHP Billiton share), 18 and four per cent higher than the December 2002 and September 2003 quarters, respectively. • Metallurgical Coal - Production for the December 2003 quarter of 8.4 million tonnes was in line with the December 2002 quarter, reflecting strong customer demand at Queensland Coal (Australia), offset by decreased production at Illawarra Coal (Australia), resulting from the closure of Tower colliery in December 2002 and adverse mining conditions at the West Cliff colliery. Production was seven per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter, due to the scheduling of plant maintenance at Queensland Coal, and the adverse mining conditions at West Cliff colliery. Shipments from Queensland Coal were nine per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter and 25 per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter, reflecting strong customer demand and increased sales to China. • Manganese alloys - Production for the December 2003 quarter of 183,000 tonnes was 24 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter following resumption of normal operations at the Metalloys silicomanganese plant (South Africa) in September 2003. • Hot briquetted iron - Production for the December 2003 quarter of 527,000 tonnes was 27 per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter, reflecting strong customer demand and continued ramp up of the Boodarie(TM) Iron plant. • Ekati(TM) Diamonds - Production of 1.7 million carats was 59 per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter and 10 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. This increase reflects the processing of a pocket of high grade material from the Koala pit which was completed in December 2003, along with sustained benefits from the processing plant de-bottlenecking program. • Energy Coal - Production for the December 2003 quarter was 20.0 million tonnes, three per cent lower than the December 2002 quarter and six per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter. The decrease compared with the September 2003 quarter mainly reflects lower production at New Mexico Coal (USA) Navajo mine in anticipation of a planned major outage at a customer's power plant and longwall move at San Juan underground, along with lower production at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) mainly due to adverse weather conditions during the month of December 2003. These factors were partly offset by higher production at Hunter Valley (Australia) reflecting the ramp up of Mount Arthur North. • Nickel - Production for the quarter of 20,000 tonnes was three per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter, mainly reflecting benefits of processing enhancements arising from operating excellence initiatives at both Cerro Matoso (Colombia) and Yabulu (Australia). Production was three per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter, due to the impact of adverse weather conditions during the month of December at Cerro Matoso, and scheduled maintenance at Yabulu. • Ferrochrome - Production of 269,000 tonnes for the quarter was 17 per cent higher than the December 2002 quarter driven by the restart of idle furnaces in the March 2003 quarter. Production was 19 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter, when maintenance shut downs were scheduled to coincide with the high winter electricity tariff period in 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 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 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 HALF YEAR ENDED % CHANGE DEC DEC YTD Q03 Q03 03 DEC SEPT DEC DEC DEC vs vs vs 2002 2003 2003 2003 2002 DEC SEPT YTD Q02 Q03 02 PETROLEUM Crude oil & ('000 16,398 15,512 14,877 30,389 34,948 -9% -4% -13% condensate bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 69.41 85.19 77.57 162.76 141.27 12% -9% 15% LPG ('000 167.97 199.33 200.51 399.84 376.93 19% 1% 6% tonnes) Ethane ('000 19.91 27.32 25.25 52.57 47.58 27% -8% 10% tonnes) Total (million 30.0 32.1 30.2 62.4 63.1 1% -6% -1% Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 998 1,053 1,050 2,103 2,029 5% 0% 4% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 266 282 308 590 534 16% 9% 10% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 225.6 214.5 226.8 441.3 410.1 1% 6% 8% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 58,345 59,364 55,211 114,575 121,588 -5% -7% -6% Zinc (tonnes) 44,115 49,094 45,912 95,006 92,657 4% -6% 3% Gold (ounces) 69,175 29,170 32,085 61,255 124,328 -54% 10% -51% Silver ('000 9,870 10,596 9,980 20,576 21,130 1% -6% -3% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 365 325 290 615 678 -20% -11% -9% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 18,447 20,922 21,728 42,650 37,075 18% 4% 15% tonnes) Metallurgical ('000 8,390 9,099 8,445 17,544 17,040 1% -7% 3% coal tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 1,059 1,153 1,199 2,352 2,154 13% 4% 9% tonnes) Manganese ('000 190 147 183 330 365 -4% 24% -10% alloys tonnes) Hot briquetted ('000 414 496 527 1,023 747 27% 6% 37% iron tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,071 1,552 1,704 3,256 2,025 59% 10% 61% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 20,648 21,156 19,978 41,134 39,977 -3% -6% 3% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 19.4 20.6 20.0 40.6 38.5 3% -3% 5% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 230 227 269 496 468 17% 19% 6% tonnes) Throughout this report figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously reported. BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED BHP DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC Billiton Interest 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & (000 bbl) 16,398 15,310 15,635 15,512 14,877 30,389 34,948 condensate Natural gas (bcf) 69.41 66.99 72.91 85.19 77.57 162.76 141.27 LPG ('000 167.97 160.62 205.57 199.33 200.51 399.84 376.93 tonnes) Ethane ('000 19.91 22.35 24.97 27.32 25.25 52.57 47.58 tonnes) Total (million 30.0 28.4 30.3 32.1 30.2 62.4 63.1 Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 662 658 724 699 700 1,399 1,360 Suriname 45% 213 222 223 227 230 457 434 Alumar 36% 123 123 113 127 120 247 235 Total 998 1,003 1,060 1,053 1,050 2,103 2,029 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 134 133 132 135 151 286 269 Bayside 100% 45 48 46 47 46 93 91 Alumar 46.3% 44 45 45 31 36 67 88 Valesul 45.5% 11 10 11 11 11 22 22 Mozal 47% 32 31 39 58 64 122 64 Total 266 267 273 282 308 590 534 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida (b) 57.5% 105.6 118.5 126.6 115.9 109.1 225.0 174.0 Tintaya (c) 100% - - - - 15.0 15.0 - Antamina 33.8% 26.4 23.6 21.2 16.9 20.5 37.4 52.1 Alumbrera (d) 25% 13.4 9.9 - - - - 24.5 Highland 33.6% 14.3 13.2 13.8 14.1 14.2 28.3 29.2 Valley Copper (e) Selbaie (f) 100% 2.1 1.7 1.8 1.6 1.8 3.4 4.9 Total 161.8 166.9 163.4 148.5 160.6 309.1 284.7 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 19.1 20.4 21.1 21.4 21.8 43.2 37.0 Cerro Colorado 100% 33.1 32.5 33.0 33.1 33.0 66.1 65.6 Tintaya (c) 100% 8.9 9.0 9.1 9.0 9.0 18.0 17.3 Pinto Valley 100% 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 4.9 5.5 Total 63.8 64.4 65.8 66.0 66.2 132.2 125.4 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 57,651 58,711 59,389 59,364 55,211 114,575 119,327 Pering (g) 100% 694 354 - - - - 2,261 Total 58,345 59,065 59,389 59,364 55,211 114,575 121,588 ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 14,721 15,480 18,479 14,850 11,692 26,542 29,903 Antamina 33.8% 15,424 20,519 28,553 27,933 27,026 54,959 33,613 Selbaie (f) 100% 6,540 6,421 7,364 6,311 7,194 13,505 16,380 Pering (g) 100% 7,430 4,335 - - - - 12,761 Total 44,115 46,755 54,396 49,094 45,912 95,006 92,657 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida (b) 57.5% 15,936 17,458 20,664 25,016 24,833 49,849 26,010 Tintaya (c) 100% - - - - 2,658 2,658 - Alumbrera (d) 25% 46,940 35,084 - - - - 86,219 Selbaie (f) 100% 5,069 4,146 4,081 3,129 3,428 6,557 9,555 Highland 33.6% 1,230 1,114 1,007 1,025 1,166 2,191 2,544 Valley Copper (e) Total 69,175 57,802 25,752 29,170 32,085 61,255 124,328 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 8,326 8,773 8,161 9,177 8,287 17,464 17,938 Escondida 57.5% 387 471 538 561 550 1,111 691 Antamina 33.8% 557 617 517 435 494 929 1,093 Tintaya (c) 100.0% - - - - 170 170 - Alumbrera (d) 25.0% 72 75 - - - - 125 Highland 33.6% 159 140 143 160 163 323 321 Valley Copper (e) Selbaie (f) 100% 369 279 284 263 316 579 962 Total 9,870 10,355 9,643 10,596 9,980 20,576 21,130 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 115 113 21 25 20 45 208 Highland 33.6% 250 260 280 300 270 570 470 Valley Copper (e) Total 365 373 301 325 290 615 678 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE (h) Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman 85% 5,287 4,964 6,221 6,639 6,707 13,346 10,773 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 85% 1,808 1,497 1,497 1,633 1,477 3,110 3,699 Joint Venture (i) Area C Joint 85% - - 19 341 1,048 1,389 - Venture (j) Yandi Joint 85% 8,187 7,452 8,353 8,679 9,005 17,684 15,983 Venture Jimblebar 100% 1,186 1,371 1,428 1,622 1,520 3,142 2,619 Samarco 50% 1,979 1,953 1,902 2,008 1,971 3,979 4,001 Total 18,447 17,237 19,420 20,922 21,728 42,650 37,075 METALLURGICAL COAL (k) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,032 5,838 5,769 5,591 5,395 10,986 9,684 BHP Mitsui 80% 1,472 1,200 2,033 1,926 1,591 3,517 3,335 Coal (l) Illawarra 100% 1,886 1,518 1,224 1,582 1,459 3,041 4,021 Total 8,390 8,556 9,026 9,099 8,445 17,544 17,040 MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 60% 560 534 574 600 651 1,251 1,141 (m) Australia (m) 60% 499 356 484 553 548 1,101 1,013 Total 1,059 890 1,058 1,153 1,199 2,352 2,154 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (m) 60% 125 117 137 93 122 215 249 Australia (m) 60% 65 60 58 54 61 115 116 Total 190 177 195 147 183 330 365 Refer footnotes on page 4. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) Boodarie(TM) 100% 414 465 458 496 527 1,023 747 Iron DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) Ekati(TM) 80% 1,071 1,015 1,300 1,552 1,704 3,256 2,025 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,333 13,256 13,812 13,782 13,472 27,254 27,171 USA (n) 100% 4,339 3,147 3,877 3,582 2,829 6,411 7,139 Australia 100% 1,234 1,922 2,041 1,756 2,054 3,810 2,478 Indonesia (o) 80% 29 28 - - - - 245 Colombia 33% 1,713 1,382 2,261 2,036 1,623 3,659 2,944 Total 20,648 19,735 21,991 21,156 19,978 41,134 39,977 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 11.9 11.1 12.2 12.4 12.2 24.6 23.6 Yabulu 100% 7.5 7.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 16.0 14.9 Total 19.4 18.6 21.0 20.6 20.0 40.6 38.5 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (m) 60% 230 263 259 227 269 496 468 (a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (b) The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002. (c) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily reduced in January 2002 due to weak market conditions. Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003. (d) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March 2003. The sale transaction reached closure in June 2003. (e) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. The sale is expected to close by the end of February 2004. (f) Production at Selbaie is expected to cease in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments are expected to cease in May 2004. (g) Production ceased at Pering, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003. (h) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis. (i) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003. (j) Production commenced in May 2003. (k) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (l) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest. (m) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (n) Includes production from longwall operations at San Juan which commenced in October 2002. (o) Production shown on 86.5% basis after allowing for Indonesian state owned corporation's 13.5% share of production. Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 5,799 5,391 5,643 5,872 5,333 11,205 12,598 North West Shelf - 1,510 1,566 1,560 1,491 1,204 2,695 3,112 condensate North West Shelf - 1,655 1,679 1,606 1,604 1,675 3,279 3,531 Wanaea/Cossack Laminaria 1,869 1,419 1,161 1,151 966 2,117 4,783 Griffin 1,089 831 708 742 563 1,305 2,370 Pakistan 17 16 14 53 53 106 35 Typhoon/Boris (a) 654 852 1,430 1,214 1,605 2,819 1,887 Americas 652 816 715 608 586 1,194 1,370 Liverpool Bay 2,463 2,174 2,344 2,324 2,061 4,385 4,301 Bruce/Keith 690 566 454 453 387 840 961 Algeria (b) 444 444 Total 16,398 15,310 15,635 15,512 14,877 30,389 34,948 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 21.07 17.51 25.37 33.04 23.86 56.90 54.14 North West Shelf - 3.82 3.81 4.07 3.99 3.95 7.94 7.44 Domestic North West Shelf - 14.93 15.11 15.41 16.74 14.93 31.67 31.48 LNG Griffin 1.03 0.81 0.81 0.96 0.90 1.86 1.98 Pakistan 2.76 2.57 2.33 7.86 7.83 15.69 5.59 Typhoon/Boris (a) 0.71 2.03 2.03 1.58 2.41 3.99 2.09 Americas 3.80 3.34 3.42 3.25 3.73 6.98 7.71 Bruce 10.55 10.04 8.17 8.77 8.52 17.29 15.14 Keith 0.15 0.15 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.19 0.22 Liverpool Bay 10.59 11.62 11.16 8.89 11.36 20.25 15.48 Total 69.41 66.99 72.91 85.19 77.57 162.76 141.27 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 115.23 111.74 135.18 150.19 130.02 280.21 264.89 North West Shelf 31.04 32.67 32.39 34.21 28.11 62.32 67.36 Bruce 20.47 15.10 37.24 14.12 17.71 31.83 42.92 Keith 1.23 1.11 0.76 0.81 0.31 1.12 1.76 Algeria (b) 24.36 24.36 Total 167.97 160.62 205.57 199.33 200.51 399.84 376.93 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 19.91 22.35 24.97 27.32 25.25 52.57 47.58 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 30.0 28.4 30.3 32.1 30.2 62.4 63.1 (million barrels of oil equivalent) (c) (a) Boris commenced production in February 2003. (b) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003. (c) 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 HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, 662 658 724 699 700 1,399 1,360 Australia Paranam, 213 222 223 227 230 457 434 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 123 123 113 127 120 247 235 Total 998 1,003 1,060 1,053 1,050 2,103 2,029 Sales Worsley, 606 751 636 697 740 1,437 1,364 Australia Paranam, 201 243 228 221 250 471 454 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 125 124 107 120 128 248 255 Total 932 1,118 971 1,038 1,118 2,156 2,073 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South 134 133 132 135 151 286 269 Africa Bayside, South 45 48 46 47 46 93 91 Africa Alumar, Brazil 44 45 45 31 36 67 88 Valesul, Brazil 11 10 11 11 11 22 22 Mozal, 32 31 39 58 64 122 64 Mozambique Total 266 267 273 282 308 590 534 Sales Hillside, South 135 133 143 134 145 279 259 Africa Bayside, South 45 48 48 54 35 89 92 Africa Alumar, Brazil 52 38 51 38 25 63 90 Valesul, Brazil 12 9 10 11 12 23 21 Mozal, 35 33 41 61 40 101 62 Mozambique Total 279 261 293 298 257 555 524 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 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) Material ('000 74,303 73,466 74,665 69,342 82,909 152,251 148,974 mined (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore ('000 14,632 16,744 16,416 18,888 18,299 37,187 24,774 milled (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 1.59% 1.49% 1.62% 1.33% 1.31% 1.32% 1.53% copper grade Production ex ('000 191.8 210.8 230.9 208.2 197.1 405.3 317.4 Mill (100%) tonnes) Production Payable ('000 105.6 118.5 126.6 115.9 109.1 225.0 174.0 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 15,936 17,458 20,664 25,016 24,833 49,849 26,010 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 19.1 20.4 21.1 21.4 21.8 43.2 37.0 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 387 471 538 561 550 1,111 691 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 104.8 113.5 128.9 116.2 114.8 231.0 181.8 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 16,709 17,166 20,138 25,335 26,984 52,319 28,398 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 19.5 19.3 20.3 18.1 23.8 41.9 37.6 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 400 484 584 574 634 1,208 669 silver ounces) concentrate (a) Includes production from the Escondida Phase IV expansion which commissioned in October 2002. Tintaya, Peru (a) Material ('000 - - - 4,151 17,450 21,601 - mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 - - - - 1,408 1,408 - tonnes) Average (%) - - - - 1.38% 1.38% - copper grade Production Payable ('000 - - - - 15.0 15.0 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - - - - 2,658 2,658 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 8.9 9.0 9.1 9.0 9.0 18.0 17.3 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - - - - 170.0 170.0 - silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 - - - - 10.6 10.6 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - - - - 3,086 3,086 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 8.7 8.7 9.5 8.9 8.7 17.6 16.7 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - - - - 100.0 100.0 - silver ounces) concentrate (a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended in January 2002 due to weak market conditions. Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003. Cerro Colorado, Chile Material ('000 15,027 16,564 16,458 20,332 19,855 40,187 32,990 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 3,942 3,916 4,130 4,346 4,405 8,751 7,701 tonnes) Average (%) 1.03% 1.00% 0.96% 0.99% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% copper grade Production Copper ('000 33.1 32.5 33.0 33.1 33.0 66.1 65.6 cathode tonnes) Sales Copper ('000 29.1 39.3 31.5 28.9 35.2 64.1 56.3 cathode tonnes) Antamina, Peru Material ('000 25,797 25,290 28,353 30,174 28,474 58,648 56,032 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 6,395 6,424 6,697 6,018 7,273 13,291 13,189 (100%) tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.41% 1.32% 1.09% 1.17% 1.17% 1.17% 1.37% - Zinc (%) 1.15% 1.54% 1.97% 2.17% 1.77% 1.95% 1.22% Production Payable ('000 26.4 23.6 21.2 16.9 20.5 37.4 52.1 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,424 20,519 28,553 27,933 27,026 54,959 33,613 Payable ('000 557 617 517 435 494 929 1,093 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.11 0.11 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.21 molybdenum tonnes) Sales Payable ('000 25.8 22.4 21.2 18.6 22.6 41.2 56.4 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,407 15,400 31,034 26,781 26,928 53,709 33,591 Payable ('000 530 575 435 420 491 911 1,120 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.17 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.19 molybdenum tonnes) Highland Valley, Canada (a) Material ('000 18,682 16,642 18,186 16,892 15,774 32,666 39,137 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 12,924 11,602 12,565 12,261 12,602 24,863 25,865 (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 0.39% 0.40% 0.39% 0.40% 0.38% 0.39% 0.40% copper grade Production Payable ('000 14.3 13.2 13.8 14.1 14.2 28.3 29.2 copper tonnes) Payable ('000 0.25 0.26 0.28 0.30 0.27 0.57 0.47 molybdenum tonnes) Payable ('000 159 140 143 160 163 323 321 silver ounces) Payable gold (fine 1,230 1,114 1,007 1,025 1,166 2,191 2,544 concentrate ounces) Sales Payable ('000 17.5 10.0 10.7 16.7 16.7 33.4 31.9 copper tonnes) Payable ('000 0.22 0.26 0.23 0.28 0.30 0.58 0.41 molybdenum tonnes) Payable ('000 189 106 116 177 190 367 342 silver ounces) Payable gold (fine 1,644 843 793 1,505 1,225 2,730 2,884 concentrate ounces) (a) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. The sale is expected to close by the end of February 2004. Cannington, Australia Material ('000 573 601 588 637 699 1,336 1,204 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 564 589 560 589 598 1,187 1,163 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 535 550 525 564 497 530 550 - Lead (%) 11.9% 11.8% 12.1% 11.5% 10.5% 11.0% 11.8% - Zinc (%) 4.3% 4.3% 5.3% 4.0% 3.4% 3.7% 4.3% Production Payable ('000 8,326 8,773 8,161 9,177 8,287 17,464 17,938 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 57,651 58,711 59,389 59,364 55,211 114,575 119,327 Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,721 15,480 18,479 14,850 11,692 26,542 29,903 Sales Payable ('000 9,049 8,956 8,412 6,765 10,716 17,481 18,450 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 62,748 57,961 58,742 43,953 69,447 113,400 122,604 Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,849 18,056 13,288 16,223 15,443 31,666 26,926 Selbaie, Canada (a) Ore milled ('000 999 919 982 858 1,017 1,875 2,048 tonnes) Average head grades - Zinc (%) 1.09% 1.11% 1.18% 1.13% 1.13% 1.13% 1.23% - Copper (%) 0.28% 0.25% 0.24% 0.25% 0.24% 0.24% 0.31% - Gold (g/t) 0.25 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.21 0.24 - Silver (g/t) 22.75 22.15 20.62 22.38 24.25 23.39 29.08 Production Payable zinc (tonnes) 6,540 6,421 7,364 6,311 7,194 13,505 16,380 Payable (tonnes) 2,111 1,654 1,768 1,606 1,764 3,370 4,900 copper Payable gold (ounces) 5,069 4,146 4,081 3,129 3,428 6,557 9,555 concentrate Payable ('000 369 279 284 263 316 579 962 silver ounces) Sales Payable zinc (tonnes) 7,245 6,649 6,812 6,209 7,429 13,638 17,106 Payable (tonnes) 2,107 2,751 1,612 1,918 1,615 3,533 4,930 copper Payable gold (ounces) 3,082 5,508 4,280 4,384 3,377 7,761 9,014 concentrate Payable ('000 478 444 355 292 253 545 1,005 silver ounces) (a) Production is expected to cease in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments are expected to cease in May 2004. Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper ('000 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 4.9 5.5 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Sales Copper ('000 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 4.9 5.3 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 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 5,287 4,964 6,221 6,639 6,707 13,346 10,773 Venture Goldsworthy 1,808 1,497 1,497 1,633 1,477 3,110 3,699 Joint Venture (b) Area C Joint - - 19 341 1,048 1,389 - Venture (c) Yandi Joint 8,187 7,452 8,353 8,679 9,005 17,684 15,983 Venture Jimblebar 1,186 1,371 1,428 1,622 1,520 3,142 2,619 Total (BHP 16,468 15,284 17,518 18,914 19,757 38,671 33,074 Billiton share) Total 19,165 17,739 20,359 21,965 22,975 44,940 38,449 production (100%) Shipments Lump 4,290 4,352 4,193 4,898 5,169 10,067 8,625 Fines 13,896 12,144 13,187 13,334 13,968 27,302 25,738 Total (BHP 18,186 16,496 17,380 18,232 19,137 37,369 34,363 Billiton share) Total shipments 21,396 19,407 20,448 21,450 22,515 43,965 40,429 (100%) (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis. (b) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003. (c) Mining commenced in May 2003. Samarco, Brazil Production 1,979 1,953 1,902 2,008 1,971 3,979 4,001 Shipments 2,004 2,049 2,153 2,013 1,886 3,899 4,038 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,603 1,668 1,937 1,578 1,581 3,159 3,236 Goonyella 812 1,191 1,075 994 829 1,823 1,546 Peak Downs 757 1,009 1,076 1,004 1,004 2,008 1,546 Saraji 629 599 666 747 655 1,402 1,056 Norwich Park 451 610 527 524 582 1,106 1,024 Gregory Joint 780 761 488 744 744 1,488 1,276 Venture BMA total 5,032 5,838 5,769 5,591 5,395 10,986 9,684 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) Riverside 400 300 1,014 969 812 1,781 1,327 South Walker 1,072 900 1,019 957 779 1,736 2,008 Creek BHP Mitsui Coal 1,472 1,200 2,033 1,926 1,591 3,517 3,335 total Queensland 6,504 7,038 7,802 7,517 6,986 14,503 13,019 total Shipments Coking coal 4,034 4,707 4,395 4,838 5,258 10,096 8,199 Weak coking 1,503 1,569 1,525 1,617 1,649 3,266 3,242 coal Thermal coal 800 852 943 801 987 1,788 1,822 Total 6,337 7,128 6,863 7,256 7,894 15,150 13,263 (a) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (b) BHP Mitsui Coal production shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest. Illawarra, Australia Production 1,886 1,518 1,224 1,582 1,459 3,041 4,021 Shipments Coking coal 1,900 1,611 1,571 1,513 1,293 2,806 3,415 Thermal coal 95 242 179 91 47 138 229 Total 1,995 1,853 1,750 1,604 1,340 2,944 3,644 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable 560 534 574 600 651 1,251 1,141 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 499 356 484 553 548 1,101 1,013 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable 125 117 137 93 122 215 249 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 65 60 58 54 61 115 116 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Boodarie(TM) Iron, Australia Production 414 465 458 496 527 1,023 747 Shipments 464 416 487 435 570 1,005 666 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS Ekati(TM), Canada Ore Processed ('000 1,045 1,087 1,182 1,064 1,123 2,187 2,041 (100%) tonnes) Production ('000 1,071 1,015 1,300 1,552 1,704 3,256 2,025 carats) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,333 13,256 13,812 13,782 13,472 27,254 27,171 Sales Export 6,609 5,696 6,339 5,274 5,500 10,774 12,257 Local utility 7,263 7,160 7,926 8,215 7,701 15,916 15,099 Inland 412 340 337 338 326 664 883 Total 14,284 13,196 14,602 13,827 13,527 27,354 28,239 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 2,154 1,797 2,497 2,262 1,553 3,815 3,756 San Juan Coal(a) 2,185 1,350 1,380 1,320 1,276 2,596 3,383 Total 4,339 3,147 3,877 3,582 2,829 6,411 7,139 Sales - local 3,348 3,316 3,643 3,713 3,327 7,040 6,894 utility (a) Includes production from longwall operations which commenced at San Juan in October 2002. Hunter Valley, Australia Production 1,234 1,922 2,041 1,756 2,054 3,810 2,478 Sales Export 881 1,036 1,301 952 861 1,813 1,664 Inland 276 704 1,285 873 633 1,506 642 Total 1,157 1,740 2,586 1,825 1,494 3,319 2,306 Kalimantan, Indonesia Production (a) Petangis (b) 29 28 - - - - 245 Total 29 28 - - - - 245 Sales - export 49 56 - - - - 238 (a) Reported on 86.5% basis after allowing for the Indonesian state-owned corporation's 13.5% share of all production. (b) Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002. Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 1,713 1,382 2,261 2,036 1,623 3,659 2,944 Sales - export 1,851 1,971 2,247 1,966 1,999 3,965 3,097 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2002 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 11.9 11.1 12.2 12.4 12.2 24.6 23.6 Sales 12.8 10.3 13.5 11.1 13.1 24.2 23.3 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 7.5 7.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 16.0 14.9 Cobalt 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.9 1.0 Sales Nickel 8.3 8.1 9.5 7.8 8.4 16.2 15.4 Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.9 1.0 FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable 230 263 259 227 269 496 468 production (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: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Melbourne Victoria 3000 Kingdom Telephone +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 Exchange

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