Prod Rpt - Q/E 31 March 2004

BHP Billiton Limited 22 April 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 22 April 2004 Number 20/04 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2004 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2004. • Production for all major minerals commodities higher than the March 2003 quarter. • Strong natural gas and LPG production compared with the March 2003 quarter. • Record quarterly aluminium production resulting from the ramp up of production at the Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansion. • Record quarterly alumina production. • Record silver and lead production at Cannington (Australia) as a result of the ongoing debottlenecking project. • Record quarterly nickel production. • Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the March 2004 quarter was 29.8 million barrels of oil equivalent, five per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter and 2 per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter. • Oil and Condensate - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 14.3 million barrels, six per cent lower than the 15.3 million barrels produced in the March 2003 quarter. This was mainly due to natural field decline in Laminaria (Australia), Griffin (Australia), Bass Strait (Australia), North West Shelf (Australia) and Liverpool Bay (UK) plus the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia in the current quarter. This was partly offset by new production resulting from the commissioning of Ohanet (Algeria) in October 2003, Boris North (USA) in September 2003 and Boris South (USA) in February 2003. Production for the quarter was four per cent lower than the 14.9 million barrels produced in the December 2003 quarter, reflecting natural decline across the portfolio, higher cyclone downtime at North West Shelf and Griffin and the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly offset by the first full quarter production from Ohanet. • Natural Gas - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 76.5 billion cubic feet, 14 per cent higher than the 67.0 billion cubic feet produced in the March 2003 quarter. This was due to increased demand from Bass Strait and the commissioning of the Zamzama Phase 1 development (Pakistan). These factors were partly offset by cyclone downtime in North West Shelf and Griffin and the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. Production for the quarter was one per cent lower than the 77.6 billion cubic feet produced in the December 2003 quarter due to cyclone downtime at North West Shelf and Griffin and divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly offset by increased demand from Bass Strait and improved efficiency at Bruce (UK) following maintenance shutdowns in the previous quarter. • Alumina - Production for the March 2004 quarter was a record 1.1 million tonnes, six per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter, mainly due to stronger production at Worsley (Australia). Production was in line with the December 2003 quarter. • Aluminium - Production for the March 2004 quarter was a record 333,000 tonnes, 25 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter mainly reflecting the ramp up of production from the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) and Hillside 3 expansions, which reached full commissioning in August 2003 and December 2003 respectively. Production was eight per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter mainly due to the ramp up of production at Hillside and higher production at Alumar (Brazil) following an electrical outage in July 2003. • Copper - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 240,600 tonnes, four per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter and six per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects higher production at Escondida (Chile) and Tintaya (Peru), partly offset by sale of the Group's interest in Highland Valley Copper (Canada) and Alumbrera (Argentina) in January 2004 and April 2003 respectively. • Iron Ore - Western Australian production of 22.3 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) was in line with the December 2003 quarter and 26 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter due to ongoing strong market conditions, and increased Chinese demand for iron ore. Despatches from Western Australia also remained strong with the March 2004 quarter in line with the December 2003 quarter and 13 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter. Total iron ore production of 21.1 million tones (BHP Billiton share) from Western Australia and Samarco (Brazil) was in line with the December 2003 quarter and 22 per cent higher than the March 2003 period. • Metallurgical Coal - Production for the quarter of 8.5 million tonnes was in line with both the December 2003 and March 2003 quarters, reflecting continued strong market conditions. Queensland Coal (Australia) production of 7.1 million tonnes in the March 2004 quarter was in line with the December 2003 and March 2003 quarters, while Illawarra Coal (Australia) production of 1.5 million tonnes was in line with the December 2003 quarter and four per cent lower than the March 2003 quarter. The decrease in production at Illawarra reflects difficult mining conditions at the West Cliff colliery. • Manganese - Ore production of 1.3 million tonnes was 42 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter and five per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter, reflecting increased customer demand, particularly from China. Alloy production of 179,000 tonnes was in line with both the March 2003 and December 2003 quarters, reflecting continued strong market conditions. • Hot briquetted iron - Production for the March 2004 quarter of 399,000 tonnes was 24 per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter and 14 per cent lower than the March 2003 quarter. The decrease in production was due to maintenance activities and adverse weather conditions during the period. • EkatiTM Diamonds - Production of 1.0 million carats was lower than the 1.7 million carats produced in the December 2003 quarter. This decrease reflects the completion of processing from a pocket of high grade material from the Koala pit in December 2003. March 2004 quarter production was in line with the March 2003 quarter. • Energy Coal - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 21.3 million tonnes, eight per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter. The increase is mainly due to higher production at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia), New Mexico Coal (USA) San Juan mine and the ramp up at Mount Arthur North (Australia). Production was seven per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter mainly due to higher production at New Mexico Coal along with lower production at Cerrejon Coal in December 2003 due to adverse weather conditions. Production at Ingwe (South Africa) was in line with both the March 2003 and December 2003 quarters. • Nickel - Production for the quarter of 21,200 tonnes was 14 per cent higher than the March 2003 quarter, mainly reflecting the benefit of ongoing process enhancements arising from the operating excellence initiatives at both Cerro Matoso (Colombia) and Yabulu (Australia). Production was six per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter due to the conversion of work in process inventories to finished goods at Yabulu following scheduled maintenance in the December 2003 quarter. **** Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United Kingdom Tracey Whitehead, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 email: Tracey.Whitehead@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 9 MONTHS ENDED % CHANGE MAR Q04 MAR YTD Q04 04 MARCH DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH vs vs vs 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 MAR Q03 DEC YTD Q03 03 PETROLEUM Crude oil & ('000 15,310 14,877 14,341 44,730 50,258 -6% -4% -11% condensate bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 66.99 77.57 76.47 239.23 208.26 14% -1% 15% LPG ('000 160.62 200.51 217.83 617.67 537.55 36% 9% 15% tonnes) Ethane ('000 22.35 25.25 16.59 69.16 69.93 -26% -34% -1% tonnes) Total (million 28.4 30.2 29.8 92.1 91.5 5% -2% 1% Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 1,003 1,050 1,062 3,165 3,032 6% 1% 4% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 267 308 333 923 801 25% 8% 15% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 231.3 226.8 240.6 681.8 641.4 4% 6% 6% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 59,065 55,211 70,838 185,413 180,653 20% 28% 3% Zinc (tonnes) 46,755 45,912 35,194 130,200 139,412 -25% -23% -7% Gold (ounces) 57,802 32,085 32,983 94,238 182,130 -43% 3% -48% Silver ('000 10,355 9,980 12,055 32,631 31,485 16% 21% 4% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 373 290 81 696 1,051 -78% -72% -34% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 17,237 21,728 21,085 63,683 54,312 22% -3% 17% tonnes) Metallurgical ('000 8,556 8,445 8,532 26,076 25,596 0% 1% 2% coal tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 890 1,199 1,264 3,616 3,044 42% 5% 19% tonnes) Manganese ('000 177 183 179 509 542 1% -2% -6% alloys tonnes) Hot briquetted ('000 465 527 399 1,422 1,212 -14% -24% 17% iron tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,015 1,704 1,015 4,271 3,040 0% -40% 40% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 19,735 19,978 21,279 62,391 59,712 8% 7% 4% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 18.6 20.0 21.2 61.8 57.1 14% 6% 8% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 263 269 266 762 731 1% -1% 4% 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 MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH Billiton Interest 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & (000 bbl) 15,310 15,635 15,512 14,877 14,341 44,730 50,258 condensate Natural gas (bcf) 66.99 72.91 85.19 77.57 76.47 239.23 208.26 LPG ('000 160.62 205.57 199.33 200.51 217.83 617.67 537.55 tonnes) Ethane ('000 22.35 24.97 27.32 25.25 16.59 69.16 69.93 tonnes) Total (million 28.4 30.3 32.1 30.2 29.8 92.1 91.5 Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 658 724 699 700 704 2,103 2,018 Suriname 45% 222 223 227 230 228 685 656 Alumar 36% 123 113 127 120 130 377 358 Total 1,003 1,060 1,053 1,050 1,062 3,165 3,032 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 133 132 135 151 169 455 402 Bayside 100% 48 46 47 46 45 138 139 Alumar 46.3% 45 45 31 36 44 111 133 Valesul 45.5% 10 11 11 11 11 33 32 Mozal 47% 31 39 58 64 64 186 95 Total 267 273 282 308 333 923 801 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida (b) 57.5% 118.5 126.6 115.9 109.1 130.8 355.8 292.5 Tintaya (c) 100% - - - 15.0 22.9 37.9 - Antamina 33.8% 23.6 21.2 16.9 20.5 24.6 62.0 75.7 Alumbrera (d) 25% 9.9 - - - - - 34.4 Highland 33.6% 13.2 13.8 14.1 14.2 - 28.3 42.4 Valley Copper(e) Selbaie (f) 100% 1.7 1.8 1.6 1.8 0.8 4.1 6.6 Total 166.9 163.4 148.5 160.6 179.1 488.1 451.6 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 20.4 21.1 21.4 21.8 21.7 64.9 57.4 Cerro Colorado 100% 32.5 33.0 33.1 33.0 28.1 94.2 98.1 Tintaya (c) 100% 9.0 9.1 9.0 9.0 9.3 27.3 26.3 Pinto Valley 100% 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 7.3 8.0 Total 64.4 65.8 66.0 66.2 61.5 193.7 189.8 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 58,711 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 185,413 178,038 Pering (g) 100% 354 - - - - - 2,615 Total 59,065 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 185,413 180,653 ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 15,480 18,479 14,850 11,692 13,589 40,131 45,383 Antamina 33.8% 20,519 28,553 27,933 27,026 19,099 74,058 54,132 Selbaie (f) 100% 6,421 7,364 6,311 7,194 2,506 16,011 22,801 Pering (g) 100% 4,335 - - - - - 17,096 Total 46,755 54,396 49,094 45,912 35,194 130,200 139,412 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida (b) 57.5% 17,458 20,664 25,016 24,833 27,561 77,410 43,468 Tintaya (c) 100% - - - 2,658 4,009 6,667 - Alumbrera (d) 25% 35,084 - - - - - 121,303 Selbaie (f) 100% 4,146 4,081 3,129 3,428 1,413 7,970 13,701 Highland 33.6% 1,114 1,007 1,025 1,166 - 2,191 3,658 Valley Copper(e) Total 57,802 25,752 29,170 32,085 32,983 94,238 182,130 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 8,773 8,161 9,177 8,287 10,485 27,949 26,711 Escondida 57.5% 471 538 561 550 605 1,716 1,162 Antamina 33.8% 617 517 435 494 588 1,517 1,710 Tintaya (c) 100.0% - - - 170 239 409 - Alumbrera (d) 25.0% 75 - - - - - 200 Highland 33.6% 140 143 160 163 - 323 461 Valley Copper (e) Selbaie (f) 100% 279 284 263 316 138 717 1,241 Total 10,355 9,643 10,596 9,980 12,055 32,631 31,485 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 113 21 25 20 81 126 321 Highland 33.6% 260 280 300 270 - 570 730 Valley Copper (e) Total 373 301 325 290 81 696 1,051 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE (h) Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman 85% 4,964 6,221 6,639 6,707 6,031 19,377 15,737 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 85% 1,497 1,497 1,633 1,477 1,348 4,458 5,196 Joint Venture (i) Area C Joint 85% - 19 341 1,048 1,768 3,157 - Venture (j) Yandi Joint 85% 7,452 8,353 8,679 9,005 8,429 26,113 23,435 Venture Jimblebar 100% 1,371 1,428 1,622 1,520 1,647 4,789 3,990 Samarco 50% 1,953 1,902 1,956 1,971 1,862 5,789 5,954 Total 17,237 19,420 20,870 21,728 21,085 63,683 54,312 METALLURGICAL COAL (k) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,838 5,769 5,591 5,395 5,263 16,249 15,522 BHP Mitsui 80% 1,200 2,033 1,926 1,591 1,811 5,328 4,535 Coal (l) Illawarra 100% 1,518 1,224 1,582 1,459 1,458 4,499 5,539 Total 8,556 9,026 9,099 8,445 8,532 26,076 25,596 MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa(m) 60% 534 574 600 651 604 1,855 1,675 Australia (m) 60% 356 484 553 548 660 1,761 1,369 Total 890 1,058 1,153 1,199 1,264 3,616 3,044 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (m) 60% 117 137 93 122 116 331 366 Australia (m) 60% 60 58 54 61 63 178 176 Total 177 195 147 183 179 509 542 Refer footnotes on page 4. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) BoodarieTM 100% 465 458 496 527 399 1,422 1,212 Iron DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) EkatiTM 80% 1,015 1,300 1,552 1,704 1,015 4,271 3,040 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,256 13,812 13,782 13,472 13,231 40,485 40,427 USA 100% 3,147 3,877 3,560 2,829 3,687 10,076 10,286 Australia 100% 1,922 2,041 1,756 2,054 2,318 6,128 4,400 Indonesia (n) 80% 28 - - - - - 273 Colombia 33% 1,382 2,261 2,036 1,623 2,043 5,702 4,326 Total 19,735 21,991 21,134 19,978 21,279 62,391 59,712 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 11.1 12.2 12.4 12.2 12.5 37.1 34.7 Yabulu 100% 7.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.7 24.7 22.4 Total 18.6 21.0 20.6 20.0 21.2 61.8 57.1 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa(m) 60% 263 259 227 269 266 762 731 (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. (f) Production at Selbaie ceased 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) 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 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 5,391 5,643 5,872 5,333 5,174 16,379 17,989 North West Shelf - 1,566 1,560 1,491 1,204 1,352 4,047 4,678 condensate North West Shelf - 1,679 1,606 1,604 1,675 1,519 4,798 5,210 Wanaea/Cossack Laminaria 1,419 1,161 1,151 966 928 3,045 6,202 Griffin 831 708 742 563 380 1,685 3,201 Pakistan 16 14 53 53 50 156 51 Typhoon/Boris (a) 852 1,430 1,214 1,605 1,457 4,276 2,739 Americas 816 715 608 586 332 1,526 2,186 Liverpool Bay 2,174 2,344 2,324 2,061 1,926 6,311 6,475 Bruce/Keith 566 454 453 387 423 1,263 1,527 Algeria (b) 444 800 1,244 - Total 15,310 15,635 15,512 14,877 14,341 44,730 50,258 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 17.51 25.37 33.04 23.86 24.95 81.85 71.65 North West Shelf - 3.81 4.07 3.99 3.95 3.91 11.85 11.25 Domestic North West Shelf - 15.11 15.41 16.74 14.93 13.74 45.41 46.59 LNG Griffin 0.81 0.81 0.96 0.90 0.44 2.30 2.79 Pakistan 2.57 2.33 7.86 7.83 7.51 23.20 8.16 Typhoon/Boris (a) 2.03 2.03 1.58 2.41 2.14 6.13 4.12 Americas 3.34 3.42 3.25 3.73 2.60 9.58 11.05 Bruce 10.04 8.17 8.77 8.52 9.27 26.56 25.18 Keith 0.15 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.17 0.36 0.37 Liverpool Bay 11.62 11.16 8.89 11.36 11.74 31.99 27.10 Total 66.99 72.91 85.19 77.57 76.47 239.23 208.26 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 111.74 135.18 150.19 130.02 111.26 391.47 376.63 North West Shelf 32.67 32.39 34.21 28.11 29.59 91.91 100.03 Bruce 15.10 37.24 14.12 17.71 18.40 50.23 58.02 Keith 1.11 0.76 0.81 0.31 0.82 1.94 2.87 Algeria (b) 24.36 57.76 82.12 - Total 160.62 205.57 199.33 200.51 217.83 617.67 537.55 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 22.35 24.97 27.32 25.25 16.59 69.16 69.93 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 28.4 30.3 32.1 30.2 29.8 92.15 91.50 (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 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, 658 724 699 700 704 2,103 2,018 Australia Paranam, 222 223 227 230 228 685 656 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 123 113 127 120 130 377 358 Total 1,003 1,060 1,053 1,050 1,062 3,165 3,032 Sales Worsley, 751 636 697 740 652 2,089 2,115 Australia Paranam, 243 228 221 250 233 704 697 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 124 107 120 128 144 392 379 Total 1,118 971 1,038 1,118 1,029 3,185 3,191 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South 133 132 135 151 169 455 402 Africa Bayside, South 48 46 47 46 45 138 139 Africa Alumar, Brazil 45 45 31 36 44 111 133 Valesul, Brazil 10 11 11 11 11 33 32 Mozal, 31 39 58 64 64 186 95 Mozambique Total 267 273 282 308 333 923 801 Sales Hillside, South 133 143 134 145 176 455 392 Africa Bayside, South 48 48 54 35 49 138 140 Africa Alumar, Brazil 38 51 38 25 39 102 128 Valesul, Brazil 9 10 11 12 11 34 30 Mozal, 33 41 61 40 78 179 95 Mozambique Total 261 293 298 257 353 908 785 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 BASE METALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated. Escondida, Chile (a) Material ('000 73,466 74,665 69,342 82,909 78,723 230,974 222,440 mined (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore ('000 16,744 16,416 18,888 18,299 19,618 56,805 41,518 milled (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 1.49% 1.62% 1.33% 1.31% 1.48% 1.38% 1.52% copper grade Production ex ('000 210.8 230.9 208.2 197.1 239.6 644.9 528.2 Mill (100%) tonnes) Production Payable ('000 118.5 126.6 115.9 109.1 130.8 355.8 292.5 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 17,458 20,664 25,016 24,833 27,561 77,410 43,468 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 20.4 21.1 21.4 21.8 21.7 64.9 57.4 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 471 538 561 550 605 1,716 1,162 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 113.5 128.9 116.2 114.8 127.3 358.3 295.3 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 17,166 20,138 25,335 26,984 28,545 80,864 45,564 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 19.3 20.3 18.1 23.8 26.2 68.1 56.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 484 584 574 634 612 1,820 1,153 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 17,206 38,807 - mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 - - - 1,408 1,609 3,017 - tonnes) Average (%) - - - 1.38% 1.61% 1.50% - copper grade Production Payable ('000 - - - 15.0 22.9 37.9 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - - - 2,658 4,009 6,667 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 9.0 9.1 9.0 9.0 9.3 27.3 26.3 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - - - 170.0 238.5 408.5 - silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 - - - 10.6 23.1 33.7 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - - - 3,086 4,372 7,458 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 8.7 9.5 8.9 8.7 8.2 25.8 25.4 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - - - 100.0 240.1 340.1 - 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 16,564 16,458 20,332 19,855 16,199 56,386 49,554 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 3,916 4,130 4,346 4,405 3,700 12,451 11,617 tonnes) Average (%) 1.00% 0.96% 0.99% 1.00% 0.92% 0.97% 1.00% copper grade Production Copper ('000 32.5 33.0 33.1 33.0 28.1 94.2 98.1 cathode tonnes) Sales Copper ('000 39.3 31.5 28.9 35.2 27.8 91.9 95.6 cathode tonnes) Antamina, Peru Material ('000 25,290 28,353 30,174 28,474 28,588 87,236 81,322 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 6,424 6,697 6,018 7,273 6,954 20,245 19,613 (100%) tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.32% 1.09% 1.17% 1.17% 1.26% 1.20% 1.35% - Zinc (%) 1.54% 1.97% 2.17% 1.77% 1.48% 1.79% 1.32% Production Payable ('000 23.6 21.2 16.9 20.5 24.6 62.0 75.7 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 20,519 28,553 27,933 27,026 19,099 74,058 54,132 Payable ('000 617 517 435 494 588 1,517 1,710 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.11 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.08 0.13 0.32 molybdenum tonnes) Sales Payable ('000 22.4 21.2 18.6 22.6 20.2 61.4 78.8 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,400 31,034 26,781 26,928 14,219 67,928 48,991 Payable ('000 575 435 420 491 423 1,334 1,695 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.29 molybdenum tonnes) Cannington, Australia Material ('000 601 588 637 699 729 2,065 1,805 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 589 560 589 598 698 1,885 1,752 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 550 525 564 497 539 533 550 - Lead (%) 11.8% 12.1% 11.5% 10.5% 11.4% 11.2% 11.8% - Zinc (%) 4.3% 5.3% 4.0% 3.4% 3.5% 3.6% 4.3% Production Payable ('000 8,773 8,161 9,177 8,287 10,485 27,949 26,711 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 58,711 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 185,413 178,038 Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,480 18,479 14,850 11,692 13,589 40,131 45,383 Sales Payable ('000 8,800 8,412 6,765 10,716 8,569 26,050 27,225 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 58,366 58,742 43,953 69,447 56,259 169,659 180,985 Payable zinc (tonnes) 18,155 13,288 16,223 15,443 12,790 44,456 45,111 Selbaie, Canada (a) Ore milled ('000 919 982 858 1,017 346 2,221 2,967 tonnes) Average head grades - Zinc (%) 1.11% 1.18% 1.13% 1.13% 1.16% 1.14% 1.20% - Copper (%) 0.25% 0.24% 0.25% 0.24% 0.30% 0.25% 0.29% - Gold (g/t) 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.24 0.21 0.24 - Silver (g/t) 22.15 20.62 22.38 24.25 26.64 23.90 26.93 Production Payable zinc (tonnes) 6,421 7,364 6,311 7,194 2,506 16,011 22,801 Payable (tonnes) 1,654 1,768 1,606 1,764 770 4,140 6,554 copper Payable gold (ounces) 4,146 4,081 3,129 3,428 1,413 7,970 13,701 concentrate Payable ('000 279 284 263 316 138 717 1,241 silver ounces) Sales Payable zinc (tonnes) 6,649 6,812 6,209 7,429 4,127 17,765 23,755 Payable (tonnes) 2,751 1,612 1,918 1,615 1,741 5,274 7,681 copper Payable gold (ounces) 5,508 4,280 4,384 3,377 3,364 11,125 14,522 concentrate Payable ('000 444 355 292 253 317 862 1,449 silver ounces) (a) Production ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments are expected to cease in May 2004. Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper ('000 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 7.3 8.0 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Sales Copper ('000 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 7.2 7.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) IRON ORE (a) Pilbara, Australia Production Mt Newman Joint 4,964 6,221 6,639 6,707 6,031 19,377 15,737 Venture Goldsworthy 1,497 1,497 1,633 1,477 1,348 4,458 5,196 Joint Venture (b) Area C Joint - 19 341 1,048 1,768 3,157 - Venture (c) Yandi Joint 7,452 8,353 8,679 9,005 8,429 26,113 23,435 Venture Jimblebar 1,371 1,428 1,622 1,520 1,647 4,789 3,990 Total (BHP 15,284 17,518 18,914 19,757 19,223 57,894 48,358 Billiton share) Total 17,739 20,359 21,965 22,975 22,326 67,266 56,188 production (100%) Shipments Lump 4,352 4,193 4,898 5,169 5,402 15,469 12,977 Fines 12,144 13,187 13,334 13,968 13,181 40,483 37,882 Total (BHP 16,496 17,380 18,232 19,137 18,583 55,952 50,859 Billiton share) Total shipments 19,407 20,448 21,450 22,515 21,862 65,827 59,836 (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 1,953 1,902 1,956 1,971 1,862 5,789 5,954 Shipments 2,049 2,153 2,013 1,886 1,918 5,817 6,087 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,668 1,937 1,578 1,581 1,508 4,667 4,904 Goonyella 1,191 1,075 994 829 1,019 2,842 2,737 Peak Downs 1,009 1,076 1,004 1,004 881 2,889 2,555 Saraji 599 666 747 655 703 2,105 1,655 Norwich Park 610 527 524 582 556 1,662 1,634 Gregory Joint 761 488 744 744 596 2,084 2,037 Venture BMA total 5,838 5,769 5,591 5,395 5,263 16,249 15,522 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) Riverside 300 1,014 969 812 967 2,748 1,627 South Walker 900 1,019 957 779 844 2,580 2,908 Creek BHP Mitsui Coal 1,200 2,033 1,926 1,591 1,811 5,328 4,535 total Queensland 7,038 7,802 7,517 6,986 7,074 21,577 20,057 total Shipments Coking coal 4,707 4,395 4,838 5,258 5,116 15,212 12,906 Weak coking 1,569 1,525 1,617 1,649 1,585 4,851 4,811 coal Thermal coal 852 943 801 987 803 2,591 2,674 Total 7,128 6,863 7,256 7,894 7,504 22,654 20,391 (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 1,518 1,224 1,582 1,459 1,458 4,499 5,539 Shipments Coking coal 1,611 1,571 1,513 1,293 1,359 4,165 5,026 Thermal coal 242 179 91 47 134 272 471 Total 1,853 1,750 1,604 1,340 1,493 4,437 5,497 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable 534 574 600 651 604 1,855 1,675 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 356 484 553 548 660 1,761 1,369 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable 117 137 93 122 116 331 366 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 60 58 54 61 63 178 176 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. HOT BRIQUETTED IRON BoodarieTM Iron, Australia Production 465 458 496 527 399 1,422 1,212 Shipments 416 487 435 570 436 1,441 1,082 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS EkatiTM, Canada Ore Processed ('000 1,087 1,182 1,064 1,123 1,052 3,239 3,128 (100%) tonnes) Production ('000 1,015 1,300 1,552 1,704 1,015 4,271 3,040 carats) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,256 13,812 13,782 13,472 13,231 40,485 40,427 Sales Export 5,696 6,339 5,274 5,500 5,354 16,128 17,953 Local utility 7,160 7,926 8,215 7,701 7,579 23,495 22,259 Inland 340 337 338 326 330 994 1,223 Total 13,196 14,602 13,827 13,527 13,263 40,617 41,435 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 1,797 2,497 2,240 1,553 1,709 5,502 5,553 San Juan Coal 1,350 1,380 1,320 1,276 1,978 4,574 4,733 Total 3,147 3,877 3,560 2,829 3,687 10,076 10,286 Sales - local 3,316 3,643 3,713 3,327 3,213 10,253 10,210 utility Hunter Valley, Australia Production 1,922 2,041 1,756 2,054 2,318 6,128 4,400 Sales Export 1,036 1,301 952 861 1,729 3,542 2,700 Inland 704 1,285 873 633 1,044 2,550 1,346 Total 1,740 2,586 1,825 1,494 2,773 6,092 4,046 Kalimantan, Indonesia Production (a) Petangis (b) 28 - - - - - 273 Total 28 - - - - - 273 Sales - export 56 - - - - - 294 (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 1,382 2,261 2,036 1,623 2,043 5,702 4,326 Sales - export 1,971 2,247 1,966 1,999 1,828 5,793 5,068 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED 9 MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2003 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 11.1 12.2 12.4 12.2 12.5 37.1 34.7 Sales 10.3 13.5 11.1 13.1 11.2 35.4 33.6 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 7.5 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.7 24.7 22.4 Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.4 1.4 Sales Nickel 8.1 9.5 7.8 8.4 8.0 24.2 23.5 Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.4 1.5 FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable 263 259 227 269 266 762 731 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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