Prodn Rpt Q/E 31 March 2005

BHP Billiton Limited 28 April 2005 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 28 April 2005 Number 18/05 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2005 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2005. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share. • In a strong market environment, year to date production of iron ore, metallurgical coal, manganese ore, manganese alloys, natural gas, aluminium, copper, silver, lead, energy coal and ferrochrome was above the nine months ended March 2004. • Ramp up of Western Australia Iron Ore operations continues on schedule, with production of 25.8 million tonnes (100% basis) for the quarter. • Lower oil and condensate production ahead of continued ramp up of the recently commissioned Angostura (Trinidad & Tobago) and Mad Dog (USA) projects. • First gas production from the newly commissioned Minerva (Australia) field. • Record quarterly alumina production of 1.1 million tonnes. • Record quarterly silver and lead production reflecting higher head grades at Cannington (Australia). • Commissioning of Dendrobium (Australia) in April 2005, eight weeks ahead of schedule. • Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the March 2005 quarter was 28.5 million barrels of oil equivalent, four per cent lower than the March 2004 quarter and three per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter. • Oil and Condensate - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 12.3 million barrels, 14 per cent lower than the 14.3 million barrels produced in the March 2004 quarter. Production was lower due to natural field decline in Bass Strait (Australia), Liverpool Bay (UK) and Typhoon /Boris (USA). Production for the quarter was also impacted by higher downtime at Bass Strait and Liverpool Bay, along with the divestment of both Laminaria (Australia) in January 2005 and our producing assets in Bolivia in February 2004. This was partly offset by new production resulting from the commissioning of ROD (Algeria) in October 2004 and Angostura and Mad Dog, both commissioned in January 2005. Production for the March 2005 quarter was one per cent higher than the 12.2 million barrels produced in the December 2004 quarter. New production from Angostura, ROD and Mad Dog and successful infill drilling at Wanaea/ Cossack (Australia) was mostly offset by higher downtime at Liverpool Bay and Bass Strait and the divestment of Laminaria. • Natural Gas - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 82.4 billion cubic feet, eight per cent higher than the 76.5 billion cubic feet produced in the March 2004 quarter. This was primarily due to increased production from North West Shelf LNG (Australia) following the commissioning of the 4th LNG Train in September 2004, along with new production from Minerva following its commissioning in January 2005 and record production at Zamzama reflecting strong demand. This was partially offset by lower demand for Bass Strait gas, higher downtime at Liverpool Bay and natural field decline at Bruce (UK). Production for the March 2005 quarter was six per cent lower than the 87.4 billion cubic feet produced in the December 2004 quarter due to lower demand for Bass Strait gas, higher downtime at Liverpool Bay and North West Shelf LNG and natural field decline in Typhoon/Boris. This was partially offset by new production from Minerva and record production at Zamzama reflecting strong demand. • Alumina - Production for the March 2005 quarter was a record 1.1 million tonnes, three per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter and five percent higher than the December 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects increased production at Worsley due to the processing of stockpiled hydrate. • Aluminium - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 332,000 tonnes in line with both the March 2004 and December 2004 quarters. This reflects consistently strong production from all of BHP Billiton's aluminium smelters, in particular Hillside (South Africa) and Mozal (Mozambique). • Copper - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 249,600 tonnes, four per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects increased production at Antamina (Peru) following the return to their normal mine plan after the removal of lakebed sediments was completed in the June 2004 quarter, along with higher mill throughput at Escondida and higher head grades at Cerro Colorado (both Chile). These increases were partly offset by lower production at Tintaya (Peru) due to lower head grades. Production was six per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter due to lower head grades and reduced mill throughput at Escondida and Antamina, and lower head grades at Tintaya. • Silver - Production for the March 2005 quarter was a record 14.0 million ounces, 16 per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects increased mill throughput at Cannington resulting from a debottlenecking program, along with higher head grades. Production was 14 per cent higher than the December 2004 quarter reflecting higher head grades at Cannington. • Lead - Production for the March 2005 quarter was a record 80,899 tonnes, 14 per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects increased mill throughput at Cannington resulting from a debottlenecking program, along with higher head grades. Production was 13 per cent higher than the December 2004 quarter reflecting higher head grades at Cannington. • Iron Ore - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 24.0 million tonnes, 14 per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. The increase reflects additional capacity following the completion of several expansion projects at Western Australia Iron Ore underpinned by continuing strong customer demand. Production was four per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter. Western Australia Iron Ore production is in line with the expected ramp up of expansion projects. • Metallurgical Coal - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 8.9 million tonnes, five per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects improved operating performance at Illawarra Coal (Australia), along with increased production at Queensland Coal (Australia) underpinned by strong customer demand. Production was seven per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter primarily reflecting lower production at Queensland Coal due to the depletion of reserves at Riverside and scheduled maintenance at Peak Downs. This was partially offset by the improved operating performance at Illawarra Coal. • Manganese ore - Ore production for the March 2005 quarter was 1.3 million tonnes, in line with the March 2004 quarter. Production was five per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter due to scheduled maintenance shutdowns in South Africa and seasonal conditions at Gemco (Australia). • Manganese alloys - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 197,000 tonnes, 10 per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects improved operating performance at Metalloys (South Africa). Production was five per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter primarily reflecting changes to product mix at Temco (Australia). • Diamonds - Production of 802,000 carats at Ekati (Canada) was 21 per cent lower than the March 2004 quarter and eight per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects processing of lower grade ore in the current quarter. • Energy Coal - Production for the March 2005 quarter of 20.1 million tonnes was six per cent lower than both the March 2004 and December 2004 quarters. This primarily reflects lower domestic production at Ingwe (South Africa) as a result of product mix optimisation to improve export tonnages, along with lower production at New Mexico Coal (USA) due to a longwall move at San Juan underground. Hunter Valley Coal (Australia) achieved record export sales during the quarter reflecting the ramp up of the Mount Arthur North expansion. • Nickel - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 20,800 tonnes, in line with the March 2004 quarter. Record production at Cerro Matoso due to improved plant utilisation was offset by lower production at Yabulu (Australia) as a result of scheduled down time in the current quarter along with increased conversion of work in process inventories to finished goods in the March 2004 quarter. Production was six per cent higher than the December 2004 quarter reflecting improved plant utilisation at Cerro Matoso. • Ferrochrome - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 240,000 tonnes, 10 per cent lower than the March 2004 quarter and 11 per cent lower than the December 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects a maintenance shutdown at Wonderkop JV (South Africa). **** Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United Kingdom Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942 email: Jane.H.Belcher@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 Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +1 713 599 6100 Mobile: +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED % CHANGE MAR MAR YTD Q05 Q05 05 MARCH DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH vs vs vs 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 MAR Q04 DEC YTD 04 Q04 PETROLEUM Crude oil & ('000 14,341 12,190 12,345 36,901 44,730 -14% 1% -18% condensate bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 76.47 87.35 82.35 246.89 239.23 8% -6% 3% LPG ('000 217.83 216.07 199.29 646.39 617.67 -9% -8% 5% tonnes) Ethane ('000 16.59 27.20 23.61 78.56 69.16 42% -13% 14% tonnes) Total (million 29.78 29.38 28.49 85.90 92.15 -4% -3% -7% Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 1,062 1,036 1,092 3,128 3,165 3% 5% -1% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 333 338 332 1,009 923 0% -2% 9% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 240.6 265.8 249.6 764.2 681.8 4% -6% 12% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 70,838 71,509 80,899 217,318 185,413 14% 13% 17% Zinc (tonnes) 35,194 20,918 32,388 77,157 130,200 -8% 55% -41% Gold (ounces) 33,364 31,247 32,152 93,531 94,619 -4% 3% -1% Silver ('000 12,064 12,353 14,044 38,165 32,640 16% 14% 17% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 81 560 431 1,314 696 430% -23% 89% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 21,085 24,916 23,988 71,449 63,683 14% -4% 12% tonnes) Metallurgical ('000 8,532 9,629 8,938 27,844 26,076 5% -7% 7% coal tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 1,264 1,361 1,297 4,037 3,616 3% -5% 12% tonnes) Manganese ('000 179 207 197 599 509 10% -5% 18% alloys tonnes) Hot briquetted ('000 399 - - - 1,422 -100% 0% -100% iron tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,015 872 802 2,660 4,271 -21% -8% -38% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 21,279 21,389 20,079 64,713 62,391 -6% -6% 4% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 21.2 19.7 20.8 60.1 61.8 -2% 6% -3% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 266 271 240 776 762 -10% -11% 2% tonnes) Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported. BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED BHP MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH Billiton Interest 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & (000 bbl) 14,341 13,297 12,366 12,190 12,345 36,901 44,730 condensate Natural gas (bcf) 76.47 85.11 77.19 87.35 82.35 246.89 239.23 LPG ('000 217.83 235.86 231.03 216.07 199.29 646.39 617.67 tonnes) Ethane ('000 16.59 25.14 27.75 27.20 23.61 78.56 69.16 tonnes) Total (million 29.78 30.32 28.03 29.38 28.49 85.90 92.15 Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 704 696 663 686 746 2,095 2,103 Suriname 45% 228 233 223 222 220 665 685 Alumar 36% 130 130 114 128 126 368 377 Total 1,062 1,059 1,000 1,036 1,092 3,128 3,165 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 169 167 173 171 169 513 455 Bayside 100% 45 46 46 46 45 137 138 Alumar 46.3% 44 45 44 45 43 132 111 Valesul 45.5% 11 11 11 11 10 32 33 Mozal 47% 64 64 65 65 65 195 186 Total 333 333 339 338 332 1,009 923 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 130.8 159.1 142.5 146.3 135.4 424.2 355.8 Tintaya 100% 22.9 19.6 14.6 22.1 20.7 57.4 37.9 Antamina 33.8% 24.6 29.9 29.9 33.4 29.9 93.2 62.0 Highland 33.6% - - - - - - 28.3 Valley Copper(b) Selbaie (c) 100% 0.8 - - - - - 4.1 Total 179.1 208.6 187.0 201.8 186.0 574.8 488.1 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 21.7 21.8 21.9 22.2 21.8 65.9 64.9 Cerro Colorado 100% 28.1 31.3 28.3 30.4 29.8 88.5 94.2 Tintaya 100% 9.3 8.7 9.3 9.1 9.6 28.0 27.3 Pinto Valley 100% 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 7.0 7.3 Total 61.5 64.0 61.8 64.0 63.6 189.4 193.7 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 70,838 64,472 64,910 71,509 80,899 217,318 185,413 Total 70,838 64,472 64,910 71,509 80,899 217,318 185,413 ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 13,589 13,493 10,968 13,956 15,241 40,165 40,131 Antamina 33.8% 19,099 15,545 12,883 6,962 17,147 36,992 74,058 Selbaie (c) 100% 2,506 - - - - - 16,011 Total 35,194 29,038 23,851 20,918 32,388 77,157 130,200 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida 57.5% 27,942 26,044 25,370 24,475 25,987 75,832 77,791 Tintaya 100% 4,009 5,101 4,762 6,772 6,165 17,699 6,667 Selbaie (c) 100% 1,413 - - - - - 7,970 Highland 33.6% - - - - - - 2,191 Valley Copper(b) Total 33,364 31,145 30,132 31,247 32,152 93,531 94,619 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 10,485 9,471 10,339 11,025 12,383 33,747 27,949 Escondida 57.5% 614 720 604 639 650 1,893 1,725 Antamina 33.8% 588 662 692 503 830 2,025 1,517 Tintaya 100% 239 200 134 186 181 500 409 Highland 33.6% - - - - - - 323 Valley Copper(b) Selbaie (c) 100% 138 - - - - - 717 Total 12,064 11,053 11,769 12,353 14,044 38,165 32,640 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 81 240 323 560 431 1,314 126 Highland 33.6% - - - - - - 570 Valley Copper(b) Total 81 240 323 560 431 1,314 696 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE (d) Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman 85% 6,031 5,084 6,157 6,611 6,475 19,243 19,377 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 85% 1,348 1,386 1,038 1,037 1,017 3,092 4,458 Joint Venture Area C Joint 85% 1,768 2,519 2,990 4,358 4,451 11,799 3,157 Venture Yandi Joint 85% 8,429 8,046 8,767 9,238 8,713 26,718 26,113 Venture Jimblebar 100% 1,647 1,566 1,675 1,622 1,509 4,806 4,789 Samarco 50% 1,862 1,936 1,918 2,050 1,823 5,791 5,789 Total 21,085 20,537 22,545 24,916 23,988 71,449 63,683 METALLURGICAL COAL (e) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,263 6,285 6,231 6,184 5,959 18,374 16,249 BHP Mitsui 80% 1,811 1,653 1,748 1,822 1,205 4,775 5,328 Coal (f) Illawarra 100% 1,458 1,346 1,298 1,623 1,774 4,695 4,499 Total 8,532 9,284 9,277 9,629 8,938 27,844 26,076 MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (g) 60% 604 647 632 639 606 1,877 1,855 Australia (g) 60% 660 690 747 722 691 2,160 1,761 Total 1,264 1,337 1,379 1,361 1,297 4,037 3,616 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (g) 60% 116 131 121 136 137 394 331 Australia (g) 60% 63 72 74 71 60 205 178 Total 179 203 195 207 197 599 509 Refer footnotes on page 4. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) Boodarie(TM) 100% 399 294 - - - - 1,422 Iron (h) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) Ekati(TM) 80% 1,015 1,211 986 872 802 2,660 4,271 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,231 13,768 14,588 13,745 12,769 41,102 40,485 USA 100% 3,687 3,154 3,899 3,731 3,169 10,799 10,076 Australia 100% 2,318 2,590 2,595 2,189 2,258 7,042 6,128 Colombia 33% 2,043 1,982 2,163 1,724 1,883 5,770 5,702 Total 21,279 21,494 23,245 21,389 20,079 64,713 62,391 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 12.5 12.0 11.9 12.4 13.3 37.6 37.1 Yabulu 100% 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.3 7.5 22.5 24.7 Total 21.2 19.9 19.6 19.7 20.8 60.1 61.8 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (g) 60% 266 264 265 271 240 776 762 (a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. (c) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments ceased in May 2004. (d) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis. (e) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (f) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%. (g) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (h) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following an incident in May 2004 and the plant was placed on care and maintenance in November 2004. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 5,174 4,641 4,835 4,226 3,754 12,815 16,379 Minerva (a) - - - - 21 21 - North West Shelf - 1,352 1,367 1,330 1,274 1,305 3,909 4,047 condensate North West Shelf - 1,519 1,357 1,475 1,272 1,535 4,282 4,798 Wanaea/Cossack Laminaria (b) 928 803 597 472 84 1,153 3,045 Griffin 380 585 414 473 403 1,290 1,685 Pakistan 50 49 50 54 58 162 156 Typhoon/Boris 1,457 1,462 1,461 1,290 907 3,658 4,276 Mad Dog (a) - - - - 251 251 - Other Americas 332 213 181 180 160 521 1,526 Angostura (a) - - - - 799 799 - Liverpool Bay 1,926 1,788 1,344 1,858 1,289 4,491 6,311 Bruce/Keith 423 388 121 321 290 732 1,263 Ohanet 800 644 558 432 589 1,579 1,244 ROD (c) - - - 338 900 1,238 - Total 14,341 13,297 12,366 12,190 12,345 36,901 44,730 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 24.95 34.62 35.61 27.44 20.71 83.76 81.85 Minerva (a) - - - - 6.63 6.63 - North West Shelf - 3.91 3.76 3.50 3.51 3.64 10.65 11.85 Domestic North West Shelf - 13.74 15.43 17.78 22.36 20.81 60.95 45.41 LNG Griffin 0.44 0.67 0.68 0.71 0.54 1.93 2.30 Moranbah Coal Bed - - - 0.53 1.07 1.60 - Methane (d) Illawarra Coal Bed - - 1.34 1.65 1.39 4.38 - Methane (e) Pakistan 7.51 7.10 7.69 7.87 8.88 24.44 23.20 Typhoon/Boris 2.14 2.13 2.32 2.53 1.32 6.17 6.13 Mad Dog (a) - - - - 0.03 0.03 - Other Americas 2.60 2.75 1.99 2.05 1.76 5.80 9.58 Bruce/Keith 9.44 8.49 2.26 7.39 7.22 16.87 26.92 Liverpool Bay 11.74 10.16 4.02 11.31 8.35 23.68 31.99 Total 76.47 85.11 77.19 87.35 82.35 246.89 239.23 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 111.26 136.52 145.85 127.70 108.56 382.11 391.47 North West Shelf 29.59 32.95 34.66 29.43 32.28 96.37 91.91 Bruce/Keith 19.22 19.27 6.93 18.65 17.85 43.43 52.17 Ohanet 57.76 47.12 43.59 40.29 40.60 124.48 82.12 Total 217.83 235.86 231.03 216.07 199.29 646.39 617.67 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 16.59 25.14 27.75 27.20 23.61 78.56 69.16 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 29.78 30.32 28.03 29.38 28.49 85.90 92.15 (million barrels of oil equivalent) (f) (a) Minerva, Mad Dog and Angostura commenced production in January 2005. (b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Laminaria with effect from January 14, 2005. (c) ROD commenced production in October 2004. (d) Moranbah Coal Bed Methane commenced production in September 2004 and was first reported in December 2004. (e) Illawarra Coal Bed Methane production was first reported in December 2004. (f) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are 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 NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, 704 696 663 686 746 2,095 2,103 Australia Paranam, 228 233 223 222 220 665 685 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 130 130 114 128 126 368 377 Total 1,062 1,059 1,000 1,036 1,092 3,128 3,165 Sales Worsley, 652 732 667 681 734 2,082 2,089 Australia Paranam, 233 214 239 221 210 670 704 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 144 111 129 131 118 378 392 Total 1,029 1,057 1,035 1,033 1,062 3,130 3,185 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South 169 167 173 171 169 513 455 Africa Bayside, South 45 46 46 46 45 137 138 Africa Alumar, Brazil 44 45 44 45 43 132 111 Valesul, Brazil 11 11 11 11 10 32 33 Mozal, 64 64 65 65 65 195 186 Mozambique Total 333 333 339 338 332 1,009 923 Sales Hillside, South 176 171 155 189 153 497 455 Africa Bayside, South 49 45 45 41 39 125 138 Africa Alumar, Brazil 39 55 43 44 43 130 102 Valesul, Brazil 11 12 12 11 11 34 34 Mozal, 78 56 59 69 62 190 179 Mozambique Total 353 339 314 354 308 976 908 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 BASE METALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated. Escondida, Chile Material ('000 83,640 95,757 100,466 97,512 90,838 288,816 235,891 mined (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore ('000 19,620 21,197 20,637 20,926 19,913 61,476 56,807 milled (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 1.48% 1.61% 1.47% 1.47% 1.41% 1.45% 1.38% copper grade Production ex ('000 239.6 284.2 256.8 265.1 241.1 763.0 644.9 Mill (100%) tonnes) Production Payable ('000 130.8 159.1 142.5 146.3 135.4 424.2 355.8 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 27,942 26,044 25,370 24,475 25,987 75,832 77,791 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 21.7 21.8 21.9 22.2 21.8 65.9 64.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 614 720 604 639 650 1,893 1,725 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 127.3 150.4 140.0 148.3 137.1 425.4 358.3 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 28,545 24,874 24,732 25,462 27,882 78,076 80,864 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 26.2 21.3 22.7 22.7 18.6 64.0 68.1 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 612 683 582 690 712 1,984 1,820 silver ounces) concentrate Tintaya, Peru Material ('000 17,206 17,944 18,676 17,486 17,575 53,737 38,807 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 1,609 1,616 1,621 1,564 1,560 4,745 3,017 tonnes) Average (%) 1.61% 1.45% 1.14% 1.64% 1.56% 1.44% 1.50% copper grade Production Payable ('000 22.9 19.6 14.6 22.1 20.7 57.4 37.9 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 4,009 5,101 4,762 6,772 6,165 17,699 6,667 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 9.3 8.7 9.3 9.1 9.6 28.0 27.3 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 239 200 134 186 181 500 409 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 23.1 20.6 5.7 25.9 23.3 54.9 33.7 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 4,372 4,100 1,219 8,491 7,593 17,303 7,458 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 8.2 8.4 10.4 8.1 9.2 27.7 25.8 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 240 226 64 234 193 491 340 silver ounces) concentrate Cerro Colorado, Chile Material ('000 16,199 16,697 17,554 16,378 16,856 50,788 56,386 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 3,700 4,330 4,232 4,362 3,865 12,459 12,451 tonnes) Average (%) 0.92% 0.90% 0.87% 0.91% 1.00% 0.92% 0.97% copper grade Production Copper ('000 28.1 31.3 28.3 30.4 29.8 88.5 94.2 cathode tonnes) Sales Copper ('000 27.8 35.5 28.9 28.2 32.5 89.6 91.9 cathode tonnes) Antamina, Peru Material ('000 28,588 36,035 33,177 33,201 30,808 97,186 87,236 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 6,954 8,205 8,069 8,027 7,072 23,168 20,245 (100%) tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.26% 1.37% 1.26% 1.45% 1.41% 1.37% 1.20% - Zinc (%) 1.48% 0.97% 1.02% 0.47% 1.16% 0.87% 1.79% Production Payable ('000 24.6 29.9 29.9 33.4 29.9 93.2 62.0 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 19,099 15,545 12,883 6,962 17,147 36,992 74,058 Payable ('000 588 662 692 503 830 2,025 1,517 silver ounces) Payable (tonnes) 81 240 323 560 431 1,314 126 molybdenum Sales Payable ('000 20.2 26.4 32.1 32.2 30.0 94.3 61.4 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,219 19,931 13,617 4,185 18,293 36,095 67,928 Payable ('000 423 655 624 632 718 1,974 1,334 silver ounces) Payable (tonnes) 43 110 160 300 592 1,052 87 molybdenum Cannington, Australia Material ('000 729 681 828 844 885 2,557 2,065 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 698 724 730 825 788 2,343 1,885 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 539 486 504 500 571 525 533 - Lead (%) 11.4% 10.8% 10.3% 10.0% 11.9% 10.7% 11.1% - Zinc (%) 3.5% 3.4% 3.1% 3.0% 3.5% 3.2% 3.6% Production Payable ('000 10,485 9,471 10,339 11,025 12,383 33,747 27,949 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 70,838 64,472 64,910 71,509 80,899 217,318 185,413 Payable zinc (tonnes) 13,589 13,493 10,968 13,956 15,241 40,165 40,131 Sales Payable ('000 8,569 12,583 9,266 9,006 13,514 31,786 26,050 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 56,259 84,315 62,774 57,286 88,237 208,297 169,659 Payable zinc (tonnes) 12,790 13,410 12,170 9,146 18,628 39,944 44,456 Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper ('000 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.4 7.0 7.3 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Sales Copper ('000 2.3 2.3 1.5 1.8 2.8 6.1 7.2 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) IRON ORE (a) Pilbara, Australia Production Mt Newman Joint 6,031 5,084 6,157 6,611 6,475 19,243 19,377 Venture Goldsworthy 1,348 1,386 1,038 1,037 1,017 3,092 4,458 Joint Venture Area C Joint 1,768 2,519 2,990 4,358 4,451 11,799 3,157 Venture Yandi Joint 8,429 8,046 8,767 9,238 8,713 26,718 26,113 Venture Jimblebar 1,647 1,566 1,675 1,622 1,509 4,806 4,789 Total (BHP 19,223 18,601 20,627 22,866 22,165 65,658 57,894 Billiton share) Total production 22,326 21,608 23,971 26,615 25,810 76,396 67,266 (100%) Shipments Lump 5,402 5,064 5,530 6,084 5,784 17,398 15,469 Fines 13,181 14,067 14,544 16,052 16,086 46,682 40,483 Total (BHP 18,583 19,131 20,074 22,136 21,870 64,080 55,952 Billiton share) Total shipments 21,862 22,507 23,617 26,042 25,729 75,389 65,827 (100%) (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis. Samarco, Brazil Production 1,862 1,936 1,918 2,050 1,823 5,791 5,789 Shipments 1,918 1,994 1,976 2,142 1,768 5,886 5,817 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,508 1,864 1,638 1,709 1,615 4,962 4,667 Goonyella 1,019 935 1,112 1,254 1,355 3,721 2,842 Peak Downs 881 1,223 1,198 1,164 842 3,204 2,889 Saraji 703 806 809 812 752 2,373 2,105 Norwich Park 556 682 700 680 664 2,044 1,662 Gregory Joint 596 775 774 565 731 2,070 2,084 Venture BMA total 5,263 6,285 6,231 6,184 5,959 18,374 16,249 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) Riverside 967 575 910 951 480 2,341 2,748 South Walker 844 1,078 838 871 725 2,434 2,580 Creek BHP Mitsui Coal 1,811 1,653 1,748 1,822 1,205 4,775 5,328 total Queensland total 7,074 7,938 7,979 8,006 7,164 23,149 21,577 Shipments Coking coal 5,116 4,777 5,188 5,801 5,440 16,429 15,212 Weak coking coal 1,585 1,569 1,665 1,722 1,609 4,996 4,851 Thermal coal 803 756 743 527 632 1,902 2,591 Total 7,504 7,102 7,596 8,050 7,681 23,327 22,654 (a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (b) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%. Illawarra, Australia Production 1,458 1,346 1,298 1,623 1,774 4,695 4,499 Shipments Coking coal 1,359 1,215 1,097 1,610 1,447 4,154 4,165 Thermal coal 134 114 82 144 93 319 272 Total 1,493 1,329 1,179 1,754 1,540 4,473 4,437 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable 604 647 632 639 606 1,877 1,855 production (a) Australia Saleable 660 690 747 722 691 2,160 1,761 production (a) MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable 116 131 121 136 137 394 331 production (a) Australia Saleable 63 72 74 71 60 205 178 production (a) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Boodarie(TM)Iron, Australia Production (b) 399 294 - - - - 1,422 Shipments 436 318 - - - - 1,441 (a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (b) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following an incident in May 2004 and the plant was placed on care and maintenance in November 2004. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS Ekati(TM), Canada Ore Processed ('000 1,052 1,207 1,184 1,094 1,101 3,379 3,239 (100%) tonnes) Production ('000 1,015 1,211 986 872 802 2,660 4,271 carats) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,231 13,768 14,588 13,745 12,769 41,102 40,485 Sales Export 5,354 4,830 5,551 4,750 5,082 15,383 16,128 Local utility 7,579 8,426 8,546 8,106 7,069 23,721 23,495 Inland 330 361 383 308 353 1,044 994 Total 13,263 13,617 14,480 13,164 12,504 40,148 40,617 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 1,709 1,714 2,083 1,765 2,008 5,856 5,502 San Juan Coal 1,978 1,440 1,816 1,966 1,161 4,943 4,574 Total 3,687 3,154 3,899 3,731 3,169 10,799 10,076 Sales - local 3,213 3,353 3,897 3,739 3,447 11,083 10,253 utility Hunter Valley, Australia Production 2,318 2,590 2,595 2,189 2,258 7,042 6,128 Sales Export 1,729 1,734 1,440 1,201 1,866 4,507 3,542 Inland 1,044 958 1,220 595 872 2,687 2,550 Total 2,773 2,692 2,660 1,796 2,738 7,194 6,092 Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 2,043 1,982 2,163 1,724 1,883 5,770 5,702 Sales - export 1,828 2,283 2,166 1,954 1,927 6,047 5,793 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH MARCH MARCH 2004 2004 2004 2004 2005 2005 2004 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 12.5 12.0 11.9 12.4 13.3 37.6 37.1 Sales 11.2 12.8 10.6 13.3 13.4 37.3 35.4 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.3 7.5 22.5 24.7 Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.4 1.4 Sales Nickel 8.0 7.9 7.7 7.8 7.7 23.2 24.2 Cobalt 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.3 1.2 1.4 FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable 266 264 265 271 240 776 762 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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