Production Rpt Q/E 30 Sept 04

BHP Billiton Limited 21 October 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 21 October 2004 Number 32/04 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2004 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 30 September 2004. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share. • Record quarterly aluminium production of 339 thousand tonnes. • Record quarterly manganese ore production of 1.4 million tonnes (100% basis). • Continued ramp up of operating capacity at Western Australian Iron Ore operations, with record quarterly production of 23.5 million tonnes (100% basis). • First shipment of LNG from the newly commissioned North West Shelf (Australia) fourth train. • Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the September 2004 quarter was 27.6 million barrels of oil equivalent, 14 per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter and nine per cent lower than the June 2004 quarter. • Oil and Condensate - Production for the September 2004 quarter was 12.4 million barrels, 20 per cent lower than the 15.5 million barrels produced in the September 2003 quarter. Planned maintenance at Liverpool Bay (UK) and Bruce (UK) resulted in shutdowns of 14 and 54 days respectively. Production was also lower due to natural field decline at Bass Strait, Laminaria, Griffin, North West Shelf (all Australia) and Liverpool Bay and the divestment in February 2004 of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly offset by new production from Ohanet (Algeria) and Boris North (USA) which were commissioned in October 2003 and September 2003 respectively. Production for the quarter was seven per cent lower than the 13.3 million barrels produced in the June 2004 quarter due to maintenance shutdowns at Liverpool Bay and Bruce as well as natural decline across the portfolio. BHP Billiton's share of Ohanet production was also lower than the June 2004 quarter where under the terms of the risk sharing contractual agreement higher prices result in lower production entitlements. This was partly offset by higher production from Bass Strait and North West Shelf due to higher downtime in the previous quarter. • Natural Gas - Production for the September 2004 quarter was 75.9 billion cubic feet, 11 per cent lower than the 85.2 billion cubic feet produced in the September 2003 quarter. This was due to planned maintenance at Liverpool Bay and Bruce plus subsequent production issues on restart of the Liverpool Bay gas plant. This was partially offset by increased production to support higher demand at Bass Strait and North West Shelf LNG. Production for the quarter was 11 per cent lower than the June 2004 quarter due to maintenance shutdowns at Liverpool Bay and Bruce and subsequent restart issues at Liverpool Bay. This was partially offset by higher downtime at North West Shelf in the previous quarter and increased production due to demand for North West Shelf LNG. • Alumina - Production for the September 2004 quarter of 1.0 million tonnes was five per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter and six per cent lower than the June 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects scheduled and unscheduled calciner outages leading to increased stockpiling of hydrate at Worsley (Australia) and lower production at Alumar (Brazil) due to scheduled maintenance carried out in July 2004. • Aluminium - Production for the September 2004 quarter was a record 339,000 tonnes, 20 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter, mainly reflecting the ramp up of production from the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) and Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansions, which reached full commissioning in August 2003 and December 2003 respectively. Production was also impacted by an electrical outage at Alumar in the September 2003 quarter. Production was two per cent higher than the June 2004 quarter mainly due to increased production from Hillside and Mozal. • Copper - Production for the September 2004 quarter was 248,800 tonnes, 16 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects restoration of full capacity at Escondida (Chile) and Tintaya (Peru) and Antamina's (Peru) return to normal mine plan following the removal of lakebed sediments. This was partly offset by lower head grade at Cerro Colorado (Chile) and sale of the Group's interest in Highland Valley Copper (Canada) in January 2004. Production was nine per cent lower than the June 2004 quarter, mainly reflecting lower head grades at Escondida, Tintaya and Cerro Colorado. • Silver - Production for the September 2004 quarter of 11.8 million ounces was 11 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter and six per cent higher than the June 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects record quarterly mill throughput at Cannington (Australia) resulting from a continuing debottlenecking program. • Iron Ore - Production for the September 2004 quarter was a record 22.5 million tonnes, eight per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter and ten per cent higher than the June 2004 quarter. The increase reflects additional capacity following the completion of the Area C, Products and Capacity Expansion and Accelerated Expansion projects at Western Australian Iron Ore, underpinned by strong customer demand for iron ore products. • Metallurgical Coal - Production for the September 2004 quarter was 9.3 million tonnes, two per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects record production at Queensland Coal (Australia) underpinned by strong customer demand for metallurgical coal. This was partly offset by lower production from Illawarra Coal (Australia), largely due to a longwall changeout at Appin and Elouera and industrial activity at Elouera. Production was in line with the June 2004 quarter. • Manganese ore - Ore production for the September 2004 quarter was a record 1.4 million tonnes, 20 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter and three percent higher than the June 2004 quarter. This reflects our ability to increase production, mainly at our Australian operations to meet strong customer demand in all markets, particularly China, Japan and Europe. • Manganese alloys - Production for the September quarter of 195,000 tonnes was 33 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. Production in the September 2003 quarter was affected by a fire in the Metalloy's South plant in South Africa. Production was in line with the June 2004 quarter. • Hot briquetted iron - Production remains suspended at the Boodarie Iron plant (Australia) following a gas explosion in May 2004. A number of investigations into the incident are continuing. • Diamonds - Production of 1.0 million carats at Ekati was 36 per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter and 19 per cent lower than the June 2004 quarter. This decrease primarily reflects processing of lower grade ore in the September 2004 quarter after mining of a high grade zone in the Koala pipe was completed in the June 2004 quarter. • Energy Coal - Production for the September 2004 quarter was 23.2 million tonnes, 10 per cent higher than the September 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects the ramp up of production at Mt Arthur Coal (Australia) and improved operational performance at Ingwe (South Africa). September 2003 quarter production was also impacted by a longwall move at New Mexico Coal's (USA) San Juan mine. Production was eight per cent higher than the June 2004 quarter, primarily reflecting improved operational performance at Ingwe. Production in the June 2004 quarter was also impacted by two planned major dragline outages at the Navajo mine and a longwall move at the San Juan mine at New Mexico Coal. • Nickel - Production for the September 2004 quarter was 19,600 tonnes, five per cent lower than the September 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects lower production at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) due to ore variations and unseasonably heavy rain, along with conversion of work in process inventories to finished goods at Yabulu (Australia) in the September 2003 quarter. Production was in line with the June 2004 quarter. **** 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 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 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 QUARTER ENDED % CHANGE SEP Q04 SEP Q04 SEPT JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT vs vs 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 SEP Q03 JUN Q04 PETROLEUM Crude oil & ('000 bbl) 15,512 13,297 12,366 12,366 15,512 -20% -7% condensate Natural gas (bcf) 85.19 85.11 75.85 75.85 85.19 -11% -11% LPG ('000 199.33 235.86 214.93 214.93 199.33 8% -9% tonnes) Ethane ('000 27.32 25.14 27.75 27.75 27.32 2% 10% tonnes) Total (million 32.13 30.32 27.63 27.63 32.13 -14% -9% Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 1,053 1,059 1,000 1,000 1,053 -5% -6% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 282 333 339 339 282 20% 2% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 214.5 272.6 248.8 248.8 214.5 16% -9% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 59,364 64,472 64,910 64,910 59,364 9% 1% Zinc (tonnes) 49,094 29,038 23,851 23,851 49,094 -51% -18% Gold (ounces) 29,170 31,145 30,132 30,132 29,170 3% -3% Silver ('000 10,596 11,053 11,769 11,769 10,596 11% 6% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 325 240 323 323 325 -1% 35% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 20,870 20,537 22,545 22,545 20,870 8% 10% tonnes) Metallurgical ('000 9,099 9,284 9,277 9,277 9,099 2% 0% coal tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 1,153 1,337 1,379 1,379 1,153 20% 3% tonnes) Manganese ('000 147 203 195 195 147 33% -4% alloys tonnes) Hot briquetted ('000 496 294 - - 496 -100% -100% iron tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,552 1,211 986 986 1,552 -36% -19% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 21,134 21,494 23,245 23,245 21,134 10% 8% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 20.6 19.9 19.6 19.6 20.6 -5% -2% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 227 264 265 265 227 17% 0% tonnes) BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED BHP SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT Billiton Interest 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & (000 bbl) 15,512 14,877 14,341 13,297 12,366 12,366 15,512 condensate Natural gas (bcf) 85.19 77.57 76.47 85.11 75.85 75.85 85.19 LPG ('000 199.33 200.51 217.83 235.86 214.93 214.93 199.33 tonnes) Ethane ('000 27.32 25.25 16.59 25.14 27.75 27.75 27.32 tonnes) Total (million 32.13 30.24 29.78 30.32 27.63 27.63 32.13 Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 699 700 704 696 663 663 699 Suriname 45% 227 230 228 233 223 223 227 Alumar 36% 127 120 130 130 114 114 127 Total 1,053 1,050 1,062 1,059 1,000 1,000 1,053 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 135 151 169 167 173 173 135 Bayside 100% 47 46 45 46 46 46 47 Alumar 46.3% 31 36 44 45 44 44 31 Valesul 45.5% 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 Mozal 47% 58 64 64 64 65 65 58 Total 282 308 333 333 339 339 282 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 115.9 109.1 130.8 159.1 142.5 142.5 115.9 Tintaya (b) 100% - 15.0 22.9 19.6 14.6 14.6 - Antamina 33.8% 16.9 20.5 24.6 29.9 29.9 29.9 16.9 Highland 33.6% 14.1 14.2 - - - - 14.1 Valley Copper (c) Selbaie (d) 100% 1.6 1.8 0.8 - - - 1.6 Total 148.5 160.6 179.1 208.6 187.0 187.0 148.5 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 21.4 21.8 21.7 21.8 21.9 21.9 21.4 Cerro 100% 33.1 33.0 28.1 31.3 28.3 28.3 33.1 Colorado Tintaya (b) 100% 9.0 9.0 9.3 8.7 9.3 9.3 9.0 Pinto Valley 100% 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.5 Total 66.0 66.2 61.5 64.0 61.8 61.8 66.0 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 59,364 55,211 70,838 64,472 64,910 64,910 59,364 Total 59,364 55,211 70,838 64,472 64,910 64,910 59,364 ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 14,850 11,692 13,589 13,493 10,968 10,968 14,850 Antamina 33.8% 27,933 27,026 19,099 15,545 12,883 12,883 27,933 Selbaie (d) 100% 6,311 7,194 2,506 - - - 6,311 Total 49,094 45,912 35,194 29,038 23,851 23,851 49,094 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida 57.5% 25,016 24,833 27,492 26,044 25,370 25,370 25,016 Tintaya (b) 100% - 2,658 4,009 5,101 4,762 4,762 - Selbaie (d) 100% 3,129 3,428 1,413 - - - 3,129 Highland 33.6% 1,025 1,166 - - - - 1,025 Valley Copper (c) Total 29,170 32,085 32,914 31,145 30,132 30,132 29,170 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 9,177 8,287 10,485 9,471 10,339 10,339 9,177 Escondida 57.5% 561 550 614 720 604 604 561 Antamina 33.8% 435 494 588 662 692 692 435 Tintaya (b) 100.0% - 170 239 200 134 134 - Highland 33.6% 160 163 - - - - 160 Valley Copper (c) Selbaie (d) 100% 263 316 138 - - - 263 Total 10,596 9,980 12,064 11,053 11,769 11,769 10,596 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 25 20 81 240 323 323 25 Highland 33.6% 300 270 - - - - 300 Valley Copper (c) Total 325 290 81 240 323 323 325 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE (e) Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman 85% 6,639 6,707 6,031 5,084 6,157 6,157 6,639 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 85% 1,633 1,477 1,348 1,386 1,038 1,038 1,633 Joint Venture Area C Joint 85% 341 1,048 1,768 2,519 2,990 2,990 341 Venture (f) Yandi Joint 85% 8,679 9,005 8,429 8,046 8,767 8,767 8,679 Venture Jimblebar 100% 1,622 1,520 1,647 1,566 1,675 1,675 1,622 Samarco 50% 1,956 1,971 1,862 1,936 1,918 1,918 1,956 Total 20,870 21,728 21,085 20,537 22,545 22,545 20,870 METALLURGICAL COAL (g) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,591 5,395 5,263 6,285 6,231 6,231 5,591 BHP Mitsui 80% 1,926 1,591 1,811 1,653 1,748 1,748 1,926 Coal (h) Illawarra 100% 1,582 1,459 1,458 1,346 1,298 1,298 1,582 Total 9,099 8,445 8,532 9,284 9,277 9,277 9,099 MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 60% 600 651 604 647 632 632 600 (i) Australia 60% 553 548 660 690 747 747 553 (i) Total 1,153 1,199 1,264 1,337 1,379 1,379 1,153 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 60% 93 122 116 131 121 121 93 (i) Australia 60% 54 61 63 72 74 74 54 (i) Total 147 183 179 203 195 195 147 Refer footnotes on page 4. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) BoodarieTM 100% 496 527 399 294 - - 496 Iron (j) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) EkatiTM 80% 1,552 1,704 1,015 1,211 986 986 1,552 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,782 13,472 13,231 13,768 14,588 14,588 13,782 USA 100% 3,560 2,829 3,687 3,154 3,899 3,899 3,560 Australia 100% 1,756 2,054 2,318 2,590 2,595 2,595 1,756 Colombia 33% 2,036 1,623 2,043 1,982 2,163 2,163 2,036 Total 21,134 19,978 21,279 21,494 23,245 23,245 21,134 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 12.4 12.2 12.5 12.0 11.9 11.9 12.4 Yabulu 100% 8.2 7.8 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.7 8.2 Total 20.6 20.0 21.2 19.9 19.6 19.6 20.6 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 60% 227 269 266 264 265 265 227 (i) (a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (b) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily reduced in January 2002 due to weak market conditions, and recommenced during August 2003. (c) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. (d) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments ceased in May 2004. (e) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis. (f) Production commenced in May 2003. (g) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (h) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest. (i) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (j) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following a gas explosion in May 2004. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 5,872 5,333 5,174 4,641 4,835 4,835 5,872 North West Shelf - 1,491 1,204 1,352 1,367 1,330 1,330 1,491 condensate North West Shelf - 1,604 1,675 1,519 1,357 1,475 1,475 1,604 Wanaea/Cossack Laminaria 1,151 966 928 803 597 597 1,151 Griffin 742 563 380 585 414 414 742 Pakistan 53 53 50 49 50 50 53 Typhoon/Boris (a) 1,214 1,605 1,457 1,462 1,461 1,461 1,214 Americas 608 586 332 213 181 181 608 Liverpool Bay 2,324 2,061 1,926 1,788 1,344 1,344 2,324 Bruce/Keith 453 387 423 388 121 121 453 Algeria (b) - 444 800 644 558 558 - Total 15,512 14,877 14,341 13,297 12,366 12,366 15,512 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 33.04 23.86 24.95 34.62 35.61 35.61 33.04 North West Shelf - 3.99 3.95 3.91 3.76 3.50 3.50 3.99 Domestic North West Shelf - 16.74 14.93 13.74 15.43 17.78 17.78 16.74 LNG Griffin 0.96 0.90 0.44 0.67 0.68 0.68 0.96 Pakistan 7.86 7.83 7.51 7.10 7.69 7.69 7.86 Typhoon/Boris (a) 1.58 2.41 2.14 2.13 2.32 2.32 1.58 Americas 3.25 3.73 2.60 2.75 1.99 1.99 3.25 Bruce 8.77 8.52 9.27 8.29 2.23 2.23 8.77 Keith 0.11 0.08 0.17 0.20 0.03 0.03 0.11 Liverpool Bay 8.89 11.36 11.74 10.16 4.02 4.02 8.89 Total 85.19 77.57 76.47 85.11 75.85 75.85 85.19 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 150.19 130.02 111.26 136.52 145.85 145.85 150.19 North West Shelf 34.21 28.11 29.59 32.95 34.66 34.66 34.21 Bruce 14.12 17.71 18.40 18.64 6.63 6.63 14.12 Keith 0.81 0.31 0.82 0.63 0.30 0.30 0.81 Algeria (b) - 24.36 57.76 47.12 27.49 27.49 - Total 199.33 200.51 217.83 235.86 214.93 214.93 199.33 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 27.32 25.25 16.59 25.14 27.75 27.75 27.32 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 32.13 30.24 29.78 30.32 27.63 27.63 32.13 (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 QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, 699 700 704 696 663 663 699 Australia Paranam, 227 230 228 233 223 223 227 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 127 120 130 130 114 114 127 Total 1,053 1,050 1,062 1,059 1,000 1,000 1,053 Sales Worsley, 697 740 652 732 667 667 697 Australia Paranam, 221 250 233 214 239 239 221 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 120 128 144 111 129 129 120 Total 1,038 1,118 1,029 1,057 1,035 1,035 1,038 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South 135 151 169 167 173 173 135 Africa Bayside, South 47 46 45 46 46 46 47 Africa Alumar, Brazil 31 36 44 45 44 44 31 Valesul, Brazil 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 Mozal, 58 64 64 64 65 65 58 Mozambique Total 282 308 333 333 339 339 282 Sales Hillside, South 134 145 176 171 155 155 134 Africa Bayside, South 54 35 49 45 45 45 54 Africa Alumar, Brazil 38 25 39 55 43 43 38 Valesul, Brazil 11 12 11 12 12 12 11 Mozal, 61 40 78 56 59 59 61 Mozambique Total 298 257 353 339 314 314 298 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 BASE METALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated. Escondida, Chile Material ('000 69,342 82,909 83,640 95,757 100,466 100,466 69,342 mined (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore ('000 18,888 18,299 19,620 21,197 20,637 20,637 18,888 milled (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 1.33% 1.31% 1.48% 1.61% 1.47% 1.47% 1.33% copper grade Production ex ('000 208.2 197.1 239.6 284.2 256.8 256.8 208.2 Mill (100%) tonnes) Production Payable ('000 115.9 109.1 130.8 159.1 142.5 142.5 115.9 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 25,016 24,833 27,492 26,044 25,370 25,370 25,016 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 21.4 21.8 21.7 21.8 21.9 21.9 21.4 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 561 550 614 720 604 604 561 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 116.2 114.8 127.3 150.4 140.0 140.0 116.2 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 25,335 26,984 28,545 24,874 24,732 24,732 25,335 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 18.1 23.8 26.2 21.3 22.7 22.7 18.1 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 574 634 612 683 582 582 574 silver ounces) concentrate Tintaya, Peru (a) Material ('000 4,151 17,450 17,206 17,944 18,676 18,676 4,151 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 - 1,408 1,609 1,616 1,621 1,621 - tonnes) Average (%) - 1.38% 1.61% 1.45% 1.14% 1.14% - copper grade Production Payable ('000 - 15.0 22.9 19.6 14.6 14.6 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - 2,658 4,009 5,101 4,762 4,762 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 9.0 9.0 9.3 8.7 9.3 9.3 9.0 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - 170 239 200 134 134 - silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 - 10.6 23.1 20.6 5.7 5.7 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - 3,086 4,372 4,100 1,219 1,219 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 8.9 8.7 8.2 8.4 10.4 10.4 8.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - 100.0 240.1 226.4 64.0 64.0 - 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 20,332 19,855 16,199 16,697 17,554 17,554 20,332 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 4,346 4,405 3,700 4,330 4,232 4,232 4,346 tonnes) Average (%) 0.99% 1.00% 0.92% 0.90% 0.87% 0.87% 0.99% copper grade Production Copper ('000 33.1 33.0 28.1 31.3 28.3 28.3 33.1 cathode tonnes) Sales Copper ('000 28.9 35.2 27.8 35.5 28.9 28.9 28.9 cathode tonnes) Antamina, Peru Material ('000 30,174 28,474 28,588 36,035 33,177 33,177 30,174 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 6,018 7,273 6,954 8,205 8,069 8,069 6,018 (100%) tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.17% 1.17% 1.26% 1.37% 1.26% 1.26% 1.17% - Zinc (%) 2.17% 1.77% 1.48% 0.97% 1.02% 1.02% 2.17% Production Payable ('000 16.9 20.5 24.6 29.9 29.9 29.9 16.9 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 27,933 27,026 19,099 15,545 12,883 12,883 27,933 Payable ('000 435 494 588 662 692 692 435 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.03 0.02 0.08 0.24 0.32 0.32 0.03 molybdenum tonnes) Sales Payable ('000 18.6 22.6 20.2 26.4 32.1 32.1 18.6 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 26,781 26,928 14,219 19,931 13,617 13,617 26,781 Payable ('000 420 491 423 655 624 624 420 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.11 0.16 0.16 0.01 molybdenum tonnes) Cannington, Australia Material ('000 637 699 729 681 828 828 637 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 589 598 698 724 730 730 589 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 564 497 539 486 504 504 564 - Lead (%) 11.5% 10.5% 11.4% 10.8% 10.3% 10.3% 11.5% - Zinc (%) 4.0% 3.4% 3.5% 3.4% 3.1% 3.1% 4.0% Production Payable ('000 9,177 8,287 10,485 9,471 10,339 10,339 9,177 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 59,364 55,211 70,838 64,472 64,910 64,910 59,364 Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,850 11,692 13,589 13,493 10,968 10,968 14,850 Sales Payable ('000 6,765 10,716 8,569 12,583 9,266 9,266 6,765 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 43,953 69,447 56,259 84,315 62,774 62,774 43,953 Payable zinc (tonnes) 16,223 15,443 12,790 13,410 12,170 12,170 16,223 Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper ('000 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.5 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Sales Copper ('000 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 1.5 1.5 2.5 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 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 6,639 6,707 6,031 5,084 6,157 6,157 6,639 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 1,633 1,477 1,348 1,386 1,038 1,038 1,633 Joint Venture Area C Joint 341 1,048 1,768 2,519 2,990 2,990 341 Venture (b) Yandi Joint 8,679 9,005 8,429 8,046 8,767 8,767 8,679 Venture Jimblebar 1,622 1,520 1,647 1,566 1,675 1,675 1,622 Total (BHP 18,914 19,757 19,223 18,601 20,627 20,627 18,914 Billiton share) Total 21,965 22,975 22,326 21,608 23,517 23,517 21,965 production (100%) Shipments Lump 4,898 5,169 5,402 5,064 5,532 5,532 4,898 Fines 13,334 13,968 13,181 14,067 14,457 14,457 13,334 Total (BHP 18,232 19,137 18,583 19,131 19,989 19,989 18,232 Billiton share) Total 21,450 22,515 21,862 22,507 23,971 23,971 21,450 shipments (100%) (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis. (b) Production commenced in May 2003. Samarco, Brazil Production 1,956 1,971 1,862 1,936 1,918 1,918 1,956 Shipments 2,013 1,886 1,918 1,994 1,976 1,976 2,013 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,578 1,581 1,508 1,864 1,638 1,638 1,578 Goonyella 994 829 1,019 935 1,112 1,112 994 Peak Downs 1,004 1,004 881 1,223 1,198 1,198 1,004 Saraji 747 655 703 806 809 809 747 Norwich Park 524 582 556 682 700 700 524 Gregory Joint 744 744 596 775 774 774 744 Venture BMA total 5,591 5,395 5,263 6,285 6,231 6,231 5,591 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) Riverside 969 812 967 575 910 910 969 South Walker 957 779 844 1,078 838 838 957 Creek BHP Mitsui 1,926 1,591 1,811 1,653 1,748 1,748 1,926 Coal total Queensland 7,517 6,986 7,074 7,938 7,979 7,979 7,517 total Shipments Coking coal 4,838 5,258 5,116 4,777 5,188 5,188 4,838 Weak coking 1,617 1,649 1,585 1,569 1,665 1,665 1,617 coal Thermal coal 801 987 803 756 743 743 801 Total 7,256 7,894 7,504 7,102 7,596 7,596 7,256 (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 1,582 1,459 1,458 1,346 1,298 1,298 1,582 Shipments Coking coal 1,513 1,293 1,359 1,215 1,097 1,097 1,513 Thermal coal 91 47 134 114 82 82 91 Total 1,604 1,340 1,493 1,329 1,179 1,179 1,604 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable 600 651 604 647 632 632 600 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 553 548 660 690 747 747 553 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable 93 122 116 131 121 121 93 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 54 61 63 72 74 74 54 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. HOT BRIQUETTED IRON BoodarieTM Iron, Australia Production (a) 496 527 399 294 - - 496 Shipments 435 570 436 318 - - 435 (a) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following a gas explosion in May 2004. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS EkatiTM, Canada Ore Processed ('000 1,064 1,123 1,052 1,207 1,184 1,184 1,064 (100%) tonnes) Production ('000 1,552 1,704 1,015 1,211 986 986 1,552 carats) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,782 13,472 13,231 13,768 14,588 14,588 13,782 Sales Export 5,274 5,500 5,354 4,830 5,551 5,551 5,274 Local utility 8,215 7,701 7,579 8,426 8,546 8,546 8,215 Inland 338 326 330 361 383 383 338 Total 13,827 13,527 13,263 13,617 14,480 14,480 13,827 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 2,240 1,553 1,709 1,714 2,083 2,083 2,240 San Juan Coal 1,320 1,276 1,978 1,440 1,816 1,816 1,320 Total 3,560 2,829 3,687 3,154 3,899 3,899 3,560 Sales - local 3,713 3,327 3,213 3,353 3,897 3,897 3,713 utility Hunter Valley, Australia Production 1,756 2,054 2,318 2,590 2,595 2,595 1,756 Sales Export 952 861 1,729 1,734 1,440 1,440 952 Inland 873 633 1,044 958 1,220 1,220 873 Total 1,825 1,494 2,773 2,692 2,660 2,660 1,825 Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 2,036 1,623 2,043 1,982 2,163 2,163 2,036 Sales - export 1,966 1,999 1,828 2,283 2,166 2,166 1,966 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT SEPT SEPT 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 12.4 12.2 12.5 12.0 11.9 11.9 12.4 Sales 11.1 13.1 11.2 12.8 10.6 10.6 11.1 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 8.2 7.8 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.7 8.2 Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 Sales Nickel 7.8 8.4 8.0 7.9 7.7 7.7 7.8 Cobalt 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable 227 269 266 264 265 265 227 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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