Prod Rpt Q/E 31 Dec 2004

BHP Billiton Limited 26 January 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 27 January 2005 Number 02/05 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2004 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 December 2004. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share. â€¢ Record quarterly iron ore, metallurgical coal and manganese alloy production underpinned by continuing strong customer demand. â€¢ Record quarterly natural gas production of 87.4 billion cubic feet following the commissioning of North West Shelf (Australia) fourth train in September 2004. â€¢ Record quarterly silver production of 12.4 million ounces reflecting the benefits of a continuing debottlenecking program at Cannington (Australia). â€¢ First oil production from the newly commissioned ROD (Algeria) field. â€¢ Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the December 2004 quarter was 29.4 million barrels of oil equivalent, three per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter and five per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. â€¢ Oil and Condensate - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 12.2 million barrels, 18 per cent lower than the 14.9 million barrels produced in the December 2003 quarter. Production was lower due to natural field decline in Bass Strait, Laminaria, Griffin (all Australia), Liverpool Bay (UK) and Typhoon/Boris (USA). Higher downtime at Bass Strait, Laminaria and Wanaea/Cossack (Australia) and the divestment in February 2004 of our producing assets in Bolivia also impacted production for the quarter. This was partly offset by new production resulting from the commissioning of ROD (Algeria) in October 2004. Production for the quarter was one per cent lower than the 12.4 million barrels produced in the September 2004 quarter due to natural field decline at Bass Strait, Typhoon/Boris and higher downtime in Bass Strait, Laminaria and Wanaea/Cossack. This was partly offset by maintenance shutdowns in the previous quarter at Liverpool Bay and Bruce (UK) and new production from ROD. â€¢ Natural Gas - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 87.4 billion cubic feet, 13 per cent higher than the 77.6 billion cubic feet produced in the December 2003 quarter. This was due to higher demand for Bass Strait gas and increased production from North West Shelf LNG following the commissioning of the 4th LNG Train in September 2004. Production for the December 2004 quarter was 13 per cent higher than the 77.2 billion cubic feet produced in the September 2004 quarter due to increased production from North West Shelf LNG with the commencement of the 4th LNG Train and the maintenance shutdowns at Liverpool Bay and Bruce in the previous quarter. This was partially offset by lower demand for Bass Strait gas due to seasonal conditions. â€¢ Alumina - Production for the December 2004 quarter of 1.0 million tonnes was in line with the December 2003 quarter. Production was four per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter reflecting improving calciner performance at Worsley (Australia) and scheduled maintenance undertaken at Alumar (Brazil) in the previous quarter. â€¢ Aluminium - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 338,000 tonnes, 10 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects the ramp up of production from Hillside 3 (South Africa) which reached full commissioning in December 2003. December 2003 quarter production was also impacted by an electrical outage at Alumar. Production was in line with the September 2004 quarter. â€¢ Copper - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 265,800 tonnes, 17 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects restoration of full capacity and higher head grades at Escondida (Chile) and Tintaya (Peru), along with record production at Antamina (Peru) following the return to their normal mine plan after the removal of lakebed sediments. These increases were partly offset by the sale of the Group's interest in Highland Valley Copper (Canada) in January 2004. Production was seven per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter due to higher head grades at Tintaya, Antamina and Cerro Colorado and higher mill throughput at Escondida. â€¢ Silver - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 12.4 million ounces, 24 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter and five per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects record quarterly mill throughput at Cannington (Australia) resulting from a continuing debottlenecking program. â€¢ Iron Ore - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 24.9 million tonnes, 15 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter and 11 per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. The increase reflects additional capacity following the completion of several expansion projects at Western Australian Iron Ore (Australia) and record production at Samarco (Brazil), underpinned by continuing strong customer demand. Western Australian Iron Ore shipments were a record 22.1 million tonnes in the December 2004 quarter. â€¢ Metallurgical Coal - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 9.6 million tonnes, 14 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This reflects record quarterly production at Queensland Coal (Australia) underpinned by strong customer demand and improved operating performance at Illawarra Coal (Australia). Production was four per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects higher production at Illawarra Coal following longwall changeouts at Appin and Elouera and industrial activity at Elouera in the September 2004 quarter. â€¢ Manganese ore - Ore production for the December 2004 quarter was 1.4 million tonnes, 14 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. Production increased to meet strong customer demand in all markets, particularly China, Japan and Europe. Production was in line with the September 2004 quarter. â€¢ Manganese alloys - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 207,000 tonnes, 13 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects improved operating performance at Metalloys (South Africa) and increased production at TEMCO (Australia) in response to strong customer demand. Production was six per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter, reflecting improved operating performance at Metalloys. â€¢ Diamonds - Production of 872,000 carats at Ekati (Canada) was 49 per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter. This decrease primarily reflects processing of lower grade ore in the December 2004 quarter after mining of a high grade zone in the Koala pipe was completed in the June 2004 quarter. Production was 12 per cent lower than the September 2004 quarter, primarily due to processing of lower grade ore in the current quarter. â€¢ Energy Coal - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 21.4 million tonnes, seven per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects lower production in the December 2003 quarter at New Mexico Coal (USA), due to a planned major outage at a customer's power plant and a longwall move at San Juan underground. Production was eight per cent lower than the September 2004 quarter, primarily due to safety interventions at Ingwe's (South Africa) Douglas mine, adverse weather conditions at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) and the impact of an excavator fire at Hunter Valley Coal (Australia) in the previous quarter. â€¢ Nickel - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 19,700 tonnes, two per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects lower production at Yabulu (Australia) due to a planned plant wide shutdown in October 2004. Production was in line with the September 2004 quarter. â€¢ Ferrochrome - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 271,000 tonnes, in line with both the December 2003 and September 2004 quarters. **** 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 HALF YEAR ENDED % CHANGE DEC Q04 DEC YTD 04 Q04 DEC SEPT DEC DEC DEC vs vs vs 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 DEC Q03 SEP YTD 03 Q04 PETROLEUM Crude oil & ('000 14,877 12,366 12,190 24,556 30,389 -18% -1% -19% condensate bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 77.57 77.19 87.35 164.54 162.76 13% 13% 1% LPG ('000 200.51 231.03 216.07 447.10 399.84 8% -6% 12% tonnes) Ethane ('000 25.25 27.75 27.20 54.95 52.57 8% -2% 5% tonnes) Total (million 30.24 28.03 29.38 57.41 62.37 -3% 5% -8% Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 1,050 1,000 1,036 2,036 2,103 -1% 4% -3% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 308 339 338 677 590 10% 0% 15% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 226.8 248.8 265.8 514.6 441.3 17% 7% 17% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 55,211 64,910 71,509 136,419 114,575 30% 10% 19% Zinc (tonnes) 45,912 23,851 20,918 44,769 95,006 -54% -12% -53% Gold (ounces) 32,085 30,132 31,247 61,379 61,255 -3% 4% 0% Silver ('000 9,980 11,769 12,353 24,121 20,576 24% 5% 17% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 290 323 560 883 615 93% 73% 44% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 21,728 22,545 24,916 47,461 42,598 15% 11% 11% tonnes) Metallurgical ('000 8,445 9,277 9,629 18,906 17,544 14% 4% 8% coal tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 1,199 1,379 1,361 2,740 2,352 14% -1% 16% tonnes) Manganese ('000 183 195 207 402 330 13% 6% 22% alloys tonnes) Hot briquetted ('000 527 - - - 1,023 -100% 0% -100% iron tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,704 986 872 1,858 3,256 -49% -12% -43% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 19,978 23,245 21,389 44,634 41,112 7% -8% 9% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 20.0 19.6 19.7 39.3 40.6 -2% 1% -3% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 269 265 271 536 496 1% 2% 8% 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 HALF YEAR ENDED BHP DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC Billiton Interest 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & (000 bbl) 14,877 14,341 13,297 12,366 12,190 24,556 30,389 condensate Natural gas (bcf) 77.57 76.47 85.11 77.19 87.35 164.54 162.76 LPG ('000 200.51 217.83 235.86 231.03 216.07 447.10 399.84 tonnes) Ethane ('000 25.25 16.59 25.14 27.75 27.20 54.95 52.57 tonnes) Total (million 30.24 29.78 30.32 28.03 29.38 57.41 62.37 Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 700 704 696 663 686 1,349 1,399 Suriname 45% 230 228 233 223 222 445 457 Alumar 36% 120 130 130 114 128 242 247 Total 1,050 1,062 1,059 1,000 1,036 2,036 2,103 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 151 169 167 173 171 344 286 Bayside 100% 46 45 46 46 46 92 93 Alumar 46.3% 36 44 45 44 45 89 67 Valesul 45.5% 11 11 11 11 11 22 22 Mozal 47% 64 64 64 65 65 130 122 Total 308 333 333 339 338 677 590 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 109.1 130.8 159.1 142.5 146.3 288.8 225.0 Tintaya (b) 100% 15.0 22.9 19.6 14.6 22.1 36.7 15.0 Antamina 33.8% 20.5 24.6 29.9 29.9 33.4 63.3 37.4 Highland 33.6% 14.2 - - - - - 28.3 Valley Copper(c) Selbaie (d) 100% 1.8 0.8 - - - - 3.4 Total 160.6 179.1 208.6 187.0 201.8 388.8 309.1 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 21.8 21.7 21.8 21.9 22.2 44.1 43.2 Cerro Colorado 100% 33.0 28.1 31.3 28.3 30.4 58.7 66.1 Tintaya (b) 100% 9.0 9.3 8.7 9.3 9.1 18.4 18.0 Pinto Valley 100% 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3 4.6 4.9 Total 66.2 61.5 64.0 61.8 64.0 125.8 132.2 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 55,211 70,838 64,472 64,910 71,509 136,419 114,575 Total 55,211 70,838 64,472 64,910 71,509 136,419 114,575 ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 11,692 13,589 13,493 10,968 13,956 24,924 26,542 Antamina 33.8% 27,026 19,099 15,545 12,883 6,962 19,845 54,959 Selbaie (d) 100% 7,194 2,506 - - - - 13,505 Total 45,912 35,194 29,038 23,851 20,918 44,769 95,006 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida 57.5% 24,833 27,492 26,044 25,370 24,475 49,845 49,849 Tintaya (b) 100% 2,658 4,009 5,101 4,762 6,772 11,534 2,658 Selbaie (d) 100% 3,428 1,413 - - - - 6,557 Highland 33.6% 1,166 - - - - - 2,191 Valley Copper(c) Total 32,085 32,914 31,145 30,132 31,247 61,379 61,255 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 8,287 10,485 9,471 10,339 11,025 21,364 17,464 Escondida 57.5% 550 614 720 604 639 1,243 1,111 Antamina 33.8% 494 588 662 692 503 1,195 929 Tintaya (b) 100.0% 170 239 200 134 186 319 170 Highland 33.6% 163 - - - - - 323 Valley Copper(c) Selbaie (d) 100% 316 138 - - - - 579 Total 9,980 12,064 11,053 11,769 12,353 24,121 20,576 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 20 81 240 323 560 883 45 Highland 33.6% 270 - - - - - 570 Valley Copper(c) Total 290 81 240 323 560 883 615 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE (e) Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman 85% 6,707 6,031 5,084 6,157 6,611 12,768 13,346 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 85% 1,477 1,348 1,386 1,038 1,037 2,075 3,110 Joint Venture Area C Joint 85% 1,048 1,768 2,519 2,990 4,358 7,348 1,389 Venture Yandi Joint 85% 9,005 8,429 8,046 8,767 9,238 18,005 17,684 Venture Jimblebar 100% 1,520 1,647 1,566 1,675 1,622 3,297 3,142 Samarco 50% 1,971 1,862 1,936 1,918 2,050 3,968 3,927 Total 21,728 21,085 20,537 22,545 24,916 47,461 42,598 METALLURGICAL COAL (f) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,395 5,263 6,285 6,231 6,184 12,415 10,986 BHP Mitsui 80% 1,591 1,811 1,653 1,748 1,822 3,570 3,517 Coal (g) Illawarra 100% 1,459 1,458 1,346 1,298 1,623 2,921 3,041 Total 8,445 8,532 9,284 9,277 9,629 18,906 17,544 MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa(h) 60% 651 604 647 632 639 1,271 1,251 Australia (h) 60% 548 660 690 747 722 1,469 1,101 Total 1,199 1,264 1,337 1,379 1,361 2,740 2,352 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa(h) 60% 122 116 131 121 136 257 215 Australia (h) 60% 61 63 72 74 71 145 115 Total 183 179 203 195 207 402 330 Refer footnotes on page 4. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) Boodarie(TM) 100% 527 399 294 - - - 1,023 Iron (i) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) Ekati(TM) 80% 1,704 1,015 1,211 986 872 1,858 3,256 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,472 13,231 13,768 14,588 13,745 28,333 27,254 USA 100% 2,829 3,687 3,154 3,899 3,731 7,630 6,389 Australia 100% 2,054 2,318 2,590 2,595 2,189 4,784 3,810 Colombia 33% 1,623 2,043 1,982 2,163 1,724 3,887 3,659 Total 19,978 21,279 21,494 23,245 21,389 44,634 41,112 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 12.2 12.5 12.0 11.9 12.4 24.3 24.6 Yabulu 100% 7.8 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.3 15.0 16.0 Total 20.0 21.2 19.9 19.6 19.7 39.3 40.6 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa(h) 60% 269 266 264 265 271 536 496 (a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (b) Sulphide production at Tintaya was suspended 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) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (g) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%. (h) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (i) 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 HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 5,333 5,174 4,641 4,835 4,226 9,061 11,205 North West Shelf - 1,204 1,352 1,367 1,330 1,274 2,604 2,695 condensate North West Shelf - 1,675 1,519 1,357 1,475 1,272 2,747 3,279 Wanaea/Cossack Laminaria 966 928 803 597 472 1,069 2,117 Griffin 563 380 585 414 473 887 1,305 Pakistan 53 50 49 50 54 104 106 Typhoon/Boris 1,605 1,457 1,462 1,461 1,290 2,751 2,819 Americas 586 332 213 181 180 361 1,194 Liverpool Bay 2,061 1,926 1,788 1,344 1,858 3,202 4,385 Bruce/Keith 387 423 388 121 321 442 840 Ohanet (a) 444 800 644 558 432 990 444 ROD (b) - - - - 338 338 - Total 14,877 14,341 13,297 12,366 12,190 24,556 30,389 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 23.86 24.95 34.62 35.61 27.44 63.05 56.90 North West Shelf - 3.95 3.91 3.76 3.50 3.51 7.01 7.94 Domestic North West Shelf - 14.93 13.74 15.43 17.78 22.36 40.14 31.67 LNG Griffin 0.90 0.44 0.67 0.68 0.71 1.39 1.86 Moranbah Coal Bed - - - - 0.53 0.53 - Methane (c) Illawarra Coal Bed - - - 1.34 1.65 2.99 - Methane (d) Pakistan 7.83 7.51 7.10 7.69 7.87 15.56 15.69 Typhoon/Boris 2.41 2.14 2.13 2.32 2.53 4.85 3.99 Americas 3.73 2.60 2.75 1.99 2.05 4.04 6.98 Bruce 8.52 9.27 8.29 2.23 7.25 9.48 17.29 Keith 0.08 0.17 0.20 0.03 0.14 0.17 0.19 Liverpool Bay 11.36 11.74 10.16 4.02 11.31 15.33 20.25 Total 77.57 76.47 85.11 77.19 87.35 164.54 162.76 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 130.02 111.26 136.52 145.85 127.70 273.55 280.21 North West Shelf 28.11 29.59 32.95 34.66 29.43 64.09 62.32 Bruce 17.71 18.40 18.64 6.63 18.03 24.66 31.83 Keith 0.31 0.82 0.63 0.30 0.62 0.92 1.12 Ohanet (a) 24.36 57.76 47.12 43.59 40.29 83.88 24.36 Total 200.51 217.83 235.86 231.03 216.07 447.10 399.84 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 25.25 16.59 25.14 27.75 27.20 54.95 52.57 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 30.24 29.78 30.32 28.03 29.38 57.41 62.37 (million barrels of oil equivalent)(e) (a) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003. (b) ROD commenced production in October 2004. (c) Moranbah Coal Bed Methane commenced production in September 2004 and was first reported in December 2004. (d) Illawarra Coal Bed Methane production was first reported in December 2004. (e) 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 HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, 700 704 696 663 686 1,349 1,399 Australia Paranam, 230 228 233 223 222 445 457 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 120 130 130 114 128 242 247 Total 1,050 1,062 1,059 1,000 1,036 2,036 2,103 Sales Worsley, 740 652 732 667 681 1,348 1,437 Australia Paranam, 250 233 214 239 221 460 471 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 128 144 111 129 131 260 248 Total 1,118 1,029 1,057 1,035 1,033 2,068 2,156 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South 151 169 167 173 171 344 286 Africa Bayside, South 46 45 46 46 46 92 93 Africa Alumar, Brazil 36 44 45 44 45 89 67 Valesul, Brazil 11 11 11 11 11 22 22 Mozal, 64 64 64 65 65 130 122 Mozambique Total 308 333 333 339 338 677 590 Sales Hillside, South 145 176 171 155 189 344 279 Africa Bayside, South 35 49 45 45 41 86 89 Africa Alumar, Brazil 25 39 55 43 44 87 63 Valesul, Brazil 12 11 12 12 11 23 23 Mozal, 40 78 56 59 69 128 101 Mozambique Total 257 353 339 314 354 668 555 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 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 82,909 83,640 95,757 100,466 97,512 197,978 152,251 mined (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore ('000 18,299 19,620 21,197 20,637 20,926 41,563 37,187 milled (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 1.31% 1.48% 1.61% 1.47% 1.47% 1.47% 1.32% copper grade Production ex ('000 197.1 239.6 284.2 256.8 265.1 521.9 405.3 Mill (100%) tonnes) Production Payable ('000 109.1 130.8 159.1 142.5 146.3 288.8 225.0 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 24,833 27,492 26,044 25,370 24,475 49,845 49,849 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 21.8 21.7 21.8 21.9 22.2 44.1 43.2 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 550 614 720 604 639 1,243 1,111 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 114.8 127.3 150.4 140.0 148.3 288.3 231.0 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 26,984 28,545 24,874 24,732 25,462 50,194 52,319 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 23.8 26.2 21.3 22.7 22.7 45.4 41.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 634 612 683 582 690 1,272 1,208 silver ounces) concentrate Tintaya, Peru (a) Material ('000 17,450 17,206 17,944 18,676 17,486 36,162 21,601 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 1,408 1,609 1,616 1,621 1,564 3,185 1,408 tonnes) Average (%) 1.38% 1.61% 1.45% 1.14% 1.64% 1.39% 1.38% copper grade Production Payable ('000 15.0 22.9 19.6 14.6 22.1 36.7 15.0 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 2,658 4,009 5,101 4,762 6,772 11,534 2,658 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 9.0 9.3 8.7 9.3 9.1 18.4 18.0 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 170 239 200 134 186 319 170 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 10.6 23.1 20.6 5.7 25.9 31.6 10.6 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 3,086 4,372 4,100 1,219 8,491 9,710 3,086 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 8.7 8.2 8.4 10.4 8.1 18.5 17.6 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 100 240 226 64 234 298 100 silver ounces) concentrate (a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was suspended in January 2002 due to weak market conditions. Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003. Cerro Colorado, Chile Material ('000 19,855 16,199 16,697 17,554 16,378 33,932 40,187 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 4,405 3,700 4,330 4,232 4,362 8,594 8,751 tonnes) Average (%) 1.00% 0.92% 0.90% 0.87% 0.91% 0.89% 1.00% copper grade Production Copper ('000 33.0 28.1 31.3 28.3 30.4 58.7 66.1 cathode tonnes) Sales Copper ('000 35.2 27.8 35.5 28.9 28.2 57.1 64.1 cathode tonnes) Antamina, Peru Material ('000 28,474 28,588 36,035 33,177 33,201 66,378 58,648 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 7,273 6,954 8,205 8,069 8,027 16,096 13,291 (100%) tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.17% 1.26% 1.37% 1.26% 1.45% 1.35% 1.17% - Zinc (%) 1.77% 1.48% 0.97% 1.02% 0.47% 0.75% 1.95% Production Payable ('000 20.5 24.6 29.9 29.9 33.4 63.3 37.4 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 27,026 19,099 15,545 12,883 6,962 19,845 54,959 Payable ('000 494 588 662 692 503 1,195 929 silver ounces) Payable ('000 20 81 240 323 560 883 45 molybdenum tonnes) Sales Payable ('000 22.6 20.2 26.4 32.1 32.2 64.3 41.2 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 26,928 14,219 19,931 13,617 4,185 17,802 53,709 Payable ('000 491 423 655 624 632 1,256 911 silver ounces) Payable ('000 30 43 110 160 300 460 44 molybdenum tonnes) Cannington, Australia Material ('000 699 729 681 828 844 1,672 1,336 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 598 698 724 730 825 1,555 1,187 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 497 539 486 504 500 502 530 - Lead (%) 10.5% 11.4% 10.8% 10.3% 10.0% 10.1% 11.0% - Zinc (%) 3.4% 3.5% 3.4% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 3.7% Production Payable ('000 8,287 10,485 9,471 10,339 11,025 21,364 17,464 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 55,211 70,838 64,472 64,910 71,509 136,419 114,575 Payable zinc (tonnes) 11,692 13,589 13,493 10,968 13,956 24,924 26,542 Sales Payable ('000 10,716 8,569 12,583 9,266 9,006 18,272 17,481 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 69,447 56,259 84,315 62,774 57,286 120,060 113,400 Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,443 12,790 13,410 12,170 9,146 21,316 31,666 Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper ('000 2.4 2.4 2.2 2.3 2.3 4.6 4.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Sales Copper ('000 2.4 2.3 2.3 1.5 1.8 3.3 4.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 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 Joint 6,707 6,031 5,084 6,157 6,611 12,768 13,346 Venture Goldsworthy 1,477 1,348 1,386 1,038 1,037 2,075 3,110 Joint Venture Area C Joint 1,048 1,768 2,519 2,990 4,358 7,348 1,389 Venture Yandi Joint 9,005 8,429 8,046 8,767 9,238 18,005 17,684 Venture Jimblebar 1,520 1,647 1,566 1,675 1,622 3,297 3,142 Total (BHP 19,757 19,223 18,601 20,627 22,866 43,493 38,671 Billiton share) Total production 22,975 22,326 21,608 23,971 26,615 50,586 44,940 (100%) Shipments Lump 5,169 5,402 5,064 5,530 6,084 11,614 10,067 Fines 13,968 13,181 14,067 14,544 16,052 30,596 27,302 Total (BHP 19,137 18,583 19,131 20,074 22,136 42,210 37,369 Billiton share) Total shipments 22,515 21,862 22,507 23,617 26,042 49,659 43,965 (100%) (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis. Samarco, Brazil Production 1,971 1,862 1,936 1,918 2,050 3,968 3,927 Shipments 1,886 1,918 1,994 1,976 2,142 4,118 3,899 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,581 1,508 1,864 1,638 1,709 3,347 3,159 Goonyella 829 1,019 935 1,112 1,254 2,366 1,823 Peak Downs 1,004 881 1,223 1,198 1,164 2,362 2,008 Saraji 655 703 806 809 812 1,621 1,402 Norwich Park 582 556 682 700 680 1,380 1,106 Gregory Joint 744 596 775 774 565 1,339 1,488 Venture BMA total 5,395 5,263 6,285 6,231 6,184 12,415 10,986 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) Riverside 812 967 575 910 951 1,861 1,781 South Walker 779 844 1,078 838 871 1,709 1,736 Creek BHP Mitsui Coal 1,591 1,811 1,653 1,748 1,822 3,570 3,517 total Queensland total 6,986 7,074 7,938 7,979 8,006 15,985 14,503 Shipments Coking coal 5,258 5,116 4,777 5,188 5,801 10,989 10,096 Weak coking coal 1,649 1,585 1,569 1,665 1,722 3,387 3,266 Thermal coal 987 803 756 743 527 1,270 1,788 Total 7,894 7,504 7,102 7,596 8,050 15,646 15,150 (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 1,459 1,458 1,346 1,298 1,623 2,921 3,041 Shipments Coking coal 1,293 1,359 1,215 1,097 1,610 2,707 2,806 Thermal coal 47 134 114 82 144 226 138 Total 1,340 1,493 1,329 1,179 1,754 2,933 2,944 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable 651 604 647 632 639 1,271 1,251 production (a) Australia Saleable 548 660 690 747 722 1,469 1,101 production (a) MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable 122 116 131 121 136 257 215 production (a) Australia Saleable 61 63 72 74 71 145 115 production (a) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON BoodarieTM Iron, Australia Production (b) 527 399 294 - - - 1,023 Shipments 570 436 318 - - - 1,005 (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 HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS EkatiTM, Canada Ore Processed ('000 1,123 1,052 1,207 1,184 1,094 2,278 2,187 (100%) tonnes) Production ('000 1,704 1,015 1,211 986 872 1,858 3,256 carats) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,472 13,231 13,768 14,588 13,745 28,333 27,254 Sales Export 5,500 5,354 4,830 5,551 4,750 10,301 10,774 Local utility 7,701 7,579 8,426 8,546 8,106 16,652 15,916 Inland 326 330 361 383 308 691 664 Total 13,527 13,263 13,617 14,480 13,164 27,644 27,354 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 1,553 1,709 1,714 2,083 1,765 3,848 3,793 San Juan Coal 1,276 1,978 1,440 1,816 1,966 3,782 2,596 Total 2,829 3,687 3,154 3,899 3,731 7,630 6,389 Sales - local 3,327 3,213 3,353 3,897 3,739 7,636 7,040 utility Hunter Valley, Australia Production 2,054 2,318 2,590 2,595 2,189 4,784 3,810 Sales Export 861 1,729 1,734 1,440 1,201 2,641 1,813 Inland 633 1,044 958 1,220 595 1,815 1,506 Total 1,494 2,773 2,692 2,660 1,796 4,456 3,319 Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 1,623 2,043 1,982 2,163 1,724 3,887 3,659 Sales - export 1,999 1,828 2,283 2,166 1,954 4,120 3,965 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED HALF YEAR ENDED DEC MARCH JUNE SEPT DEC DEC DEC 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 2004 2003 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 12.2 12.5 12.0 11.9 12.4 24.3 24.6 Sales 13.1 11.2 12.8 10.6 13.3 23.9 24.2 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 7.8 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.3 15.0 16.0 Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.9 0.9 Sales Nickel 8.4 8.0 7.9 7.7 7.8 15.5 16.2 Cobalt 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.9 0.9 FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable 269 266 264 265 271 536 496 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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