Quarterly Production Report

Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ld
27 April 2000
                                                          
                        BHP Quarterly Production Report  
                         Quarter Ended 31 March 2000  

NB: Monthly production figures for the month of December 1999 (compared to
December 1998) have been provided as an attachment to enable determination of
December month production and comparative for the previous year. 

                                             
                                   Minerals  
                                                          
                      - Steelmaking and Energy Materials  
                                                                              
                                   quarter    % change      YTD     % change  
                                                                              
  Coal (Queensland) (millions         6.304       4        20.964       2     
  tonnes)                                                                     
  Iron Ore (West Aust) (millions     11.479     (17)       39.488     (18)    
  tonnes)                                                                     
  Briquettes (Boodarie) ('000            63       -           343       -     
  tonnes)                                                                     
 
Queensland coal production for the quarter ended 31 March was higher compared
with the same quarter last year. Increased production at Blackwater was due
to increased by pass production and higher recovery while higher production
at Peak Downs reflects a major maintenance shutdown during the same period
last year. This was in part offset by the sale of Moura mine effective August
1999. Production at Illawarra collieries for the third quarter is in line
with the same quarter last year. Higher production from Indonesia was due
largely to the expansion of the mine area near Satui. Coal production at USA
mines was in line with the same quarter last year, with lower production from
San Juan mine reflecting increased sourcing of customer requirements from La
Plata mine. 
WA iron ore production for the quarter was lower than for the same quarter
last year reflecting reduced customer demand and production difficulties
associated with cyclonic weather. 
BHP's HBI plant at Port Hedland, WA, commenced production of briquettes in
February 1999. Lower production for the quarter, compared to the previous
quarter, is due to downtime associated with electrical storms in early
February and continued commissioning difficulties. 
 

                                                                              
  - Non-Ferrous and Industrial Materials                                      

                                   quarter    % change      YTD     % change  
                                                                              
  Copper in concentrate ('000         178.1     (21)        608.1     (20)    
  tonnes)                                                                     
  Diamonds (Ekati) ('000 carats)        296       -          1047       -     
  Silver in concentrate               7 823       -        23 493       -     
  (Cannington) ('000 ounces)                                                  
 
Production of copper in concentrate for the quarter ended 31 March was lower
than for the same quarter last year largely due to the cessation of
production at BHP's North American copper operations in June 1999. Production
of copper in concentrate at Escondida was marginally lower due to lower
average head grade. Tintaya production of copper in concentrate was higher
for the quarter compared to the same period last year due to higher mill
throughput, head grades and mill recovery. 
Ekati diamond mine is at full production following commissioning of the mine
operations in October 1998. Cannington silver production and shipments are
higher for the third quarter compared to the same quarter last year due to
the mine ramping up to full production.  

                                           
                                    Steel  
                                                                              
                                    quarter    % change     YTD     % change  
                                                                              
  Raw Steel (Core) ('000 tonnes)       1 356       7        4 560       1     
 
Raw steel production (core steel operations) for the quarter ended 31 March
was higher than for the same quarter last year largely reflecting improved
domestic market demand for both flat and coated products in Australia and New
Zealand. Higher domestic despatches from Australian core steel operations was
due to increased customer demand. Lower export despatches from Port Kembla
was due to operational difficulties and the timing of shipments.  
Raw steel production (discontinuing steel operations) was lower for the third
quarter compared to the corresponding period last year due to the closure of
Newcastle primary steel operations in September 1999. Sydney Steel Mill is
continuing to operate at peak levels following the closure of the Newcastle
primary operations. Higher output from Delta, Ohio, is due to the plant now
operating at rated capacity and increased US production of rolled and coated
products is due to the commissioning of operations and improved market
conditions, particularly in Indonesia. Lower export despatches from Newcastle
and Whyalla was due to the cessation of export billet production following
the closure of the Newcastle operations. 
 
                                             
                                  Petroleum  
                                                                              
                                   quarter    % change      YTD     % change  
                                                                              
  Oil & Condensate ('000             22 161      34        57 578      18     
  barrels)                                                                    
  Natural Gas (bcf)                    59.6       5         176.7       -     
 
Oil and condensate production for the third quarter was higher compared to
the same quarter last year largely due to new production from Laminaria and
Buffalo oil fields. Production from Laminaria increased from December to
February, reaching daily production rates of 149,700 bopd (100%). Following
first oil from Buffalo in late December 1999, production increased to an
average rate of 44,000 bopd (100%) during February.  
Gas production from Liverpool Bay, Bruce and Bass Strait was higher for the
quarter compared to the same period last year due to higher demand. Gas
production from West Cameron 76 increased following connection of a second
pipeline.