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BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - BHP Billiton production report for the nine months

Release Date: 18/04/2012 07:05
Code(s): BIL
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BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - BHP Billiton production report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012 BHP BILLITON PLC SHARE CODE: BIL ISIN: GB0000566504 NEWS RELEASE 18 April 2012 10/12 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2012 * Western Australia Iron Ore achieved record production for the nine months ended March 2012, a 22% increase on the prior corresponding period. * The Onshore US petroleum business delivered a 35% increase in liquids production compared to the December 2011 quarter. * Escondida (Chile) production increased by 9% from the December 2011 quarter, benefiting from higher ore grades. * Production records for the nine months and quarter ended March 2012 were achieved at two of BHP Billiton`s high value, export orientated energy coal operations, New South Wales Energy Coal (Australia) and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia). * Queensland Coal (Australia) production remained constrained as a result of industrial action and heavy rainfall. Petroleum MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC
YTD11 Q11 Q11 Crude oil, condensate and 65,799 21,733 -7% 0% -2% natural gas liquids (`000 boe) Natural gas (bcf) 600.51 208.67 120% 146% -3% Total petroleum products 165.89 56.51 43% 58% -3% (million boe) Total petroleum production - Total production increased for the nine months ended March 2012 as our recently acquired Onshore US business reported strong growth. Guidance for the 2012 financial year of 225 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) remains unchanged. Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids - Lower production for the nine months ended March 2012 reflected expiration of the Ohanet (Algeria) Risk Sharing Contract, maintenance and drilling delays at non-operated facilities, weather related downtime in Western Australia and natural field decline, especially at Pyrenees (Australia). Mad Dog (USA) was offline for the entire quarter and is forecast by the operator to recommence production during the June 2012 quarter. Atlantis (USA) was shut-in during April 2012 for an extended period of scheduled maintenance and will be offline until the September 2012 quarter. Notably, the Onshore US business delivered a 35 per cent increase in liquids production compared to the December 2011 quarter. These liquids contributed 3.5 MMboe of Onshore US production in the March 2012 quarter consistent with our shift in focus towards the high return Eagle Ford shale. We continue to adjust our Onshore US development plans in response to lower US gas prices and expect activity in the liquids rich Eagle Ford shale and Permian Basin to represent the significant majority of Onshore US operating activity by the end of the 2012 calendar year. Natural gas - Strong performance from the Onshore US and Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago) businesses contributed to higher natural gas production for the nine months ended March 2012. Aluminium MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11 Alumina (`000 tonnes) 3,113 1,052 4% 10% 5% Aluminium (`000 tonnes) 905 277 -3% -9% -12% Alumina - Production in the March 2012 quarter was higher than all comparable periods as the Alumar refinery (Brazil) continued to deliver into expanded capacity and output at Worsley (Australia) recovered following a planned calciner outage in the December 2011 quarter. Aluminium - Production decreased during the March 2012 quarter as a major unplanned outage at Hillside (South Africa) led to the temporary curtailment of potline capacity. Operations are expected to progressively return to full technical capacity over the next year. Base Metals MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC
YTD11 Q11 Q11 Copper (`000 tonnes) 782.0 281.4 -10% 3% 0% Lead (tonnes) 176,211 53,560 -5% 3% -20% Zinc (tonnes) 81,469 29,727 -31% -26% 5% Silver (`000 ounces) 29,769 9,715 -9% 7% -11% Uranium oxide concentrate 2,805 896 -7% -16% -1% (Uranium) (tonnes) Copper - Consistent with the mine plan, Escondida production increased by nine per cent from the December 2011 quarter, benefiting from higher ore grades. This was offset by unfavourable weather conditions and lower recoveries at Pampa Norte (Chile) and planned maintenance at Olympic Dam (Australia). Recent investment in the mining fleets at Antamina (Peru) and Pampa Norte contributed to material mined records for both assets for the nine months ended March 2012. In addition, Antamina achieved a milling record for the same period following successful commissioning of the expansion project. Escondida production guidance remains unchanged for the 2012 financial year. Production is expected to improve as mining activities progress towards higher grade ore with completion of the Escondida Ore Access project in the main pit. Lead/silver - Production at Cannington (Australia) decreased in the March 2012 quarter reflecting lower average ore grades and mill throughput. Zinc - An improvement in Antamina ore grades and the successful commissioning of the expansion project led to a five per cent increase in total zinc production in the March 2012 quarter. Uranium - Production was largely unchanged in the March 2012 quarter. Diamonds & Specialty Products MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11
Diamonds (`000 carats) 1,371 433 -29% -21% -10% Diamonds - As anticipated, production was lower than all comparable periods. EKATI (Canada) production is expected to remain constrained in the medium term as the operations extract lower grade material, consistent with the mine plan. BHP Billiton announced a review of its diamonds business during the December 2011 quarter and this process is ongoing. During the March 2012 quarter, BHP Billiton announced that it had exercised an option to sell its 37 per cent non- operated interest in Richards Bay Minerals (South Africa) to Rio Tinto. Stainless Steel Materials MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11
Nickel (`000 tonnes) 115.2 41.7 1% 26% 9% Nickel - Production was higher than all comparable periods reflecting improved smelter and refinery performance at Nickel West (Australia) and strong operating performance at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) following the successful replacement of the Line 1 furnace in September 2011. During the March 2012 quarter the Nickel West Kwinana hydrogen plant was successfully commissioned and will enable the refinery to operate at full capacity in future periods. In response to persistent weakness in nickel prices and the continued strength of the Australian dollar, BHP Billiton announced a reduction in functional support staff and a temporary reduction in mining activity at Nickel West Mt Keith during the March 2012 quarter. Production of nickel concentrate at Mt Keith will be maintained in the short term as commissioning of the Talc Redesign Project has enabled stockpiled talc-bearing ore to be processed. Iron Ore MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11 Iron ore (`000 tonnes) 118,587 37,943 20% 14% -8% Iron ore - Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) achieved record production for the nine months ended March 2012 despite a decline in volumes in the March 2012 quarter as a result of cyclone activity. Consistently strong operating performance, combined with the continued ramp up of Ore Handling Plant 3 at Yandi, dual tracking of the company`s rail infrastructure and additional ship loading capacity at Port Hedland, contributed to the record result. Full year WAIO production guidance remains unchanged as scheduled maintenance and tie-in activities are expected to constrain performance in the June 2012 quarter. Manganese MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11
Manganese ore (`000 tonnes) 5,865 2,040 11% 51% 13% Manganese alloy (`000 527 138 -6% -20% -29% tonnes) Manganese ore - Production and sales in the March 2012 quarter were higher following the recovery from weather related downtime at GEMCO (Australia) and planned maintenance at Hotazel (South Africa). Record production and sales for the nine months ended March 2012 were achieved at both GEMCO and Hotazel. Manganese alloy - In response to challenging conditions in the downstream manganese alloy industry, BHP Billiton announced the temporary suspension of production at TEMCO (Australia) and the cessation of production of energy intensive silica manganese at the Metalloys plant (South Africa) during the March 2012 quarter. Metallurgical Coal MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11
Metallurgical coal (`000 25,121 7,337 1% 10% -14% tonnes) Metallurgical coal - Queensland Coal production remained constrained in the March 2012 quarter as a result of industrial action and heavy rainfall. The extent to which industrial action will continue to affect production, sales and unit costs is difficult to predict, however with inventories now severely depleted, the impact on future quarters may be significant. Force majeure was declared across all BMA sites in April 2012 and remains in place. A planned longwall move and plant shutdown at Dendrobium led to lower production at Illawarra Coal (Australia) in the March 2012 quarter. A longwall move at Appin is scheduled for the June 2012 quarter. Energy Coal MAR 2012 MAR 2012 MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12 YTD QTR vs MAR vs MAR vs DEC YTD11 Q11 Q11 Energy coal (`000 tonnes) 52,627 17,248 3% -2% 2% Energy coal - Production records for the nine months and quarter ended March 2012 were achieved at two of BHP Billiton`s high value, export orientated energy coal operations, New South Wales Energy Coal and Cerrejon Coal. Export volumes for New South Wales Energy Coal were adversely affected by vessel delays at the Port of Newcastle in the March 2012 quarter. Preparation for the resumption of mining activity at San Juan Coal (USA) has commenced, with a full restart expected in the June 2012 quarter. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton`s share and exclude suspended and sold operations. This report, together with the Exploration and Development Report, represents the Interim Management Statement for the purposes of the UK Listing Authority`s Disclosure and Transparency Rules. There have been no significant changes in the financial position of the Group in the quarter ended 31 March 2012. **** Further information on BHP Billion can be found at www.bhpbilliton.com Sponsor: Absa Capital (the investment banking division of Absa Bank Limited, affiliated with Barclays Capital) Media Relations Australia Antonios Papaspiropoulos Tel: +61 3 9609 3830 Mobile: +61 477 325 803 email: Antonios.Papaspiropoulos@bhpbilliton.com Kelly Quirke Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312 email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com Fiona Martin Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908 email: Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com United Kingdom Ruban Yogarajah Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com Americas Jaryl Strong Tel: +1 713 499 5548 Mobile: +1 281 222 6627 email: Jaryl.Strong@bhpbilliton.com Investor Relations Australia James Agar Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 467 807 064 email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com Andrew Gunn Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 439 558 454 email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com United Kingdom and South Africa Brendan Harris Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726 email: Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com Tara Dines Tel: +44 20 7802 7113 Mobile: +44 7825 342 232 Email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com Americas Scott Espenshade Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 Registered in Australia Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111 Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE % CHANGE MAR MAR MAR YTD1 Q12 Q12 2
MAR DEC MAR MAR MAR vs vs vs 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 MAR MAR DEC YTD1 Q11 Q11 1
PETROLEUM Crude oil & (`000 -10% -5% -3% condensate bbl) 19,20 18,86 18,22 55,569 61,939 0 6 1
Natural gas (bcf) 120% 146 -3% 84.90 214.4 208.6 600.51 273.27 % 9 7 NGL (`000 18% 44% 4% boe) 2,442 3,362 3,512 10,230 8,647 Total (millio 43% 58% -3% petroleum n boe) 35.79 57.98 56.51 165.89 116.13 products ALUMINIUM Alumina (`000 4% 10% 5% tonnes) 959 1,001 1,052 3,113 2,984 Aluminium (`000 -3% -9% - tonnes) 305 313 277 905 933 12% BASE METALS Copper (`000 -10% 3% 0% tonnes) 273.6 280.3 281.4 782.0 867.1
Lead (tonnes -5% 3% - ) 51,91 66,99 53,56 176,21 185,97 20% 0 2 0 1 6 Zinc (tonnes -31% - 5% ) 40,25 28,29 29,72 81,469 117,39 26% 2 8 7 4 Gold (ounces -15% - 2% ) 49,55 44,00 44,68 128,13 150,54 10%
9 7 4 0 6 Silver (`000 -9% 7% - ounces) 9,056 10,90 9,715 29,769 32,779 11% 3
Uranium oxide (tonnes -7% - -1% concentrate ) 1,063 909 896 2,805 3,030 16% Molybdenum (tonnes 83% 56% - ) 334 766 521 1,882 1,027 32%
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds (`000 551 -29% - - carats) 481 433 1,371 1,930 21% 10%
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel (`000 1% 26% 9% tonnes) 33.0 38.4 41.7 115.2 114.5 IRON ORE Iron ore (`000 20% 14% -8% tonnes) 33,23 41,07 37,94 118,58 98,880
1 2 3 7 MANGANESE Manganese ore (`000 11% 51% 13% tonnes) 1,352 1,806 2,040 5,865 5,303
Manganese (`000 -6% - - alloy tonnes) 172 195 138 527 563 20% 29% METALLURGICAL COAL Metallurgical (`000 1% 10% - coal tonnes) 6,670 8,493 7,337 25,121 24,756 14% ENERGY COAL Energy coal (`000 3% -2% 2% tonnes) 17,54 16,91 17,24 52,627 51,162 3 9 8 Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported. BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE BHP MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR Billito
n Interes 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 t PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & 19,200 18,652 18,482 18,866 18,221 55,569 61,939 condensate (`000 bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 84.90 131.79 177.35 214.49 208.67 600.51 273.27 NGL (`000 boe) (a) 2,442 2,636 3,356 3,362 3,512 10,230 8,647 Total petroleum products (million 35.79 43.25 51.40 57.98 56.51 165.89 116.13 boe) ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production (`000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 663 725 752 694 741 2,187 2,177 Alumar 36% 296 301 308 307 311 926 807 Total 959 1,026 1,060 1,001 1,052 3,113 2,984 ALUMINIUM Production (`000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 173 179 180 180 144 504 532 Bayside 100% 24 24 25 24 26 75 73 Alumar 40% 44 43 44 42 42 128 131
Mozal 47% 64 67 66 67 65 198 197 Total 305 313 315 313 277 905 933
BASE METALS (b) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate (`000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 87.7 79.4 49.9 80.4 87.7 218.0 311.1
Antamina 33.8% 24.9 22.5 30.3 30.9 30.9 92.1 75.3 Total 112.6 101.9 80.2 111.3 118.6 310.1 386.4
Cathode (`000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 44.4 42.6 32.9 43.0 47.4 123.3 136.5 Pampa 100% Norte (c) 64.1 75.7 65.4 70.0 66.2 201.6 196.5 Pinto 100% Valley 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 4.2 4.3 Olympic 100% Dam 51.1 50.7 40.4 54.6 47.8 142.8 143.4 Total 161.0 170.4 140.1 169.0 162.8 471.9 480.7 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 51,673 58,414 55,557 66,787 53,412 175,75 184,95
6 0 Antamina 33.8% 237 164 102 205 148 455 1,026 Total 51,910 58,578 55,659 66,992 53,560 176,21 185,97 1 6 ZINC Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 16,129 14,348 14,488 14,745 12,904 42,137 46,309 Antamina 33.8% 24,123 20,385 8,956 13,553 16,823 39,332 71,085 Total 40,252 34,733 23,444 28,298 29,727 81,469 117,39 4 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida 57.5% 19,667 17,116 11,063 14,242 12,732 38,037 67,607 Olympic 100% Dam 29,892 28,429 28,376 29,765 31,952 90,093 82,939 (refined gold) Total 49,559 45,545 39,439 44,007 44,684 128,13 150,54
0 6 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate (`000 ounces) Escondida 57.5% 670 580 403 549 481 1,433 2,269 Antamina 33.8% 813 773 972 1,087 1,170 3,229 2,827 Cannington 100% 7,315 8,242 7,559 9,056 7,836 24,451 26,983 Olympic 100% Dam 258 282 217 211 228 656 700 (refined silver) Total 9,056 9,877 9,151 10,903 9,715 29,769 32,779 URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Olympic 100% Dam 1,063 1,015 1,000 909 896 2,805 3,030 Total 1,063 1,015 1,000 909 896 2,805 3,030 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 334 418 595 766 521 1,882 1,027 Total 334 418 595 766 521 1,882 1,027 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production (`000 carats) EKATI (TM) 80% 551 576 457 481 433 1,371 1,930 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production (`000 tonnes) CMSA 99.9% 7.8 7.4 10.4 12.3 13.4 36.1 32.6 Nickel 100% West 25.2 30.8 24.7 26.1 28.3 79.1 81.9 Total 33.0 38.2 35.1 38.4 41.7 115.2 114.5 Refer footnotes on page 4. IRON ORE Production (`000 tonnes) (d) Newman (e) 85% 11,912 12,480 13,158 13,247 11,789 38,194 32,765
Goldsworth 85% y Joint 305 284 254 334 37 625 914 Venture Area C 85% Joint 9,510 10,044 10,479 10,437 10,343 31,259 29,750 Venture Yandi 85% Joint 8,799 9,796 12,708 14,170 13,063 39,941 26,664 Venture Samarco 50% 2,705 2,922 2,973 2,884 2,711 8,568 8,787 Total 33,231 35,526 39,572 41,072 37,943 118,58 98,880 7 MANGANESE MANGANESE ORES Saleable production (`000 tonnes) South 60% Africa (f) 514 776 911 808 917 2,636 2,231 Australia 60% (f) 838 1,014 1,108 998 1,123 3,229 3,072 Total 1,352 1,790 2,019 1,806 2,040 5,865 5,303 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production (`000 tonnes) South 60% Africa (f) 111 120 124 124 81 329 366 (g) Australia 60% (f) 61 70 70 71 57 198 197 Total 172 190 194 195 138 527 563
METALLURGICA L COAL Production (`000 tonnes) (h) BMA 50% 3,955 4,874 5,274 5,006 4,226 14,506 15,027 BHP Mitsui 80% Coal (i) 1,133 1,426 1,803 1,580 1,649 5,032 4,467 Illawarra 100% 1,582 1,622 2,214 1,907 1,462 5,583 5,262 Total 6,670 7,922 9,291 8,493 7,337 25,121 24,756
ENERGY COAL Production (`000 tonnes) South 100% Africa 8,596 8,228 9,095 7,976 7,895 24,966 26,100 USA 100% 2,360 3,779 2,467 2,163 2,109 6,739 7,833
Australia 100% 3,978 3,793 4,046 4,027 4,291 12,364 9,878 Colombia 33% 2,609 2,538 2,852 2,753 2,953 8,558 7,351
Total 17,543 18,338 18,460 16,919 17,248 52,627 51,162 a) LPG and ethane are reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL). Product-specific conversions are made and NGL is reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe). (b) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (c) Includes Cerro Colorado and Spence. (d) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis. (e) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar (f) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (g) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese. (h) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (i) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE (`000 barrels) Bass Strait 2,465 2,485 2,527 2,190 2,285 7,002 7,729 North West Shelf 1,719 1,442 1,400 1,686 1,671 4,757 6,144 Stybarrow 862 1,037 1,171 836 618 2,625 1,771 Pyrenees 4,326 4,584 3,901 3,207 2,540 9,648 15,204
Other Australia (a) 13 13 13 13 13 39 38 Atlantis (b) 2,694 2,098 2,081 2,390 2,356 6,827 8,613
Mad Dog (b) 952 128 - - - - 2,901 Shenzi (b) (c) 3,378 3,630 3,848 4,119 4,071 12,038 11,153
Onshore US (d) - - 672 1,631 2,202 4,505 - Trinidad/Tobago 299 687 466 466 453 1,385 584
Other Americas (b) (e) 397 448 373 374 373 1,120 1,186 UK 542 534 447 433 328 1,208 1,632
Algeria (f) 1,474 1,498 1,498 1,437 1,236 4,171 4,747 Pakistan 79 68 85 84 75 244 237
Total 19,200 18,652 18,482 18,866 18,221 55,569 61,939 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 22.31 29.97 31.88 23.65 19.74 75.27 82.06 North West Shelf 35.11 35.44 32.97 32.56 29.60 95.13 108.07 Other Australia (a) 4.69 4.68 4.45 4.56 4.42 13.43 14.52 Atlantis (b) 0.84 0.67 0.64 0.67 0.68 1.99 3.24 Mad Dog (b) 0.13 0.01 - - - - 0.44 Shenzi (b) (c) 0.64 0.67 0.62 0.57 0.56 1.75 2.16 Onshore US (d) - 36.43 77.59 121.63 124.17 323.39 - Trinidad/Tobago - 4.69 9.31 9.72 9.50 28.53 - Other Americas (b) (e) 1.33 1.42 1.19 0.98 1.09 3.26 4.05 UK 6.32 5.69 3.91 5.51 5.03 14.45 18.77 Pakistan 13.53 12.12 14.79 14.64 13.88 43.31 39.96 Total 84.90 131.79 177.35 214.49 208.67 600.51 273.27 NGL (`000 barrels of oil equivalent) Bass Strait 1,252 1,554 1,823 1,407 1,355 4,585 4,694 North West Shelf 434 367 423 434 421 1,278 1,347 Atlantis (b) 150 117 120 123 124 367 515 Mad Dog (b) 39 11 - - - - 123 Shenzi (b) (c) 245 252 296 293 291 880 777 Onshore US (d) - - 416 943 1,275 2,634 - Other Americas (b) (e) 42 47 41 34 34 109 138 UK 79 66 18 45 12 75 213 Algeria (f) 201 222 219 83 - 302 840 Total 2,442 2,636 3,356 3,362 3,512 10,230 8,647 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 35.79 43.25 51.40 57.98 56.51 165.89 116.13 (million barrels of oil equivalent) (g) (a) Other Australia includes Minerva. (b) Gulf of Mexico volumes are net of royalties. (c) The Genghis Khan operation is reported in Shenzi. (d) Fayetteville shale acquisition completed on 31 March 2011. Petrohawk Energy Corporation acquisition completed on 20 August 2011. Onshore US volumes are net of mineral holder royalties. (e) Other Americas includes Neptune, West Cameron 76, Genesis and Starlifter. (f) Algeria includes ROD and Ohanet. The Ohanet Risk Sharing Contract expired in October 2011. (g) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011
ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (`000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, Australia 663 725 752 694 741 2,187 2,177 Alumar, Brazil 296 301 308 307 311 926 807 Total 959 1,026 1,060 1,001 1,052 3,113 2,984 Sales Worsley, Australia 633 727 720 745 713 2,178 2,135 Alumar, Brazil 249 324 280 349 216 845 759
Total 882 1,051 1,000 1,093 929 3,022 2,894 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South Africa 173 179 180 180 144 504 532 Bayside, South Africa 24 24 25 24 26 75 73 Alumar, Brazil 44 43 44 42 42 128 131 Mozal, Mozambique 64 67 66 67 65 198 197 Total 305 313 315 313 277 905 933 Sales Hillside, South Africa 163 181 163 186 141 490 471 Bayside, South Africa 38 29 24 25 27 76 98 Alumar, Brazil 43 44 44 43 31 118 130 Mozal, Mozambique 66 80 60 85 66 211 197 Total 310 334 291 339 265 895 896 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 BASE METALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated. Escondida, Chile Material (`000 mined tonnes 100,96 97,705 69,006 96,152 103,32 268,47 302,97 (100%) ) 6 1 9 4 Sulphide (`000 ore milled tonnes 15,993 16,399 12,029 18,663 16,449 47,141 54,479 (100%) ) Average (%) 1.15% 1.06% 0.97% 0.97% 1.14% 1.03% 1.22% copper grade Production (`000 ex mill tonnes 153.1 141.2 91.9 144.3 153.1 389.3 545.4 (100%) ) Production Payable (`000 copper tonnes 87.7 79.4 49.9 80.4 87.7 218.0 311.1 ) Payable (fine gold ounces 19,667 17,116 11,063 14,242 12,732 38,037 67,607 concentrat ) e Copper (`000 cathode tonnes 44.4 42.6 32.9 43.0 47.4 123.3 136.5 (EW) ) Payable (`000 silver ounces 670 580 403 549 481 1,433 2,269 concentrat ) e Sales Payable (`000 copper tonnes 74.3 90.9 49.2 82.1 82.6 213.9 303.0 ) Payable (fine gold ounces 16,754 20,251 10,974 14,435 11,998 37,407 65,772 concentrat ) e Copper (`000 cathode tonnes 47.7 48.0 25.7 45.3 44.3 115.3 133.8 (EW) ) Payable (`000 silver ounces 569 673 404 558 454 1,416 2,204 concentrat ) e Pampa Norte, Chile Cerro Colorado Material (`000 mined tonnes) 16,32 17,840 14,736 16,792 16,320 47,848 50,254 0 Ore milled (`000 tonnes) 4,251 4,771 4,608 4,601 4,300 13,509 13,466 Average (%) 0.75% 0.74% 0.72% 0.71% 0.72% 0.72% 0.75% copper grade Production Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 22.6 25.7 22.5 23.5 18.7 64.7 66.7 (EW) Sales Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 22.5 25.7 22.4 23.8 20.2 66.4 68.6 (EW) Spence Material (`000 mined tonnes) 19,04 19,487 19,816 26,511 29,982 76,309 54,583 6
Ore milled (`000 tonnes) 4,892 4,545 3,862 4,909 4,279 13,050 13,886 Average (%) 1.23% 1.22% 1.30% 1.46% 1.20% 1.33% 1.25% copper grade Production Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 41.5 50.0 42.9 46.5 47.5 136.9 129.8 (EW) Sales Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 45.7 54.5 43.2 46.6 44.1 133.9 130.9 (EW) Antamina, Peru Material (`000 mined tonnes) 33,15 41,669 44,212 38,759 41,474 124,44 96,475 (100%) 4 5 Sulphide (`000 ore milled tonnes) 9,288 9,253 9,396 9,656 10,162 29,214 27,676 (100%) Average head grades - Copper (%) 0.99% 0.90% 1.11% 1.15% 1.10% 1.12% 0.99% - Zinc (%) 1.15% 1.03% 0.68% 0.72% 0.84% 0.75% 1.20% Production Payable (`000 copper tonnes) 24.9 22.5 30.3 30.9 30.9 92.1 75.3 Payable (tonnes zinc ) 24,12 20,385 8,956 13,553 16,823 39,332 71,085 3
Payable (`000 silver ounces) 813 773 972 1,087 1,170 3,229 2,827 Payable (tonnes lead ) 237 164 102 205 148 455 1,026 Payable (tonnes molybdenum ) 334 418 595 766 521 1,882 1,027 Sales Payable (`000 copper tonnes) 26.1 23.5 28.2 31.7 30.7 90.6 75.6 Payable (tonnes zinc ) 25,57 18,479 9,586 12,654 13,464 35,704 74,420 1
Payable (`000 silver ounces) 839 658 833 940 1,114 2,887 2,963 Payable (tonnes lead ) 180 92 91 139 200 430 1,431 Payable (tonnes molybdenum ) 394 346 549 591 669 1,809 1,124 Cannington, Australia Material (`000 mined tonnes) 703 841 819 778 756 2,353 2,269 Ore milled (`000 tonnes) 713 786 826 888 778 2,492 2,304 Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 377 381 332 370 367 356 429
- Lead (%) 8.6% 8.6% 7.9% 8.8% 8.0% 8.3% 9.4% - Zinc (%) 3.6% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.7% 2.8% 3.3% Production Payable (`000 silver ounces) 7,315 8,242 7,559 9,056 7,836 24,451 26,983 Payable (tonnes lead ) 51,67 58,414 55,557 66,787 53,412 175,75 184,95 3 6 0
Payable (tonnes zinc ) 16,12 14,348 14,488 14,745 12,904 42,137 46,309 9 Sales Payable (`000 silver ounces) 7,263 8,235 6,434 8,960 7,081 22,475 26,455 Payable (tonnes lead ) 52,19 58,868 48,258 66,657 49,027 163,94 183,10 9 2 5 Payable (tonnes zinc ) 12,98 14,530 15,734 14,078 10,780 40,592 42,084 6
Olympic Dam, Australia Material (`000 mined (a) tonnes) 2,433 2,675 2,543 2,440 2,389 7,372 7,656 Ore milled (`000 tonnes) 2,670 2,533 2,471 2,440 2,195 7,106 7,797 Average (%) 1.84% 1.92% 1.98% 2.08% 2.01% 2.02% 1.84% copper grade Average kg/t uranium 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.50 0.57 0.54 0.53 grade Production Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 47.8 47.0 37.6 51.5 45.2 134.3 134.4 (ER) Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 3.3 3.7 2.8 3.1 2.6 8.5 9.0 (EW) Uranium (tonnes oxide ) 1,063 1,015 1,000 909 896 2,805 3,030 concentrat e Refined (fine gold ounces) 29,89 28,429 28,376 29,765 31,952 90,093 82,939 2 Refined (`000 silver ounces) 258 282 217 211 228 656 700 Sales Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 48.7 46.5 36.4 51.7 44.4 132.5 136.2 (ER) Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 2.7 4.1 3.5 2.5 3.0 9.0 8.4 (EW) Uranium (tonnes oxide ) 930 1,143 910 1,126 640 2,676 2,802 concentrat e Refined (fine gold ounces) 31,74 30,323 28,979 24,327 36,832 90,138 80,413 2 Refined (`000 silver ounces) 334 269 289 155 268 712 685 (a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted. Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 4.2 4.3 (EW) Sales Copper (`000 cathode tonnes) 1.9 1.2 1.7 1.2 1.2 4.1 4.7 (EW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS EKATI (TM), Canada Ore (`000 Processed tonnes 1,122 1,212 1,177 1,090 1,001 3,268 3,480 (100%) ) Production (`000 carats 551 576 457 481 433 1,371 1,930 ) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (`000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 7.8 7.4 10.4 12.3 13.4 36.1 32.6 Sales 8.5 8.5 7.7 13.1 13.8 34.6 33.3 Nickel West, Australia Production Nickel contained in concentrate 1.6 3.3 2.6 1.8 2.3 6.7 4.2 Nickel contained in finished matte 12.4 16.1 9.0 15.2 10.5 34.7 47.8 Nickel metal 11. 11.4 13.1 9.1 15.5 37.7 29.9
2 Nickel production 25. 30.8 24.7 26.1 28.3 79.1 81.9 2
Sales Nickel contained in concentrate 2.2 3.9 1.2 2.6 1.5 5.3 4.6 Nickel contained in finished matte 14.7 14.9 10.1 13.9 10.2 34.2 49.2 Nickel metal 9.2 12.4 9.4 10.9 14.2 34.5 31.0 Nickel sales 26. 31.2 20.7 27.4 25.9 74.0 84.8 1 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 IRON ORE BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (`000 tonnes) IRON ORE (a) Pilbara, Australia Production Newman (b) 11,912 12,480 13,158 13,247 11,789 38,194 32,765 Goldsworthy Joint Venture 305 284 254 334 37 625 914 Area C Joint Venture 9,510 10,044 10,479 10,437 10,343 31,259 29,750 Yandi Joint Venture 8,799 9,796 12,708 14,170 13,063 39,941 26,664 Total (BHP Billiton share) 30,526 32,604 36,599 38,188 35,232 110,01 90,093 9 Total production 35,913 38,358 43,058 44,927 41,449 129,43 105,99 (100%) 4 1 Shipments Lump 7,669 7,463 7,744 8,700 8,235 24,679 23,321 Fines 22,648 25,379 29,311 28,406 26,523 84,240 67,567 Total (BHP Billiton share) 30,317 32,842 37,055 37,106 34,758 108,91 90,888 9 Total sales (100%) 35,667 38,638 43,594 43,654 40,892 128,14 106,92 0 7 (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis. (b) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar. Samarco, Brazil Productio n 2,705 2,922 2,973 2,884 2,711 8,568 8,787 Shipments 2,598 2,736 2,926 2,961 2,453 8,340 8,692 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 MANGANESE BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (`000 tonnes) MANGANESE ORE South Africa (a) Saleable production 514 776 911 808 917 2,636 2,231 Sales 701 746 861 853 871 2,585 2,305 Australia (a) Saleable productio 838 1,014 1,108 998 1,123 3,229 3,072 n Sales 1,127 1,108 1,094 876 1,115 3,085 2,852 MANGANESE ALLOY South Africa (a) (b) Saleable production 111 120 124 124 81 329 366 Sales 145 123 95 138 122 355 393 Australia (a) Saleable production 61 70 70 71 57 198 197 Sales 62 75 91 58 57 206 183 (a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%. (b) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 METALLURGICAL COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (`000 tonnes) METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 870 1,127 1,367 1,122 955 3,444 3,462
Goonyella 993 1,417 1,463 1,375 1,153 3,991 3,942 Peak Downs 758 543 971 992 788 2,751 2,859
Saraji 532 556 802 900 627 2,329 2,223 Norwich Park 128 386 365 369 248 982 669
Gregory Joint Venture 674 845 306 248 455 1,009 1,872 BMA total 3,955 4,874 5,274 5,006 4,226 14,50 15,027
6 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) South Walker Creek 623 690 1,106 901 1,040 3,047 2,444 Poitrel 510 736 697 679 609 1,985 2,023
BHP Mitsui Coal total 1,133 1,426 1,803 1,580 1,649 5,032 4,467 Queensland total 5,088 6,300 7,077 6,586 5,875 19,53 19,494 8 Shipments Coking coal 3,475 4,865 5,066 4,845 4,522 14,43 15,359
3 Weak coking coal 970 1,411 1,691 1,747 1,595 5,033 4,509 Thermal coal 125 285 176 20 111 307 699 Total 4,570 6,561 6,933 6,612 6,228 19,77 20,567 3
(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 1,582 1,622 2,214 1,907 1,462 5,262 5,583 Shipments Coking coal 1,374 1,407 1,673 1,255 1,460 4,388 4,257 Thermal coal 211 216 159 441 219 819 1,109 Total 1,585 1,623 1,832 1,696 1,679 5,207 5,366 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2011 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (`000 tonnes) South Africa Production 8,59 8,228 9,095 7,976 7,895 24,96 26,100
6 6 Sales Export 2,88 3,082 3,439 3,546 3,807 10,79 9,299
7 2 Local utility 5,25 5,363 5,622 4,582 4,397 14,60 15,945 4 1
Inland 78 37 85 165 124 374 284 Total 8,21 8,482 9,146 8,293 8,328 25,76 25,528
9 7 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 1,62 2,271 1,178 2,060 1,913 5,151 5,201 9 San Juan Coal 731 1,508 1,289 103 196 1,588 2,632
Total 2,36 3,779 2,467 2,163 2,109 6,739 7,833 0 Sales - local utility 3,38 3,106 3,630 3,108 3,057 9,795 10,085 5 NSW Energy Coal, Australia Production 3,97 3,793 4,046 4,027 4,291 12,36 9,878 8 4 Sales Export 3,82 3,522 3,523 3,566 3,160 10,24 9,703 4 9 Inland 339 364 625 333 297 1,255 923
Total 4,16 3,886 4,148 3,899 3,457 11,50 10,626 3 4 Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 2,60 2,538 2,852 2,753 2,953 8,558 7,351 9
Sales - export 2,14 2,853 2,901 2,784 2,652 8,337 7,597 9 Date: 18/04/2012 07:05:10 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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