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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.
****
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affiliated with Barclays Capital)
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Australia
James Agar
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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
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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
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