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BHP Billiton Production Report for the Half Year Ended 31 December 2012
BHP Billiton PLC
NEWS RELEASE
Release Time IMMEDIATE
Date 23 January 2013
Number 01/13
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2012
- The release of latent capacity at a number of our highest margin businesses and strong growth across
our broader portfolio is expected to deliver a compound annual growth rate of 10% in copper equivalent
terms over the two years to the end of the 2014 financial year.
- Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) delivered a twelfth consecutive December half year production and
sales record. First ore was received by the fifth car dumper, which is the last major piece of
infrastructure required to increase WAIO port capacity to 220 million tonnes per annum (100% basis).
WAIO production guidance remains unchanged with a 5% increase anticipated in the 2013 financial
year.
- Petroleum production of 121 million barrels of oil equivalent during the December 2012 half year
underpins full year guidance, which remains unchanged at 240 million barrels of oil equivalent.
- Copper in concentrate production at Escondida increased by 70% in the December 2012 half year when
compared with the prior corresponding period. Total Escondida copper production is on track to
increase by 20% in the 2013 financial year.
- At the end of the December 2012 quarter, Queensland Coal production was approaching full supply
chain capacity. The associated increase in productivity, broader economies of scale and the closure of
high cost capacity is expected to deliver a substantial reduction in unit costs in the second half of the
2013 financial year.
Petroleum
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (‘000 boe) 45,739 23,292 4% 5% 4%
Natural gas (bcf) 452.51 219.66 15% 2% -6%
Total petroleum products (million boe) 121.15 59.90 11% 3% -2%
Total petroleum production – Petroleum production of 121 million barrels of oil equivalent during the December
2012 half year underpins full year guidance, which remains unchanged at 240 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids – Liquids volumes increased by four per cent from the September
2012 quarter and reflected continued growth in Onshore US liquids production, development drilling at Shenzi (US)
and a full quarter contribution from the Atlantis and Mad Dog facilities (both US). These strong results were partially
offset by a seasonal reduction in Bass Strait (Australia) production and natural field decline at Pyrenees (Australia).
Record Onshore US liquids production of 48 thousand barrels per day during the December 2012 quarter
represented a 13 per cent increase from the prior period. A focused drilling program in the liquids-rich areas of the
Eagle Ford and Permian is expected to drive strong growth in Onshore US liquids production over the remainder of
the 2013 financial year.
Natural gas – Lower gas production in the December 2012 quarter reflected the seasonal reduction in demand for
Bass Strait natural gas that followed a particularly strong September 2012 quarter.
Aluminium and Nickel
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Alumina ('000 tonnes) 2,402 1,232 17% 23% 5%
Aluminium ('000 tonnes) 567 297 -10% -5% 10%
Nickel ('000 tonnes) 71.7 34.7 -2% -10% -6%
Alumina – Strong performance at Worsley (Australia) contributed to record alumina production in the December
2012 quarter and half year. Worsley operated at 95 per cent of design capacity during the December 2012 quarter
following the successful ramp up of the Efficiency and Growth project.
Aluminium – Metal production increased by 10 per cent from the September 2012 quarter as Hillside (South
Africa) production returned to full technical capacity, ahead of schedule.
Nickel – Nickel production declined by six per cent from the September 2012 quarter as strong operating
performance at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) was more than offset by planned maintenance at the Nickel West
Kalgoorlie smelter and Kwinana refinery (both Australia), which was completed during the period.
From a broader perspective, the strong Australian dollar and weak pricing environment continued to place pressure
on the Group’s Australian alumina and nickel operations.
Base Metals
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Copper (‘000 tonnes) 569.1 295.2 14% 5% 8%
Lead (tonnes) 98,318 46,135 -20% -31% -12%
Zinc (tonnes) 52,131 26,209 1% -7% 1%
Silver (‘000 ounces) 17,722 8,557 -12% -22% -7%
Uranium oxide concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes) 2,056 1,014 8% 12% -3%
Copper – Copper in concentrate production at Escondida (Chile) increased by 70 per cent in the December 2012
half year when compared with the prior corresponding period. Production benefited from the transition to higher
grade ore feed and the successful completion of large scale maintenance programs that have increased
concentrator throughput. The average copper grade mined during the December 2012 quarter increased to 1.39
per cent. Total Escondida copper production is on track to increase by 20 per cent in the 2013 financial year.
Record production at Antamina (Peru) over the six month period also contributed to the 14 per cent increase in
total copper production for the December 2012 half year, while a 26 per cent reduction in copper production at
Olympic Dam (Australia) reflected the impact of a planned smelter outage in the period. The Olympic Dam smelter
is expected to return to full capacity during the March 2013 quarter.
At 31 December 2012, the Group had 311,847 tonnes of outstanding copper sales that were revalued at a
weighted average price of US$3.59 per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined over the remainder
of the 2013 financial year. In addition, 278,547 tonnes of copper sales from the 2012 financial year were subject to
a finalisation adjustment in the current period. The finalisation adjustment and provisional pricing impact as at 31
December 2012 will increase earnings before interest and tax by US$48 million for the period.
Lead/silver – Lead and silver production was lower than all comparable periods and reflected lower head grades
at Cannington (Australia).
Zinc – Production was broadly in line with all comparable periods.
Uranium – Higher recoveries associated with improved plant availability at Olympic Dam led to an eight per cent
increase in production in the December 2012 half year when compared with the prior corresponding period.
Diamonds and Specialty Products
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Diamonds (‘000 carats) 608 295 -35% -39% -6%
Diamonds – EKATI (Canada) production was lower than all comparable periods.
BHP Billiton has agreed to sell its diamonds business, comprising its interests in the EKATI Diamond Mine and
Diamonds Marketing operations, to Harry Winston Diamond Mines Ltd for an aggregate cash consideration of
US$500 million. The transactions are subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions. Completion is
expected in the first half of calendar year 2013.
Iron Ore
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Iron ore (‘000 tonnes) 81,962 42,190 2% 3% 6%
Iron ore – Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) delivered a twelfth consecutive December half year production and
sales record as the business continued to benefit from the Company’s decade long investment in supply chain
capacity. Our Pilbara operations achieved another significant milestone during the December 2012 quarter with first
ore received by the recently installed fifth car dumper at Finucane Island. This car dumper is the last major piece of
infrastructure required to increase WAIO port capacity from the December 2012 quarter run-rate of 188 million
tonnes per annum to 220 million tonnes per annum (100 per cent basis).
The Jimblebar Mine Expansion, which is on schedule for first production in the March 2014 quarter, will broadly match mine
and port capacity at this expanded rate, while the progressive debottlenecking of the supply chain is expected to
underpin substantial low cost, longer term growth in our WAIO business.
The strong outlook for our WAIO business is underpinned by an anticipated five per cent increase in production in
the 2013 financial year, for unchanged guidance of 183 million tonnes (100 per cent basis).
Samarco’s (Brazil) three pellet plants continued to operate at capacity during the period.
Manganese
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Manganese ore (‘000 tonnes) 4,263 2,117 11% 17% -1%
Manganese alloy (‘000 tonnes) 283 153 -27% -22% 18%
Manganese ore – Record ore production in the December 2012 half year reflected a substantial improvement in
plant availability at GEMCO (Australia).
Manganese alloy – Alloy volumes increased by 18 per cent from the September 2012 quarter as TEMCO
(Australia) production returned to full capacity following the temporary suspension of operations that occurred
during the 2012 financial year.
The decline in alloy production in the December 2012 half year when compared with the prior corresponding period
reflected the permanent closure of energy intensive silicomanganese production at Metalloys (South Africa) in
January 2012.
Metallurgical Coal
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Metallurgical coal (‘000 tonnes) 17,826 8,888 0% 5% -1%
Metallurgical coal – Queensland Coal (Australia) sales increased by 30 per cent from the September 2012
quarter. However, the strong recovery in production that followed the conclusion of the BMA Enterprise Agreement
was largely offset by planned wash plant outages at South Walker Creek and Goonyella, and the closure of high
cost capacity at Gregory. The Gregory open-cut mine ceased production on 10 October 2012.
At the end of the December 2012 quarter, Queensland Coal production was approaching full supply chain capacity.
The associated increase in productivity, broader economies of scale and the closure of high cost capacity is
expected to deliver a substantial reduction in unit costs in the second half of the 2013 financial year.
At Illawarra Coal (Australia), a longwall move at the Dendrobium mine commenced at the end of the December
2012 quarter. Illawarra Coal achieved record sales during the December 2012 half year.
Energy Coal
DEC DEC DEC H12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
HALF QTR DEC H11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
Energy coal (‘000 tonnes) 37,863 18,256 7% 8% -7%
Energy coal – A seven per cent increase in production in the December 2012 half year when compared with the
prior corresponding period was underpinned by record production at New South Wales Energy Coal (Australia),
which continued to benefit from the ramp up of the RX1 project. However, dragline outages at Navajo Coal and an
unplanned shutdown at San Juan Coal (both US) contributed to a seven per cent decline in volumes from the
September 2012 quarter.
The New South Wales Energy Coal and BECSA (South Africa) product mix continued to evolve with an
increase in the overall proportion of high ash coal sold to key growth markets during the December 2012 half
year.
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BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE % CHANGE
DEC YTD12 DEC Q12 DEC Q12
DEC SEP DEC DEC DEC vs vs vs
2011 2012 2012 2012 2011 DEC YTD11 DEC Q11 SEP Q12
PETROLEUM
Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl) 18,866 18,036 19,228 37,264 37,348 0% 2% 7%
Natural gas (bcf) 214.49 232.85 219.66 452.51 391.84 15% 2% -6%
NGL ('000 boe) 3,362 4,411 4,064 8,475 6,718 26% 21% -8%
Total petroleum products (million boe) 57.98 61.25 59.90 121.15 109.38 11% 3% -2%
ALUMINIUM AND NICKEL
Alumina ('000 tonnes) 1,001 1,170 1,232 2,402 2,061 17% 23% 5%
Aluminium ('000 tonnes) 313 270 297 567 628 -10% -5% 10%
Nickel ('000 tonnes) 38.4 37.0 34.7 71.7 73.50 -2% -10% -6%
BASE METALS
Copper ('000 tonnes) 280.3 273.9 295.2 569.1 500.6 14% 5% 8%
Lead (tonnes) 66,992 52,183 46,135 98,318 122,651 -20% -31% -12%
Zinc (tonnes) 28,298 25,922 26,209 52,131 51,742 1% -7% 1%
Gold (ounces) 44,007 32,436 38,092 70,528 83,446 -15% -13% 17%
Silver ('000 ounces) 10,903 9,165 8,557 17,722 20,054 -12% -22% -7%
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 909 1,042 1,014 2,056 1,909 8% 12% -3%
Molybdenum (tonnes) 766 454 410 864 1,361 -37% -46% -10%
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Diamonds ('000 carats) 481 313 295 608 938 -35% -39% -6%
IRON ORE
Iron ore ('000 tonnes) 41,072 39,772 42,190 81,962 80,644 2% 3% 6%
MANGANESE
Manganese ore ('000 tonnes) 1,806 2,146 2,117 4,263 3,825 11% 17% -1%
Manganese alloy ('000 tonnes) 195 130 153 283 389 -27% -22% 18%
METALLURGICAL COAL
Metallurgical coal ('000 tonnes) 8,493 8,938 8,888 17,826 17,784 0% 5% -1%
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal ('000 tonnes) 16,919 19,607 18,256 37,863 35,379 7% 8% -7%
Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 1
BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
BHP Billiton DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
interest 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl) 18,866 18,127 15,726 18,036 19,228 37,264 37,348
Natural gas (bcf) 214.49 209.17 221.25 232.85 219.66 452.51 391.84
NGL ('000 boe) (a) 3,362 3,609 3,758 4,411 4,064 8,475 6,718
Total petroleum products (million boe) 57.98 56.60 56.36 61.25 59.90 121.15 109.38
ALUMINIUM AND NICKEL
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Worsley 86% 694 741 730 859 944 1,803 1,446
Alumar 36% 307 311 309 311 288 599 615
Total 1,001 1,052 1,039 1,170 1,232 2,402 2,061
ALUMINIUM
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hillside 100% 180 144 117 139 166 305 360
Bayside 100% 24 26 23 25 25 50 49
Alumar 40% 42 42 42 39 39 78 86
Mozal 47% 67 65 66 67 67 134 133
Total 313 277 248 270 297 567 628
NICKEL
Production ('000 tonnes)
CMSA 99.9% 12.3 13.4 12.8 13.3 12.4 25.7 22.7
Nickel West 100% 26.1 28.3 29.9 23.7 22.3 46.0 50.8
Total 38.4 41.7 42.7 37.0 34.7 71.700 73.5
BASE METALS (b)
COPPER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 80.4 87.7 115.8 101.2 120.7 221.9 130.3
Antamina 33.8% 30.9 30.9 34.9 40.2 39.6 79.8 61.2
Pinto Valley 100% - - - - 0.5 0.5 -
Total 111.3 118.6 150.7 141.4 160.8 302.2 191.5
Cathode ('000 tonnes)
Escondida 57.5% 43.0 47.4 48.7 41.6 40.8 82.4 75.9
Pampa Norte (c) 100% 70.0 66.2 62.1 52.7 58.8 111.5 135.4
Pinto Valley 100% 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 2.4 2.8
Olympic Dam 100% 54.6 47.8 49.8 37.0 33.6 70.6 95.0
Total 169.0 162.8 161.8 132.5 134.4 266.9 309.1
Total Copper 280.3 281.4 312.5 273.9 295.2 569.1 500.6
LEAD
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington 100% 66,787 53,412 63,334 51,923 45,937 97,860 122,344
Antamina 33.8% 205 148 333 260 198 458 307
Total 66,992 53,560 63,667 52,183 46,135 98,318 122,651
ZINC
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington 100% 14,745 12,904 12,540 11,408 13,622 25,030 29,233
Antamina 33.8% 13,553 16,823 18,208 14,514 12,587 27,101 22,509
Total 28,298 29,727 30,748 25,922 26,209 52,131 51,742
Refer footnotes on page 4.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 2
BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
BHP Billiton DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
interest 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
BASE METALS (continued)
GOLD
Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 14,242 12,732 12,817 9,419 13,877 23,296 25,305
Olympic Dam (refined gold) 100% 29,765 31,952 27,752 23,017 24,215 47,232 58,141
Total 44,007 44,684 40,569 32,436 38,092 70,528 83,446
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)
Escondida 57.5% 549 481 488 350 481 831 952
Antamina 33.8% 1,087 1,170 1,043 919 934 1,853 2,059
Cannington 100% 9,056 7,836 9,757 7,689 6,949 14,638 16,615
Olympic Dam (refined silver) 100% 211 228 251 207 193 400 428
Total 10,903 9,715 11,539 9,165 8,557 17,722 20,054
URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Olympic Dam 100% 909 896 1,080 1,042 1,014 2,056 1,909
Total 909 896 1,080 1,042 1,014 2,056 1,909
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Antamina 33.8% 766 521 464 454 410 864 1,361
Total 766 521 464 454 410 864 1,361
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
EKATI™ 80% 481 433 413 313 295 608 938
Refer footnotes on page 4.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 3
BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
BHP Billiton DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
interest 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
IRON ORE
Production ('000 tonnes) (d)
Newman (e) 85% 13,247 11,789 13,132 11,752 12,809 24,561 26,405
Goldsworthy Joint Venture 85% 334 37 143 432 378 810 588
Area C Joint Venture 85% 10,437 10,343 11,166 10,937 10,245 21,182 20,916
Yandi Joint Venture 85% 14,170 13,063 13,595 13,771 15,954 29,725 26,878
Samarco 50% 2,884 2,711 2,855 2,880 2,804 5,684 5,857
Total 41,072 37,943 40,891 39,772 42,190 81,962 80,644
MANGANESE
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (f) 44.4% 808 917 989 858 834 1,692 1,719
Australia (f) 60% 998 1,123 1,077 1,288 1,283 2,571 2,106
Total 1,806 2,040 2,066 2,146 2,117 4,263 3,825
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (f) (g) 60% 124 81 75 93 91 184 248
Australia (f) 60% 71 57 - 37 62 99 141
Total 195 138 75 130 153 283 389
METALLURGICAL COAL
Production ('000 tonnes) (h)
BMA 50% 5,006 4,226 4,105 5,182 5,440 10,622 10,280
BHP Mitsui Coal (i) 80% 1,580 1,649 1,661 1,766 1,589 3,355 3,383
Illawarra 100% 1,907 1,462 2,343 1,990 1,859 3,849 4,121
Total 8,493 7,337 8,109 8,938 8,888 17,826 17,784
ENERGY COAL
Production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa 100% 7,976 7,895 8,313 8,454 7,969 16,423 17,071
USA 100% 2,163 2,109 2,673 3,871 2,798 6,669 4,630
Australia 100% 4,027 4,291 4,393 4,453 4,827 9,280 8,073
Colombia 33% 2,753 2,953 3,105 2,829 2,662 5,491 5,605
Total 16,919 17,248 18,484 19,607 18,256 37,863 35,379
(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%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%.
(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%.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 4
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)
Bass Strait 2,190 2,285 2,357 2,569 2,081 4,650 4,717
North West Shelf 1,686 1,671 1,587 1,867 1,829 3,696 3,086
Stybarrow 836 618 635 534 464 998 2,007
Pyrenees 3,207 2,540 2,482 2,605 2,379 4,984 7,108
Other Australia (a) 13 13 13 17 15 32 26
Atlantis (b) 2,390 2,262 39 1,554 2,376 3,930 4,471
Mad Dog (b) - - - 369 906 1,275 -
Shenzi (b) 4,119 4,071 3,607 3,783 4,008 7,791 7,967
Onshore US (c) 1,631 2,202 2,434 2,358 2,658 5,016 2,303
Trinidad/Tobago 466 453 488 376 362 738 932
Other Americas (b) (d) 374 373 348 367 410 777 747
UK 433 328 367 260 355 615 880
Algeria (e) 1,437 1,236 1,291 1,309 1,316 2,625 2,935
Pakistan 84 75 78 68 69 137 169
Total 18,866 18,127 15,726 18,036 19,228 37,264 37,348
NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)
Bass Strait 23.65 19.74 31.47 40.06 26.67 66.73 55.53
North West Shelf 32.56 29.60 29.80 35.33 34.09 69.42 65.53
Other Australia (a) 4.56 4.42 4.87 6.20 5.48 11.68 9.01
Atlantis (b) 0.67 1.18 0.01 0.59 0.89 1.48 1.31
Mad Dog (b) - - - 0.06 0.18 0.24 -
Shenzi (b) 0.57 0.56 0.47 2.11 0.94 3.05 1.19
Onshore US (c) 121.63 124.17 124.53 122.59 123.03 245.62 199.22
Trinidad/Tobago 9.72 9.50 9.54 9.21 9.15 18.36 19.03
Other Americas (b) (d) 0.98 1.09 0.79 0.35 0.48 0.83 2.17
UK 5.51 5.03 5.54 3.29 5.26 8.55 9.42
Pakistan 14.64 13.88 14.23 13.06 13.49 26.55 29.43
Total 214.49 209.17 221.25 232.85 219.66 452.51 391.84
NGL ('000 barrels of oil equivalent)
Bass Strait 1,407 1,355 1,738 2,053 1,342 3,395 3,230
North West Shelf 434 421 342 385 354 739 857
Atlantis (b) 123 221 1 54 209 263 243
Mad Dog (b) - - - 16 72 88 -
Shenzi (b) 293 291 244 370 324 694 589
Onshore US (c) 943 1,275 1,388 1,516 1,736 3,252 1,359
Other Americas (b) (d) 34 34 24 17 16 33 75
UK 45 12 21 - 11 11 63
Algeria (e) 83 - - - - - 302
Total 3,362 3,609 3,758 4,411 4,064 8,475 6,718
TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 57.98 56.60 56.36 61.25 59.90 121.15 109.38
(million barrels of oil equivalent) (f)
(a) Other Australia includes Minerva.
(b) Gulf of Mexico volumes are net of royalties.
(c) Petrohawk Energy Corporation acquisition completed on 20 August 2011. Onshore US volumes are net of mineral holder royalties.
(d) Other Americas includes Neptune, West Cameron 76, Genesis and Starlifter. West Cameron 76 and Starlifter were divested in May 2012.
(e) Algeria includes ROD and Ohanet. The Ohanet Risk Sharing Contract expired in October 2011.
(f) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.
(g) Minor restatements across individual conventional fields have been made to September 2012 quarter production numbers, however
total quarterly production has not changed.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 5
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
ALUMINIUM AND NICKEL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Saleable production
Worsley, Australia 694 741 730 859 944 1,803 1,446
Alumar, Brazil 307 311 309 311 288 599 615
Total 1,001 1,052 1,039 1,170 1,232 2,402 2,061
Sales
Worsley, Australia 745 713 750 820 916 1,736 1,465
Alumar, Brazil 349 216 356 352 298 650 629
Total 1,094 929 1,106 1,172 1,214 2,386 2,094
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, South Africa 180 144 117 139 166 305 360
Bayside, South Africa 24 26 23 25 25 50 49
Alumar, Brazil 42 42 42 39 39 78 86
Mozal, Mozambique 67 65 66 67 67 134 133
Total 313 277 248 270 297 567 628
Sales
Hillside, South Africa 186 141 126 139 171 310 349
Bayside, South Africa 25 27 21 26 26 52 49
Alumar, Brazil 43 31 45 46 41 87 87
Mozal, Mozambique 85 66 54 58 65 123 145
Total 339 265 246 269 303 572 630
NICKEL
Cerro Matoso, Colombia
Production 12.3 13.4 12.8 13.3 12.4 25.7 22.7
Sales 13.1 13.8 12.9 12.3 13.7 26.0 20.8
Nickel West, Australia
Saleable production
Nickel contained in concentrate 1.8 2.3 2.3 1.3 4.1 5.4 4.4
Nickel contained in finished matte 15.2 10.5 14.2 5.8 7.6 13.4 24.2
Nickel metal 9.1 15.5 13.4 16.6 10.6 27.2 22.2
Nickel production 26.1 28.3 29.9 23.7 22.3 46.0 50.8
Sales
Nickel contained in concentrate 2.6 1.5 3.6 1.6 2.9 4.5 3.8
Nickel contained in finished matte 13.9 10.2 16.7 6.7 7.0 13.7 24.0
Nickel metal 10.9 14.2 15.7 14.2 12.8 27.0 20.3
Nickel sales 27.4 25.9 36.0 22.5 22.7 45.2 48.1
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 6
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 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 mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 96,152 103,321 109,724 102,499 96,938 199,437 165,158
Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 18,663 16,449 18,640 16,850 18,796 35,646 30,692
Average copper grade (%) 0.97% 1.14% 1.37% 1.35% 1.39% 1.37% 0.97%
Production ex mill (100%) ('000 tonnes) 144.3 153.1 211.7 185.2 216.6 401.8 236.2
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 80.4 87.7 115.8 101.2 120.7 221.9 130.3
Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 14,242 12,732 12,817 9,419 13,877 23,296 25,305
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 43.0 47.4 48.7 41.6 40.8 82.4 75.9
Payable silver concentrate ('000 ounces) 549 481 488 350 481 831 952
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 82.1 82.6 113.1 95.7 134.7 230.4 131.3
Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 14,435 11,998 12,683 8,999 11,060 20,059 25,409
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 45.3 44.3 53.4 38.8 46.8 85.6 71.0
Payable silver concentrate ('000 ounces) 558 454 483 324 444 768 962
Pampa Norte, Chile
Cerro Colorado
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 16,792 16,320 16,246 16,067 15,722 31,789 31,528
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 4,601 4,300 4,388 4,505 4,206 8,711 9,209
Average copper grade (%) 0.71% 0.72% 0.61% 0.55% 0.66% 0.60% 0.72%
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 23.5 18.7 18.7 17.8 17.9 35.7 46.0
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 23.8 20.2 19.1 16.1 18.8 34.9 46.2
Spence
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 26,511 29,982 28,594 27,541 25,999 53,540 46,327
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 4,909 4,279 3,604 3,752 4,161 7,913 8,771
Average copper grade (%) 1.46% 1.20% 1.28% 1.17% 1.29% 1.23% 1.39%
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 46.5 47.5 43.4 34.9 40.9 75.8 89.4
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 46.6 44.1 51.3 31.1 42.6 73.7 89.8
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 7
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Antamina, Peru
Material mined (100%) ('000 tonnes) 38,759 41,474 48,256 54,482 49,246 103,728 82,971
Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 9,656 10,162 12,295 12,274 11,752 24,026 19,052
Average head grades
- Copper (%) 1.15% 1.10% 1.01% 1.15% 1.16% 1.15% 1.13%
- Zinc (%) 0.72% 0.84% 0.80% 0.66% 0.64% 0.65% 0.70%
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 30.9 30.9 34.9 40.2 39.6 79.8 61.2
Payable zinc (tonnes) 13,553 16,823 18,208 14,514 12,587 27,101 22,509
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 1,087 1,170 1,043 919 934 1,853 2,059
Payable lead (tonnes) 205 148 333 260 198 458 307
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 766 521 464 454 410 864 1,361
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 31.7 30.7 32.7 39.7 42.7 82.4 59.9
Payable zinc (tonnes) 12,654 13,464 18,174 15,519 17,874 33,393 22,240
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 940 1,114 896 849 1,101 1,950 1,773
Payable lead (tonnes) 139 200 48 330 597 927 230
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 591 669 488 536 381 917 1,140
Cannington, Australia
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 778 756 880 717 817 1,534 1,597
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 888 778 845 773 793 1,566 1,714
Average head grades
- Silver (g/t) 370 367 417 355 317 336 352
- Lead (%) 8.8% 8.0% 8.6% 7.6% 7.0% 7.3% 8.4%
- Zinc (%) 2.9% 2.7% 2.5% 2.5% 2.9% 2.7% 2.9%
Production
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 9,056 7,836 9,757 7,689 6,949 14,638 16,615
Payable lead (tonnes) 66,787 53,412 63,334 51,923 45,937 97,860 122,344
Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,745 12,904 12,540 11,408 13,622 25,030 29,233
Sales
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 8,960 7,081 10,784 8,506 6,694 15,200 15,394
Payable lead (tonnes) 66,657 49,027 73,400 59,042 46,319 105,361 114,915
Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,078 10,780 14,399 10,379 16,321 26,700 29,812
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 8
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Olympic Dam, Australia
Material mined (a) ('000 tonnes) 2,440 2,389 2,629 2,226 2,123 4,349 4,983
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 2,440 2,195 2,475 2,471 2,435 4,906 4,911
Average copper grade (%) 2.08% 2.01% 1.86% 1.90% 1.71% 1.81% 2.03%
Average uranium grade (kg/t) 0.50 0.57 0.55 0.54 0.51 0.53 0.52
Production
Copper cathode (ER) ('000 tonnes) 51.5 45.2 46.0 34.0 30.4 64.4 89.1
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 3.1 2.6 3.8 3.0 3.2 6.2 5.9
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 909 896 1,080 1,042 1,014 2,056 1,909
Refined gold (fine ounces) 29,765 31,952 27,752 23,017 24,215 47,232 58,141
Refined silver ('000 ounces) 211 228 251 207 193 400 428
Sales
Copper cathode (ER) ('000 tonnes) 51.7 44.4 47.8 35.1 33.2 68.3 88.1
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 2.5 3.0 3.1 3.4 2.7 6.1 6.0
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 1,126 640 1,252 615 1,343 1,958 2,036
Refined gold (fine ounces) 24,327 36,832 29,257 20,949 25,227 46,176 53,306
Refined silver ('000 ounces) 155 268 200 265 169 434 444
(a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto Valley, US (a)
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) - - - - 0.5 0.5 -
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 2.4 2.8
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) - - - - - - -
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 2.4 2.9
(a) Mining operations at Pinto Valley were restarted during the December 2012 quarter.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 9
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
EKATI™, Canada (a)
Ore Processed (100%) ('000 tonnes) 1,090 1,001 1,214 1,042 982 2,024 2,267
Production ('000 carats) 481 433 413 313 295 608 938
(a) The sale of the diamonds business was announced on 13 November 2012. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval
and completion is expected in the first half of calendar year 2013.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 10
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
IRON ORE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Newman (b) 13,247 11,789 13,132 11,752 12,809 24,561 26,405
Goldsworthy Joint Venture 334 37 143 432 378 810 588
Area C Joint Venture 10,437 10,343 11,166 10,937 10,245 21,182 20,916
Yandi Joint Venture 14,170 13,063 13,595 13,771 15,954 29,725 26,878
Total (BHP Billiton share) 38,188 35,232 38,036 36,892 39,386 76,278 74,787
Total production (100%) 44,927 41,449 44,748 43,403 46,337 89,740 87,985
Sales
Lump 8,700 8,235 9,100 8,338 9,806 18,144 16,444
Fines 28,406 26,523 28,870 28,718 30,479 59,197 57,717
Total (BHP Billiton share) 37,106 34,758 37,970 37,056 40,285 77,341 74,161
Total sales (100%) 43,654 40,892 44,670 43,595 47,393 90,988 87,248
Samarco, Brazil
Production 2,884 2,711 2,855 2,880 2,804 5,684 5,857
Sales 2,961 2,453 2,778 2,622 3,227 5,849 5,887
(a) Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(b) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 11
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
MANGANESE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
MANGANESE ORE
South Africa (a)
Saleable production 808 917 989 858 834 1,692 1,719
Sales 853 871 866 878 808 1,686 1,714
Australia (a)
Saleable production 998 1,123 1,077 1,288 1,283 2,571 2,106
Sales 876 1,115 1,343 1,171 979 2,150 1,970
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa (a) (b)
Saleable production 124 81 75 93 91 184 248
Sales 138 122 104 74 112 186 233
Australia (a)
Saleable production 71 57 - 37 62 99 141
Sales 58 57 23 46 52 98 149
(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.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 12
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
METALLURGICAL COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
METALLURGICAL COAL (a)
Queensland, Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 1,122 955 991 1,148 1,588 2,736 2,489
Goonyella 1,375 1,153 1,012 1,535 1,392 2,927 2,838
Peak Downs 992 788 783 1,029 1,151 2,180 1,963
Saraji 900 627 724 773 994 1,767 1,702
Norwich Park (b) 369 248 193 - - - 734
Gregory Joint Venture (c) 248 455 402 697 315 1,012 554
BMA total 5,006 4,226 4,105 5,182 5,440 10,622 10,280
BHP Mitsui Coal (d)
South Walker Creek 901 1,040 1,034 1,084 864 1,948 2,007
Poitrel 679 609 627 682 725 1,407 1,376
BHP Mitsui Coal total 1,580 1,649 1,661 1,766 1,589 3,355 3,383
Queensland total 6,586 5,875 5,766 6,948 7,029 13,977 13,663
Sales
Coking coal 4,845 4,522 4,007 4,058 5,561 9,619 9,911
Weak coking coal 1,747 1,595 1,512 1,545 1,820 3,365 3,438
Thermal coal 20 111 90 239 237 476 196
Total 6,612 6,228 5,609 5,842 7,618 13,460 13,545
Illawarra, Australia
Production 1,907 1,462 2,343 1,990 1,859 3,849 4,121
Sales
Coking coal 1,255 1,460 1,845 1,775 1,785 3,560 2,928
Thermal coal 441 219 279 502 327 829 600
Total 1,696 1,679 2,124 2,277 2,112 4,389 3,528
(a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(b) Norwich Park ceased production on 11 May 2012.
(c) Gregory open-cut ceased production on 10 October 2012.
(d) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 13
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
DEC MAR JUN SEP DEC DEC DEC
2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
South Africa
Production 7,976 7,895 8,313 8,454 7,969 16,423 17,071
Sales
Export 3,546 3,807 3,314 3,385 3,583 6,968 6,985
Local utility 4,582 4,397 4,571 4,869 4,615 9,484 10,204
Inland 165 124 74 38 28 66 250
Total 8,293 8,328 7,959 8,292 8,226 16,518 17,439
New Mexico, US
Production
Navajo Coal 2,060 1,913 1,853 1,804 1,377 3,181 3,238
San Juan Coal 103 196 820 2,067 1,421 3,488 1,392
Total 2,163 2,109 2,673 3,871 2,798 6,669 4,630
Sales - local utility 3,108 3,057 2,773 3,420 3,265 6,685 6,738
NSW Energy Coal, Australia
Production 4,027 4,291 4,393 4,453 4,827 9,280 8,073
Sales
Export 3,566 3,160 4,388 4,488 4,187 8,675 7,089
Inland 333 297 404 250 265 515 958
Total 3,899 3,457 4,792 4,738 4,452 9,190 8,047
Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
Production 2,753 2,953 3,105 2,829 2,662 5,491 5,605
Sales - export 2,784 2,652 2,942 2,630 2,702 5,332 5,685
BHP Billiton Production Report for the half year ended 31 December 2012 Page 14
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