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BHP BILLITON PLC - BHP Billiton Operational Review for the Half Year Ended 31 December 2013

Release Date: 22/01/2014 07:05
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BHP Billiton Operational Review for the Half Year Ended 31 December 2013

BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504


NEWS RELEASE
Release Time             IMMEDIATE
Date                     22 January 2014
Number                   03/14
                                 BHP BILLITON OPERATIONAL REVIEW
                             FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2013

- Strong operating performance in the December 2013 half year with production records achieved across
  10 operations and three commodities. Full year production guidance maintained for our Petroleum,
  Copper, Iron Ore and Coal businesses.

- Western Australia Iron Ore achieved record production of 108 million tonnes (100% basis) for the
  December 2013 half year as the operation benefited from the early delivery of first production from the
  Jimblebar mine.

- Queensland Coal achieved record production for the December 2013 half year as several productivity
  initiatives increased annualised production to 68 million tonnes (100% basis) in the December 2013
  quarter.

- Petroleum liquids production increased by 9% to 50 million barrels of oil equivalent in the December
  2013 half year, underpinned by a 72% increase at Onshore US.

- Another two major projects delivered first production in the December 2013 quarter and all remaining
  projects are on schedule and budget.

- BHP Billiton’s share of capital and exploration expenditure for the 2014 financial year is expected to be
  US$16.1 billion (i), as planned.


BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mackenzie, said: “Strong operating performance across our diversified
portfolio in the December 2013 half year delivered a 10 per cent (ii) increase in production and volumes are expected
to grow by 16 per cent (ii) over the two years to the end of the 2015 financial year. Iron ore and metallurgical coal
were particularly strong and are very well positioned to achieve guidance, notwithstanding the general uncertainty
that exists as we enter the wet season.

“Our productivity continues to improve and this was most clearly demonstrated by our Queensland Coal business
which ran at an annualised rate of 68 million tonnes in the December 2013 quarter. Our productivity agenda is in
full swing and we expect to carry strong momentum into the second half of the financial year.

“During the period, six of our major projects delivered first production and our 10 remaining projects, which are
largely low risk, brownfield expansions, are tracking to plan. By maintaining strict financial discipline and increasing
internal competition for capital we intend to further differentiate ourselves by achieving a superior rate of return on
incremental investment. We also remain committed to actively managing our portfolio for value. This strategy
leaves us well positioned to deliver a substantial increase in free cash flow and higher returns to shareholders.”


Note: Unless specified otherwise: variance analysis relates to the relative performance of BHP Billiton and/or its operations during the
December 2013 half year compared with the December 2012 half year; production and sales volumes from subsidiaries (which include
Escondida, Jimblebar, BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal and our manganese operations) are reported on a 100 per cent basis; volumes from equity
accounted investments (which include Antamina, Samarco and Cerrejon Coal) and other operations are reported on a proportionate
consolidation basis.

Summary

                                                                 DEC           DEC      DEC H13       DEC Q13       DEC Q13
                                                                2013          2013           vs            vs            vs
Production summary                                              HALF           QTR      DEC H12       DEC Q12       SEP Q13
Total petroleum products (million boe)                         120.4          57.7          -1%           -4%           -8%
Copper ('000 tonnes)                                           843.2         439.9           6%            6%            9%
Iron ore ('000 tonnes)                                        97,820        48,867          19%           16%            0%
Metallurgical coal ('000 tonnes)                              21,725        11,540          22%           30%           13%
Energy coal ('000 tonnes)                                     37,406        17,767          -1%           -5%          -10%
Alumina ('000 tonnes)                                          2,603         1,352           8%           10%            8%
Aluminium ('000 tonnes)                                          612           302           8%            2%           -3%
Manganese ore ('000 tonnes)                                    4,246         2,200           0%            4%            8%
Manganese alloy ('000 tonnes)                                    303           166           7%            8%           21%
Nickel ('000 tonnes)                                            78.2          37.8           9%            9%           -6%

BHP Billiton maintained strong momentum in the December 2013 half year as production increased by
10 per cent (ii). Full year production guidance is retained for our Petroleum, Copper, Iron Ore and Coal businesses.

The Cerrejon P40 (Colombia) and Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) Port Blending and Rail Yard Facilities
projects achieved first production during the December 2013 quarter, as planned. These projects will not be
reported in future Operational Reviews. Our 10 remaining major projects are on schedule and budget.

During the December 2013 quarter, BHP Billiton approved an investment of US$301 million (BHP Billiton share) to
replace two shiploaders at WAIO’s Nelson Point operations in Port Hedland. The two new shiploaders will increase
the reliability of our inner harbour port facilities and create additional port capacity that will be utilised as a series of
debottlenecking initiatives increase the capacity of our supply chain to approximately 260 million tonnes per
annum (mtpa) to 270 mtpa (100 per cent basis), at a low capital cost. Commissioning of the two replacement
shiploaders is scheduled for the second half of the 2014 calendar year.

BHP Billiton’s active program of portfolio simplification delivered proceeds of US$2.2 billion in the December 2013
half year following the completion of the Jimblebar (Australia) and Pinto Valley (US) transactions. The sale of the
Navajo mine (US) was also completed during the period.

On 2 January 2014, the Group also announced the redemption of Petrohawk Energy Corporation’s 10.5% Senior
Notes due 2014 and 7.875% Senior Notes due 2015. The total aggregate principal value of the notes to be
redeemed is approximately US$1.4 billion and the redemption will be completed on 3 February 2014.

The new International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 10 came into effect on 1 July 2013. The adoption of this
accounting standard requires the full consolidation of Escondida (Chile), as compared to the proportionate
consolidation of our 57.5 per cent equity interest which was applied in prior periods. This report has been prepared
on the basis of this new accounting standard and includes 100 per cent of Escondida, unless otherwise noted.

In addition, IFRS 11 and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) 20 came into effect on
1 July 2013. The adoption of IFRS 11 requires entities that no longer meet the definition of joint control (such as
Antamina and Cerrejon Coal) or are classified as joint ventures (such as Samarco) to be equity accounted,
whereas they were proportionately consolidated in prior periods. IFRIC 20 affects the accounting treatment for
production stripping.

Although the adoption of IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRIC 20 does not impact the Company’s share of production or
sales volumes, it does impact the Group’s consolidated financial accounts. We have therefore republished
2013 interim and full year financial information to reflect these and other accounting policy changes.

As a consequence of these new accounting standards and interpretations, our taxation expense, including royalty-
related taxation, as a proportion of pre-tax profit is now expected to be in the range of 31 per cent to 34 per cent in
the 2014 financial year. This excludes the influence of exchange rate movements, adjustments to deferred tax
balances associated with the Minerals Resource Rent Tax and the impact of exceptional items.

BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                   2

Following the adoption of the new accounting standards, our guidance for capital and exploration expenditure will
now refer to BHP Billiton share. On this basis, the Company’s share of capital and exploration expenditure is
expected to be US$16.1 billion (i) in the 2014 financial year.

FY14 capital and exploration expenditure guidance                                                     US$ billion
Guidance provided on 20 August 2013 (iii)                                                                    16.2
Adjustment for: Change in accounting standards (iv)                                                           0.5
                                                                                                             16.7
Less: Non-controlling interests (v)                                                                          (1.5)
Add: BHP Billiton share of equity accounted investments (vi)                                                  0.9
Capital and exploration expenditure (BHP Billiton share) (i)                                                 16.1

The relative change in the price achieved for our major commodities in the December 2013 half year is summarised
in the table below.
      
 Average realised prices (vii)                                         DEC H13        DEC H13             DEC H13
                                                                            vs             vs                  vs
                                                                       DEC H12        JUN H13                FY13
 Oil (crude and condensate) (US$/bbl)                                      -2%            -4%                 -3%
 Natural gas (US$/mscf)                                                     5%            -2%                  1%
 US natural gas (US$/mscf)                                                 15%            -5%                  5%
 LNG (US$/mscf)                                                            -2%             0%                 -1%
 Copper (US$/lb) (viii)                                                    -6%             4%                 -1%
 Iron ore (US$/wmt) (ix)                                                   10%            -4%                  2%
 Hard coking coal (US$/t)                                                 -18%           -10%                -13%
 Thermal coal (US$/t) (x)                                                 -11%            -6%                 -9%
 Alumina (US$/t) (xi)                                                       0%            -7%                 -4%
 Aluminium (US$/t)                                                         -8%            -7%                 -7%
 Manganese ore (US$/dmtu) (xi)                                              4%            -4%                  1%
 Manganese alloy (US$/t)                                                  -13%            -5%                 -9%
 Nickel metal (US$/t)                                                     -17%           -13%                -15%




BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                       3

Petroleum and Potash

Production

                                                                    DEC           DEC        DEC H13      DEC Q13       DEC Q13
                                                                   2013          2013             vs           vs            vs
                                                                   HALF           QTR        DEC H12      DEC Q12       SEP Q13
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (‘000 boe)         50,026        23,973             9%           3%           -8%
Natural gas (bcf)                                                422.31        202.65            -7%          -8%           -8%
Total petroleum products (million boe)                            120.4          57.7            -1%          -4%           -8%

Total petroleum production – Total petroleum production for the December 2013 half year was 120.4 million
barrels of oil equivalent. Guidance for the 2014 financial year remains unchanged at approximately 250 million
barrels of oil equivalent.

Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids – A nine per cent increase in liquids production for the December
2013 half year was underpinned by a 72 per cent increase at Onshore US. This was supported by an 80 per cent
increase at Atlantis (US) as volumes benefited from the start-up of a new production well in the September 2013
quarter. Atlantis production is expected to remain strong in the second half of the 2014 financial year with an
additional well scheduled for completion.

The significant increase in liquids production at Onshore US and Atlantis during the period was partially offset by
expected natural field decline across the broader Conventional business and scheduled downtime at Pyrenees
(Australia). The one month maintenance outage of the floating production storage and off-take (FPSO) facility at
Pyrenees was completed ahead of plan and the field had returned to full production of 34 thousand barrels per day
(100 per cent basis) at the end of the period.

Onshore US liquids production for the December 2013 quarter was constrained by scheduled downtime across the
Eagle Ford. This primarily reflected facility tie-ins in the Black Hawk to support significant growth in liquids
production and the installation of additional production tubing for a number of wells at Hawkville to ensure their
integrity over the long term. Guidance for the 2014 financial year remains unchanged with an anticipated
75 per cent increase in Onshore US liquids production.

Natural gas – Natural gas production declined by seven per cent in the December 2013 half year. The successful
delivery of first gas from the Macedon project partially offset lower seasonal Bass Strait (both Australia) demand, as
well as natural field decline at Haynesville (US), which followed our decision to prioritise Onshore US development
drilling in the liquids rich Black Hawk region of the Eagle Ford.

Projects

                           Capital          Initial
Project and            expenditure       production
ownership                   (US$m)      target date  Capacity                               Progress

North West Shelf               400             CY16  To maintain LNG plant throughput       On schedule and budget. The overall
Greater Western                                      from the North West Shelf operations.  project is 68% complete.
Flank-A
(Australia)
16.67% (non-
operator)

Bass Strait Longford           520            CY16   Designed to process approximately       On schedule and budget. The overall
Gas Conditioning                                     400 million cubic feet per day of high  project is 25% complete.
Plant                                                CO2 gas.
(Australia)
50% (non-operator)




BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                          4

Onshore US drilling and development expenditure totalled US$2.4 billion in the December 2013 half year.
Approximately 75 per cent of drilling activity occurred in the Eagle Ford, with the majority focused on our Black
Hawk acreage. The rate of expenditure is expected to slow in the second half of the 2014 financial year following a
35 per cent reduction in the Company’s active rig count to 26 during the period. Our high return development plans
are underpinned by annual investment of approximately US$4.0 billion, subject to market conditions.

As highlighted at the recent Petroleum briefing, the optimisation of our dry gas program will result in a series of
charges in the 2014 financial year including rig termination costs of approximately US$100 million (with the majority
booked in the first half) and underutilised legacy gas pipeline commitment charges of approximately
US$170 million. Following a successful evaluation program we will also incur approximately US$600 million in
depreciation charges related to Permian production in the 2014 financial year.

Petroleum exploration

Exploration and appraisal wells drilled during the quarter or in the process of drilling as at 31 December 2013.

                                       BHP Billiton                                         Total well
Well          Location     Target      equity          Spud date          Water depth            depth Status

Stybarrow     Carnarvon    Oil         50%             10 December          675 metres    2,533 metres Plugged and abandoned
East-1        Basin                    (Operator)      2013                                            Hydrocarbons encountered
              WA-32-L                                                                                  Non-commercial

Stybarrow     Carnarvon    Oil         50%             26 December          675 metres    2,670 metres Plugged and abandoned
East-2        Basin                    (Operator)      2013                                            Dry hole
              WA-32-L

Petroleum exploration expenditure for the December 2013 half year was US$285 million, of which US$147 million
was expensed. BHP Billiton also signed a Production Sharing Contract for Block 23b in Trinidad and Tobago,
where the Group now has a 60 per cent interest and is the operator. A US$600 million exploration program, largely
focused on the Gulf of Mexico (US) and Western Australia, is planned for the 2014 financial year.

Potash

Project and              Investment
ownership                    (US$m) Scope                                                   Progress

Jansen Potash                 2,600 Investment to finish the excavation and lining of the   On schedule and budget. The overall
(Canada)                            production and service shafts, and to continue the      project is 16% complete.
100%                                installation of essential surface infrastructure and
                                    utilities.

Excavation of the production and service shafts paused in the December 2013 quarter to enable a thorough review
of the activities completed to date and to ensure all learnings are captured and adopted in future works. Excavation
is expected to resume in February 2014. The staggered manner in which we are progressing the production and
service shafts allows us to mitigate risk and optimise their development. The project remains on schedule and
budget.




BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                             5

Copper

Production

                                                                 DEC          DEC     DEC H13   DEC Q13      DEC Q13
                                                                2013         2013          vs        vs           vs
                                                                HALF          QTR     DEC H12   DEC Q12      SEP Q13
Copper (‘000 tonnes)                                           843.2        439.9          6%        6%           9%
Lead (tonnes)                                                 94,284       47,839         -4%        4%           3%
Zinc (tonnes)                                                 61,410       32,855         18%       25%          15%
Silver (‘000 ounces)                                          17,538        8,850         -4%        1%           2%
Uranium oxide concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes)                   1,978        1,008         -3%        0%           4%

Copper – Total copper production increased by six per cent in the December 2013 half year to 843 thousand
tonnes.

The adoption of IFRS 10 requires the full consolidation of Escondida, as compared to the proportionate
consolidation of our 57.5 per cent equity interest which has been applied in prior periods. This report has been
prepared on the basis of this new accounting standard and includes 100 per cent of Escondida.

BHP Billiton’s copper production guidance for the 2014 financial year remains unchanged at 1.7 million tonnes,
although the Group’s equity interest is 1.2 million tonnes. Production in the second half is expected to be weighted
towards the June 2014 quarter.

Escondida copper production increased by seven per cent in the December 2013 half year to 564 thousand tonnes
as ongoing productivity initiatives supported increased mill throughput and recoveries, which more than offset lower
ore grades. Escondida remains on track to produce approximately 1.1 million tonnes of copper in the 2014 financial
year before increasing to approximately 1.3 million tonnes in the 2015 financial year.

Pampa Norte (Chile) copper production increased by 37 per cent from the September 2013 quarter as recoveries
at Spence improved during the period. Spence achieved record mill throughput in the December 2013 half year,
which will underpin a strong increase in production through the second half of the 2014 financial year. Full year
volumes at Spence are expected to be in line with the prior corresponding period.

Antamina (Peru) achieved record copper production for the December 2013 half year. This was underpinned by
record mining and milling throughput, together with higher average ore grades, as mining progressed through a
copper rich ore zone. Full year copper production at Antamina is expected to remain at a similar level to the
2013 financial year given a projected decline in copper ore grades, consistent with the mine plan.

Olympic Dam (Australia) copper production benefited from improved smelter reliability during the December 2013
quarter, although planned maintenance is expected to impact the smelter over a 20 day period in the second half of
the 2014 financial year. The operation achieved record material mined for the December 2013 half year. Copper
production at Olympic Dam for the 2014 financial year is expected to be in line with the prior period.

At 31 December 2013, the Group had 437,749 tonnes of outstanding copper sales that were revalued at a
weighted average price of US$3.33 per pound. The final price of these sales will be determined over the remainder
of the 2014 financial year. In addition, 385,721 tonnes of copper sales from the 2013 financial year were subject to
a finalisation adjustment in the current period. Provisional pricing and finalisation adjustments will increase
earnings before interest and tax by US$196 million in the December 2013 half year (December 2012 half year:
US$67 million increase) (xii).

On 11 October 2013, BHP Billiton completed the sale of its Pinto Valley (US) mining operation and the associated
San Manuel Arizona Railroad Company to Capstone Mining Corp. for US$653 million, after working capital
adjustments.


BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                          6

Lead/silver – Lead and silver production increased by three and two per cent, respectively, from the September
2013 quarter. Antamina achieved record silver production for the December 2013 half year. In addition, Cannington
(Australia) delivered record material mined over the same period, however lead and silver production was affected
by lower average ore grades, consistent with the mine plan.

Zinc – Total zinc production increased by 18 per cent in the December 2013 half year, supported by higher
average zinc grades at Cannington.

Uranium – Uranium production decreased by three per cent in the December 2013 half year as a result of planned
maintenance at Olympic Dam.

Projects

                          Capital      Initial
Project and           expenditure   production
ownership                  (US$m)  target date  Capacity                             Progress

Escondida Oxide               721      H1 CY14  New dynamic leaching pad and         On schedule and budget. The overall
Leach Area Project                              mineral handling system. Maintains   project is 86% complete.
(Chile)                                         oxide leaching capacity.
57.5%

Escondida Organic           3,838      H1 CY15  Replaces the Los Colorados           On schedule and budget. The overall
Growth Project 1                                concentrator with a new              project is 61% complete.
(Chile)                                         152,000 tonnes per day plant.
57.5%

Escondida Water             3,430         CY17  New desalination facility to ensure  On schedule and budget. The overall
Supply                                          continued water supply to Escondida. project is 4% complete.
(Chile)
57.5%


BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                   7

Iron Ore

Production

                                                                       DEC           DEC      DEC H13       DEC Q13       DEC Q13
                                                                      2013          2013           vs            vs            vs
                                                                      HALF           QTR      DEC H12       DEC Q12       SEP Q13
Iron ore (‘000 tonnes)                                              97,820        48,867          19%           16%            0%

Iron ore – Iron ore production increased by 19 per cent in the December 2013 half year to a record
98 million tonnes.

WAIO achieved record production of 108 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) for the December 2013 half year,
despite weather related downtime and an increase in planned maintenance during the December 2013 quarter.
This record result reflected strong operating performance, the early delivery of production from Jimblebar and a
series of volume enhancing productivity initiatives, which included increased utilisation rates for several relocatable
crushers installed at our operating mines. While these crushers have increased the capacity of our supply chain at
a low capital cost and contributed to a significant rise in profitability, the previously signalled increase in the strip
ratio at WAIO has more than offset the unit cost savings achieved across the broader supply chain.

Our WAIO business continues to perform strongly, however we have maintained production guidance of 212 million
tonnes (100 per cent basis) for the 2014 financial year given the general uncertainty that exists as we enter the wet
season.

The ramp up of phase one capacity at Jimblebar to 35 mtpa (100 per cent basis) is expected to be completed by
the end of the 2015 financial year. Longer term, a low cost option to expand Jimblebar to 55 mtpa (100 per cent
basis) and the broader debottlenecking of the supply chain are expected to underpin further capital efficient growth
in capacity to approximately 260 mtpa to 270 mtpa (100 per cent basis).

Samarco’s (Brazil) three pellet plants continued to operate at capacity during the period.

Total iron ore production guidance for the 2014 financial year remains unchanged at 192 million tonnes.

Projects

                             Capital          Initial
Project and              expenditure       production
ownership                    (US$m)       target date Capacity                               Progress
                                     
WAIO Port Blending           1,000 (xiii)     H2 CY14 Optimises resource and enhances        First ore was handled in Q4 CY13. On
and Rail Yard                                         efficiency across the WAIO supply      schedule and budget on the basis of
Facilities                                            chain.                                 the revised scope. The overall project
(Australia)                                                                                  is 98% complete.
85%

Samarco Fourth                 1,750          H1 CY14 Increases iron ore pellet production   On schedule and budget. The overall
Pellet Plant                                          capacity by 8.3 million tonnes per     project is 98% complete.
(Brazil)                                              annum to 30.5 million tonnes per
50%                                                   annum.

On 25 November 2013, BHP Billiton approved an investment of US$301 million (BHP Billiton share) to replace two
shiploaders at WAIO’s Nelson Point operations in Port Hedland. The two new shiploaders will increase the
reliability of our inner harbour port facilities and create additional port capacity that will be utilised as a series of
debottlenecking initiatives increase the capacity of our supply chain. Commissioning of the two replacement
shiploaders is scheduled for the second half of the 2014 calendar year.


BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                           8

Coal

Production

                                                                      DEC            DEC      DEC H13      DEC Q13       DEC Q13
                                                                     2013           2013           vs           vs            vs
                                                                     HALF            QTR      DEC H12      DEC Q12       SEP Q13
Metallurgical coal (‘000 tonnes)                                   21,725         11,540          22%          30%           13%
Energy coal (‘000 tonnes)                                          37,406         17,767          -1%          -5%          -10%

Metallurgical coal – Metallurgical coal production increased by 22 per cent in the December 2013 half year to a
record 22 million tonnes.

Queensland Coal (Australia) delivered record production and sales volumes for the December 2013 half year,
underpinned by strong performance across all operations. This included record production at South Walker Creek,
Saraji and Poitrel. The business continued to benefit from our productivity initiatives, achieving annualised
production of 68 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) in the December 2013 quarter.

Illawarra Coal (Australia) production declined by 13 per cent in the December 2013 half year, due to an extended
outage at Dendrobium and a scheduled longwall move at West Cliff in the September 2013 quarter. Operations are
expected to return to normal production levels by the end of the March 2014 quarter.

Our Queensland Coal business continues to perform strongly, however we have retained total metallurgical coal
production guidance of 41 million tonnes for the 2014 financial year given the general uncertainty that exists as we
enter the wet season.

Energy coal – Energy coal production of 37 million tonnes was in line with the December 2012 half year. Record
production at both New South Wales Energy Coal (Australia) and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) offset the impact of
industrial action, lower yields and adverse weather conditions at BECSA (South Africa).

Total energy coal production guidance for the 2014 financial year remains unchanged at 73 million tonnes.

BHP Billiton completed the sale of the Navajo mine to the Navajo Transitional Energy Company effective
30 December 2013. As BHP Billiton will remain the mine manager and operator until 2016, production and financial
results for Navajo Mine will continue to be reported by the Group.

Projects

                          Capital       Initial
Project and           expenditure    production
ownership                  (US$m)   target date Capacity                                Progress

Cerrejon P40                  437          CY13 Increases saleable thermal coal         First coal was handled in Q4 CY13.
Project                                         production by 8 million tonnes per      Port still to be completed. On
(Colombia)                                      annum to approximately 40 million       schedule and budget. The overall
33.3%                                           tonnes per annum.                       project is 86% complete.
                                    
Caval Ridge                 1,870 (xiii)   CY14 Greenfield mine development to          On schedule and budget. The overall
(Australia)                                     produce an initial 5.5 million tonnes   project is 96% complete.
50%                                             per annum of export metallurgical
                                                coal.
                                    
Hay Point Stage             1,505 (xiii)   CY15 Increases port capacity from            On revised schedule and budget. The
Three Expansion                                 44 million tonnes per annum to          overall project is 77% complete.
(Australia)                                     55 million tonnes per annum and
50%                                             reduces storm vulnerability.

Appin Area 9                  845          CY16 Maintains Illawarra Coal’s production   On schedule and budget. The overall
(Australia)                                     capacity with a replacement mining      project is 57% complete.
100%                                            domain and capacity to produce
                                                3.5 million tonnes per annum of
                                                metallurgical coal.



BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                           9

Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel

Production

                                                                 DEC        DEC    DEC H13      DEC Q13      DEC Q13
                                                                2013       2013         vs           vs           vs
                                                                HALF        QTR    DEC H12      DEC Q12      SEP Q13
Alumina ('000 tonnes)                                          2,603      1,352         8%          10%           8%
Aluminium ('000 tonnes)                                          612        302         8%           2%          -3%
Manganese ore (‘000 tonnes)                                    4,246      2,200         0%           4%           8%
Manganese alloy (‘000 tonnes)                                    303        166         7%           8%          21%
Nickel ('000 tonnes)                                            78.2       37.8         9%           9%          -6%

Alumina – Alumina production increased by eight per cent in the December 2013 half year to a record 2.6 million
tonnes. The Efficiency and Growth project at Worsley (Australia) reached nameplate capacity and the Alumar
refinery (Brazil) achieved record production.

Aluminium – Aluminium production increased by eight per cent in the December 2013 half year to 612 thousand
tonnes. Production benefited from strong operating performance at our Southern African smelters which included a
half year production record at Hillside (South Africa).

Manganese ore – Manganese ore production was in line with the December 2012 half year as improved
performance at Hotazel (South Africa) was offset by lower recoveries at GEMCO (Australia).

Manganese alloy – Manganese alloy volumes increased by seven per cent from the December 2012 half year
which was affected by the temporary suspension of operations at TEMCO (Australia).

Nickel – Nickel production increased by nine per cent from the December 2012 half year which was affected by
planned maintenance at the Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter and Kwinana refinery (both Australia).

On 31 October 2013, production at Nickel West Leinster Perseverance underground mine was suspended
following a significant seismic event. A subsequent review of the incident determined it was unsafe to resume
operations. Mining at Rocky’s Reward open cut mine, near Leinster, will provide an alternative ore supply to our
integrated business. Total saleable nickel production at Nickel West in the 2014 financial year is expected to be in
line with the prior year, although the impact on production for the 2015 financial year continues to be assessed.



BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                         10

Minerals exploration

Greenfield minerals exploration is focused on advancing copper targets within Chile and Peru. Minerals exploration
expenditure in the December 2013 half year was US$219 million, of which US$195 million was expensed.



i      Represents the share of capital and exploration expenditure (on an accruals basis) attributable to BHP Billiton shareholders. Includes
       BHP Billiton proportionate share of equity accounted investments; excludes non-controlling interests and deferred stripping.
ii     Refers to copper equivalent production based on average realised product prices for the 2013 financial year.
iii    Excludes deferred stripping.
iv     Includes adjustment for IFRS 10 and IFRS 11.
v      Primarily includes Escondida, Jimblebar, BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal (BMC) and our manganese operations.
vi     Primarily includes Antamina, Samarco and Cerrejon Coal.
vii    Excludes third party product.
viii   Excludes Antamina.
ix     Excludes freight revenue.
x      Export sales only, excludes Cerrejon Coal. Includes thermal coal sales from metallurgical coal mines.
xi     Excludes internal sales.
xii    Includes third party product.
xiii   Excludes announced pre-commitment funding.


BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                                        11

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com.


Media Relations                                                                   Investor Relations

Australia                                                                         Australia

Emily Perry                                                                       Tara Dines
Tel: +61 3 9609 2800 Mobile: +61 477 325 803                                      Mobile: +61 499 249 005
email: Emily.Perry@bhpbilliton.com                                                email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com

Fiona Hadley                                                                      Jodie Phillips
Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908                                      Tel: +61 3 9609 2069 Mobile: +61 418 710 516
email: Fiona.Hadley@bhpbilliton.com                                               email: Jodie.Phillips@bhpbilliton.com

Eleanor Nichols                                                                   United Kingdom and South Africa
Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748
email: Eleanor.Nichols@bhpbilliton.com                                            Jonathan Price
                                                                                  Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726
United Kingdom                                                                    email: Jonathan.H.Price@bhpbilliton.com

Ruban Yogarajah                                                                   Dean Simon
Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022                                    Tel: +44 20 7802 7461 Mobile: +44 7717 511 193
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com                                            email: Dean.Simon@bhpbilliton.com

Jennifer White                                                                    Americas
Tel: +44 20 7802 7462 Mobile: +44 7827 253 764
email: Jennifer.White@bhpbilliton.com                                             James Agar
                                                                                  Tel: +1 212 310 1421 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011
Americas                                                                          email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com

Ruban Yogarajah                                                                   Joseph Suarez
Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022                                    Tel: +1 212 310 1422 Mobile: +1 646 400 3803
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com                                            email: Joseph.Suarez@bhpbilliton.com


BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077                                           BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia                                                           Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Level 16, 171 Collins Street                                   Registered Office: Neathouse Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia                                                 London SW1V 1LH United Kingdom
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015                                          Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111
                              Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia



Sponsor: Absa Bank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking Division)



BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                                           12

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

                                                         QUARTER ENDED                        YEAR TO DATE                         % CHANGE
                                                                                                                           DEC YTD13  DEC Q13 DEC Q13
                                                      DEC          SEP          DEC             DEC           DEC                vs      vs      vs
                                                     2012         2013         2013            2013          2012           DEC YTD12 DEC Q12 SEP Q13

Petroleum
Crude oil & condensate       ('000 bbl)            19,228       20,421        19,202          39,623        37,264              6%      0%      -6%
Natural gas                  (bcf)                 219.66       219.66        202.65          422.31        452.51             -7%     -8%      -8%
NGL                          ('000 boe)             4,064        5,632         4,771          10,403         8,475             23%     17%     -15%
Total petroleum products     (million boe)           59.9         62.7          57.7           120.4         121.2             -1%     -4%      -8%

Copper
Copper                       ('000 tonnes)          414.6        403.3         439.9           843.2         794.0              6%      6%       9%
Lead                         (tonnes)              46,135       46,445        47,839          94,284        98,318             -4%      4%       3%
Zinc                         (tonnes)              26,209       28,555        32,855          61,410        52,131             18%     25%      15%
Gold                         (ounces)              42,574       45,045        45,655          90,700        82,542             10%      7%       1%
Silver                       ('000 ounces)          8,772        8,688         8,850          17,538        18,218             -4%      1%       2%
Uranium oxide concentrate    (tonnes)               1,005          970         1,008           1,978         2,035             -3%      0%       4%
Molybdenum                   (tonnes)                 410          458           379             837           864             -3%     -8%     -17%

Iron ore
Iron ore                     ('000 tonnes)         42,190       48,953        48,867          97,820        81,962             19%     16%       0%

Coal
Metallurgical coal           ('000 tonnes)          8,888       10,185        11,540          21,725        17,826             22%     30%      13%
Energy coal                  ('000 tonnes)         18,738       19,639        17,767          37,406        37,882             -1%     -5%     -10%

Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
Alumina                ('000 tonnes)                1,232         1,251        1,352            2,603        2,402             8%      10%       8%
Aluminium              ('000 tonnes)                  297           310          302              612          566             8%       2%      -3%
Manganese ore          ('000 tonnes)                2,117         2,046        2,200            4,246        4,263             0%       4%       8%
Manganese alloy        ('000 tonnes)                  153           137          166              303          283             7%       8%      21%
Nickel                 ('000 tonnes)                 34.7          40.4         37.8             78.2         71.7             9%       9%      -6%



Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported.




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   13

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

                                                                          QUARTER ENDED                   YEAR TO DATE
                                           BHP Billiton      DEC      MAR         JUN      SEP      DEC      DEC      DEC
                                            interest        2012     2013        2013     2013     2013     2013     2012

Petroleum
Production
  Crude oil and condensate ('000 bbl)                     19,228   16,689      18,559   20,421   19,202   39,623   37,264
  Natural gas (bcf)                                       219.66   207.27      214.49   219.66   202.65   422.31   452.51
  NGL ('000 boe) (a)                                       4,064    4,182       4,882    5,632    4,771   10,403    8,475
  Total petroleum products (million boe)                    59.9     55.4        59.2     62.7     57.7    120.4    121.2

Copper (b)
Copper
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)
  Escondida (c)                             57.5%          209.9    222.6       223.0    205.1    208.0    413.1    385.9
  Antamina                                  33.8%           39.6     25.2        34.7     41.9     42.4     84.3     79.8
  Pinto Valley                               100%            0.5      5.3        10.8     10.9      1.6     12.5      0.5
  Total                                                    250.0    253.1       268.5    257.9    252.0    509.9    466.2

Cathode ('000 tonnes)
  Escondida (c)                             57.5%           71.0     75.3        79.3     73.2     77.5    150.7    143.3
  Pampa Norte (d)                            100%           58.8     56.4        64.7     43.5     59.4    102.9    111.5
  Pinto Valley                               100%            1.2      1.2         1.3      0.8      0.1      0.9      2.4
  Olympic Dam                                100%           33.6     47.7        47.9     27.9     50.9     78.8     70.6
  Total                                                    164.6    180.6       193.2    145.4    187.9    333.3    327.8
  Total Copper                                             414.6    433.7       461.7    403.3    439.9    843.2    794.0

Lead
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
  Cannington                                 100%         45,937   48,899      66,666   46,287   47,259   93,546   97,860
  Antamina                                  33.8%            198      181         368      158      580      738      458
  Total                                                   46,135   49,080      67,034   46,445   47,839   94,284   98,318

Zinc
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
  Cannington                                 100%         13,622   11,045      20,206   16,033   16,123   32,156   25,030
  Antamina                                   33.8%        12,587   19,148      25,675   12,522   16,732   29,254   27,101
  Total                                                   26,209   30,193      45,881   28,555   32,855   61,410   52,131

Gold
Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)
  Escondida (c)                              57.5%        18,359   18,626      17,593   17,347   19,384   36,731   35,310
  Olympic Dam (refined gold)                 100%         24,215   27,531      38,477   27,649   26,271   53,920   47,232
  Pinto Valley                               100%              -        -           -       49        -       49        -
  Total                                                   42,574   46,157      56,070   45,045   45,655   90,700   82,542

Silver
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)
  Escondida (c)                              57.5%           696      743         890      891      982    1,873    1,327
  Antamina                                   33.8%           934      802       1,297    1,205    1,350    2,555    1,853
  Cannington                                 100%          6,949    7,323       9,101    6,361    6,306   12,667   14,638
  Olympic Dam (refined silver)               100%            193      214         266      190      212      402      400
  Pinto Valley                               100%              -       11          48       41        -       41        -
  Total                                                    8,772    9,093      11,602    8,688    8,850   17,538   18,218

Uranium oxide concentrate
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
  Olympic Dam                                 100%         1,005      926       1,105      970    1,008    1,978    2,035
  Total                                                    1,005      926       1,105      970    1,008    1,978    2,035

Molybdenum
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
  Antamina                                   33.8%           410      321        376       458      379     837       864
  Total                                                      410      321        376       458      379     837       864

  Refer footnotes on page 16.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   14

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

                                                                   QUARTER ENDED                   YEAR TO DATE
                                    BHP Billiton     DEC      MAR         JUN      SEP      DEC      DEC      DEC
                                     interest       2012     2013        2013     2013     2013     2013     2012

Iron Ore
Production ('000 tonnes) (e)
   Newman (f)                          85%         12,809   13,028      15,408   15,362   14,186   29,548   24,561
   Goldsworthy Joint Venture           85%            378      296           -      202      428      630      810
   Area C Joint Venture                85%         10,245   10,983      12,552   11,814   11,383   23,197   21,182
   Yandi Joint Venture                 85%         15,954   13,302      17,027   18,146   17,135   35,281   29,725
   Jimblebar (g)                       85%              -        -           -      700    2,894    3,594        -
   Samarco                             50%          2,804    2,596       2,702    2,729    2,841    5,570    5,684
   Total                                           42,190   40,205      47,689   48,953   48,867   97,820   81,962

Coal
Metallurgical coal
Production ('000 tonnes) (h)
  BMA                                  50%          5,440    5,327       6,696    6,705    7,494   14,199   10,622
  BHP Mitsui Coal (i)                  80%          1,589    1,862       1,846    2,057    2,114    4,171    3,355
  Illawarra                            100%         1,859    1,777       2,316    1,423    1,932    3,355    3,849
  Total                                             8,888    8,966      10,858   10,185   11,540   21,725   17,826

Energy coal
Production ('000 tonnes)
  South Africa (j)                     90%          7,969    7,302       7,902    7,937    7,036   14,973   16,423
  USA                                 100%          3,280    3,351       2,752    3,145    2,896    6,041    6,688
  Australia                           100%          4,827    3,837       4,893    5,372    4,544    9,916    9,280
  Colombia                            33.3%         2,662    1,512       3,014    3,185    3,291    6,476    5,491
  Total                                            18,738   16,002      18,561   19,639   17,767   37,406   37,882

Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
Alumina
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
  Worsley                              86%            944      911         961      946    1,024    1,970    1,803
  Alumar                               36%            288      302         304      305      328      633      599
  Total                                             1,232    1,213       1,265    1,251    1,352    2,603    2,402

Aluminium
Production ('000 tonnes)
  Hillside                            100%            167      178        181       184      183     367       306
  Bayside                             100%             24       24         24        24       24      48        48
  Alumar                               40%             39       37         39        35       28      63        78
  Mozal                               47.1%            67       64         66        67       67     134       134
  Total                                               297      303        310       310      302     612       566

Manganese ores
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
  South Africa (k)                    44.4%           834      859         939      864      944    1,808    1,692
  Australia (k)                        60%          1,283    1,149       1,307    1,182    1,256    2,438    2,571
  Total                                             2,117    2,008       2,246    2,046    2,200    4,246    4,263

Manganese alloys
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
  South Africa (k) (l)                 60%             91       86        104        86       94     180       184
  Australia (k)                        60%             62       57         78        51       72     123        99
  Total                                               153      143        182       137      166     303       283

Nickel
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
  Cerro Matoso                        99.9%          12.4     12.3        12.8     12.0     12.3     24.3     25.7
  Nickel West                         100%           22.3     29.8        27.5     28.4     25.5     53.9     46.0
  Total                                              34.7     42.1        40.3     40.4     37.8     78.2     71.7

  Refer footnotes on page 16.



___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   15

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

  (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) Shown on 100% basis following the application of the new IFRS 10 which came into effect from 1 July 2013. BHP Billiton interest in
      saleable production is 57.5%.
  (d) Includes Cerro Colorado and Spence.
  (e) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
  (f) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Wheelarra.
  (g) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 85%.
  (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%.
  (j) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 90%.
  (k) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%.
  (l) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   16

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                QUARTER ENDED                              YEAR TO DATE
                                                                   DEC      MAR         JUN      SEP             DEC            DEC       DEC
                                                                  2012     2013        2013     2013            2013           2013      2012

Petroleum
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

Crude oil and condensate ('000 barrels)
  Bass Strait                                                    2,081    1,934        2,229       2,247        1,958          4,205        4,650
  North West Shelf                                               1,829    1,526        1,646       1,865        1,497          3,362        3,696
  Stybarrow                                                        464      323          401         348          317            665          998
  Pyrenees                                                       2,379    1,659        1,817       1,707        1,295          3,002        4,984
  Other Australia (a)                                               15       15           12          14           12             26           32
  Atlantis (b)                                                   2,376    1,471        2,594       2,953        3,988          6,941        3,930
  Mad Dog (b)                                                      906      791          649         732          496          1,228        1,275
  Shenzi (b)                                                     4,008    3,580        3,378       3,467        3,201          6,668        7,791
  Onshore US (c)                                                 2,658    3,071        3,614       5,044        4,238          9,282        5,016
  Trinidad/Tobago                                                  362      331          259         320          314            634          738
  Other Americas (b) (d)                                           410      384          403         378          373            751          777
  UK (e)                                                           355      326          282         142          305            447          615
  Algeria                                                        1,316    1,207        1,210       1,142        1,156          2,298        2,625
  Pakistan                                                          69       71           65          62           52            114          137
  Total                                                         19,228   16,689       18,559      20,421       19,202         39,623       37,264

Natural gas (billion cubic feet)
  Bass Strait                                                    26.67    23.38        33.63       34.20        22.73          56.93        66.73
  North West Shelf                                               34.09    31.29        30.29       34.18        30.35          64.53        69.42
  Other Australia (a)                                             5.48     5.17         4.54        9.32        15.12          24.44        11.68
  Atlantis (b)                                                    0.89     0.54         0.83        1.26         1.85           3.11         1.48
  Mad Dog (b)                                                     0.18     0.15         0.05        0.11         0.07           0.18         0.24
  Shenzi (b)                                                      0.94     0.81         0.78        0.80         0.76           1.56         3.05
  Onshore US (c)                                                123.03   115.69       118.08      114.89       105.29         220.18       245.62
  Trinidad/Tobago                                                 9.15     8.84         9.07        9.90         9.66          19.56        18.36
  Other Americas (b) (d)                                          0.48     0.59         0.29        0.27         0.29           0.56         0.83
  UK (e)                                                          5.26     6.44         4.09        3.47         6.25           9.72         8.55
  Pakistan                                                       13.49    14.37        12.84       11.26        10.28          21.54        26.55
  Total                                                         219.66   207.27       214.49      219.66       202.65         422.31       452.51

NGL ('000 barrels of oil equivalent)
 Bass Strait                                                     1,342    1,405        1,753        2,001       1,603          3,604        3,395
 North West Shelf                                                  354      323          312          399         234            633          739
 Atlantis (b)                                                      209       96          200          255         348            603          263
 Mad Dog (b)                                                        72       55            -           38          24             62           88
 Shenzi (b)                                                        324      269          224          266         252            518          694
 Onshore US (c)                                                  1,736    2,004        2,375        2,656       2,295          4,951        3,252
 Other Americas (b) (d)                                             16       13            9           11          10             21           33
 UK (e)                                                             11       17            9            6           5             11           11
 Total                                                           4,064    4,182        4,882        5,632       4,771         10,403        8,475

Total Petroleum Products                                          59.9      55.4        59.2         62.7        57.7          120.4        121.2
(million barrels of oil equivalent) (f)



  (a) Other Australia includes Minerva and Macedon. Macedon achieved first production in August 2013.
  (b) Gulf of Mexico volumes are net of royalties.
  (c) Onshore US volumes are net of mineral holder royalties.
  (d) Other Americas includes Neptune, Genesis and Overriding Royalty Interest.
  (e) An agreement to sell Liverpool Bay was reached in October 2013 and the transaction is expected to close before the end of the 2014
      financial year.
  (f) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   17

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                                YEAR TO DATE
                                                                DEC          MAR          JUN          SEP          DEC            DEC       DEC
                                                               2012         2013         2013         2013         2013           2013      2012

Copper
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.

Escondida, Chile (a)
  Material mined                           ('000 tonnes)      96,938       94,567       98,665       93,744       93,814        187,558      199,437
  Sulphide ore milled                      ('000 tonnes)      18,796       18,964       19,295       18,276       19,584         37,860       35,646
  Average copper grade                     (%)                 1.39%        1.44%        1.42%        1.37%        1.30%          1.33%        1.37%
  Production ex mill                       ('000 tonnes)       216.6        229.3        231.9        210.6        214.4          425.0        401.8

  Production
  Payable copper                           ('000 tonnes)       209.9        222.6        223.0        205.1        208.0          413.1       385.9
  Payable gold concentrate                 (fine ounces)      18,359       18,626       17,593       17,347       19,384         36,731      35,310
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)        71.0         75.3         79.3         73.2         77.5          150.7       143.3
  Payable silver concentrate               ('000 ounces)         696          743          890          891          982          1,873       1,327

  Sales
  Payable copper                           ('000 tonnes)       226.6        215.8        228.2        192.3        228.1          420.4       392.2
  Payable gold concentrate                 (fine ounces)      19,235       18,325       15,831       12,490       18,602         31,092      34,885
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)        81.4         59.1         95.0         63.0         86.7          149.7       148.9
  Payable silver concentrate               ('000 ounces)         772          720          908          836        1,076          1,912       1,335

  (a) Shown on 100% basis following the application of the new IFRS 10 which came into effect from 1 July 2013. BHP Billiton interest in
      saleable production is 57.5%.

Pampa Norte, Chile
  Cerro Colorado
  Material mined                           ('000 tonnes)      15,722       14,964       16,303       15,771       17,487         33,258      31,789
  Ore milled                               ('000 tonnes)       4,206        4,350        4,351        4,161        4,501          8,662       8,711
  Average copper grade                     (%)                 0.66%        0.65%        0.82%        0.78%        0.76%          0.77%       0.60%

  Production
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)         17.9         14.6        21.2         17.6         19.4           37.0        35.7

  Sales
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)         18.8         13.7        21.7         17.3         17.6           34.9        34.9



  Spence
  Material mined                           ('000 tonnes)      25,999       28,861       28,646       24,331       27,911         52,242      53,540
  Ore milled                               ('000 tonnes)       4,161        4,041        4,146        4,860        4,788          9,648       7,913
  Average copper grade                     (%)                 1.29%        1.38%        1.16%        1.11%        1.25%          1.18%       1.23%

  Production
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)         40.9         41.8        43.5         25.9         40.0           65.9        75.8

  Sales
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)         42.6         29.8        57.9         25.9         35.9           61.8        73.7




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   18

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                                   YEAR TO DATE
                                                                 DEC         MAR          JUN          SEP           DEC           DEC          DEC
                                                                2012        2013         2013         2013          2013          2013         2012

Copper
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.

Antamina, Peru
  Material mined (100%)                    ('000 tonnes)      49,246       48,032       56,254       56,428       50,872        107,300      103,728
  Sulphide ore milled (100%)               ('000 tonnes)      11,752       10,330       12,424       11,765       12,521         24,286       24,026
  Average head grades
  - Copper                                 (%)                  1.16%       0.88%        1.03%        1.21%        1.15%          1.18%        1.15%
  - Zinc                                   (%)                  0.64%       0.93%        1.02%        0.56%        0.72%          0.64%        0.65%

  Production
  Payable copper                           ('000 tonnes)        39.6         25.2         34.7         41.9         42.4           84.3         79.8
  Payable zinc                             (tonnes)           12,587       19,148       25,675       12,522       16,732         29,254       27,101
  Payable silver                           ('000 ounces)         934          802        1,297        1,205        1,350          2,555        1,853
  Payable lead                             (tonnes)              198          181          368          158          580            738          458
  Payable molybdenum                       (tonnes)              410          321          376          458          379            837          864

  Sales
  Payable copper                           ('000 tonnes)        42.7         24.1         31.9         41.3         44.5           85.8         82.4
  Payable zinc                             (tonnes)           17,874       16,062       22,560       16,123       18,397         34,520       33,393
  Payable silver                           ('000 ounces)       1,101          772        1,165        1,503        1,367          2,870        1,950
  Payable lead                             (tonnes)              276          115          262          297          368            665          606
  Payable molybdenum                       (tonnes)              381          371          283          411          442            853          917

Cannington, Australia
  Material mined                           ('000 tonnes)         817          810          802          893          974          1,867        1,534
  Ore milled                               ('000 tonnes)         793          713          866          750          852          1,602        1,566
  Average head grades
  - Silver                                 (g/t)                 317          364          401          315          274            293          336
  - Lead                                   (%)                  7.0%         7.7%         9.1%         7.4%         6.7%           7.0%         7.3%
  - Zinc                                   (%)                  2.9%         2.7%         3.8%         3.2%         3.1%           3.1%         2.7%

  Production
  Payable silver                           ('000 ounces)       6,949        7,323        9,101        6,361        6,306         12,667       14,638
  Payable lead                             (tonnes)           45,937       48,899       66,666       46,287       47,259         93,546       97,860
  Payable zinc                             (tonnes)           13,622       11,045       20,206       16,033       16,123         32,156       25,030

  Sales
  Payable silver                           ('000 ounces)       6,694        7,265        7,793        7,844        6,548         14,392       15,200
  Payable lead                             (tonnes)           46,319       48,661       64,633       56,500       47,185        103,685      105,361
  Payable zinc                             (tonnes)           16,321        9,439       21,056       17,286       18,241         35,527       26,700




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   19

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                                YEAR TO DATE 
                                                                 DEC         MAR            JUN        SEP           DEC            DEC        DEC
                                                                2012        2013           2013       2013          2013           2013       2012

Copper
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)        2,123       2,448          2,750      2,897        2,717          5,614       4,349
  Ore milled                               ('000 tonnes)        2,435       2,353          2,641      2,404        2,641          5,045       4,906
  Average copper grade                     (%)                  1.71%       1.73%          1.86%      1.85%        1.86%          1.86%       1.81%
  Average uranium grade                    (kg/t)                0.51        0.50           0.56       0.53         0.52           0.52        0.53

  Production
  Copper cathode (ER)                      ('000 tonnes)        30.4         44.7         45.1         25.9         47.6           73.5        64.4
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)         3.2          3.0          2.8          2.0          3.3            5.3         6.2
  Uranium oxide concentrate                (tonnes)            1,005          926        1,105          970        1,008          1,978       2,035
  Refined gold                             (fine ounces)      24,215       27,531       38,477       27,649       26,271         53,920      47,232
  Refined silver                           ('000 ounces)         193          214          266          190          212            402         400



  Sales
  Copper cathode (ER)                      ('000 tonnes)        33.2         40.1         46.4         26.8         43.3           70.1        68.3
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)         2.7          3.1          3.5          2.1          2.8            4.9         6.1
  Uranium oxide concentrate                (tonnes)            1,343          816        1,374          930        1,037          1,967       1,958
  Refined gold                             (fine ounces)      25,227       24,678       38,394       21,675       32,226         53,901      46,176
  Refined silver                           ('000 ounces)         169          211          275          176          177            353         434

  (a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.

Pinto Valley, US (a)
  Production
  Payable copper                           ('000 tonnes)            0.5        5.3          10.8       10.9          1.6            12.5        0.5
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)            1.2        1.2           1.3        0.8          0.1             0.9        2.4
  Payable silver                           ('000 ounces)              -         11            48         41            -              41          -
  Payable gold                             (ounces)                   -          -             -         49            -              49          -

  Sales
  Payable copper                           ('000 tonnes)              -        2.6           9.9         7.3            -            7.3          -
  Copper cathode (EW)                      ('000 tonnes)            1.2        1.1           1.4         1.1            -            1.1        2.4
  Payable silver                           ('000 ounces)              -         11            48          41            -             41          -
  Payable gold                             (ounces)                   -          -             -          49            -             49          -

  (a) On 11 October 2013 BHP Billiton completed the sale of its Pinto Valley operations.




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   20

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                  YEAR TO DATE
                                                                 DEC         MAR         JUN      SEP      DEC      DEC       DEC
                                                                2012        2013        2013     2013     2013     2013      2012

Iron Ore
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)

Iron ore
Pilbara, Australia
   Production (a)
   Newman (b)                                                  12,809     13,028      15,408   15,362   14,186    29,548   24,561
   Goldsworthy Joint Venture                                      378        296           -      202      428       630      810
   Area C Joint Venture                                        10,245     10,983      12,552   11,814   11,383    23,197   21,182
   Yandi Joint Venture                                         15,954     13,302      17,027   18,146   17,135    35,281   29,725
   Jimblebar (c)                                                    -          -           -      700    2,894     3,594        -
   Total                                                       39,386     37,609      44,987   46,224   46,026    92,250   76,278
   Total production (100%)                                     46,337     44,245      52,926   54,258   53,638   107,896   89,740

  Sales
  Lump                                                          9,806      9,339      11,284   10,292    9,996    20,288   18,144
  Fines                                                        30,479     28,370      34,621   35,235   35,756    70,991   59,197
  Total                                                        40,285     37,709      45,905   45,527   45,752    91,279   77,341
  Total sales (100%)                                           47,393     44,363      54,006   53,561   53,808   107,369   90,988

  (a) Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
  (b) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Wheelarra.
  (c) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 85%.

Samarco, Brazil
  Production (a)                                                2,804      2,596       2,702    2,729    2,841     5,570    5,684

  Sales                                                         3,227      2,515       2,651    2,676    3,025     5,701    5,849

  (a) Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis.




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   21

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                  QUARTER ENDED                                 YEAR TO DATE
                                                                  DEC          MAR         JUN      SEP               DEC           DEC       DEC
                                                                 2012         2013        2013     2013              2013          2013      2012

Coal
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)

Metallurgical coal
Queensland, Australia
 Production (a)
 BMA
 Blackwater                                                     1,588        1,157        1,539        1,691        1,655          3,346     2,736
 Goonyella                                                      1,392        1,478        1,816        1,737        1,999          3,736     2,927
 Peak Downs                                                     1,151        1,225        1,140        1,112        1,201          2,313     2,180
 Saraji                                                           994          711          971        1,197        1,195          2,392     1,767
 Gregory Joint Venture (b)                                        315          657          854          464          850          1,314     1,012
 Daunia                                                             -           99          376          504          594          1,098         -
 BMA total                                                      5,440        5,327        6,696        6,705        7,494         14,199    10,622



  BHP Mitsui Coal (c)
  South Walker Creek                                              864        1,188        1,215        1,298        1,313          2,611     1,948
  Poitrel                                                         725          674          631          759          801          1,560     1,407
  BHP Mitsui Coal total                                         1,589        1,862        1,846        2,057        2,114          4,171     3,355
  Queensland total                                              7,029        7,189        8,542        8,762        9,608         18,370    13,977

  Sales
  Coking coal                                                   5,561        4,933        6,316        6,123        6,517         12,640     9,619
  Weak coking coal                                              1,820        2,029        2,417        2,397        2,505          4,902     3,365
  Thermal coal                                                    237           75           30          160          271            431       476
  Total                                                         7,618        7,037        8,763        8,680        9,293         17,973    13,460

  (a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
  (b) Gregory open-cut ceased production on 10 October 2012.
  (c) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.

Illawarra, Australia
   Production (a)                                               1,859        1,777        2,316        1,423        1,932          3,355     3,849

  Sales
  Coking coal                                                   1,785        1,595        1,877        1,084        1,495          2,579     3,560
  Thermal coal                                                    327          145          436          359          318            677       829
  Total                                                         2,112        1,740        2,313        1,443        1,813          3,256     4,389

  (a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   22

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                             YEAR TO DATE
                                                                 DEC         MAR         JUN        SEP          DEC            DEC        DEC
                                                                2012        2013        2013       2013         2013           2013       2012

Coal
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)

Energy coal
South Africa (a)
  Production                                                    7,969      7,302       7,902       7,937       7,036         14,973      16,423

  Sales
  Export                                                        3,583      3,604       3,363       2,504       4,087          6,591       6,968
  Local utility                                                 4,615      4,171       4,353       4,543       3,811          8,354       9,484
  Inland                                                           28         32          24           -           -              -          66
  Total                                                         8,226      7,807       7,740       7,047       7,898         14,945      16,518

  (a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 90%.

New Mexico, US
  Production
  Navajo Coal (a)                                               2,012      1,944       1,569       1,670       1,400          3,070       3,955
  San Juan Coal                                                 1,268      1,407       1,183       1,475       1,496          2,971       2,733
  Total                                                         3,280      3,351       2,752       3,145       2,896          6,041       6,688

  Sales - local utility                                         3,265      3,275       2,815       3,129       2,950          6,079       6,685

  (a) BHP Billiton completed the sale of Navajo Mine on 30 December 2013. BHP Billiton will remain the mine manager and operator until
      2016 and therefore production will continue to be reported by the Group.

NSW Energy Coal, Australia
  Production                                                    4,827      3,837       4,893       5,372       4,544          9,916       9,280

  Sales
  Export                                                        4,187      4,505       4,289       4,037       4,887          8,924       8,675
  Inland                                                          265        174         478         446         332            778         515
  Total                                                         4,452      4,679       4,767       4,483       5,219          9,702       9,190

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
  Production                                                    2,662      1,512       3,014       3,185       3,291          6,476       5,491

  Sales - export                                                2,702      1,774       3,157       3,155       3,067          6,222       5,332




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   23

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                              YEAR TO DATE
                                                                 DEC         MAR         JUN      SEP          DEC            DEC       DEC
                                                                2012        2013        2013     2013         2013           2013      2012

Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)

Alumina
  Saleable production
  Worsley, Australia                                              944        911         961       946        1,024          1,970     1,803
  Alumar, Brazil                                                  288        302         304       305          328            633       599
  Total                                                         1,232      1,213       1,265     1,251        1,352          2,603     2,402

  Sales
  Worsley, Australia                                              916        910       1,031       897          961          1,858     1,736
  Alumar, Brazil                                                  298        296         329       278          320            598       650
  Total                                                         1,214      1,206       1,360     1,175        1,281          2,456     2,386

Aluminium
  Production
  Hillside, South Africa                                          167        178        181        184          183            367       306
  Bayside, South Africa                                            24         24         24         24           24             48        48
  Alumar, Brazil                                                   39         37         39         35           28             63        78
  Mozal, Mozambique                                                67         64         66         67           67            134       134
  Total                                                           297        303        310        310          302            612       566

  Sales
  Hillside, South Africa                                          171        166        191        180          173            353       310
  Bayside, South Africa                                            26         27         26         24           24             48        52
  Alumar, Brazil                                                   41         39         38         34           28             62        87
  Mozal, Mozambique                                                65         76         65         68           74            142       123
  Total                                                           303        308        320        306          299            605       572

Manganese ore
 Saleable production
 South Africa (a)                                                 834        859         939       864          944          1,808     1,692
 Australia (a)                                                  1,283      1,149       1,307     1,182        1,256          2,438     2,571
 Total                                                          2,117      2,008       2,246     2,046        2,200          4,246     4,263

  Sales
  South Africa (a)                                                808        835         970       920          714          1,634     1,686
  Australia (a)                                                   979      1,326       1,102     1,078        1,445          2,523     2,150
  Total                                                         1,787      2,161       2,072     1,998        2,159          4,157     3,836

Manganese alloy
 Saleable production
 South Africa (a) (b)                                              91         86        104         86           94            180       184
 Australia (a)                                                     62         57         78         51           72            123        99
 Total                                                            153        143        182        137          166            303       283

  Sales
  South Africa (a) (b)                                            112         89        110         88           87              175    186
  Australia (a)                                                    52         68         61         54           63              117     98
  Total                                                           164        157        171        142          150              292    284



  (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 operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   24

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

                                                                                 QUARTER ENDED                  YEAR TO DATE
                                                                  DEC        MAR         JUN      SEP      DEC      DEC       DEC
                                                                 2012       2013        2013     2013     2013     2013      2012

Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)

Nickel
Cerro Matoso, Colombia
  Production                                                      12.4      12.3        12.8     12.0     12.3     24.3      25.7

  Sales                                                           13.7      13.0        13.1     12.6     12.3     24.9      26.0

Nickel West, Australia
  Saleable production
  Nickel contained in concentrate                                  4.1       3.1         3.0      3.4      2.4      5.8       5.4
  Nickel contained in finished matte                               7.6       9.7         8.6      8.8      6.1     14.9      13.4
  Nickel metal                                                    10.6      17.0        15.9     16.2     17.0     33.2      27.2
  Nickel production                                               22.3      29.8        27.5     28.4     25.5     53.9      46.0

  Sales
  Nickel contained in concentrate                                  2.9       3.1         3.0      2.7      2.8      5.5       4.5
  Nickel contained in finished matte                               7.0       9.0         9.7      7.8      7.4     15.2      13.7
  Nickel metal                                                    12.8      19.5        17.7     15.3     17.2     32.5      27.0
  Nickel sales                                                    22.7      31.6        30.4     25.8     27.4     53.2      45.2




___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BHP Billiton operational review for the half year ended 31 December 2013                                   25

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