BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 23, 2008

 

 

 

BHP BILLITON LIMITED

(ABN 49 004 028 077)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

 

180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

3000 AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive offices)

  

 

 

BHP BILLITON PLC

(REG. NO. 3196209)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

ENGLAND AND WALES

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

 

NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON,

UNITED KINGDOM

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:  [x] Form 20-F   [  ] Form 40-F
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:  [ ] Yes    [x] No
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):    n/a 
 

23 April 2008
Number 14/08


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2008

 

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the nine months ended 31 March 2008. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share and exclude suspended and sold operations.
  • Year to date production increased for 12 commodities reflecting our strong track record of consistent growth on the back of projects delivered from our deep inventory of projects. First product was delivered from eight projects into commodity markets that remain strong.
     
  • Significant increase in petroleum production with continuing ramp up of recently commissioned projects and strong facility and reservoir performance offsetting natural field decline. On track to deliver 10% volume growth for the 2008 financial year.
     
  • Western Australia iron ore operations (Australia) achieved record quarterly and year to date production and shipments during a seasonally challenging quarter.
     
  • Record year to date manganese ore and alloy production delivered in a strong price environment. Manganese ore also achieved quarterly production record. This was set despite restrictions on power consumption in South Africa.
     
  • Record year to date copper production achieved as newly commissioned projects continue to ramp up in a period of strong pricing.
     
  • The Yabulu Expansion Project (Australia) achieved first production during the quarter.
     
  • Record year to date production of natural gas and alumina.
     
  • Year to date production records achieved at the Worsley, Western Australia Iron Ore, GEMCO, TEMCO, Illawarra Coal, and Hunter Valley Coal (all Australia), Escondida (Chile), Paranam (Suriname), Alumar and Samarco (both Brazil), Samancor (South Africa) and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) operations.
     
  • Metallurgical coal production in Queensland (Australia) and nickel production at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) has resumed following extreme weather conditions and industrial action respectively. Ramp up to normal operating levels continuing.
     
  • Southern Africa aluminium production was impacted by a mandatory 10 per cent reduction. in power consumption.

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
PETROLEUM

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids ('000 bbl) (a)

47,837

18,441

13%

39%

23%
Natural Gas (bcf) (a)

272.65

85.75

6%

1%

-6%
Total Petroleum Products (million boe) (a)

93.27

32.73

10%

19%

8%

Total Petroleum Products - Significant growth in production was mainly driven by the continued ramp up of Stybarrow (Australia), Genghis Khan and Atlantis (both USA) and excellent operated facility performance.

Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids - Production was higher than all comparative periods due to significant growth in high margin crude production. Continued ramp up of new projects and successful development drilling had a very positive impact. Partially offsetting this was the impact of natural field decline, unplanned interruption at North West Shelf (Australia) and the impact of cyclone activities in Western Australia.

Natural Gas - Production was lower than the December 2007 quarter due to expected lower seasonal gas demand in southeast Australia and unplanned interruption at North West Shelf.

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
ALUMINIUM

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Alumina ('000 tonnes)

3,405

1,095

3%

1%

-5%
Aluminium ('000 tonnes)

993

318

-1%

-4%

-6%

Alumina - Production and sales for the nine months ended March 2008 were all time records due to record performance from all operations.

Production was marginally lower than the December 2007 quarter. This primarily reflects reduced production at Worsley due to gas supply curtailments.

Aluminium - Production was impacted by the mandatory 10 per cent reduction in power consumption across the Southern Africa smelters. This was in part offset by equalled quarterly and year to date record production from Alumar.

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
BASE METALS

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Copper ('000 tonnes)

984.8

328.9

8%

-8%

-6%
Lead (tonnes)

199,950

67,885

34%

7%

-4%
Zinc (tonnes)

101,036

35,970

27%

1%

29%
Silver ('000 ounces)

34,251

11,221

37%

2%

-6%
Uranium Oxide Concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes)

3,117

993

25%

12%

-17%

Copper - Year to date production record was set with the continued ramp up of Escondida Sulphide Leach and Spence (both Chile) and Pinto Valley (USA). In aggregate, these projects contributed 166,000 tonnes during the nine months ended March 2008. This was achieved despite the impact of two earthquakes in Chile in the December 2007 quarter, and lower production from Antamina (Peru) and Olympic Dam (Australia).

Production was lower than the March 2007 and December 2007 quarters mainly due to lower grade and recovery from Escondida and unplanned interruptions at Olympic Dam.

Lead - Year to date production increased due to the completion of the Cannington (Australia) rehabilitation project.

Zinc - Production was higher than the nine months ended March 2007 and the December 2007 quarter due to higher grade and an increased proportion of zinc containing ore being processed at Antamina. The completion of the Cannington rehabilitation project also had a positive impact on the production for the nine months ended March 2008.

Silver - Production for the nine months ended March 2008 improved significantly due to the successful completion of the Cannington rehabilitation project and record performance from Escondida and Antamina.

Uranium - Production was higher than the nine months and quarter ended March 2007 due to ongoing progress at improving recovery and leach circuit performance at Olympic Dam. 

Production was lower than the December 2007 quarter mainly due to decline in grade and scheduled maintenance. 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Diamonds ('000 carats)

2,485

620

7%

-30%

-26%

Diamonds - Production decreased versus the March 2007 and December 2007 quarters mainly due to lower grades. Although production was lower, it included an increased proportion of higher value carats. As Ekati (Canada) transitions from open pit mining to underground mining the mix of ore processed will change from time to time.

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Nickel ('000 tonnes)

125.3

43.0

-10%

-6%

-2%

Nickel - Production in the nine months ended March 2008 was impacted by the industrial stoppage at Cerro Matoso, wet weather interruptions at Yabulu (Australia) and scheduled maintenance across all operations. This was partially offset by continued strong production from the Kwinana Nickel Refinery (Australia), which performed at near record levels.

The Yabulu Expansion Project delivered first production during the quarter, and the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation (Australia) ramp up continues to progress in line with schedule.

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
IRON ORE

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Iron ore ('000 tonnes) (c)

81,646

28,033

13%

22%

1%

Iron Ore - Record production and shipments were achieved for the nine months and quarter ended March 2008. Western Australia Iron Ore continued to perform strongly and set new year to date and quarterly production records. Samarco also set a year to date production record.

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
MANGANESE

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Manganese Ore ('000 tonnes)

4,724

1,666

5%

15%

3%
Manganese Alloy ('000 tonnes)

585

192

7%

-2%

-8%

Manganese Ore - Record year to date and quarterly production achieved due to record or near record performance from all operations. This was achieved despite a mandatory 10% reduction in power consumption for the South African sinter plant and weather related interruptions at GEMCO.

Manganese Alloy - Year to date production increased due to improved facility availability and utilisation at Samancor achieved in the December 2007 quarter and record performance from TEMCO.

Production for the March 2008 quarter was impacted by the mandatory 10% reduction in power consumption in South Africa.

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
METALLURGICAL COAL

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Metallurgical Coal ('000 tonnes)

26,061

6,846

-5%

-25%

-29%

Metallurgical Coal - Production and shipments were significantly impacted by extreme wet weather experienced at Queensland Coal (Australia). Coal production has resumed but continues to be constrained as the recovery process proceeds and mines are brought back to full operational capacity. This was partially offset by record year to date performance at Illawarra Coal (Australia).

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

2008

2008

vs

vs

vs
ENERGY COAL

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

Energy Coal ('000 tonnes) (d)

59,496

19,264

-2%

-2%

-7%

Energy Coal - Production for the March 2008 quarter was mainly impacted by scheduled longwall move at San Juan (USA). This was offset by continued strong production at Hunter Valley Coal which achieved its' third consecutive quarterly record.

 

(a) Excluding Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).

(b) Earnings before interest and tax.

(c) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.

(d) Excluding Koornfontein operation which was sold effective 1 July 2007.

This report together with the Exploration and Development Report represent the Interim Management Statement for the purposes of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. There have been no significant changes in the financial position of the Group in the quarter ended 31 March 2008.

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR TO DATE

% CHANGE

MAR YTD 08

MAR Q08

MAR Q08

MAR

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

vs

vs

vs

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

DEC Q07

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

10,669

12,317

16,240

39,856

33,725

18%

52%

32%

Natural gas (a)

(bcf)

85.10

91.21

85.75

272.65

256.42

6%

1%

-6%

Natural gas liquid

('000 bbl)

2,626

2,685

2,201

7,981

8,503

-6%

-16%

-18%

Total Petroleum Products (a)

(million boe)

27.42

30.20

32.73

93.27

84.87

10%

19%

8%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,085

1,157

1,095

3,405

3,316

3%

1%

-5%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

331

338

318

993

1,006

-1%

-4%

-6%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

357.6

348.1

328.9

984.8

908.0

8%

-8%

-6%

Lead

(tonnes)

63,443

70,544

67,885

199,950

149,557

34%

7%

-4%

Zinc

(tonnes)

35,760

27,807

35,970

101,036

79,547

27%

1%

29%

Gold

(ounces)

43,904

45,714

36,216

122,243

123,628

-1%

-18%

-21%

Silver

('000 ounces)

11,025

11,905

11,221

34,251

24,940

37%

2%

-6%

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

883

1,191

993

3,117

2,498

25%

12%

-17%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

288

679

580

1,952

1,775

10%

101%

-15%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

889

843

620

2,485

2,313

7%

-30%

-26%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

45.8

43.7

43.0

125.3

138.6

-10%

-6%

-2%

IRON ORE

Iron ore (b)

('000 tonnes)

22,884

27,746

28,033

81,646

72,451

13%

22%

1%

MANGANESE

Manganese ore

('000 tonnes)

1,452

1,613

1,666

4,724

4,490

5%

15%

3%

Manganese alloy

('000 tonnes)

196

209

192

585

546

7%

-2%

-8%

METALLURGICAL COAL

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

9,084

9,643

6,846

26,061

27,297

-5%

-25%

-29%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal (c)

('000 tonnes)

19,737

20,609

19,264

59,496

60,935

-2%

-2%

-7%

(a)

Excluding Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).

(b)

Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.

(c)

Excluding Koornfontein which was disposed effective 1 July 2007.

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

 

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

YEAR TO DATE

BHP Billiton

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

Interest

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

10,671

11,443

11,299

12,317

16,240

39,856

33,725

Natural gas

(bcf)

86.68

95.25

95.68

91.21

85.76

272.65

261.60

NGL (a)

('000 bbl)

2,626

3,018

3,095

2,685

2,201

7,981

8,504

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

27.68

30.47

30.34

30.20

32.73

93.27

85.73

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

708

768

784

771

712

2,267

2,188

Suriname

45%

241

243

244

252

247

743

735

Alumar

36%

136

133

125

134

136

395

393

Total

1,085

1,144

1,153

1,157

1,095

3,405

3,316

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

174

177

178

180

167

525

527

Bayside

100%

48

47

48

47

44

139

147

Alumar

40%

44

44

44

44

45

133

133

Mozal

47%

65

66

67

67

62

196

199

Total

331

334

337

338

318

993

1,006

BASE METALS (b)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

178.1

170.5

167.0

177.3

157.0

501.3

468.4

Antamina

33.8%

24.2

26.4

27.5

29.3

24.1

80.9

87.3

Pinto Valley

100%

-

-

-

5.2

9.6

14.8

-

Total

202.3

196.9

194.5

211.8

190.7

597.0

555.7

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

38.2

37.7

30.9

30.3

30.1

91.3

88.4

Cerro Colorado

100%

28.1

20.3

23.1

27.3

28.7

79.1

85.5

Spence (c)

100%

33.5

37.7

23.9

34.2

41.6

99.7

37.8

Pinto Valley

100%

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.8

5.3

5.7

Olympic Dam

100%

53.6

47.6

33.6

42.8

36.0

112.4

134.9

Total

155.3

145.2

113.3

136.3

138.2

387.8

352.3

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

62,974

62,409

61,073

70,369

67,505

198,947

148,405

Antamina

33.8%

469

317

448

175

380

1,003

1,152

Total

63,443

62,726

61,521

70,544

67,885

199,950

149,557

ZINC

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

15,095

11,355

14,503

15,487

13,735

43,725

34,327

Antamina

33.8%

20,665

27,793

22,756

12,320

22,235

57,311

45,220

Total

35,760

39,148

37,259

27,807

35,970

101,036

79,547

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

21,243

23,754

23,194

21,376

17,660

62,230

60,657

Olympic Dam (refined gold)

100%

22,661

28,689

17,119

24,338

18,555

60,012

62,971

Pinto Valley

100%

-

-

-

-

1

1

-

Total

43,904

52,443

40,313

45,714

36,216

122,243

123,628

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

920

990

1,116

877

790

2,783

2,524

Antamina

33.8%

749

934

1,056

652

803

2,511

2,198

Cannington

100%

9,160

9,426

8,759

10,124

9,421

28,304

19,679

Olympic Dam (refined silver)

100%

196

275

193

239

169

601

539

Pinto Valley

100%

-

-

-

13

38

52

-

Total

11,025

11,625

11,124

11,905

11,221

34,251

24,940

URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Olympic Dam

100%

883

988

933

1,191

993

3,117

2,498

Total

883

988

933

1,191

993

3,117

2,498

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

288

493

693

679

580

1,952

1,775

Total

288

493

693

679

580

1,952

1,775

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

889

911

1,022

843

620

2,485

2,313

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.9%

12.8

12.7

12.5

11.4

7.8

31.7

38.3

Yabulu

100%

8.0

9.3

5.5

6.0

6.2

17.7

22.8

Nickel West

100%

25.0

26.6

20.6

26.3

29.0

75.9

77.5

Total

45.8

48.6

38.6

43.7

43.0

125.3

138.6

Refer footnotes on page 4.

IRON ORE

Production ('000 tonnes) (d)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,711

7,665

7,904

8,147

7,265

23,316

21,641

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

142

195

134

170

386

690

1,032

Area C Joint Venture

85%

4,853

5,078

4,916

6,474

7,114

18,504

15,008

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,277

9,661

9,823

9,770

10,061

29,654

25,887

Jimblebar

85%

1,177

1,341

1,157

1,248

1,660

4,065

4,116

Samarco

50%

1,866

2,001

2,067

2,107

1,933

6,107

5,799

Total

23,026

25,941

26,001

27,916

28,419

82,336

73,483

MANGANESE

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (e)

60%

632

631

572

709

877

2,158

1,939

Australia (e)

60%

820

888

873

904

789

2,566

2,551

Total

1,452

1,519

1,445

1,613

1,666

4,724

4,490

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (e) (f)

60%

132

137

123

141

125

389

356

Australia (e)

60%

64

49

61

68

67

196

190

Total

196

186

184

209

192

585

546

METALLURGICAL COAL

Production ('000 tonnes) (g)

BMA

50%

6,478

7,442

5,917

6,138

4,232

16,287

19,241

BHP Mitsui Coal (h)

80%

1,067

2,047

1,454

1,526

847

3,827

2,813

Illawarra

100%

1,539

1,643

2,201

1,979

1,767

5,947

5,243

Total

9,084

11,132

9,572

9,643

6,846

26,061

27,297

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

12,863

12,596

11,706

11,277

11,129

34,112

39,046

USA

100%

3,106

4,636

2,511

3,671

2,636

8,818

10,444

Australia

100%

2,731

2,610

2,918

2,959

2,965

8,842

8,287

Colombia

33%

2,230

2,441

2,488

2,702

2,534

7,724

6,965

Total

20,930

22,283

19,623

20,609

19,264

59,496

64,742

(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)

Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

(d)

Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.

(e)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.

(f)

Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

(g)

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

(h)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

3,144

3,929

3,638

3,103

2,918

9,659

10,302

North West Shelf

2,532

2,514

2,532

2,493

1,912

6,937

8,251

Atlantis (a)

-

-

-

615

3,320

3,935

-

Shenzi (a)

-

-

-

32

194

226

-

Liverpool Bay & Bruce / Keith

1,053

1,011

923

946

935

2,804

3,645

ROD / Ohanet

2,104

1,730

1,830

1,709

1,628

5,167

5,861

Other (b)

1,838

2,259

2,376

3,419

5,333

11,128

5,666

Total

10,671

11,443

11,299

12,317

16,240

39,856

33,725

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) (c)

Bass Strait

22.73

37.70

39.77

28.41

22.44

90.62

76.80

North West Shelf

27.10

25.70

27.17

28.13

26.43

81.73

79.80

Atlantis (a)

-

-

-

0.12

1.54

1.66

-

Shenzi (a)

-

-

-

0.01

0.06

0.07

-

Liverpool Bay & Bruce / Keith

15.18

12.71

8.87

12.70

12.32

33.89

40.55

Other (b)

21.67

19.14

19.87

21.84

22.97

64.68

64.46

Total

86.68

95.25

95.68

91.21

85.76

272.65

261.60

NGL ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

1,643

2,163

2,327

1,801

1,571

5,699

5,593

North West Shelf

435

369

438

417

300

1,155

1,320

Liverpool Bay & Bruce / Keith

151

124

48

153

109

310

439

ROD / Ohanet

397

362

282

314

221

817

1,152

Total

2,626

3,018

3,095

2,685

2,201

7,981

8,504

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

27.68

30.47

30.34

30.20

32.73

93.27

85.73

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (d)

(a)

Atlantis and Genghis Khan operations were commissioned during the December 2007 quarter. Genghis Khan is reported in Shenzi.

(b)

Other includes Stybarrow, Griffin, Minerva, Angostura, Mad Dog, West Cameron 76, Mustang, Genesis, Starlifter, Green Canyon 18/60 and Pakistan. Stybarrow operation was commisioned during the December 2007 quarter.

(c)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of its interest in Moranbah Coal Bed Methane in the September 2006 quarter.

(d)

Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6000scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

708

768

784

771

712

2,267

2,188

Paranam, Suriname

241

243

244

252

247

743

735

Alumar, Brazil

136

133

125

134

136

395

393

Total

1,085

1,144

1,153

1,157

1,095

3,405

3,316

Sales

Worsley, Australia

659

794

792

803

683

2,278

2,145

Paranam, Suriname

225

253

244

265

246

755

704

Alumar, Brazil

120

164

131

128

135

394

365

Total (a)

1,004

1,211

1,167

1,196

1,064

3,427

3,214

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

174

177

178

180

167

525

527

Bayside, South Africa

48

47

48

47

44

139

147

Alumar, Brazil

44

44

44

44

45

133

133

Mozal, Mozambique

65

66

67

67

62

196

199

Total

331

334

337

338

318

993

1,006

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

162

188

165

180

159

504

505

Bayside, South Africa

46

57

50

50

48

148

137

Alumar, Brazil

38

47

43

48

43

134

124

Mozal, Mozambique

64

70

56

72

57

185

190

Total

310

362

314

350

307

971

956

Tolling Agreement (a)

33

32

33

33

30

96

77

343

394

347

383

337

1,067

1,033

(a)

Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party tolling agreement. These tonnages are allocated to equity sales.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

BASE METALS

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

Escondida, Chile

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

85,654

88,409

82,995

88,319

102,566

273,880

239,025

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

23,450

23,064

22,406

21,777

22,029

66,212

64,292

Average copper grade

(%)

1.62%

1.58%

1.63%

1.72%

1.56%

1.64%

1.58%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

319.1

306.0

305.2

316.8

285.0

907.0

842.5

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

178.1

170.5

167.0

177.3

157.0

501.3

468.4

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

21,243

23,754

23,194

21,376

17,660

62,230

60,657

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

38.2

37.7

30.9

30.3

30.1

91.3

88.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

920

990

1,116

877

790

2,783

2,524

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

149.4

199.0

162.9

173.0

160.6

496.5

451.1

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

17,966

27,623

22,957

21,158

18,190

62,305

58,833

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

36.0

43.0

32.0

23.8

32.3

88.1

77.5

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

785

1,153

1,089

864

813

2,766

2,446

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

15,429

13,984

17,095

17,798

16,769

51,662

50,621

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,398

4,365

4,278

4,410

4,437

13,125

13,484

Average copper grade

(%)

0.90%

0.79%

0.84%

1.03%

0.80%

0.88%

0.83%

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

28.1

20.3

23.1

27.3

28.7

79.1

85.5

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

27.9

24.1

23.5

24.5

28.5

76.5

84.1

Spence, Chile (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

19,684

20,275

16,983

19,758

20,335

57,076

40,013

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,282

3,718

4,132

4,333

3,918

12,383

7,792

Average copper grade

(%)

2.00%

1.80%

1.56%

1.61%

1.48%

1.60%

1.89%

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

33.5

37.7

23.9

34.2

41.6

99.7

37.8

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

28.0

40.4

30.0

24.0

39.9

93.9

29.3

(a)

Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

24,428

29,034

31,145

31,289

29,095

91,529

82,662

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

7,841

8,033

8,344

6,955

6,518

21,817

23,352

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.10%

1.17%

1.15%

1.47%

1.21%

1.27%

1.24%

- Zinc

(%)

1.25%

1.46%

1.17%

0.69%

1.55%

1.16%

0.92%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

24.2

26.4

27.5

29.3

24.1

80.9

87.3

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

20,665

27,793

22,756

12,320

22,235

57,311

45,220

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

749

934

1,056

652

803

2,511

2,198

Payable lead

(tonnes)

469

317

448

175

380

1,003

1,152

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

288

493

693

679

580

1,952

1,775

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

25.0

20.7

28.5

32.6

20.4

81.5

94.2

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,479

31,914

25,306

12,458

16,630

54,394

43,556

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

707

645

917

719

512

2,148

2,185

Payable lead

(tonnes)

686

394

334

140

261

735

1,677

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

591

480

662

605

531

1,798

1,953

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

732

717

824

808

698

2,330

1,666

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

704

688

661

755

726

2,142

1,660

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

477

493

478

489

472

480

428

- Lead

(%)

10.5%

10.3%

10.4%

10.7%

10.7%

10.6%

10.3%

- Zinc

(%)

3.6%

3.0%

3.5%

3.3%

3.2%

3.3%

3.5%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,160

9,426

8,759

10,124

9,421

28,304

19,679

Payable lead

(tonnes)

62,974

62,409

61,073

70,369

67,505

198,947

148,405

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,095

11,355

14,503

15,487

13,735

43,725

34,327

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,331

10,352

6,725

11,266

7,727

25,718

19,978

Payable lead

(tonnes)

56,726

66,411

46,148

78,325

53,167

177,640

147,941

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

11,585

14,888

9,257

19,577

9,629

38,463

30,246

Olympic Dam, Australia

Material mined (a)

('000 tonnes)

2,103

2,255

2,424

2,520

2,333

7,277

6,311

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

2,117

2,272

2,239

2,552

2,225

7,016

6,342

Average copper grade

(%)

1.96%

1.93%

1.83%

1.86%

1.86%

1.85%

2.11%

Average uranium grade

kg/t

0.59

0.58

0.57

0.63

0.59

0.60

0.58

Production

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

50.2

44.1

30.6

40.2

32.9

103.7

124.0

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

3.4

3.5

3.0

2.6

3.1

8.7

10.9

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

883

988

933

1,191

993

3,117

2,498

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

22,661

28,689

17,119

24,338

18,555

60,012

62,971

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

196

275

193

239

169

601

539

Sales

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

51.6

45.2

30.7

41.0

31.9

103.6

126.9

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

4.6

4.4

3.1

2.5

2.3

7.9

10.8

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

1,043

646

562

346

1,182

2,090

2,672

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

22,983

27,589

20,118

21,760

19,767

61,645

64,620

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

183

294

192

237

173

602

528

(a)

Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper concentrate (a)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

5.2

9.6

14.8

-

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

1.9

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.8

5.3

5.7

Payable silver (a)

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

13.3

38.4

51.7

-

Payable gold (a)

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

-

1.3

1.3

-

Sales

Copper concentrate

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

2.6

7.9

10.5

-

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

1.5

2.5

0.9

0.9

4.0

5.8

4.7

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

13.3

38.4

51.7

-

Payable gold

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

-

1.3

1.3

-

(a)

Production restarted during the December 2007 quarter.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,046

1,194

1,009

1,080

967

3,056

3,345

Production

('000 carats)

889

911

1,022

843

620

2,485

2,313

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.8

12.7

12.5

11.4

7.8

31.7

38.3

Sales

12.4

12.5

6.9

13.2

13.6

33.7

38.5

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel metal

8.0

9.3

5.5

6.0

6.2

17.7

22.8

Cobalt

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.3

1.2

1.2

Sales

Nickel metal

7.1

9.6

5.3

6.3

6.5

18.1

20.3

Cobalt

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.4

1.3

1.2

Nickel West, Australia

Production

Nickel contained in concentrate

-

0.9

-

1.2

1.3

2.5

-

Nickel contained in finished matte

12.9

13.2

3.9

8.5

10.3

22.7

36.4

Nickel metal

12.1

12.5

16.7

16.6

17.4

50.7

41.1

Nickel production

25.0

26.6

20.6

26.3

29.0

75.9

77.5

Sales

Nickel contained in concentrate

-

0.9

-

0.9

0.6

1.5

-

Nickel contained in finished matte

9.9

15.1

6.2

9.5

9.4

25.1

32.7

Nickel metal

14.2

11.5

14.7

14.4

15.7

44.8

41.4

Nickel sales

24.1

27.5

20.9

24.8

25.7

71.4

74.1

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

IRON ORE

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

6,711

7,665

7,904

8,147

7,265

23,316

21,641

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

142

195

134

170

386

690

1,032

Area C Joint Venture

4,853

5,078

4,916

6,474

7,114

18,504

15,008

Yandi Joint Venture

8,277

9,661

9,823

9,770

10,061

29,654

25,887

Jimblebar

1,177

1,341

1,157

1,248

1,660

4,065

4,116

Total (BHP Billiton share)

21,160

23,940

23,934

25,809

26,486

76,229

67,684

Total production (100%)

24,896

28,165

28,159

30,363

31,160

89,682

79,630

Shipments

Lump

5,193

5,753

6,076

7,179

7,603

20,858

17,478

Fines

15,454

17,458

17,979

18,847

19,714

56,540

50,175

Total (BHP Billiton share)

20,647

23,211

24,055

26,026

27,317

77,398

67,653

Total sales (100%)

24,290

27,307

28,300

30,619

32,138

91,057

79,591

(a)

Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,866

2,001

2,067

2,107

1,933

6,107

5,799

Shipments

1,684

2,159

1,850

2,316

1,589

5,755

5,913

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

MANGANESE

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

MANGANESE ORE

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

632

631

572

709

877

2,158

1,939

Australia

Saleable production (a)

820

888

873

904

789

2,566

2,551

MANGANESE ALLOY

South Africa

Saleable production (a) (b)

132

137

123

141

125

389

356

Australia

Saleable production (a)

64

49

61

68

67

196

190

(a)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%.

(b)

Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

METALLURGICAL COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,484

1,730

1,407

1,370

1,345

4,122

4,408

Goonyella

1,896

2,268

1,677

1,505

1,117

4,299

5,084

Peak Downs

1,076

1,045

881

1,243

849

2,973

3,439

Saraji

883

939

777

890

376

2,043

2,458

Norwich Park

745

797

502

576

306

1,384

2,053

Gregory Joint Venture

394

663

673

554

239

1,466

1,799

BMA total

6,478

7,442

5,917

6,138

4,232

16,287

19,241

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

South Walker Creek

785

982

939

868

438

2,245

2,440

Poitrel (c)

282

1,065

515

658

409

1,582

373

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,067

2,047

1,454

1,526

847

3,827

2,813

Queensland total

7,545

9,489

7,371

7,664

5,079

20,114

22,054

Shipments

Coking coal

5,368

5,684

5,479

5,875

3,790

15,144

15,598

Weak coking coal

1,710

1,804

1,668

1,966

1,726

5,360

5,059

Thermal coal

419

854

516

328

497

1,341

1,265

Total

7,497

8,343

7,663

8,169

6,013

21,845

21,922

(a)

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

(b)

Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.

(c)

Poitrel was commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,539

1,643

2,201

1,979

1,767

5,947

5,243

Shipments

Coking coal

1,624

1,724

1,906

1,851

1,549

5,306

4,573

Thermal coal

175

288

199

290

194

683

643

Total

1,799

2,012

2,105

2,141

1,743

5,989

5,216

 

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2007

2007

2007

2007

2008

2008

2007

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

South Africa (a)

Production

12,863

12,596

11,706

11,277

11,129

34,112

39,046

Sales

Export

5,068

5,218

4,207

4,269

2,936

11,412

15,447

Local utility

7,874

7,416

7,063

7,351

7,430

21,844

22,839

Inland

259

310

388

209

190

787

741

Total

13,201

12,944

11,658

11,829

10,556

34,043

39,027

(a)

Koornfontein was sold with effect from 1 July 2007.

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,971

2,321

1,548

1,899

1,800

5,247

5,853

San Juan Coal

1,135

2,315

963

1,772

836

3,571

4,591

Total

3,106

4,636

2,511

3,671

2,636

8,818

10,444

Sales - local utility

3,400

3,185

3,693

3,254

2,573

9,520

10,838

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

2,731

2,610

2,918

2,959

2,965

8,842

8,287

Sales

Export

1,479

1,934

1,423

1,892

1,842

5,157

4,582

Inland

1,168

909

1,179

985

791

2,955

3,204

Total

2,647

2,843

2,602

2,877

2,633

8,112

7,786

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

2,230

2,441

2,488

2,702

2,534

7,724

6,965

Sales - export

2,446

2,401

2,761

2,334

2,534

7,629

7,105

 

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com

 

Australia
Emma Meade, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 409 199 236
Email: Emma.Meade@bhpbilliton.com

 United Kingdom & South Africa
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
Email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
 
Leng Lau, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706
Email: Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
Email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

 Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
Email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

 

 

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015		 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111

                                                                  The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

                                                                          

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
    BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc
     
Date: 23 April 2008 By:

Jane McAloon
 
  Name:  Jane McAloon
  Title: Group Company Secretary