Production Rpt Q/E 30 June 04

BHP Billiton Limited 28 July 2004 BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange. The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc earlier. Date 28 July 2004 Number 24/04 BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 JUNE 2004 BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 30 June 2004. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share. During the 2004 financial year, annual production records were set for a number of commodities supported by strong demand, including: • Iron ore production of 84.2 million tonnes. • Manganese ore production of 5.0 (100% basis) million tonnes. • Aluminium production of 1.3 million tonnes. • Alumina production of 4.2 million tonnes. • Silver production of 43.7 million ounces. • Nickel production of 82 thousand tonnes. • Diamonds production of 5.5 million carats and plant throughput of 4.4 (100% basis) million tonnes. • Natural gas production of 324.3 billion cubic (54 million barrels of oil equivalent). • Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the year ended June 2004 was 122.5 million barrels of oil equivalent. Total production for the June 2004 quarter was 30.3 million barrels of oil equivalent, in line with the June 2003 quarter and two per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. • Oil and Condensate - Production for the June 2004 quarter was 13.3 million barrels, 15 per cent lower than the 15.6 million barrels produced in the June 2003 quarter. This was mainly due to natural field decline in Bass Strait (Australia), Liverpool Bay (UK), Laminaria (Australia), North West Shelf (Australia) and Griffin (Australia). Production was also impacted by an unplanned shutdown at Bass Strait, a pre-cyclone shutdown at the North West Shelf and the divestment in February 2004 of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly offset by new production resulting from the commissioning of Ohanet (Algeria) in October 2003 and Boris North (USA) in September 2003. Production was seven per cent lower than the 14.3 million barrels produced in the March 2004 quarter, reflecting natural decline across the portfolio, the shutdowns at North West Shelf and Bass Strait and the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. Production at Ohanet was lower due to our risk sharing contractual agreement whereby higher realised prices result in lower production entitlement. • Natural Gas - Production for the June 2004 quarter was 85.1 billion cubic feet, 17 per cent higher than the 72.9 billion cubic feet produced in the June 2003 quarter. This was due to increased demand from Bass Strait and production from the Zamzama Phase 1 development (Pakistan) which was commissioned in September 2003. Production for the quarter was 11 per cent higher than the 76.5 billion cubic feet produced in the March 2004 quarter mainly due to the increased demand from Bass Strait and cyclone downtime at North West Shelf and Griffin in the previous quarter. This was partly offset by planned shutdowns at Bruce (UK) and a fall in demand at Liverpool Bay due to seasonal factors. • Alumina - Production for the June 2004 quarter of 1.1 million tonnes was in line with the June 2003 quarter. Increased production at Alumar (Brazil) due to scheduled maintenance occurring in the June 2003 quarter was offset by lower current quarter production at Worsley (Australia) due to processing of stockpiled hydrate in the June 2003 quarter. Production was in line with the March 2004 quarter. • Aluminium - Production for the June 2004 quarter was equal to the March 2004 quarterly production record of 333,000 tonnes, but 22 per cent higher than the June 2003 quarter. The increase mainly reflects the ramp up of production from the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) and Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansions, which reached full commissioning in August 2003 and December 2003 respectively. • Copper - Production for the June 2004 quarter was 272,600 tonnes, 19 per cent higher than the June 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects higher production at Escondida (Chile) and Tintaya (Peru), partly offset by sale of the Group's interest in Highland Valley Copper (Canada) in January 2004. Production was 13 per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter due to increased production at Escondida. Production records were achieved at Escondida for the June 2004 quarter and for the year ending June 2004. • Silver - Production for the June 2004 quarter of 11.1 million ounces was 15 per cent higher than the June 2003 quarter. This was due to improved mill throughput at Cannington (Australia) resulting from a continuing debottlenecking program. Production was 8 per cent lower than the March 2004 quarter mainly due to lower ore grade at Cannington. • Iron Ore - Total iron ore production for the June 2004 quarter was 20.5 million tonnes, slightly lower than the March 2004 quarter and six per cent higher than the June 2003 quarter. The increase reflects strong customer demand for iron ore products along with additional capacity following the completion of the Area C, Products and Capacity Expansion and Accelerated Expansion projects at Western Australia. • Metallurgical Coal - Total metallurgical coal production for the June 2004 quarter was 9.3 million tonnes in line with the June 2003 quarter. Production was nine per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter reflecting continued strong market demand for Queensland Coal (Australia) product, partly offset by lower production from Illawarra Coal (Australia), largely due to difficult mining conditions at the West Cliff colliery. Production records were achieved at Queensland Coal for the June 2004 quarter and the year ending June 2004. • Manganese - Ore production for the June 2004 quarter of 1.3 million tonnes was 26 per cent higher than the June 2003 quarter and six per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This reflects strong customer demand in all markets, particularly Japan, Europe and China and our ability to flex production to meet additional market demand. • Hot briquetted iron - Production for the June 2004 quarter of 294,000 tonnes was 36 per cent lower than the June 2003 quarter and 26 per cent lower than the March 2004 quarter. This reflects the suspension of operations at the Boodarie Iron plant (Australia) following a gas explosion in May 2004. Production was immediately suspended and a number of investigations into the incident are continuing. • Diamonds - Production of 1.2 million carats at Ekati was seven per cent lower than the June 2003 quarter and 19 per cent higher than the March 2004 quarter. This was due to variations in ore grade. While ore grade is lower than the June 2003 quarter, resumed mining of a high grade zone in the Koala pipe has seen grades improve compared with the March 2004 quarter. • Energy Coal - Production for the June 2004 quarter was 21.5 million tonnes, in line with the June 2003 quarter. Lower production at New Mexico Coal (USA) following two planned major dragline outages at the Navajo mine was partially offset by the ramp up of production at Mount Arthur Coal (Australia). Production was also in line with the March 2004 quarter where increased production from the Mount Arthur Coal ramp up was partially offset by lower production at New Mexico Coal San Juan mine following a longwall move in the June 2004 quarter. Annual export sales from Ingwe (South Africa) decreased to 39 per cent of total sales compared with 43 per cent in the June 2003 year. This predominantly reflects lower export tonnage availability following safety interventions at Koornfontein. • Nickel - Production for the June 2004 quarter was 19,900 tonnes, five per cent lower than the June 2003 quarter and six per cent lower than the March 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects scheduled maintenance at Yabulu in the June 2004 quarter, and conversion of work in process inventories to finished goods in the March 2004 and June 2003 quarters. **** Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http:// www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United Kingdom Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com Tania Price, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 419 152 780 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177 Mobile: +44 78 81 51 8715 email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com United States South Africa Francis McAllister, Investor Relations Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED % CHANGE JUN Q04 JUN YTD Q04 04 JUNE MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE vs vs vs 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 JUN Q03 MAR YTD Q04 03 PETROLEUM Crude oil & ('000 15,635 14,341 13,297 58,027 65,893 -15% -7% -12% condensate bbl) Natural gas (bcf) 72.91 76.47 85.11 324.34 281.17 17% 11% 15% LPG ('000 205.57 217.83 235.86 853.53 743.12 15% 8% 15% tonnes) Ethane ('000 24.97 16.59 25.14 94.30 94.90 1% 52% -1% tonnes) Total (million 30.3 29.8 30.3 122.5 121.8 0% 2% 1% Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM Alumina ('000 1,060 1,062 1,059 4,224 4,092 0% 0% 3% tonnes) Aluminium ('000 273 333 333 1,256 1,074 22% 0% 17% tonnes) BASE METALS Copper ('000 229.2 240.6 272.6 954.4 870.5 19% 13% 10% tonnes) Lead (tonnes) 59,389 70,838 64,472 249,885 240,042 9% -9% 4% Zinc (tonnes) 54,396 35,194 29,038 159,238 193,808 -47% -17% -18% Gold (ounces) 25,752 32,914 31,145 125,314 207,882 21% -5% -40% Silver ('000 9,643 12,064 11,053 43,692 41,128 15% -8% 6% ounces) Molybdenum (tonnes) 301 81 240 936 1,352 -20% 195% -31% CARBON STEEL MATERIALS Iron ore ('000 19,420 21,085 20,537 84,220 73,732 6% -3% 14% tonnes) Metallurgical ('000 9,026 8,532 9,284 35,360 34,622 3% 9% 2% coal tonnes) Manganese ores ('000 1,058 1,264 1,337 4,953 4,102 26% 6% 21% tonnes) Manganese ('000 195 179 203 712 737 4% 13% -3% alloys tonnes) Hot briquetted ('000 458 399 294 1,716 1,670 -36% -26% 3% iron tonnes) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds ('000 1,300 1,015 1,211 5,482 4,340 -7% 19% 26% carats) ENERGY COAL Energy coal ('000 21,991 21,279 21,494 83,885 81,703 -2% 1% 3% tonnes) STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS Nickel ('000 21.0 21.2 19.9 81.7 78.1 -5% -6% 5% tonnes) Ferrochrome ('000 259 266 264 1,026 990 2% -1% 4% tonnes) Throughout this report figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously reported. BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED BHP JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE Billiton Interest 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & (000 bbl) 15,635 15,512 14,877 14,341 13,297 58,027 65,893 condensate Natural gas (bcf) 72.91 85.19 77.57 76.47 85.11 324.34 281.17 LPG ('000 205.57 199.33 200.51 217.83 235.86 853.53 743.12 tonnes) Ethane ('000 24.97 27.32 25.25 16.59 25.14 94.30 94.90 tonnes) Total (million 30.3 32.1 30.2 29.8 30.3 122.5 121.8 Petroleum boe) Products ALUMINIUM ALUMINA Production ('000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 724 699 700 704 696 2,799 2,742 Suriname 45% 223 227 230 228 233 918 879 Alumar 36% 113 127 120 130 130 507 471 Total 1,060 1,053 1,050 1,062 1,059 4,224 4,092 ALUMINIUM Production ('000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 132 135 151 169 167 622 534 Bayside 100% 46 47 46 45 46 184 185 Alumar 46.3% 45 31 36 44 45 156 178 Valesul 45.5% 11 11 11 11 11 44 43 Mozal 47% 39 58 64 64 64 250 134 Total 273 282 308 333 333 1,256 1,074 BASE METALS (a) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes) Escondida (b) 57.5% 126.6 115.9 109.1 130.8 159.1 514.9 419.1 Tintaya (c) 100% - - 15.0 22.9 19.6 57.5 - Antamina 33.8% 21.2 16.9 20.5 24.6 29.9 91.9 96.9 Alumbrera (d) 25% - - - - - - 34.4 Highland 33.6% 13.8 14.1 14.2 - - 28.3 56.2 Valley Copper (e) Selbaie (f) 100% 1.8 1.6 1.8 0.8 - 4.1 8.3 Total 163.4 148.5 160.6 179.1 208.6 696.7 614.9 Cathode ('000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 21.1 21.4 21.8 21.7 21.8 86.7 78.5 Cerro Colorado 100% 33.0 33.1 33.0 28.1 31.3 125.5 131.1 Tintaya (c) 100% 9.1 9.0 9.0 9.3 8.7 36.0 35.4 Pinto Valley 100% 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.2 9.5 10.6 Total 65.8 66.0 66.2 61.5 64.0 257.7 255.6 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 64,472 249,885 237,427 Pering (g) 100% - - - - - - 2,615 Total 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 64,472 249,885 240,042 ZINC Payable metal in concentate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 18,479 14,850 11,692 13,589 13,493 53,624 63,862 Antamina 33.8% 28,553 27,933 27,026 19,099 15,545 89,603 82,685 Selbaie (f) 100% 7,364 6,311 7,194 2,506 - 16,011 30,165 Pering (g) 100% - - - - - - 17,096 Total 54,396 49,094 45,912 35,194 29,038 159,238 193,808 Refer footnotes on page 4. BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida (b) 57.5% 20,664 25,016 24,833 27,492 26,044 103,385 64,132 Tintaya (c) 100% - - 2,658 4,009 5,101 11,768 - Alumbrera (d) 25% - - - - - - 121,303 Selbaie (f) 100% 4,081 3,129 3,428 1,413 - 7,970 17,782 Highland 33.6% 1,007 1,025 1,166 - - 2,191 4,665 Valley Copper (e) Total 25,752 29,170 32,085 32,914 31,145 125,314 207,882 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces) Cannington 100% 8,161 9,177 8,287 10,485 9,471 37,420 34,872 Escondida 57.5% 538 561 550 614 720 2,445 1,700 Antamina 33.8% 517 435 494 588 662 2,179 2,227 Tintaya (c) 100.0% - - 170 239 200 608 - Alumbrera (d) 25.0% - - - - - - 200 Highland 33.6% 143 160 163 - - 323 604 Valley Copper (e) Selbaie (f) 100% 284 263 316 138 - 717 1,525 Total 9,643 10,596 9,980 12,064 11,053 43,692 41,128 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 21 25 20 81 240 366 342 Highland 33.6% 280 300 270 - - 570 1,010 Valley Copper(e) Total 301 325 290 81 240 936 1,352 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS IRON ORE (h) Production ('000 tonnes) Mt Newman 85% 6,221 6,639 6,707 6,031 5,084 24,461 21,958 Joint Venture Goldsworthy 85% 1,497 1,633 1,477 1,348 1,386 5,844 6,693 Joint Venture (i) Area C Joint 85% 19 341 1,048 1,768 2,519 5,676 19 Venture (j) Yandi Joint 85% 8,353 8,679 9,005 8,429 8,046 34,159 31,788 Venture Jimblebar 100% 1,428 1,622 1,520 1,647 1,566 6,355 5,418 Samarco 50% 1,902 1,956 1,971 1,862 1,936 7,725 7,856 Total 19,420 20,870 21,728 21,085 20,537 84,220 73,732 METALLURGICAL COAL (k) Production ('000 tonnes) BMA 50% 5,769 5,591 5,395 5,263 6,285 22,534 21,291 BHP Mitsui 80% 2,033 1,926 1,591 1,811 1,653 6,981 6,568 Coal (l) Illawarra 100% 1,224 1,582 1,459 1,458 1,346 5,845 6,763 Total 9,026 9,099 8,445 8,532 9,284 35,360 34,622 MANGANESE ORES Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 60% 574 600 651 604 647 2,502 2,249 (m) Australia (m) 60% 484 553 548 660 690 2,451 1,853 Total 1,058 1,153 1,199 1,264 1,337 4,953 4,102 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 60% 137 93 122 116 131 462 503 (m) Australia (m) 60% 58 54 61 63 72 250 234 Total 195 147 183 179 203 712 737 Refer footnotes on page 4. CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd) HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Production ('000 tonnes) Boodarie(TM) 100% 458 496 527 399 294 1,716 1,670 Iron (n) DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production ('000 carats) Ekati(TM) 80% 1,300 1,552 1,704 1,015 1,211 5,482 4,340 ENERGY COAL Production ('000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 13,812 13,782 13,472 13,231 13,768 54,253 54,239 USA 100% 3,877 3,560 2,829 3,687 3,154 13,230 14,163 Australia 100% 2,041 1,756 2,054 2,318 2,590 8,718 6,441 Indonesia (o) 80% - - - - - - 273 Colombia 33% 2,261 2,036 1,623 2,043 1,982 7,684 6,587 Total 21,991 21,134 19,978 21,279 21,494 83,885 81,703 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS NICKEL Production ('000 tonnes) CMSA 99.8% 12.2 12.4 12.2 12.5 12.0 49.1 46.9 Yabulu 100% 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.7 7.9 32.6 31.2 Total 21.0 20.6 20.0 21.2 19.9 81.7 78.1 FERROCHROME Saleable production ('000 tonnes) South Africa (m) 60% 259 227 269 266 264 1,026 990 (a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal. (b) The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002. (c) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily reduced in January 2002 due to weak market conditions, and recommenced during August 2003. (d) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Alumbrera with effect from June 2003. (e) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. (f) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments ceased in May 2004. (g) Production ceased at Pering, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003. (h) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis. (i) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003. (j) Production commenced in May 2003. (k) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (l) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest. (m) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. (n) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following a gas explosion in May 2004. (o) Production shown on 86.5% basis after allowing for Indonesian state owned corporation's 13.5% share of production. Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels) Bass Strait 5,643 5,872 5,333 5,174 4,641 21,020 23,632 North West Shelf - 1,560 1,491 1,204 1,352 1,367 5,414 6,238 condensate North West Shelf - 1,606 1,604 1,675 1,519 1,357 6,155 6,816 Wanaea/Cossack Laminaria 1,161 1,151 966 928 803 3,848 7,363 Griffin 708 742 563 380 585 2,270 3,909 Pakistan 14 53 53 50 49 205 65 Typhoon/Boris (a) 1,430 1,214 1,605 1,457 1,462 5,738 4,169 Americas 715 608 586 332 213 1,739 2,901 Liverpool Bay 2,344 2,324 2,061 1,926 1,788 8,099 8,819 Bruce/Keith 454 453 387 423 388 1,651 1,981 Algeria (b) 444 800 644 1,888 - Total 15,635 15,512 14,877 14,341 13,297 58,027 65,893 NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait 25.37 33.04 23.86 24.95 34.62 116.47 97.02 North West Shelf - 4.07 3.99 3.95 3.91 3.76 15.61 15.32 Domestic North West Shelf - 15.41 16.74 14.93 13.74 15.43 60.84 62.00 LNG Griffin 0.81 0.96 0.90 0.44 0.67 2.97 3.60 Pakistan 2.33 7.86 7.83 7.51 7.10 30.30 10.49 Typhoon/Boris (a) 2.03 1.58 2.41 2.14 2.13 8.26 6.15 Americas 3.42 3.25 3.73 2.60 2.75 12.33 14.47 Bruce 8.17 8.77 8.52 9.27 8.29 34.85 33.35 Keith 0.14 0.11 0.08 0.17 0.20 0.56 0.51 Liverpool Bay 11.16 8.89 11.36 11.74 10.16 42.15 38.26 Total 72.91 85.19 77.57 76.47 85.11 324.34 281.17 LPG ('000 tonnes) Bass Strait 135.18 150.19 130.02 111.26 136.52 527.99 511.81 North West Shelf 32.39 34.21 28.11 29.59 32.95 124.86 132.42 Bruce 37.24 14.12 17.71 18.40 18.64 68.87 95.26 Keith 0.76 0.81 0.31 0.82 0.63 2.57 3.63 Algeria (b) 24.36 57.76 47.12 129.24 - Total 205.57 199.33 200.51 217.83 235.86 853.53 743.12 ETHANE ('000 tonnes) 24.97 27.32 25.25 16.59 25.14 94.30 94.90 TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS 30.3 32.1 30.2 29.8 30.3 122.47 121.80 (million barrels of oil equivalent)(c) (a) Boris commenced production in February 2003. (b) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003. (c) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions based on the following: 6000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe 1 tonne of LPG equals 11.6 boe 1 tonne of ethane equals 4.4667 boe PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 ALUMINIUM BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) ALUMINA Production Worsley, 724 699 700 704 696 2,799 2,742 Australia Paranam, 223 227 230 228 233 918 879 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 113 127 120 130 130 507 471 Total 1,060 1,053 1,050 1,062 1,059 4,224 4,092 Sales Worsley, 636 697 740 652 732 2,821 2,751 Australia Paranam, 228 221 250 233 214 918 925 Suriname Alumar, Brazil 107 120 128 144 111 503 486 Total 971 1,038 1,118 1,029 1,057 4,242 4,162 ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South 132 135 151 169 167 622 534 Africa Bayside, South 46 47 46 45 46 184 185 Africa Alumar, Brazil 45 31 36 44 45 156 178 Valesul, Brazil 11 11 11 11 11 44 43 Mozal, 39 58 64 64 64 250 134 Mozambique Total 273 282 308 333 333 1,256 1,074 Sales Hillside, South 143 134 145 176 171 626 535 Africa Bayside, South 48 54 35 49 45 183 188 Africa Alumar, Brazil 51 38 25 39 55 157 179 Valesul, Brazil 10 11 12 11 12 46 40 Mozal, 41 61 40 78 56 235 136 Mozambique Total 293 298 257 353 339 1,247 1,078 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 BASE METALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated. Escondida, Chile (a) Material ('000 74,665 69,342 82,909 83,640 95,757 331,648 297,105 mined (100%) tonnes) Sulphide ore ('000 16,416 18,888 18,299 19,620 21,197 78,004 57,934 milled (100%) tonnes) Average (%) 1.62% 1.33% 1.31% 1.48% 1.61% 1.44% 1.55% copper grade Production ex ('000 230.9 208.2 197.1 239.6 284.2 929.1 759.1 Mill (100%) tonnes) Production Payable ('000 126.6 115.9 109.1 130.8 159.1 514.9 419.1 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 20,664 25,016 24,833 27,492 26,044 103,385 64,132 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 21.1 21.4 21.8 21.7 21.8 86.7 78.5 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 538 561 550 614 720 2,445 1,700 silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 128.9 116.2 114.8 127.3 150.4 508.7 424.2 copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine 20,138 25,335 26,984 28,545 24,874 105,738 65,702 concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 20.3 18.1 23.8 26.2 21.3 89.4 77.2 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 584 574 634 612 683 2,503 1,737 silver ounces) concentrate (a) Includes production from the Escondida Phase IV expansion which commissioned in October 2002. Tintaya, Peru (a) Material ('000 - 4,151 17,450 17,206 17,944 56,751 - mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 - - 1,408 1,609 1,616 4,633 - tonnes) Average (%) - - 1.38% 1.61% 1.45% 1.48% - copper grade Production Payable ('000 - - 15.0 22.9 19.6 57.5 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - - 2,658 4,009 5,101 11,768 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 9.1 9.0 9.0 9.3 8.7 36.0 35.4 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - - 170.0 238.5 199.8 608 - silver ounces) concentrate Sales Payable ('000 - - 10.6 23.1 20.6 54.3 - copper tonnes) Payable gold (fine - - 3,086 4,372 4,100 11,558 - concentrate ounces) Copper ('000 9.5 8.9 8.7 8.2 8.4 34.2 34.9 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Payable ('000 - - 100.0 240.1 226.4 566.5 - silver ounces) concentrate (a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended in January 2002 due to weak market conditions. Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003. Cerro Colorado, Chile Material ('000 16,458 20,332 19,855 16,199 16,697 73,083 66,012 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 4,130 4,346 4,405 3,700 4,330 16,781 15,747 tonnes) Average (%) 0.96% 0.99% 1.00% 0.92% 0.90% 0.95% 0.99% copper grade Production Copper ('000 33.0 33.1 33.0 28.1 31.3 125.5 131.1 cathode tonnes) Sales Copper ('000 31.5 28.9 35.2 27.8 35.5 127.4 127.1 cathode tonnes) Antamina, Peru Material ('000 28,353 30,174 28,474 28,588 36,035 123,271 109,675 mined (100%) tonnes) Ore milled ('000 6,697 6,018 7,273 6,954 8,205 28,450 26,310 (100%) tonnes) Average head grades - Copper (%) 1.09% 1.17% 1.17% 1.26% 1.37% 1.25% 1.29% - Zinc (%) 1.97% 2.17% 1.77% 1.48% 0.97% 1.55% 1.49% Production Payable ('000 21.2 16.9 20.5 24.6 29.9 91.9 96.9 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 28,553 27,933 27,026 19,099 15,545 89,603 82,685 Payable ('000 517 435 494 588 662 2,179 2,227 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.08 0.24 0.37 0.34 molybdenum tonnes) Sales Payable ('000 21.2 18.6 22.6 20.2 26.4 87.8 100.0 copper tonnes) Payable zinc (tonnes) 31,034 26,781 26,928 14,219 19,931 87,859 80,025 Payable ('000 435 420 491 423 655 1,989 2,130 silver ounces) Payable ('000 0.10 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.11 0.20 0.39 molybdenum tonnes) Cannington, Australia Material ('000 588 637 699 729 681 2,746 2,393 mined tonnes) Ore milled ('000 560 589 598 698 724 2,609 2,312 tonnes) Average head grades - Silver (g/t) 525 564 497 539 486 520 544 - Lead (%) 12.1% 11.5% 10.5% 11.4% 10.8% 11.1% 11.9% - Zinc (%) 5.3% 4.0% 3.4% 3.5% 3.4% 3.6% 4.5% Production Payable ('000 8,161 9,177 8,287 10,485 9,471 37,420 34,872 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 59,389 59,364 55,211 70,838 64,472 249,885 237,427 Payable zinc (tonnes) 18,479 14,850 11,692 13,589 13,493 53,624 63,862 Sales Payable ('000 8,384 6,765 10,716 8,569 12,583 38,633 35,609 silver ounces) Payable lead (tonnes) 59,594 43,953 69,447 56,259 84,315 253,974 240,579 Payable zinc (tonnes) 13,197 16,223 15,443 12,790 13,410 57,866 58,308 Selbaie, Canada (a) Ore milled ('000 982 858 1,017 346 - 2,221 3,949 tonnes) Average head grades - Zinc (%) 1.18% 1.13% 1.13% 1.16% - 1.14% 1.19% - Copper (%) 0.24% 0.25% 0.24% 0.30% - 0.25% 0.28% - Gold (g/t) 0.23 0.22 0.20 0.24 - 0.21 0.24 - Silver (g/t) 20.62 22.38 24.25 26.64 - 23.90 25.36 Production Payable zinc (tonnes) 7,364 6,311 7,194 2,506 - 16,011 30,165 Payable (tonnes) 1,768 1,606 1,764 770 - 4,140 8,322 copper Payable gold (ounces) 4,081 3,129 3,428 1,413 - 7,970 17,782 concentrate Payable ('000 284 263 316 138 - 717 1,525 silver ounces) Sales Payable zinc (tonnes) 6,812 6,209 7,429 4,127 - 17,765 30,567 Payable (tonnes) 1,612 1,918 1,615 1,741 1,356 6,630 9,293 copper Payable gold (ounces) 4,280 4,384 3,377 3,364 2,484 13,609 18,802 concentrate Payable ('000 355 292 253 317 231 1,093 1,804 silver ounces) (a) Production ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments ceased in May 2004. Pinto Valley, USA Production Copper ('000 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.2 9.5 10.6 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) Sales Copper ('000 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.3 9.5 10.5 cathode tonnes) (SXEW) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 CARBON STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) IRON ORE (a) Pilbara, Australia Production Mt Newman Joint 6,221 6,639 6,707 6,031 5,084 24,461 21,958 Venture Goldsworthy 1,497 1,633 1,477 1,348 1,386 5,844 6,693 Joint Venture (b) Area C Joint 19 341 1,048 1,768 2,519 5,676 19 Venture (c) Yandi Joint 8,353 8,679 9,005 8,429 8,046 34,159 31,788 Venture Jimblebar 1,428 1,622 1,520 1,647 1,566 6,355 5,418 Total (BHP 17,518 18,914 19,757 19,223 18,601 76,495 65,876 Billiton share) Total 20,359 21,965 22,975 22,326 21,608 88,874 76,547 production (100%) Shipments Lump 4,193 4,898 5,169 5,402 5,064 20,533 17,170 Fines 13,187 13,334 13,968 13,181 14,067 54,550 51,069 Total (BHP 17,380 18,232 19,137 18,583 19,131 75,083 68,239 Billiton share) Total shipments 20,448 21,450 22,515 21,862 22,507 88,334 80,284 (100%) (a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis. (b) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003. (c) Mining commenced in May 2003. Samarco, Brazil Production 1,902 1,956 1,971 1,862 1,936 7,725 7,856 Shipments 2,153 2,013 1,886 1,918 1,994 7,811 8,240 METALLURGICAL COAL (a) Queensland, Australia Production BMA Blackwater 1,937 1,578 1,581 1,508 1,864 6,531 6,841 Goonyella 1,075 994 829 1,019 935 3,777 3,812 Peak Downs 1,076 1,004 1,004 881 1,223 4,112 3,631 Saraji 666 747 655 703 806 2,911 2,321 Norwich Park 527 524 582 556 682 2,344 2,161 Gregory Joint 488 744 744 596 775 2,859 2,525 Venture BMA total 5,769 5,591 5,395 5,263 6,285 22,534 21,291 BHP Mitsui Coal (b) Riverside 1,014 969 812 967 575 3,323 2,641 South Walker 1,019 957 779 844 1,078 3,658 3,927 Creek BHP Mitsui Coal 2,033 1,926 1,591 1,811 1,653 6,981 6,568 total Queensland 7,802 7,517 6,986 7,074 7,938 29,515 27,859 total Shipments Coking coal 4,395 4,838 5,258 5,116 4,777 19,989 17,301 Weak coking 1,525 1,617 1,649 1,585 1,569 6,420 6,336 coal Thermal coal 943 801 987 803 756 3,347 3,617 Total 6,863 7,256 7,894 7,504 7,102 29,756 27,254 (a) Coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (b) BHP Mitsui Coal production shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest. Illawarra, Australia Production 1,224 1,582 1,459 1,458 1,346 5,845 6,763 Shipments Coking coal 1,571 1,513 1,293 1,359 1,215 5,380 6,597 Thermal coal 179 91 47 134 114 386 650 Total 1,750 1,604 1,340 1,493 1,329 5,766 7,247 MANGANESE ORES South Africa Saleable 574 600 651 604 647 2,502 2,249 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 484 553 548 660 690 2,451 1,853 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. MANGANESE ALLOYS South Africa Saleable 137 93 122 116 131 462 503 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. Australia Saleable 58 54 61 63 72 250 234 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. HOT BRIQUETTED IRON Boodarie(TM) Iron, Australia Production (a) 458 496 527 399 294 1,716 1,670 Shipments 487 435 570 436 318 1,759 1,569 (a) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following a gas explosion in May 2004. PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. DIAMONDS Ekati(TM), Canada Ore Processed ('000 1,182 1,064 1,123 1,052 1,207 4,446 4,310 (100%) tonnes) Production ('000 1,300 1,552 1,704 1,015 1,211 5,482 4,340 carats) PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) Ingwe, South Africa Production 13,812 13,782 13,472 13,231 13,768 54,253 54,239 Sales Export 6,339 5,274 5,500 5,354 4,830 20,958 24,292 Local utility 7,926 8,215 7,701 7,579 8,426 31,921 30,185 Inland 337 338 326 330 361 1,355 1,560 Total 14,602 13,827 13,527 13,263 13,617 54,234 56,037 New Mexico, USA Production Navajo Coal 2,497 2,240 1,553 1,709 1,714 7,216 8,050 San Juan Coal 1,380 1,320 1,276 1,978 1,440 6,014 6,113 Total 3,877 3,560 2,829 3,687 3,154 13,230 14,163 Sales - local 3,643 3,713 3,327 3,213 3,353 13,606 13,853 utility Hunter Valley, Australia Production 2,041 1,756 2,054 2,318 2,590 8,718 6,441 Sales Export 1,301 952 861 1,729 1,734 5,276 4,001 Inland 1,285 873 633 1,044 958 3,508 2,631 Total 2,586 1,825 1,494 2,773 2,692 8,784 6,632 Kalimantan, Indonesia Production (a) Petangis (b) - - - - - - 273 Total - - - - - - 273 Sales - export - - - - - - 294 (a) Reported on 86.5% basis after allowing for the Indonesian state-owned corporation's 13.5% share of all production. (b) Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002. Cerrejon Coal, Colombia Production 2,261 2,036 1,623 2,043 1,982 7,684 6,587 Sales - export 2,247 1,966 1,999 1,828 2,283 8,076 7,315 PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED YEAR ENDED JUNE SEPT DEC MARCH JUNE JUNE JUNE 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2003 STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes) NICKEL CMSA, Colombia Production 12.2 12.4 12.2 12.5 12.0 49.1 46.9 Sales 13.5 11.1 13.1 11.2 12.8 48.2 47.1 Yabulu, Australia Production Nickel 8.8 8.2 7.8 8.7 7.9 32.6 31.2 Cobalt 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.9 1.9 Sales Nickel 9.5 7.8 8.4 8.0 7.9 32.1 33.0 Cobalt 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 1.8 2.0 FERROCHROME South Africa Saleable 259 227 269 266 264 1,026 990 production (a) (a) Shown on 100% basis, BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%. 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 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Melbourne Victoria 3000 Kingdom Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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