Prodn Report QE 30 June 2001
BHP Billiton Limited
31 July 2001
Release Time IMMEDIATE
Date 31 July 2001
Number 06/01
PART 1
BHP BILLITON
PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED 30 JUNE 2001
BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 30
June, 2001. Production of most major mineral commodities was higher than both
the corresponding period last year and the March 2001 quarter.
* Aluminium production was 15 per cent higher than the corresponding
period last year and in line with the March 2001 quarter following the
commencement of production at the Mozal smelter in June 2000. Full
production at Mozal (250,000 tonnes per annum) was reached in December
2000, only six months after commissioning. Production at Alumar and
Valesul (Brazil) was in line with the March quarter, however power usage
restrictions are expected to impact on production in the September 2001
quarter.
* Copper production was 21 per cent higher than the corresponding period
last year and in line with the March 2001 quarter. The increase in
production compared to the corresponding period last year reflects the
addition of Cerro Colorado, Alumbrera and Highland Valley mines following
the acquisition of Rio Algom in October 2000. Slightly lower production
compared to the March quarter was primarily due to lower production at
Escondida as a result of reduced head grades and a major mill shutdown in
June.
* Iron Ore production was in line with the corresponding quarter last year
and 12 per cent higher than the March 2001 quarter. Increased sales were
recorded in all markets, with higher volumes to Chinese, Korean and
Taiwanese customers accounting for the majority of the increase.
BHP Billiton sold a record 71.3 million wet tonnes (100 per cent
terms) of iron ore for the year ended 30 June 2001, an increase of 8.1
million wet tonnes over the previous twelve-month period. Record Yandi
shipments of 30.7 million wet tonnes for the year contributed
significantly to this result.
* WA HBI production was higher than the March 2001 quarter reflecting
continued production ramp-up. A new daily production record of 5,460
tonnes in June 2001 contributed to a record weekly production milestone of
35,305 tonnes. However a fire in May shut down Train 1 for a period of six
weeks and Train 2 for 14 days and significantly impacted production during
the quarter.
* Coking Coal production during the period was 48 per cent higher than the
corresponding quarter last year and 14 per cent higher than the March 2001
quarter. The increase is due to the acquisition of QCT Resources Limited
and higher production from the Blackwater, Goonyella and Riverside mines
to make up for the shortfall from other mines as a result of industrial
action during the year.
* Thermal Coal production during the period was in line with the
corresponding quarter last year and the March 2001 quarter, reflecting the
acquisition of Colombian coal assets CDC, in September 2000 (33.3 per cent
interest), and CZN in November 2000 (16.6 per cent interest). This was
offset, in part, by reduced production in South Africa following the sale
of Glisa Colliery and Matla Coal Mines during the June 2001 quarter.
* Ekati Diamond production was 15 per cent higher than the corresponding
period last year and
14 per cent higher than the March 2001 quarter due to a combination of
higher throughput and higher ore grade. Higher recoveries of low value
diamonds were also recorded during the period from the Panda pipe.
* Oil and Condensate production for the June 2001 quarter was 12 per cent
lower compared to the corresponding period last year and eight per cent
lower than the March 2001 quarter due to natural field decline at Bass
Strait and the one-week shut-in of Laminaria/Corallina in June for
scheduled maintenance. Production was also lower from Griffin due to the
shut-in of the Scindian 3 well since early May. It is expected that the
well will remain shut-in until early 2002. This was offset in part by the
purchase of a 4.95 per cent interest in the Genesis field in January 2000,
the commencement of production at the Keith field in November 2000, and
higher production at Liverpool Bay.
* Natural Gas production for the quarter was 13 per cent higher than the
corresponding period last year and six per cent higher than the March 2001
quarter following the commencement of gas sales into the Eastern Gas
Pipeline and additional nominations to Gascor, Victoria. Production of gas
from the Zamzama field in Pakistan also commenced in March 2001. This was
offset in part by reduced production at the North West Shelf Project
following scheduled maintenance to LNG Train 3 and debottlenecking
activities on the North Rankin A platform.
* Raw Steel production during the quarter was in line with the
corresponding period last year and four per cent higher than the March
2001 quarter. The performance of the Steel business during the year has
been adversely affected by industrial action and major planned repairs to
the Hot Strip Mill at the Port Kembla Steelworks. Production in the June
2001 quarter was higher than the March quarter, reflecting the greater
number of days lost due to industrial action during the March quarter.
Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://
www.bhpbilliton.com
ENQUIRIES:
Australia
Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540 Mobile: +61 419 587 456
email: Robert.Porter@bhpbilliton.com
Mandy Frostick, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4157 Mobile: +61 419 546 245
email: Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom
Marc Gonsalves, Investor Relations & Communications
Tel: +44 20 7747 3956 Mobile: +44 7768 264 950
email: Marc.Gonsalves@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: michael.j.campbell@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
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