Production Report - August 99
BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY COMPANY LIMITED
14 September 1999
Production Report
August 1999
Minerals
- Steelmaking and Energy Materials
month % YTD %
change change
Coal
('000 tonnes) 4.731 7 14 240 11
Iron Ore (West Aust)
('000 tonnes) 4 539 (8) 12 384 (13)
Queensland coal production for August was higher compared to the same month last
year largely due to lower production in 1998 because of heavy rainfall. This was
partly offset by the sale of Moura mine effective 20 August 1999. Lower
production at Illawarra collieries for the month is largely due to longwall
changeouts. Higher production from Indonesia for August compared to the same
month last year was due to the expansion of the mine area (Mulia Mine) next to
Satui mine and the new pit at Senakin Mine. Shipments of coal from Queensland
operations were higher for August due to the timing of shipments.
Western Australia iron ore production was lower than for the same month last
year, with stronger than expected demand being met from product stock piles.
- Non-Ferrous and Industrial-Materials
month % YTD %
change change
Copper in concentrate
('000 tonnes) 72.4 (12) 200.4 (14)
Diamonds (Ekati)
('000 carats) 106.6 - 339.6 -
Silver in concentrate
(Cannington)
('000 ounces) 2 161 - 6 847 -
Platinum in concentrate
(Hartley)
(ounces) 993 - 6 324 -
Production of copper in concentrate for August was lower than for the same month
last year due to the cessation of production at BHP's North American copper
operations on 25 June. Production of copper in concentrate at Escondida was
higher for the month due to higher head grades and increased mill capacity
following the completion of phase 3.5 late last year. Escondida cathode
production was higher for the month following the commissioning of the oxide
leaching plant last year.
Ekati diamond mine is at full production following commissioning of the mine
operations in October last year. Cannington silver production was higher for the
month compared to the same month last year due to the mine ramping up to full
production. BHP announced the sale of its platinum interests in Zimbabwe on
2 June this year.
- Hot Briquetted Iron
month % YTD %
change change
Briquettes
(Boodarie)
('000 tonnes) 32.5 - 109.7 -
BHP's HBI plant at Port Hedland, WA, commenced production of 'Boodarie Iron
(TM)' briquettes in April this year. The HBI plant has returned to normal
operations after a 11 day shutdown, in August.
Steel
month % YTD %
change change
Raw Steel
('000 tonnes) 766 3 2 178 -
Raw steel production for August was in line with the same month last year due in
part to lower production in 1998, reflecting market conditions. Sydney Steel
Mill is being operated at peak levels to allow for the build-up of transition
stocks prior to the closure of Newcastle primary steel operations on September
30. Continued higher output from Delta, Ohio, is due to the plant now operating
at rated capacity. Higher domestic despatches from Australian steel operations
was due to increased customer demand. Lower export despatches was due to in part
to the timing of shipments, increased domestic demand for flat products and
maintenance at Port Kembla hot strip mill.
Petroleum
month % YTD %
change change
Oil & Condensate
('000 barrels) 5 947 (17) 17 181 (11)
Oil and condensate production was lower for August compared to the same month
last year largely due to lower production from the North West Shelf and the sale
of the Elang/Kakatua/Kakatua North field. The Cossack Pioneer (North West Shelf)
came back on line on 27 July following the major shutdown for the optimisation
work program but commissioning was slower than expected during August. This was
partly offset by increased production from Bruce, due to a scheduled three week
shutdown in August 1998, and additional production wells in the Americas at West
Cameron, Green Canyon/Ewing Bank.
For information contact:
Media Relations: Mandy Frostick: bh+61 (3) 9609 3137, ah+61 (3) 9687 6651
Investor Relations: bh+61 (3) 9609 3885
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