Production Report-June 1999
BROKEN HILL PROPRIETARY COMPANY LIMITED
20 July 1999
BHP Production Report
Date 20 July 1999
Month June 1999
MINERALS
- Steelmaking and Energy Materials
month % YTD %
change change
Coal
('000 tonnes) 4 471 15 4 471 15
Iron Ore (West Aust)
('000 tonnes) 3 717 (17) 3 717 (17)
Queensland coal production for June was higher compared to the same month last
year largely reflecting lower production in June 1998 due to wet weather and a
longwall changeout at Crinum. New contractual arrangements for Blackwater also
contributed to higher production for the month. Higher production from
Indonesia for the month was due to run of mine coal availability and
increased use of mining contractors. Shipments of coal for June were 5 per
cent higher than for the same month last year.
Western Australia iron ore production was lower than for the same month last
year due to reduced customer demand.
- Non-Ferrous and Industrial Materials
month % YTD %
change change
Copper in concentrate
('000 tonnes) 69.8 (2) 69.8 (2)
Diamonds (Ekati) 117 - 117 -
('000 carats)
Silver in concentrate
(Cannington)
('000 ounces) 2 070 - 2 070 -
Platinum in
concentrate (Hartley)
(ounces) 2 565 - 2 565 -
Production of copper in concentrate for June was generally in line with
production for the same month last year. BHP announced the cessation of
production at its North American copper operations on 25 June. Escondida cathode
production and shipments of cathode were higher for the month following the
commissioning of the oxide leaching plant last year. Shipments of copper in
concentrate were lower for the month compared to the same month last year,
largely reflecting the timing of shipments at Escondida and PNG.
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 as the mine ramped up to full production.
BHP announced the sale of its platinum interests in Zimbabwe, including the
Hartley joint venture project, on 2 June this year.
- Hot Briquetted Iron
month % YTD %
change change
Briquettes (Boodarie) 21 - 21 -
('000 tonnes)
BHP's HBI plant at Port Hedland, WA, commenced production of 'Boodarie Iron
(TM)' briquettes in April this year. The plant is now in the first stages of
a two-year ramp-up program.
Steel
month % YTD %
change change
Raw Steel
('000 tonnes) 694 (5) 694 (5)
Raw steel production was lower for June compared to the same month last year in
part due to maintenance works at Port Kembla Steelworks. Newcastle Steelworks
output continued to be impacted by production difficulties associated with the
boiler explosion during April. Reduced steel production was partly offset by
continued higher output from Delta, Ohio. Higher export despatches from
Australian operations was due to timing of shipments.
Petroleum
month % YTD %
change change
Oil & Condensate
('000 barrels) 5 401 (13) 5 401 (13)
Gas (including LNG)
(billion cubic feet) 21.5 4 21.5 4
Oil and condensate production was lower for June compared to the same month last
year reflecting the natural decline in Bass Strait production and the sale of
BHP's interests in the Jabiru and Challis/Cassini fields, effective 30 June
1998. The Cossack-Pioneer (North West Shelf) remained off-line due to major
refit. This was partly offset by increased production from Bruce due to higher
customer nominations, and additional production wells in the Americas at Green
Canyon/Ewing Bank and West Cameron.
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