BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

_________________________________________________________________________________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 28 April 2005

BHP Billiton Plc

Registration Number 3196209

Neathouse Place

London SW1V 1BH

United Kingdom

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F X   Form 40-F  

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     No X

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 

 

Date

28 April 2005

Number

18/05

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2005

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2005. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share.
  • In a strong market environment, year to date production of iron ore, metallurgical coal, manganese ore, manganese alloys, natural gas, aluminium, copper, silver, lead, energy coal and ferrochrome was above the nine months ended March 2004.
  • Ramp up of Western Australia Iron Ore operations continues on schedule, with production of 25.8 million tonnes (100% basis) for the quarter.
  • Lower oil and condensate production ahead of continued ramp up of the recently commissioned Angostura (Trinidad & Tobago) and Mad Dog (USA) projects.
  • First gas production from the newly commissioned Minerva (Australia) field.
  • Record quarterly alumina production of 1.1 million tonnes.
  • Record quarterly silver and lead production reflecting higher head grades at Cannington (Australia).
  • Commissioning of Dendrobium (Australia) in April 2005, eight weeks ahead of schedule.

    • Oil and Condensate - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 12.3 million barrels, 14 per cent lower than the 14.3 million barrels produced in the March 2004 quarter. Production was lower due to natural field decline in Bass Strait (Australia), Liverpool Bay (UK) and Typhoon/Boris (USA). Production for the quarter was also impacted by higher downtime at Bass Strait and Liverpool Bay, along with the divestment of both Laminaria (Australia) in January 2005 and our producing assets in Bolivia in February 2004. This was partly offset by new production resulting from the commissioning of ROD (Algeria) in October 2004 and Angostura and Mad Dog, both commissioned in January 2005. Production for the March 2005 quarter was one per cent higher than the 12.2 million barrels produced in the December 2004 quarter. New production from Angostura, ROD and Mad Dog and successful infill drilling at Wanaea/Cossack (Australia) was mostly offset by higher downtime at Liverpool Bay and Bass Strait and the divestment of Laminaria.

    • Natural Gas - Production for the March 2005 quarter was 82.4 billion cubic feet, eight per cent higher than the 76.5 billion cubic feet produced in the March 2004 quarter. This was primarily due to increased production from North West Shelf LNG (Australia) following the commissioning of the 4th LNG Train in September 2004, along with new production from Minerva following its commissioning in January 2005 and record production at Zamzama reflecting strong demand. This was partially offset by lower demand for Bass Strait gas, higher downtime at Liverpool Bay and natural field decline at Bruce (UK). Production for the March 2005 quarter was six per cent lower than the 87.4 billion cubic feet produced in the December 2004 quarter due to lower demand for Bass Strait gas, higher downtime at Liverpool Bay and North West Shelf LNG and natural field decline in Typhoon/Boris. This was partially offset by new production from Minerva and record production at Zamzama reflecting strong demand.

****

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

Australia
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156  Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

Tania Price, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 419 152 780
email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Tel: +1 713 599 6100 or +44 (0)20 7802 4031
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com

 

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

% CHANGE

MAR Q05

MAR Q05

YTD 05

MARCH

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

vs

vs

vs

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

MAR Q04

DEC Q04

YTD 04

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

14,341

12,190

12,345

36,901

44,730

-14%

1%

-18%

Natural gas

(bcf)

76.47

87.35

82.35

246.89

239.23

8%

-6%

3%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

217.83

216.07

199.29

646.39

617.67

-9%

-8%

5%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

16.59

27.20

23.61

78.56

69.16

42%

-13%

14%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

29.78

29.38

28.49

85.90

92.15

-4%

-3%

-7%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,062

1,036

1,092

3,128

3,165

3%

5%

-1%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

333

338

332

1,009

923

0%

-2%

9%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

240.6

265.8

249.6

764.2

681.8

4%

-6%

12%

Lead

(tonnes)

70,838

71,509

80,899

217,318

185,413

14%

13%

17%

Zinc

(tonnes)

35,194

20,918

32,388

77,157

130,200

-8%

55%

-41%

Gold

(ounces)

33,364

31,247

32,152

93,531

94,619

-4%

3%

-1%

Silver

('000 ounces)

12,064

12,353

14,044

38,165

32,640

16%

14%

17%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

81

560

431

1,314

696

430%

-23%

89%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

21,085

24,916

23,988

71,449

63,683

14%

-4%

12%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,532

9,629

8,938

27,844

26,076

5%

-7%

7%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,264

1,361

1,297

4,037

3,616

3%

-5%

12%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

179

207

197

599

509

10%

-5%

18%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

399

-

-

-

1,422

-100%

0%

-100%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

1,015

872

802

2,660

4,271

-21%

-8%

-38%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

21,279

21,389

20,079

64,713

62,391

-6%

-6%

4%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

21.2

19.7

20.8

60.1

61.8

-2%

6%

-3%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

266

271

240

776

762

-10%

-11%

2%

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

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

BHP Billiton

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

Interest

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

14,341

13,297

12,366

12,190

12,345

36,901

44,730

Natural gas

(bcf)

76.47

85.11

77.19

87.35

82.35

246.89

239.23

LPG

('000 tonnes)

217.83

235.86

231.03

216.07

199.29

646.39

617.67

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

16.59

25.14

27.75

27.20

23.61

78.56

69.16

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

29.78

30.32

28.03

29.38

28.49

85.90

92.15

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

704

696

663

686

746

2,095

2,103

Suriname

45%

228

233

223

222

220

665

685

Alumar

36%

130

130

114

128

126

368

377

Total

1,062

1,059

1,000

1,036

1,092

3,128

3,165

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

169

167

173

171

169

513

455

Bayside

100%

45

46

46

46

45

137

138

Alumar

46.3%

44

45

44

45

43

132

111

Valesul

45.5%

11

11

11

11

10

32

33

Mozal

47%

64

64

65

65

65

195

186

Total

333

333

339

338

332

1,009

923

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

130.8

159.1

142.5

146.3

135.4

424.2

355.8

Tintaya

100%

22.9

19.6

14.6

22.1

20.7

57.4

37.9

Antamina

33.8%

24.6

29.9

29.9

33.4

29.9

93.2

62.0

Highland Valley Copper (b)

33.6%

-

-

-

-

-

-

28.3

Selbaie (c)

100%

0.8

-

-

-

-

-

4.1

Total

179.1

208.6

187.0

201.8

186.0

574.8

488.1

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

21.7

21.8

21.9

22.2

21.8

65.9

64.9

Cerro Colorado

100%

28.1

31.3

28.3

30.4

29.8

88.5

94.2

Tintaya

100%

9.3

8.7

9.3

9.1

9.6

28.0

27.3

Pinto Valley

100%

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.4

7.0

7.3

Total

61.5

64.0

61.8

64.0

63.6

189.4

193.7

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

70,838

64,472

64,910

71,509

80,899

217,318

185,413

Total

70,838

64,472

64,910

71,509

80,899

217,318

185,413

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

13,589

13,493

10,968

13,956

15,241

40,165

40,131

Antamina

33.8%

19,099

15,545

12,883

6,962

17,147

36,992

74,058

Selbaie (c)

100%

2,506

-

-

-

-

-

16,011

Total

35,194

29,038

23,851

20,918

32,388

77,157

130,200

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

27,942

26,044

25,370

24,475

25,987

75,832

77,791

Tintaya

100%

4,009

5,101

4,762

6,772

6,165

17,699

6,667

Selbaie (c)

100%

1,413

-

-

-

-

-

7,970

Highland Valley Copper (b)

33.6%

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,191

Total

33,364

31,145

30,132

31,247

32,152

93,531

94,619

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

10,485

9,471

10,339

11,025

12,383

33,747

27,949

Escondida

57.5%

614

720

604

639

650

1,893

1,725

Antamina

33.8%

588

662

692

503

830

2,025

1,517

Tintaya

100%

239

200

134

186

181

500

409

Highland Valley Copper (b)

33.6%

-

-

-

-

-

-

323

Selbaie (c)

100%

138

-

-

-

-

-

717

Total

12,064

11,053

11,769

12,353

14,044

38,165

32,640

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

81

240

323

560

431

1,314

126

Highland Valley Copper (b)

33.6%

-

-

-

-

-

-

570

Total

81

240

323

560

431

1,314

696

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (d)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,031

5,084

6,157

6,611

6,475

19,243

19,377

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,348

1,386

1,038

1,037

1,017

3,092

4,458

Area C Joint Venture

85%

1,768

2,519

2,990

4,358

4,451

11,799

3,157

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,429

8,046

8,767

9,238

8,713

26,718

26,113

Jimblebar

100%

1,647

1,566

1,675

1,622

1,509

4,806

4,789

Samarco

50%

1,862

1,936

1,918

2,050

1,823

5,791

5,789

Total

21,085

20,537

22,545

24,916

23,988

71,449

63,683

METALLURGICAL COAL (e)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,263

6,285

6,231

6,184

5,959

18,374

16,249

BHP Mitsui Coal (f)

80%

1,811

1,653

1,748

1,822

1,205

4,775

5,328

Illawarra

100%

1,458

1,346

1,298

1,623

1,774

4,695

4,499

Total

8,532

9,284

9,277

9,629

8,938

27,844

26,076

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (g)

60%

604

647

632

639

606

1,877

1,855

Australia (g)

60%

660

690

747

722

691

2,160

1,761

Total

1,264

1,337

1,379

1,361

1,297

4,037

3,616

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (g)

60%

116

131

121

136

137

394

331

Australia (g)

60%

63

72

74

71

60

205

178

Total

179

203

195

207

197

599

509

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron (h)

100%

399

294

-

-

-

-

1,422

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

1,015

1,211

986

872

802

2,660

4,271

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,231

13,768

14,588

13,745

12,769

41,102

40,485

USA

100%

3,687

3,154

3,899

3,731

3,169

10,799

10,076

Australia

100%

2,318

2,590

2,595

2,189

2,258

7,042

6,128

Colombia

33%

2,043

1,982

2,163

1,724

1,883

5,770

5,702

Total

21,279

21,494

23,245

21,389

20,079

64,713

62,391

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

12.5

12.0

11.9

12.4

13.3

37.6

37.1

Yabulu

100%

8.7

7.9

7.7

7.3

7.5

22.5

24.7

Total

21.2

19.9

19.6

19.7

20.8

60.1

61.8

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (g)

60%

266

264

265

271

240

776

762

(a) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.

(b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004.

(c) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments ceased in May 2004.

(d) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.

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

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

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

(h) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following an incident in May 2004 and the plant was placed

on care and maintenance in November 2004.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

5,174

4,641

4,835

4,226

3,754

12,815

16,379

Minerva (a)

-

-

-

-

21

21

-

North West Shelf - condensate

1,352

1,367

1,330

1,274

1,305

3,909

4,047

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,519

1,357

1,475

1,272

1,535

4,282

4,798

Laminaria (b)

928

803

597

472

84

1,153

3,045

Griffin

380

585

414

473

403

1,290

1,685

Pakistan

50

49

50

54

58

162

156

Typhoon/Boris

1,457

1,462

1,461

1,290

907

3,658

4,276

Mad Dog (a)

-

-

-

-

251

251

-

Other Americas

332

213

181

180

160

521

1,526

Angostura (a)

-

-

-

-

799

799

-

Liverpool Bay

1,926

1,788

1,344

1,858

1,289

4,491

6,311

Bruce/Keith

423

388

121

321

290

732

1,263

Ohanet

800

644

558

432

589

1,579

1,244

ROD (c)

-

-

-

338

900

1,238

-

Total

14,341

13,297

12,366

12,190

12,345

36,901

44,730

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

24.95

34.62

35.61

27.44

20.71

83.76

81.85

Minerva (a)

-

-

-

-

6.63

6.63

-

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.91

3.76

3.50

3.51

3.64

10.65

11.85

North West Shelf - LNG

13.74

15.43

17.78

22.36

20.81

60.95

45.41

Griffin

0.44

0.67

0.68

0.71

0.54

1.93

2.30

Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (d)

-

-

-

0.53

1.07

1.60

-

Illawarra Coal Bed Methane (e)

-

-

1.34

1.65

1.39

4.38

-

Pakistan

7.51

7.10

7.69

7.87

8.88

24.44

23.20

Typhoon/Boris

2.14

2.13

2.32

2.53

1.32

6.17

6.13

Mad Dog (a)

-

-

-

-

0.03

0.03

-

Other Americas

2.60

2.75

1.99

2.05

1.76

5.80

9.58

Bruce/Keith

9.44

8.49

2.26

7.39

7.22

16.87

26.92

Liverpool Bay

11.74

10.16

4.02

11.31

8.35

23.68

31.99

Total

76.47

85.11

77.19

87.35

82.35

246.89

239.23

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

111.26

136.52

145.85

127.70

108.56

382.11

391.47

North West Shelf

29.59

32.95

34.66

29.43

32.28

96.37

91.91

Bruce/Keith

19.22

19.27

6.93

18.65

17.85

43.43

52.17

Ohanet

57.76

47.12

43.59

40.29

40.60

124.48

82.12

Total

217.83

235.86

231.03

216.07

199.29

646.39

617.67

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

16.59

25.14

27.75

27.20

23.61

78.56

69.16

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

29.78

30.32

28.03

29.38

28.49

85.90

92.15

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (f)

(a) Minerva, Mad Dog and Angostura commenced production in January 2005.

(b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Laminaria with effect from January 14, 2005.

(c) ROD commenced production in October 2004.

(d) Moranbah Coal Bed Methane commenced production in September 2004 and was first reported in December 2004.

(e) Illawarra Coal Bed Methane production was first reported in December 2004.

(f) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are 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

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

704

696

663

686

746

2,095

2,103

Paranam, Suriname

228

233

223

222

220

665

685

Alumar, Brazil

130

130

114

128

126

368

377

Total

1,062

1,059

1,000

1,036

1,092

3,128

3,165

Sales

Worsley, Australia

652

732

667

681

734

2,082

2,089

Paranam, Suriname

233

214

239

221

210

670

704

Alumar, Brazil

144

111

129

131

118

378

392

Total

1,029

1,057

1,035

1,033

1,062

3,130

3,185

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

169

167

173

171

169

513

455

Bayside, South Africa

45

46

46

46

45

137

138

Alumar, Brazil

44

45

44

45

43

132

111

Valesul, Brazil

11

11

11

11

10

32

33

Mozal, Mozambique

64

64

65

65

65

195

186

Total

333

333

339

338

332

1,009

923

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

176

171

155

189

153

497

455

Bayside, South Africa

49

45

45

41

39

125

138

Alumar, Brazil

39

55

43

44

43

130

102

Valesul, Brazil

11

12

12

11

11

34

34

Mozal, Mozambique

78

56

59

69

62

190

179

Total

353

339

314

354

308

976

908

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

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)

83,640

95,757

100,466

97,512

90,838

288,816

235,891

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

19,620

21,197

20,637

20,926

19,913

61,476

56,807

Average copper grade

(%)

1.48%

1.61%

1.47%

1.47%

1.41%

1.45%

1.38%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

239.6

284.2

256.8

265.1

241.1

763.0

644.9

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

130.8

159.1

142.5

146.3

135.4

424.2

355.8

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

27,942

26,044

25,370

24,475

25,987

75,832

77,791

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

21.7

21.8

21.9

22.2

21.8

65.9

64.9

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

614

720

604

639

650

1,893

1,725

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

127.3

150.4

140.0

148.3

137.1

425.4

358.3

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

28,545

24,874

24,732

25,462

27,882

78,076

80,864

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

26.2

21.3

22.7

22.7

18.6

64.0

68.1

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

612

683

582

690

712

1,984

1,820

Tintaya, Peru

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,206

17,944

18,676

17,486

17,575

53,737

38,807

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,609

1,616

1,621

1,564

1,560

4,745

3,017

Average copper grade

(%)

1.61%

1.45%

1.14%

1.64%

1.56%

1.44%

1.50%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

22.9

19.6

14.6

22.1

20.7

57.4

37.9

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

4,009

5,101

4,762

6,772

6,165

17,699

6,667

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

9.3

8.7

9.3

9.1

9.6

28.0

27.3

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

239

200

134

186

181

500

409

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

23.1

20.6

5.7

25.9

23.3

54.9

33.7

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

4,372

4,100

1,219

8,491

7,593

17,303

7,458

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.2

8.4

10.4

8.1

9.2

27.7

25.8

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

240

226

64

234

193

491

340

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

16,199

16,697

17,554

16,378

16,856

50,788

56,386

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

3,700

4,330

4,232

4,362

3,865

12,459

12,451

Average copper grade

(%)

0.92%

0.90%

0.87%

0.91%

1.00%

0.92%

0.97%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

28.1

31.3

28.3

30.4

29.8

88.5

94.2

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

27.8

35.5

28.9

28.2

32.5

89.6

91.9

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

28,588

36,035

33,177

33,201

30,808

97,186

87,236

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,954

8,205

8,069

8,027

7,072

23,168

20,245

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.26%

1.37%

1.26%

1.45%

1.41%

1.37%

1.20%

- Zinc

(%)

1.48%

0.97%

1.02%

0.47%

1.16%

0.87%

1.79%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

24.6

29.9

29.9

33.4

29.9

93.2

62.0

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

19,099

15,545

12,883

6,962

17,147

36,992

74,058

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

588

662

692

503

830

2,025

1,517

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

81

240

323

560

431

1,314

126

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

20.2

26.4

32.1

32.2

30.0

94.3

61.4

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

14,219

19,931

13,617

4,185

18,293

36,095

67,928

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

423

655

624

632

718

1,974

1,334

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

43

110

160

300

592

1,052

87

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

729

681

828

844

885

2,557

2,065

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

698

724

730

825

788

2,343

1,885

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

539

486

504

500

571

525

533

- Lead

(%)

11.4%

10.8%

10.3%

10.0%

11.9%

10.7%

11.1%

- Zinc

(%)

3.5%

3.4%

3.1%

3.0%

3.5%

3.2%

3.6%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

10,485

9,471

10,339

11,025

12,383

33,747

27,949

Payable lead

(tonnes)

70,838

64,472

64,910

71,509

80,899

217,318

185,413

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

13,589

13,493

10,968

13,956

15,241

40,165

40,131

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,569

12,583

9,266

9,006

13,514

31,786

26,050

Payable lead

(tonnes)

56,259

84,315

62,774

57,286

88,237

208,297

169,659

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

12,790

13,410

12,170

9,146

18,628

39,944

44,456

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.4

7.0

7.3

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.3

2.3

1.5

1.8

2.8

6.1

7.2

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

6,031

5,084

6,157

6,611

6,475

19,243

19,377

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

1,348

1,386

1,038

1,037

1,017

3,092

4,458

Area C Joint Venture

1,768

2,519

2,990

4,358

4,451

11,799

3,157

Yandi Joint Venture

8,429

8,046

8,767

9,238

8,713

26,718

26,113

Jimblebar

1,647

1,566

1,675

1,622

1,509

4,806

4,789

Total (BHP Billiton share)

19,223

18,601

20,627

22,866

22,165

65,658

57,894

Total production (100%)

22,326

21,608

23,971

26,615

25,810

76,396

67,266

Shipments

Lump

5,402

5,064

5,530

6,084

5,784

17,398

15,469

Fines

13,181

14,067

14,544

16,052

16,086

46,682

40,483

Total (BHP Billiton share)

18,583

19,131

20,074

22,136

21,870

64,080

55,952

Total shipments (100%)

21,862

22,507

23,617

26,042

25,729

75,389

65,827

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

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,862

1,936

1,918

2,050

1,823

5,791

5,789

Shipments

1,918

1,994

1,976

2,142

1,768

5,886

5,817

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,508

1,864

1,638

1,709

1,615

4,962

4,667

Goonyella

1,019

935

1,112

1,254

1,355

3,721

2,842

Peak Downs

881

1,223

1,198

1,164

842

3,204

2,889

Saraji

703

806

809

812

752

2,373

2,105

Norwich Park

556

682

700

680

664

2,044

1,662

Gregory Joint Venture

596

775

774

565

731

2,070

2,084

BMA total

5,263

6,285

6,231

6,184

5,959

18,374

16,249

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

967

575

910

951

480

2,341

2,748

South Walker Creek

844

1,078

838

871

725

2,434

2,580

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,811

1,653

1,748

1,822

1,205

4,775

5,328

Queensland total

7,074

7,938

7,979

8,006

7,164

23,149

21,577

Shipments

Coking coal

5,116

4,777

5,188

5,801

5,440

16,429

15,212

Weak coking coal

1,585

1,569

1,665

1,722

1,609

4,996

4,851

Thermal coal

803

756

743

527

632

1,902

2,591

Total

7,504

7,102

7,596

8,050

7,681

23,327

22,654

(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%.

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,458

1,346

1,298

1,623

1,774

4,695

4,499

Shipments

Coking coal

1,359

1,215

1,097

1,610

1,447

4,154

4,165

Thermal coal

134

114

82

144

93

319

272

Total

1,493

1,329

1,179

1,754

1,540

4,473

4,437

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

604

647

632

639

606

1,877

1,855

Australia

Saleable production (a)

660

690

747

722

691

2,160

1,761

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

116

131

121

136

137

394

331

Australia

Saleable production (a)

63

72

74

71

60

205

178

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie™ Iron, Australia

Production (b)

399

294

-

-

-

-

1,422

Shipments

436

318

-

-

-

-

1,441

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

(b) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following an incident in May 2004 and the plant was

placed on care and maintenance in November 2004.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,052

1,207

1,184

1,094

1,101

3,379

3,239

Production

('000 carats)

1,015

1,211

986

872

802

2,660

4,271

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,231

13,768

14,588

13,745

12,769

41,102

40,485

Sales

Export

5,354

4,830

5,551

4,750

5,082

15,383

16,128

Local utility

7,579

8,426

8,546

8,106

7,069

23,721

23,495

Inland

330

361

383

308

353

1,044

994

Total

13,263

13,617

14,480

13,164

12,504

40,148

40,617

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,709

1,714

2,083

1,765

2,008

5,856

5,502

San Juan Coal

1,978

1,440

1,816

1,966

1,161

4,943

4,574

Total

3,687

3,154

3,899

3,731

3,169

10,799

10,076

Sales - local utility

3,213

3,353

3,897

3,739

3,447

11,083

10,253

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

2,318

2,590

2,595

2,189

2,258

7,042

6,128

Sales

Export

1,729

1,734

1,440

1,201

1,866

4,507

3,542

Inland

1,044

958

1,220

595

872

2,687

2,550

Total

2,773

2,692

2,660

1,796

2,738

7,194

6,092

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

2,043

1,982

2,163

1,724

1,883

5,770

5,702

Sales - export

1,828

2,283

2,166

1,954

1,927

6,047

5,793

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

NINE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2004

2004

2004

2004

2005

2005

2004

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.5

12.0

11.9

12.4

13.3

37.6

37.1

Sales

11.2

12.8

10.6

13.3

13.4

37.3

35.4

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

8.7

7.9

7.7

7.3

7.5

22.5

24.7

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.5

1.4

1.4

Sales

Nickel

8.0

7.9

7.7

7.8

7.7

23.2

24.2

Cobalt

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.5

0.3

1.2

1.4

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

266

264

265

271

240

776

762

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

 

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 Plc
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________

Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 28 April 2005