BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 24, 2007


 

 

 

BHP BILLITON LIMITED

(ABN 49 004 028 077)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

 

180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

3000 AUSTRALIA

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

BHP BILLITON PLC

(REG. NO. 3196209)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

ENGLAND AND WALES

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

 

NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON,

UNITED KINGDOM

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:  [x] Form 20-F   [  ] Form 40-F
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  [ ]
 
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    [x] No
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):    n/a 
 

24 April 2007
Number 12/07


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2007

 

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the nine months ended 31 March 2007. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share and exclude suspended and sold operations.

     

  • Record year to date production of natural gas, alumina, aluminium, copper, nickel, iron ore and manganese ore underpinned by strong customer demand.
  • Record year to date production achieved at Mad Dog (USA), Zamzama (Pakistan), Paranam (Suriname), Alumar (Brazil), Hillside, Bayside and Samancor (all South Africa), Mozal (Mozambique), Worsley, Western Australia Iron Ore, BMA, Hunter Valley Coal and GEMCO (all Australia), and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia).
  • Record year to date production of natural gas from North West Shelf (Australia) in response to strong demand.
  • Strong ramp up of the Spence project (Chile) contributed to quarterly production records for copper.
  • Quarterly production records for the Zamzama and Escondida (Chile) operations.
  • Petroleum and iron ore operations located in Western Australia were disrupted by cyclone activity.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

PETROLEUM

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids ('000 bbl) (a)

42,128

13,239

0%

-1%

-3%

Natural Gas (bcf) (a)

260.47

86.67

2%

14%

4%

Total Petroleum Products (million boe) (a)

85.53

27.68

1%

6%

1%

Total Petroleum Production - Total production year to date was in line with the nine months to March 2006. Natural field decline has been completely offset by operational improvements and no new operations commencing production during the period.

Production was higher than the March 2006 quarter mainly due to improved facility uptime, reduced weather impacts, and increased gas sales.

Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids - Production for the nine months and quarter ended March 2007 was in line with all previous periods. Higher operational uptime and development drilling partly offset natural field decline.

Cyclone activity impacted Western Australian operations during this quarter.

Natural Gas - March 2007 quarterly production was higher than all comparative periods. Record production for the nine months was primarily driven by improved facility uptime that benefited from stronger customer demand in Australia and Pakistan.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

ALUMINIUM

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Alumina ('000 tonnes)

3,316

1,085

6%

1%

-6%

Aluminium ('000 tonnes) (b)

1,006

331

2%

1%

-2%

 

Alumina - Production and sales for the nine months ended March 2007 were all time records. Over the nine months period, the Worsley Development Capital Project continued its' ramp up. Paranam had full utilisation of its' expanded capacity and Alumar continued to perform strongly.

Production was lower than the December quarter due to stockpiling of hydrate from the planned calciner outages at Worsley. This will be calcined and shipped in the next quarter.

Aluminium - Production and sales from continuing operations were all time records for the nine months ended March 2007. All operations performed at record or near record levels due to successful implementation of a series of business improvement initiatives.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

BASE METALS

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Copper ('000 tonnes) (c)

908.0

357.6

4%

22%

19%

Silver ('000 ounces) (c)

24,940

11,025

-32%

-4%

68%

Lead (tonnes)

148,405

62,974

-30%

-8%

73%

Zinc (tonnes)

79,547

35,760

-2%

26%

81%

Uranium Oxide Concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes)

2,498

883

-19%

-3%

7%

 

Copper - Record year to date and quarterly production reflecting the successful ramp up of the Escondida Sulphide Leach Project and Spence (both Chile). During the quarter Spence produced 33,500 tonnes, which is equivalent to 67% of nameplate capacity on an annualised basis.

Silver / Lead - March 2007 quarterly production was significantly higher than the December 2006 quarter as production ramped up following the completion of the Cannington rehabilitation project together with strong silver production from Escondida.

Zinc - The current quarter's production was higher than the December and March 2006 quarters. Higher grade and an increased proportion of zinc contained ore was processed at Antamina (Peru).

Uranium - Year to date underperformance against the nine months ended March 2006 due to the variability of ore sources and grade, and maintenance activities at Olympic Dam (Australia).

Production in the March 2007 quarter increased versus the December 2006 quarter due to improved grade and recovery, and the impact of unscheduled maintenance in the prior period.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Diamonds ('000 carats)

2,313

889

17%

74%

-5%

 

Diamonds - As Ekati (Canada) increases the diversity of its ore sources, the mix of ore processed will change from time to time and impact the carats recovered. Production was higher than the nine months and quarter ended March 2006 due to processing of higher grade ore containing lower value diamonds.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Nickel ('000 tonnes)

138.6

45.8

4%

14%

-5%

 

Nickel - Production for the nine months ended March 2007 was an all time record, reflecting strong operational performances from all operations.

In comparison to the December 2006 quarter, production was lower due to scheduled statutory maintenance at the Kwinana Nickel Refinery (Australia). This has been completed successfully and production ramp up commenced during the quarter.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

IRON ORE

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Iron ore ('000 tonnes) (d)

72,451

22,884

9%

8%

-10%

 

Iron Ore - Record production and sales were achieved for the nine months ended March 2007. This reflects increased production from the recently expanded Western Australia Iron Ore operations in response to continuing strong customer demand.

Cyclone activity and tie-in activity for Rapid Growth Project 3 (Australia) impacted the Western Australia Iron Ore operations during the current quarter.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

MANGANESE

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Manganese Ore ('000 tonnes)

4,490

1,452

15%

18%

-5%

Manganese Alloy ('000 tonnes)

542

197

14%

14%

3%

 

Manganese Ore - Production was higher than the nine months and quarter ended March 2006 driven by stronger customer demand.

Manganese Alloy - Higher production was due to optimisation of the product mix, improved equipment availability and utilisation.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

METALLURGICAL COAL

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Metallurgical Coal ('000 tonnes)

27,297

9,084

3%

7%

1%

 

Metallurgical Coal - Production was higher for the nine months and quarter ending March 2007 due to the start up of Poitrel (Australia) and the impact of planned maintenance in prior periods.

 

 

MAR

MAR

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

 

2007

2007

vs

vs

vs

ENERGY COAL

YTD

QTR

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

Energy Coal ('000 tonnes)

64,742

20,930

1%

12%

-5%

 

Energy Coal - Production was in line with the nine months to March 2006. Production for the March 2007 quarter was slightly below the December 2006 quarter mainly due to a planned 45 day longwall move at San Juan (USA).

Operational improvement initiatives at Hunter Valley Coal, a shorter longwall move at San Juan and reduced weather impacts in South Africa led to higher production versus the March 2006 quarter.

Long vessel queues off the Newcastle Port (Australia) delayed export sales from Hunter Valley Coal in the quarter.

(a) Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields (sold effective from 16 January 2006), Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (sold September 2006 quarter) and Typhoon / Boris (sold December 2006 quarter).

(b) Excluding Valesul which was sold effective from 1 July 2006.

(c) Excluding Tintaya which was sold effective from 1 June 2006.

(d) Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.


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

Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

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

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

United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
email: Alison.GIlbert@bhpbilliton.com

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR TO DATE

% CHANGE

MAR YTD 07

MAR Q07

MAR Q07

MAR

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

vs

vs

vs

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

MAR YTD 06

MAR Q06

DEC Q06

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate (a)

('000 bbl)

10,886

10,963

10,671

33,725

33,839

0%

-2%

-3%

Natural gas (b)

(bcf)

76.10

83.09

86.67

260.47

256.11

2%

14%

4%

Natural gas liquid

('000 bbl)

2,448

2,710

2,568

8,403

8,365

0%

5%

-5%

Total Petroleum Products (b)

(million boe)

26.02

27.52

27.68

85.53

84.89

1%

6%

1%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,075

1,153

1,085

3,316

3,115

6%

1%

-6%

Aluminium (c)

('000 tonnes)

329

338

331

1,006

986

2%

1%

-2%

BASE METALS

Copper (d)

('000 tonnes)

293.8

300.7

357.6

908.2

876.1

4%

22%

19%

Lead

(tonnes)

68,754

36,454

62,974

148,405

210,814

-30%

-8%

73%

Zinc

(tonnes)

28,419

19,776

35,760

79,547

81,494

-2%

26%

81%

Gold (d)

(ounces)

44,063

38,564

43,904

123,628

136,181

-9%

0%

14%

Silver (d)

('000 ounces)

11,517

6,566

11,025

24,940

36,410

-32%

-4%

68%

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

913

822

883

2,498

3,071

-19%

-3%

7%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

632

768

288

1,775

1,977

-10%

-54%

-63%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

512

937

843

2,267

1,978

15%

65%

-10%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

40.2

48.3

45.8

138.6

133.3

4%

14%

-5%

IRON ORE

Iron ore (e)

('000 tonnes)

21,128

25,370

22,884

72,451

66,524

9%

8%

-10%

MANGANESE

Manganese ore

('000 tonnes)

1,226

1,529

1,452

4,490

3,891

15%

18%

-5%

Manganese alloy

('000 tonnes)

173

192

197

542

477

14%

14%

3%

METALLURGICAL COAL

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,460

8,966

9,084

27,297

26,419

3%

7%

1%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

18,672

22,030

20,930

64,742

63,969

1%

12%

-5%

(a)

Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields and Typhoon / Boris. Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields was disposed with effect from 16 January 2006. The sale of Typhoon / Boris was completed in the December 2006 quarter.

(b)

Excluding Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields, Moranbah Coal Bed Methane and Typhoon/ Boris. The sale of Moranbah Coal Bed Methane was completed in the September 2006 quarter.

(c)

Excluding Valesul which was disposed with effect from 1 July 2006.

(d)

Excluding Tintaya which was disposed with effect from 1 June 2006.

(e)

Excluding Goldsworthy operations which were suspended mid calendar year 2006.

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

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

YEAR TO DATE

BHP Billiton

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

Interest

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

10,886

11,551

12,091

10,963

10,671

33,725

34,322

Natural gas

(bcf)

77.85

98.59

91.83

83.09

86.67

261.59

261.85

NGL (a)

('000 bbl)

2,448

3,063

3,125

2,710

2,568

8,403

8,365

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

26.31

31.04

30.52

27.52

27.68

85.72

86.32

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

717

694

704

776

708

2,188

2,069

Suriname

45%

228

247

253

241

241

735

674

Alumar

36%

130

131

121

136

136

393

372

Total

1,075

1,072

1,078

1,153

1,085

3,316

3,115

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

174

177

177

176

174

527

523

Bayside

100%

46

46

49

50

48

147

133

Alumar

46.3%

44

44

44

45

44

133

134

Valesul (b)

45.5%

11

11

-

-

-

-

32

Mozal

47%

65

66

67

67

65

199

196

Total

340

344

337

338

331

1,006

1,018

BASE METALS (c)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

168.2

165.2

129.7

160.6

178.1

468.4

505.8

Antamina

33.8%

32.9

29.1

29.0

34.1

24.2

87.3

95.1

Tintaya (d)

100%

16.2

12.9

-

-

-

-

51.6

Total

217.3

207.2

158.7

194.7

202.3

555.7

652.5

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

15.4

11.7

17.5

32.7

38.2

88.4

55.0

Cerro Colorado

100%

28.1

30.0

30.0

27.4

28.1

85.5

64.1

Spence (e)

100%

-

-

-

4

33.5

37.8

-

Tintaya (d)

100%

9.1

6.1

-

-

-

-

28.7

Pinto Valley

100%

2.1

2.1

2.1

1.9

1.9

5.9

6.4

Olympic Dam

100%

47.1

54.6

41.6

39.7

53.6

134.9

149.7

Total

101.8

104.5

91.2

106.0

155.3

352.5

303.9

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

68,754

55,507

48,977

36,454

62,974

148,405

210,814

Total

68,754

55,507

48,977

36,454

62,974

148,405

210,814

ZINC

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

20,885

14,926

10,426

8,806

15,095

34,327

53,853

Antamina

33.8%

7,534

12,638

13,585

10,970

20,665

45,220

27,641

Total

28,419

27,564

24,011

19,776

35,760

79,547

81,494

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

17,877

23,567

17,049

22,365

21,243

60,657

56,271

Tintaya (d)

100%

8,032

4,958

-

-

-

-

24,280

Olympic Dam (refined gold)

100%

26,186

27,636

24,111

16,199

22,661

62,971

79,910

Total

52,095

56,161

41,160

38,564

43,904

123,628

160,461

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

714

925

724

880

920

2,524

2,454

Antamina

33.8%

865

808

713

736

749

2,198

2,366

Tintaya (d)

100%

138

119

-

-

-

-

473

Cannington

100%

9,693

7,503

5,714

4,805

9,160

19,679

30,944

Olympic Dam (refined silver)

100%

245

238

198

145

196

539

646

Total

11,655

9,593

7,349

6,566

11,025

24,940

36,883

URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Olympic Dam

100%

913

865

793

822

883

2,498

3,071

Total

913

865

793

822

883

2,498

3,071

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

632

538

719

768

288

1,775

1,977

Total

632

538

719

768

288

1,775

1,977

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

512

583

487

937

843

2,267

1,978

FERTILISER

Production ('000 tonnes)

Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations (f)

100%

222.5

141.3

84.3

-

-

84.3

720.0

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

12.9

12.8

12.7

12.8

12.8

38.3

38.7

Yabulu

100%

7.0

4.3

7.3

7.5

8.0

22.8

19.0

Nickel West

100%

20.3

24.5

24.5

28.0

25.0

77.5

75.6

Total

40.2

41.6

44.5

48.3

45.8

138.6

133.3

Refer footnotes on page 4.

IRON ORE

IRON ORE (g)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

5,884

6,490

7,394

7,536

6,711

21,641

18,284

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,371

1,808

806

84

142

1,032

4,433

Area C Joint Venture

85%

3,332

5,401

4,821

5,334

4,853

15,008

12,587

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,561

8,854

8,504

9,106

8,277

25,887

25,342

Jimblebar

85%

1,549

1,607

1,490

1,449

1,177

4,116

4,763

Samarco

50%

1,802

1,955

1,988

1,945

1,866

5,799

5,548

Total

22,499

26,115

25,003

25,454

23,026

73,483

70,957

MANGANESE

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

532

673

644

663

632

1,939

1,627

Australia (h)

60%

694

716

865

866

820

2,551

2,264

Total

1,226

1,389

1,509

1,529

1,452

4,490

3,891

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

119

131

93

126

133

352

303

Australia (h)

60%

54

44

60

66

64

190

174

Total

173

175

153

192

197

542

477

METALLURGICAL COAL

METALLURGICAL COAL (i)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,972

6,474

6,657

6,106

6,478

19,241

19,106

BHP Mitsui Coal (j)

80%

763

850

873

873

1,067

2,813

2,199

Illawarra

100%

1,725

1,900

1,717

1,987

1,539

5,243

5,114

Total

8,460

9,224

9,247

8,966

9,084

27,297

26,419

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

11,605

12,854

13,151

13,032

12,863

39,046

39,094

USA

100%

2,829

3,891

3,467

3,871

3,106

10,444

11,455

Australia

100%

1,897

2,636

2,766

2,790

2,731

8,287

6,510

Colombia

33%

2,341

2,406

2,398

2,337

2,230

6,965

6,910

Total

18,672

21,787

21,782

22,030

20,930

64,742

63,969

(a)

LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

(b)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul on 1 July 2006.

(c)

Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.

(d)

BHP Billiton sold Tintaya effective from 1 June 2006.

(e)

Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

(f)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser operations on 1 August 2006.

(g)

Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.

(h)

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

(i)

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

(j)

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

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

3,414

3,964

3,847

3,311

3,144

10,302

10,718

Minerva

18

20

23

21

24

68

78

North West Shelf - condensate

1,263

1,091

1,350

1,410

1,365

4,125

4,038

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

751

1,111

1,634

1,325

1,167

4,126

2,879

Griffin

204

296

323

312

174

809

984

Pakistan

59

60

61

62

65

188

162

Typhoon/Boris (a)

-

-

-

-

-

-

329

Mad Dog

549

698

528

549

613

1,690

1,593

Other Americas (b)

68

68

78

81

62

221

352

Angostura

1,080

1,191

1,174

618

899

2,691

3,096

Liverpool Bay

1,278

1,199

931

1,280

874

3,085

3,599

Bruce/Keith

209

182

178

202

179

559

719

Ohanet

389

426

357

472

425

1,254

1,225

ROD

1,604

1,245

1,607

1,320

1,680

4,607

4,550

Total

10,886

11,551

12,091

10,963

10,671

33,725

34,322

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

18.26

34.43

33.54

20.53

22.73

76.80

75.31

Minerva

5.78

6.36

7.73

6.90

8.06

22.69

24.22

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.55

4.63

3.54

3.89

4.86

12.29

11.33

North West Shelf - LNG

21.15

22.70

21.68

23.59

22.24

67.51

65.50

Griffin

0.12

0.19

0.49

0.45

0.19

1.13

1.09

Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (c)

1.75

1.86

1.12

-

-

1.12

5.13

Illawarra Coal Bed Methane

1.50

1.35

1.50

0.95

1.58

4.03

4.22

Pakistan

8.52

9.02

9.14

9.34

10.11

28.59

24.24

Typhoon/Boris (a)

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.47

Mad Dog

0.11

0.25

0.17

0.16

0.14

0.47

0.31

Other Americas (b)

1.78

2.34

2.55

2.27

1.58

6.40

4.67

Bruce/Keith

6.52

5.40

4.21

5.42

5.05

14.68

18.61

Liverpool Bay

8.81

10.06

6.16

9.59

10.13

25.88

26.75

Total

77.85

98.59

91.83

83.09

86.67

261.59

261.85

NGL ('000 barrels) (d)

Bass Strait

1,574

2,254

2,224

1,726

1,643

5,593

5,486

North West Shelf

410

349

444

441

435

1,320

1,335

Bruce/Keith

94

59

138

107

93

338

429

Ohanet

370

401

319

436

397

1,152

1,115

Total

2,448

3,063

3,125

2,710

2,568

8,403

8,365

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

26.31

31.04

30.52

27.52

27.68

85.72

86.32

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (e)

(a)

BHP Billiton sold its interests in Typhoon / Boris, including the Little Burn field with effect from 1 July 2006. The sale was completed on 6 October 2006.

(b)

BHP Billiton sold its interests in the Green Canyon 18 and 60 fields with effect from 16 January 2006.

(c)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of its interest in Moranbah Coal Bed Methane in September 2006 quarter.

(d)

LPG and Ethane are now reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL), consistent with petroleum industry practice. Product-specific conversions will be made and NGL will be reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).

(e)

Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6000scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

717

694

704

776

708

2,188

2,069

Paranam, Suriname

228

247

253

241

241

735

674

Alumar, Brazil

130

131

121

136

136

393

372

Total

1,075

1,072

1,078

1,153

1,085

3,316

3,115

Sales

Worsley, Australia

709

672

666

820

659

2,145

2,003

Paranam, Suriname

213

244

236

243

225

704

665

Alumar, Brazil

130

147

108

137

120

365

358

Total (a)

1,052

1,063

1,010

1,200

1,004

3,214

3,026

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

174

177

177

176

174

527

523

Bayside, South Africa

46

46

49

50

48

147

133

Alumar, Brazil

44

44

44

45

44

133

134

Valesul, Brazil (b)

11

11

-

-

-

-

32

Mozal, Mozambique

65

66

67

67

65

199

196

Total

340

344

337

338

331

1,006

1,018

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

162

186

170

173

162

505

505

Bayside, South Africa

40

48

44

47

46

137

117

Alumar, Brazil

48

44

44

42

38

124

134

Valesul, Brazil (b)

10

11

-

-

-

-

33

Mozal, Mozambique

58

68

60

66

64

190

191

Total

318

357

318

328

310

956

980

Tolling Agreement (a)

22

38

24

20

33

77

67

340

395

342

348

343

1,033

1,047

(a)

Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party tolling agreement. These tonnages are allocated to equity sales.

(b)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Valesul with effect 1 July 2006.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

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)

90,781

94,429

59,601

93,770

85,654

239,025

273,855

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

21,843

21,473

18,257

22,585

23,450

64,292

66,259

Average copper grade

(%)

1.62%

1.63%

1.55%

1.55%

1.62%

1.58%

1.60%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

302.8

295.9

234.0

289.4

319.1

842.5

911.2

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

168.2

165.2

129.7

160.6

178.1

468.4

505.8

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

17,877

23,567

17,049

22,365

21,243

60,657

56,271

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

15.4

11.7

17.5

32.7

38.2

88.4

55.0

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

714

925

724

880

920

2,524

2,454

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

184.4

158.6

133.8

167.9

149.4

451.1

514.5

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

20,159

22,627

17,778

23,089

17,966

58,833

57,598

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

16.7

11.5

14.2

27.3

36.0

77.5

55.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

802

891

752

909

785

2,446

2,497

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

15,960

11,539

-

-

-

-

50,295

Sulphide Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,523

1,123

-

-

-

-

4,803

Average copper grade

(%)

1.26%

1.33%

-

-

-

-

1.28%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

16.2

12.9

-

-

-

-

52

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

8,032

4,958

-

-

-

-

24,280

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

9.1

6.1

-

-

-

-

29

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

138

119

-

-

-

-

473

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

15.1

12.0

-

-

-

-

52

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

8,016

5,079

-

-

-

-

23,175

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

8.3

7.1

-

-

-

-

28

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

127

109

-

-

-

-

495

(a)

BHP Billiton sold Tintaya with effect from 1 June 2006.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,926

18,258

16,334

18,858

15,429

50,621

51,729

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,266

4,490

4,508

4,578

4,398

13,484

11,958

Average copper grade

(%)

0.94%

0.83%

0.80%

0.81%

0.90%

0.83%

0.88%

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

28.1

30.0

30.0

27.4

28.1

85.5

64.1

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

24.4

34.5

27.9

28.3

27.9

84.1

59.1

Spence, Chile (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

20,329

19,684

40,013

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

3,510

4,282

7,792

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

-

1.76%

2.00%

1.89%

-

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

4.3

33.5

37.8

-

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

1.3

28.0

29.3

-

(a)

Spence operations were commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

28,982

29,740

29,917

28,317

24,428

82,662

94,419

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

7,549

7,196

7,581

7,930

7,841

23,352

23,265

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.48%

1.45%

1.22%

1.41%

1.10%

1.24%

1.38%

- Zinc

(%)

0.62%

0.88%

0.87%

0.65%

1.25%

0.92%

0.71%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

32.9

29.1

29.0

34.1

24.2

87.3

95.1

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

7,534

12,638

13,585

10,970

20,665

45,220

27,641

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

865

808

713

736

749

2,198

2,366

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

632

538

719

768

288

1,775

1,977

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

30.5

25.6

33.9

35.3

25.0

94.2

96.7

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

9,634

7,638

14,224

13,853

15,479

43,556

30,731

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

750

505

713

623

707

2,043

2,232

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

697

627

719

808

591

2,118

1,986

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

799

496

428

506

732

1,666

2,596

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

809

589

478

478

704

1,660

2,431

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

431

462

423

360

477

428

460

- Lead

(%)

9.8%

10.9%

11.6%

8.8%

10.5%

10.3%

10.2%

- Zinc

(%)

4.0%

4.1%

3.6%

3.1%

3.6%

3.5%

3.6%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,693

7,503

5,714

4,805

9,160

19,679

30,944

Payable lead

(tonnes)

68,754

55,507

48,977

36,454

62,974

148,405

210,814

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

20,885

14,926

10,426

8,806

15,095

34,327

53,853

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,061

8,516

5,010

6,637

8,331

19,978

30,111

Payable lead

(tonnes)

63,112

62,787

39,694

51,521

56,726

147,941

202,528

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

17,508

20,121

6,346

12,315

11,585

30,246

44,998

Olympic Dam, Australia

Material mined (a)

('000 tonnes)

2,065

2,002

2,178

2,030

2,103

6,311

6,217

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

2,343

2,517

2,043

2,182

2,117

6,342

7,118

Average copper grade

(%)

2.10%

2.10%

2.10%

2.21%

1.96%

2.11%

2.23%

Average uranium grade

kg/t

0.59

0.55

0.57

0.58

0.59

0.58

0.63

Production

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

43.1

50.5

38.4

35.4

50.2

124.0

135.9

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

4.0

4.1

3.2

4.3

3.4

10.9

13.8

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

913

865

793

822

883

2,498

3,071

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

26,186

27,636

24,111

16,199

22,661

62,971

79,910

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

245

238

198

145

196

539

646

Sales

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

44.1

49.0

41.6

33.7

51.6

126.9

136.5

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

4.2

4.1

3.5

2.7

4.6

10.8

15.2

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

992

1,183

620

1,009

1,043

2,672

3,158

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

27,300

27,375

23,233

18,404

22,983

64,620

74,861

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

178

320

188

157

183

528

576

(a)

Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

2.1

2.1

2.1

1.9

1.9

5.9

6.4

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

1.5

2.2

1.6

1.6

1.5

4.7

6.4

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

995

1,181

1,199

1,100

1,046

3,345

3,115

Production

('000 carats)

512

583

487

937

843

2,267

1,978

FERTILISER

Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations, Australia (a)

Production (b)

('000 tonnes)

222.5

141.3

84.3

-

-

84.3

720.0

Sales (b)

('000 tonnes)

200.4

304.4

41.6

-

-

41.6

597.1

(a)

BHP Billiton completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertiliser operations on 1 August 2006.

(b)

Includes diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.9

12.8

12.7

12.8

12.8

38.3

38.7

Sales

12.4

13.6

11.7

14.4

12.4

38.5

37.7

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel metal

7.0

4.3

7.3

7.5

8.0

22.8

19.0

Cobalt

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.4

1.2

0.8

Sales

Nickel metal

6.9

4.9

6.0

7.2

7.1

20.3

19.8

Cobalt

0.4

0.3

0.4

0.4

0.4

1.2

1.1

Nickel West, Australia

Production

Nickel contained in finished matte

5.2

9.6

11.1

12.4

12.9

36.4

28.8

Nickel metal

15.1

14.9

13.4

15.6

12.1

41.1

46.8

Nickel production (a)

20.3

24.5

24.5

28.0

25.0

77.5

75.6

Sales

Nickel contained in finished matte

8.8

7.9

9.3

13.5

9.9

32.7

30.7

Nickel metal (b)

15.7

15.8

12.9

14.3

14.2

41.4

46.5

Nickel sales (a)

24.5

23.7

22.2

27.8

24.1

74.1

77.2

(a)

In addition to the production and sales reported above, Nickel West also produced and sold 1.2 kt nickel in concentrate during the quarter ended 30 June 2006. There has been no sales of nickel in concentrate in the nine months ended March 2007.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

IRON ORE

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

5,884

6,490

7,394

7,536

6,711

21,641

18,284

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

1,371

1,808

806

84

142

1,032

4,433

Area C Joint Venture

3,332

5,401

4,821

5,334

4,853

15,008

12,587

Yandi Joint Venture

8,561

8,854

8,504

9,106

8,277

25,887

25,342

Jimblebar

1,549

1,607

1,490

1,449

1,177

4,116

4,763

Total (BHP Billiton share)

20,697

24,160

23,015

23,509

21,160

67,684

65,409

Total production (100%)

24,350

28,423

27,076

27,658

24,896

79,630

76,952

Sales

Lump

5,276

6,092

6,429

5,856

5,193

17,478

17,750

Fines

15,547

18,481

16,222

18,499

15,454

50,175

47,741

Total (BHP Billiton share)

20,823

24,573

22,651

24,355

20,647

67,653

65,491

Total sales (100%)

24,498

28,909

26,648

28,653

24,290

79,591

76,758

(a)

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

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,802

1,955

1,988

1,945

1,866

5,799

5,548

Shipments

1,532

2,022

1,872

2,357

1,684

5,913

5,587

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

MANGANESE

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

MANGANESE ORE

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

532

673

644

663

632

1,939

1,627

Australia

Saleable production (a)

694

716

865

866

820

2,551

2,264

MANGANESE ALLOY

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

119

131

93

126

133

352

303

Australia

Saleable production (a)

54

44

60

66

64

190

174

(a)

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

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

METALLURGICAL COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,533

1,449

1,536

1,388

1,484

4,408

4,569

Goonyella

1,751

1,986

1,892

1,296

1,896

5,084

5,281

Peak Downs

1,095

858

1,202

1,161

1,076

3,439

3,531

Saraji

563

794

682

893

883

2,458

1,840

Norwich Park

550

675

631

677

745

2,053

1,987

Gregory Joint Venture

480

712

714

691

394

1,799

1,898

BMA total

5,972

6,474

6,657

6,106

6,478

19,241

19,106

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

South Walker Creek

763

850

873

782

785

2,440

2,199

Poitrel (c)

-

-

-

91

282

373

-

BHP Mitsui Coal total

763

850

873

873

1,067

2,813

2,199

Queensland total

6,735

7,324

7,530

6,979

7,545

22,054

21,305

Shipments

Coking coal

5,032

5,798

5,190

5,040

5,368

15,598

14,888

Weak coking coal

1,342

1,444

1,600

1,749

1,710

5,059

3,915

Thermal coal

482

581

344

502

419

1,265

1,464

Total

6,856

7,823

7,134

7,291

7,497

21,922

20,267

(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%.

(c)

Poitrel was commissioned during the December 2006 quarter.

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,725

1,900

1,717

1,987

1,539

5,243

5,114

Shipments

Coking coal

1,508

1,292

1,366

1,583

1,624

4,573

4,155

Thermal coal

313

136

188

280

175

643

799

Total

1,821

1,428

1,554

1,863

1,798

5,216

4,954

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

YEAR TO DATE

MAR

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MAR

MAR

MAR

2006

2006

2006

2006

2007

2007

2006

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

South Africa

Production

11,605

12,854

13,151

13,032

12,863

39,046

39,094

Sales

Export

5,658

4,271

5,168

5,211

5,068

15,447

17,367

Local utility

7,328

7,365

7,552

7,413

7,874

22,839

22,591

Inland

203

253

255

227

259

741

780

Total

13,189

11,889

12,975

12,851

13,201

39,027

40,738

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

2,305

1,471

1,778

2,104

1,971

5,853

6,795

San Juan Coal

524

2,420

1,689

1,767

1,135

4,591

4,660

Total

2,829

3,891

3,467

3,871

3,106

10,444

11,455

Sales - local utility

3,553

3,556

3,822

3,616

3,400

10,838

10,950

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

1,897

2,636

2,766

2,790

2,731

8,287

6,510

Sales

Export

1,267

1,048

1,245

1,858

1,479

4,582

4,149

Inland

643

1,475

1,031

1,005

1,168

3,204

2,419

Total

1,910

2,523

2,276

2,863

2,647

7,786

6,568

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

2,341

2,406

2,398

2,337

2,230

6,965

6,910

Sales - export

2,116

2,387

2,336

2,323

2,446

7,105

6,373

 

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 Limited and BHP Billiton Plc
     
Date: 24 April 2007 By:

Karen Wood


  Name:  Karen Wood
  Title: Group Company Secretary