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 22 April 2004

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

22 April 2004

Number

20/04

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2004


BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2004.
  • Production for all major minerals commodities higher than the March 2003 quarter.
  • Strong natural gas and LPG production compared with the March 2003 quarter.
  • Record quarterly aluminium production resulting from the ramp up of production at the Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansion.
  • Record quarterly alumina production.
  • Record silver and lead production at Cannington (Australia) as a result of the ongoing debottlenecking project.
  • Record quarterly nickel production.
    • Oil and Condensate - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 14.3 million barrels, six per cent lower than the 15.3 million barrels produced in the March 2003 quarter. This was mainly due to natural field decline in Laminaria (Australia), Griffin (Australia), Bass Strait (Australia), North West Shelf (Australia) and Liverpool Bay (UK) plus the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia in the current quarter. This was partly offset by new production resulting from the commissioning of Ohanet (Algeria) in October 2003, Boris North (USA) in September 2003 and Boris South (USA) in February 2003. Production for the quarter was four per cent lower than the 14.9 million barrels produced in the December 2003 quarter, reflecting natural decline across the portfolio, higher cyclone downtime at North West Shelf and Griffin and the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly offset by the first full quarter production from Ohanet.
    • Natural Gas - Production for the March 2004 quarter was 76.5 billion cubic feet, 14 per cent higher than the 67.0 billion cubic feet produced in the March 2003 quarter. This was due to increased demand from Bass Strait and the commissioning of the Zamzama Phase 1 development (Pakistan). These factors were partly offset by cyclone downtime in North West Shelf and Griffin and the divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. Production for the quarter was one per cent lower than the 77.6 billion cubic feet produced in the December 2003 quarter due to cyclone downtime at North West Shelf and Griffin and divestment of our producing assets in Bolivia. This was partly offset by increased demand from Bass Strait and improved efficiency at Bruce (UK) following maintenance shutdowns in the previous quarter.

****

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

Australia
Tracey Whitehead, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
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
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com

Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4177 Mobile: +44 78 81 51 8715
email: Ariane.Gentil@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

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

% CHANGE

MAR Q04

MAR Q04

YTD 04

MARCH

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

vs

vs

vs

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

MAR Q03

DEC Q03

YTD 03

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

15,310

14,877

14,341

44,730

50,258

-6%

-4%

-11%

Natural gas

(bcf)

66.99

77.57

76.47

239.23

208.26

14%

-1%

15%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

160.62

200.51

217.83

617.67

537.55

36%

9%

15%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

22.35

25.25

16.59

69.16

69.93

-26%

-34%

-1%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

28.4

30.2

29.8

92.1

91.5

5%

-2%

1%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,003

1,050

1,062

3,165

3,032

6%

1%

4%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

267

308

333

923

801

25%

8%

15%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

231.3

226.8

240.6

681.8

641.4

4%

6%

6%

Lead

(tonnes)

59,065

55,211

70,838

185,413

180,653

20%

28%

3%

Zinc

(tonnes)

46,755

45,912

35,194

130,200

139,412

-25%

-23%

-7%

Gold

(ounces)

57,802

32,085

32,983

94,238

182,130

-43%

3%

-48%

Silver

('000 ounces)

10,355

9,980

12,055

32,631

31,485

16%

21%

4%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

373

290

81

696

1,051

-78%

-72%

-34%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

17,237

21,728

21,085

63,683

54,312

22%

-3%

17%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,556

8,445

8,532

26,076

25,596

0%

1%

2%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

890

1,199

1,264

3,616

3,044

42%

5%

19%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

177

183

179

509

542

1%

-2%

-6%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

465

527

399

1,422

1,212

-14%

-24%

17%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

1,015

1,704

1,015

4,271

3,040

0%

-40%

40%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

19,735

19,978

21,279

62,391

59,712

8%

7%

4%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

18.6

20.0

21.2

61.8

57.1

14%

6%

8%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

263

269

266

762

731

1%

-1%

4%

Throughout this report figures in italics indicate adjustments made since the figure was previously reported.

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

BHP Billiton

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

Interest

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

15,310

15,635

15,512

14,877

14,341

44,730

50,258

Natural gas

(bcf)

66.99

72.91

85.19

77.57

76.47

239.23

208.26

LPG

('000 tonnes)

160.62

205.57

199.33

200.51

217.83

617.67

537.55

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

22.35

24.97

27.32

25.25

16.59

69.16

69.93

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

28.4

30.3

32.1

30.2

29.8

92.1

91.5

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

658

724

699

700

704

2,103

2,018

Suriname

45%

222

223

227

230

228

685

656

Alumar

36%

123

113

127

120

130

377

358

Total

1,003

1,060

1,053

1,050

1,062

3,165

3,032

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

133

132

135

151

169

455

402

Bayside

100%

48

46

47

46

45

138

139

Alumar

46.3%

45

45

31

36

44

111

133

Valesul

45.5%

10

11

11

11

11

33

32

Mozal

47%

31

39

58

64

64

186

95

Total

267

273

282

308

333

923

801

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

118.5

126.6

115.9

109.1

130.8

355.8

292.5

Tintaya (c)

100%

-

-

-

15.0

22.9

37.9

-

Antamina

33.8%

23.6

21.2

16.9

20.5

24.6

62.0

75.7

Alumbrera (d)

25%

9.9

-

-

-

-

-

34.4

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

13.2

13.8

14.1

14.2

-

28.3

42.4

Selbaie (f)

100%

1.7

1.8

1.6

1.8

0.8

4.1

6.6

Total

166.9

163.4

148.5

160.6

179.1

488.1

451.6

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

20.4

21.1

21.4

21.8

21.7

64.9

57.4

Cerro Colorado

100%

32.5

33.0

33.1

33.0

28.1

94.2

98.1

Tintaya (c)

100%

9.0

9.1

9.0

9.0

9.3

27.3

26.3

Pinto Valley

100%

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.4

7.3

8.0

Total

64.4

65.8

66.0

66.2

61.5

193.7

189.8

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

58,711

59,389

59,364

55,211

70,838

185,413

178,038

Pering (g)

100%

354

-

-

-

-

-

2,615

Total

59,065

59,389

59,364

55,211

70,838

185,413

180,653

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

15,480

18,479

14,850

11,692

13,589

40,131

45,383

Antamina

33.8%

20,519

28,553

27,933

27,026

19,099

74,058

54,132

Selbaie (f)

100%

6,421

7,364

6,311

7,194

2,506

16,011

22,801

Pering (g)

100%

4,335

-

-

-

-

-

17,096

Total

46,755

54,396

49,094

45,912

35,194

130,200

139,412

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

17,458

20,664

25,016

24,833

27,561

77,410

43,468

Tintaya (c)

100%

-

-

-

2,658

4,009

6,667

-

Alumbrera (d)

25%

35,084

-

-

-

-

-

121,303

Selbaie (f)

100%

4,146

4,081

3,129

3,428

1,413

7,970

13,701

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

1,114

1,007

1,025

1,166

-

2,191

3,658

Total

57,802

25,752

29,170

32,085

32,983

94,238

182,130

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

8,773

8,161

9,177

8,287

10,485

27,949

26,711

Escondida

57.5%

471

538

561

550

605

1,716

1,162

Antamina

33.8%

617

517

435

494

588

1,517

1,710

Tintaya (c)

100.0%

-

-

-

170

239

409

-

Alumbrera (d)

25.0%

75

-

-

-

-

-

200

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

140

143

160

163

-

323

461

Selbaie (f)

100%

279

284

263

316

138

717

1,241

Total

10,355

9,643

10,596

9,980

12,055

32,631

31,485

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

113

21

25

20

81

126

321

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

260

280

300

270

-

570

730

Total

373

301

325

290

81

696

1,051

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (h)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

4,964

6,221

6,639

6,707

6,031

19,377

15,737

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (i)

85%

1,497

1,497

1,633

1,477

1,348

4,458

5,196

Area C Joint Venture (j)

85%

-

19

341

1,048

1,768

3,157

-

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

7,452

8,353

8,679

9,005

8,429

26,113

23,435

Jimblebar

100%

1,371

1,428

1,622

1,520

1,647

4,789

3,990

Samarco

50%

1,953

1,902

1,956

1,971

1,862

5,789

5,954

Total

17,237

19,420

20,870

21,728

21,085

63,683

54,312

METALLURGICAL COAL (k)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,838

5,769

5,591

5,395

5,263

16,249

15,522

BHP Mitsui Coal (l)

80%

1,200

2,033

1,926

1,591

1,811

5,328

4,535

Illawarra

100%

1,518

1,224

1,582

1,459

1,458

4,499

5,539

Total

8,556

9,026

9,099

8,445

8,532

26,076

25,596

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

534

574

600

651

604

1,855

1,675

Australia (m)

60%

356

484

553

548

660

1,761

1,369

Total

890

1,058

1,153

1,199

1,264

3,616

3,044

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

117

137

93

122

116

331

366

Australia (m)

60%

60

58

54

61

63

178

176

Total

177

195

147

183

179

509

542

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron

100%

465

458

496

527

399

1,422

1,212

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

1,015

1,300

1,552

1,704

1,015

4,271

3,040

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,256

13,812

13,782

13,472

13,231

40,485

40,427

USA

100%

3,147

3,877

3,560

2,829

3,687

10,076

10,286

Australia

100%

1,922

2,041

1,756

2,054

2,318

6,128

4,400

Indonesia (n)

80%

28

-

-

-

-

-

273

Colombia

33%

1,382

2,261

2,036

1,623

2,043

5,702

4,326

Total

19,735

21,991

21,134

19,978

21,279

62,391

59,712

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

11.1

12.2

12.4

12.2

12.5

37.1

34.7

Yabulu

100%

7.5

8.8

8.2

7.8

8.7

24.7

22.4

Total

18.6

21.0

20.6

20.0

21.2

61.8

57.1

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

263

259

227

269

266

762

731

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

(b) The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002.

(c) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily reduced in January 2002 due to weak market conditions.

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

(d) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March 2003. The sale transaction reached closure in June 2003.

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

(f) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments are expected to cease

in May 2004.

(g) Production ceased at Pering, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003.

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

(i) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003.

(j) Production commenced in May 2003.

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

(l) Shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest.

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

(n) Production shown on 86.5% basis after allowing for Indonesian state owned corporation's 13.5% share of production.

Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

5,391

5,643

5,872

5,333

5,174

16,379

17,989

North West Shelf - condensate

1,566

1,560

1,491

1,204

1,352

4,047

4,678

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,679

1,606

1,604

1,675

1,519

4,798

5,210

Laminaria

1,419

1,161

1,151

966

928

3,045

6,202

Griffin

831

708

742

563

380

1,685

3,201

Pakistan

16

14

53

53

50

156

51

Typhoon/Boris (a)

852

1,430

1,214

1,605

1,457

4,276

2,739

Americas

816

715

608

586

332

1,526

2,186

Liverpool Bay

2,174

2,344

2,324

2,061

1,926

6,311

6,475

Bruce/Keith

566

454

453

387

423

1,263

1,527

Algeria (b)

444

800

1,244

-

Total

15,310

15,635

15,512

14,877

14,341

44,730

50,258

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

17.51

25.37

33.04

23.86

24.95

81.85

71.65

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.81

4.07

3.99

3.95

3.91

11.85

11.25

North West Shelf - LNG

15.11

15.41

16.74

14.93

13.74

45.41

46.59

Griffin

0.81

0.81

0.96

0.90

0.44

2.30

2.79

Pakistan

2.57

2.33

7.86

7.83

7.51

23.20

8.16

Typhoon/Boris (a)

2.03

2.03

1.58

2.41

2.14

6.13

4.12

Americas

3.34

3.42

3.25

3.73

2.60

9.58

11.05

Bruce

10.04

8.17

8.77

8.52

9.27

26.56

25.18

Keith

0.15

0.14

0.11

0.08

0.17

0.36

0.37

Liverpool Bay

11.62

11.16

8.89

11.36

11.74

31.99

27.10

Total

66.99

72.91

85.19

77.57

76.47

239.23

208.26

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

111.74

135.18

150.19

130.02

111.26

391.47

376.63

North West Shelf

32.67

32.39

34.21

28.11

29.59

91.91

100.03

Bruce

15.10

37.24

14.12

17.71

18.40

50.23

58.02

Keith

1.11

0.76

0.81

0.31

0.82

1.94

2.87

Algeria (b)

24.36

57.76

82.12

-

Total

160.62

205.57

199.33

200.51

217.83

617.67

537.55

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

22.35

24.97

27.32

25.25

16.59

69.16

69.93

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

28.4

30.3

32.1

30.2

29.8

92.15

91.50

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (c)

(a) Boris commenced production in February 2003.

(b) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003.

(c) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions 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

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

658

724

699

700

704

2,103

2,018

Paranam, Suriname

222

223

227

230

228

685

656

Alumar, Brazil

123

113

127

120

130

377

358

Total

1,003

1,060

1,053

1,050

1,062

3,165

3,032

Sales

Worsley, Australia

751

636

697

740

652

2,089

2,115

Paranam, Suriname

243

228

221

250

233

704

697

Alumar, Brazil

124

107

120

128

144

392

379

Total

1,118

971

1,038

1,118

1,029

3,185

3,191

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

133

132

135

151

169

455

402

Bayside, South Africa

48

46

47

46

45

138

139

Alumar, Brazil

45

45

31

36

44

111

133

Valesul, Brazil

10

11

11

11

11

33

32

Mozal, Mozambique

31

39

58

64

64

186

95

Total

267

273

282

308

333

923

801

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

133

143

134

145

176

455

392

Bayside, South Africa

48

48

54

35

49

138

140

Alumar, Brazil

38

51

38

25

39

102

128

Valesul, Brazil

9

10

11

12

11

34

30

Mozal, Mozambique

33

41

61

40

78

179

95

Total

261

293

298

257

353

908

785

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

BASE METALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.

Escondida, Chile (a)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

73,466

74,665

69,342

82,909

78,723

230,974

222,440

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

16,744

16,416

18,888

18,299

19,618

56,805

41,518

Average copper grade

(%)

1.49%

1.62%

1.33%

1.31%

1.48%

1.38%

1.52%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

210.8

230.9

208.2

197.1

239.6

644.9

528.2

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

118.5

126.6

115.9

109.1

130.8

355.8

292.5

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

17,458

20,664

25,016

24,833

27,561

77,410

43,468

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

20.4

21.1

21.4

21.8

21.7

64.9

57.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

471

538

561

550

605

1,716

1,162

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

113.5

128.9

116.2

114.8

127.3

358.3

295.3

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

17,166

20,138

25,335

26,984

28,545

80,864

45,564

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

19.3

20.3

18.1

23.8

26.2

68.1

56.9

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

484

584

574

634

612

1,820

1,153

(a) Includes production from the Escondida Phase IV expansion which commissioned in October 2002.

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

-

-

4,151

17,450

17,206

38,807

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

1,408

1,609

3,017

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

-

1.38%

1.61%

1.50%

-

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

15.0

22.9

37.9

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

-

2,658

4,009

6,667

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

9.0

9.1

9.0

9.0

9.3

27.3

26.3

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

170.0

238.5

408.5

-

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

10.6

23.1

33.7

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

-

3,086

4,372

7,458

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.7

9.5

8.9

8.7

8.2

25.8

25.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

100.0

240.1

340.1

-

(a) Sulphide production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended in January 2002 due to weak market conditions.

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

16,564

16,458

20,332

19,855

16,199

56,386

49,554

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

3,916

4,130

4,346

4,405

3,700

12,451

11,617

Average copper grade

(%)

1.00%

0.96%

0.99%

1.00%

0.92%

0.97%

1.00%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

32.5

33.0

33.1

33.0

28.1

94.2

98.1

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

39.3

31.5

28.9

35.2

27.8

91.9

95.6

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

25,290

28,353

30,174

28,474

28,588

87,236

81,322

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,424

6,697

6,018

7,273

6,954

20,245

19,613

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.32%

1.09%

1.17%

1.17%

1.26%

1.20%

1.35%

- Zinc

(%)

1.54%

1.97%

2.17%

1.77%

1.48%

1.79%

1.32%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

23.6

21.2

16.9

20.5

24.6

62.0

75.7

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

20,519

28,553

27,933

27,026

19,099

74,058

54,132

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

617

517

435

494

588

1,517

1,710

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.11

0.02

0.03

0.02

0.08

0.13

0.32

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

22.4

21.2

18.6

22.6

20.2

61.4

78.8

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,400

31,034

26,781

26,928

14,219

67,928

48,991

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

575

435

420

491

423

1,334

1,695

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.10

0.10

0.01

0.03

0.04

0.09

0.29

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

601

588

637

699

729

2,065

1,805

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

589

560

589

598

698

1,885

1,752

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

550

525

564

497

539

533

550

- Lead

(%)

11.8%

12.1%

11.5%

10.5%

11.4%

11.2%

11.8%

- Zinc

(%)

4.3%

5.3%

4.0%

3.4%

3.5%

3.6%

4.3%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,773

8,161

9,177

8,287

10,485

27,949

26,711

Payable lead

(tonnes)

58,711

59,389

59,364

55,211

70,838

185,413

178,038

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,480

18,479

14,850

11,692

13,589

40,131

45,383

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,800

8,412

6,765

10,716

8,569

26,050

27,225

Payable lead

(tonnes)

58,366

58,742

43,953

69,447

56,259

169,659

180,985

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

18,155

13,288

16,223

15,443

12,790

44,456

45,111

Selbaie, Canada (a)

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

919

982

858

1,017

346

2,221

2,967

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

1.11%

1.18%

1.13%

1.13%

1.16%

1.14%

1.20%

- Copper

(%)

0.25%

0.24%

0.25%

0.24%

0.30%

0.25%

0.29%

- Gold

(g/t)

0.23

0.23

0.22

0.20

0.24

0.21

0.24

- Silver

(g/t)

22.15

20.62

22.38

24.25

26.64

23.90

26.93

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

6,421

7,364

6,311

7,194

2,506

16,011

22,801

Payable copper

(tonnes)

1,654

1,768

1,606

1,764

770

4,140

6,554

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

4,146

4,081

3,129

3,428

1,413

7,970

13,701

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

279

284

263

316

138

717

1,241

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

6,649

6,812

6,209

7,429

4,127

17,765

23,755

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,751

1,612

1,918

1,615

1,741

5,274

7,681

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

5,508

4,280

4,384

3,377

3,364

11,125

14,522

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

444

355

292

253

317

862

1,449

(a) Production ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments are expected to cease in May 2004.

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.4

7.3

8.0

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.3

7.2

7.9

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

4,964

6,221

6,639

6,707

6,031

19,377

15,737

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b)

1,497

1,497

1,633

1,477

1,348

4,458

5,196

Area C Joint Venture (c)

-

19

341

1,048

1,768

3,157

-

Yandi Joint Venture

7,452

8,353

8,679

9,005

8,429

26,113

23,435

Jimblebar

1,371

1,428

1,622

1,520

1,647

4,789

3,990

Total (BHP Billiton share)

15,284

17,518

18,914

19,757

19,223

57,894

48,358

Total production (100%)

17,739

20,359

21,965

22,975

22,326

67,266

56,188

Shipments

Lump

4,352

4,193

4,898

5,169

5,402

15,469

12,977

Fines

12,144

13,187

13,334

13,968

13,181

40,483

37,882

Total (BHP Billiton share)

16,496

17,380

18,232

19,137

18,583

55,952

50,859

Total shipments (100%)

19,407

20,448

21,450

22,515

21,862

65,827

59,836

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

(b) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003.

(c) Mining commenced in May 2003.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,953

1,902

1,956

1,971

1,862

5,789

5,954

Shipments

2,049

2,153

2,013

1,886

1,918

5,817

6,087

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,668

1,937

1,578

1,581

1,508

4,667

4,904

Goonyella

1,191

1,075

994

829

1,019

2,842

2,737

Peak Downs

1,009

1,076

1,004

1,004

881

2,889

2,555

Saraji

599

666

747

655

703

2,105

1,655

Norwich Park

610

527

524

582

556

1,662

1,634

Gregory Joint Venture

761

488

744

744

596

2,084

2,037

BMA total

5,838

5,769

5,591

5,395

5,263

16,249

15,522

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

300

1,014

969

812

967

2,748

1,627

South Walker Creek

900

1,019

957

779

844

2,580

2,908

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,200

2,033

1,926

1,591

1,811

5,328

4,535

Queensland total

7,038

7,802

7,517

6,986

7,074

21,577

20,057

Shipments

Coking coal

4,707

4,395

4,838

5,258

5,116

15,212

12,906

Weak coking coal

1,569

1,525

1,617

1,649

1,585

4,851

4,811

Thermal coal

852

943

801

987

803

2,591

2,674

Total

7,128

6,863

7,256

7,894

7,504

22,654

20,391

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

(b) BHP Mitsui Coal production shown on 100% basis before 20% outside equity interest.

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,518

1,224

1,582

1,459

1,458

4,499

5,539

Shipments

Coking coal

1,611

1,571

1,513

1,293

1,359

4,165

5,026

Thermal coal

242

179

91

47

134

272

471

Total

1,853

1,750

1,604

1,340

1,493

4,437

5,497

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

534

574

600

651

604

1,855

1,675

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

356

484

553

548

660

1,761

1,369

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

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

117

137

93

122

116

331

366

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

60

58

54

61

63

178

176

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

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie™ Iron, Australia

Production

465

458

496

527

399

1,422

1,212

Shipments

416

487

435

570

436

1,441

1,082

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,087

1,182

1,064

1,123

1,052

3,239

3,128

Production

('000 carats)

1,015

1,300

1,552

1,704

1,015

4,271

3,040

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,256

13,812

13,782

13,472

13,231

40,485

40,427

Sales

Export

5,696

6,339

5,274

5,500

5,354

16,128

17,953

Local utility

7,160

7,926

8,215

7,701

7,579

23,495

22,259

Inland

340

337

338

326

330

994

1,223

Total

13,196

14,602

13,827

13,527

13,263

40,617

41,435

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,797

2,497

2,240

1,553

1,709

5,502

5,553

San Juan Coal

1,350

1,380

1,320

1,276

1,978

4,574

4,733

Total

3,147

3,877

3,560

2,829

3,687

10,076

10,286

Sales - local utility

3,316

3,643

3,713

3,327

3,213

10,253

10,210

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

1,922

2,041

1,756

2,054

2,318

6,128

4,400

Sales

Export

1,036

1,301

952

861

1,729

3,542

2,700

Inland

704

1,285

873

633

1,044

2,550

1,346

Total

1,740

2,586

1,825

1,494

2,773

6,092

4,046

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Production (a)

Petangis (b)

28

-

-

-

-

-

273

Total

28

-

-

-

-

-

273

Sales - export

56

-

-

-

-

-

294

(a) Reported on 86.5% basis after allowing for the Indonesian state-owned corporation's 13.5% share of all production.

(b) Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

1,382

2,261

2,036

1,623

2,043

5,702

4,326

Sales - export

1,971

2,247

1,966

1,999

1,828

5,793

5,068

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2003

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2003

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

11.1

12.2

12.4

12.2

12.5

37.1

34.7

Sales

10.3

13.5

11.1

13.1

11.2

35.4

33.6

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

7.5

8.8

8.2

7.8

8.7

24.7

22.4

Cobalt

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.5

1.4

1.4

Sales

Nickel

8.1

9.5

7.8

8.4

8.0

24.2

23.5

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.5

1.4

1.5

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

263

259

227

269

266

762

731

(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: 22 April 2004