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 17, 2013
| BHP BILLITON LIMITED | BHP BILLITON PLC | |
| (ABN 49 004 028 077) | (REG. NO. 3196209) | |
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
| VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND AND WALES | |
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation) | (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation) | |
| 180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA |
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices) | |
| (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
bhpbilliton
resourcing the future
NEWS RELEASE
Release Time IMMEDIATE
Date 17 April 2013
Number 05/13
BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2013
• Full year production guidance is retained for our major businesses following another quarter of robust operating performance.
• Western Australia Iron Ore achieved record production for the nine month period ended March 2013. Production guidance of 183 million tonnes (100% basis) for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged, despite cyclone related downtime during the period. An annualised production rate approaching 200 million tonnes (100% basis) is anticipated for the June 2013 quarter.
• Onshore US produced more than five million barrels of liquids during the March 2013 quarter and the Eagle Ford is now our single largest liquids producing field. Petroleum production guidance for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged at approximately 240 million barrels of oil equivalent.
• Copper in concentrate production at Escondida increased by 61% during the nine month period ended March 2013. Total Escondida copper production remains on track to increase by at least 20% in the 2013 financial year.
• Queensland Coal production was affected by adverse weather conditions during the March 2013 quarter. However, recently installed flood mitigation infrastructure enabled a rapid recovery in performance and the business was operating at full supply chain capacity at the end of the period.
Petroleum
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (‘000 boe) 66,610 20,871 1% -4% -10%
Natural gas (bcf) 659.78 207.27 10% -1% -6%
Total petroleum products (million boe) 176.57 55.42 6% -2% -7%
Total petroleum production – An average production rate of 644 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day was achieved during the nine month period ended March 2013. Guidance for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged at approximately 240 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids – A 15 per cent increase in liquids production at our Onshore US business during the March 2013 quarter partially offset cyclone related downtime at our Western Australian operations, extended maintenance and drilling delays at our non-operated facilities in the Gulf of Mexico (US) and natural field decline.
Onshore US produced more than five million barrels of liquids during the March 2013 quarter and the Eagle Ford is now our single largest liquids producing field. These record volumes are expected to grow further in the June 2013 quarter as additional wells come online and infrastructure projects are completed.
Natural gas – A reduction in gas production in the March 2013 quarter reflected lower levels of drilling activity in our dry gas Haynesville and Fayetteville fields (US) and a seasonal reduction in natural gas demand at Bass Strait (Australia).
Aluminium and Nickel
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Alumina (‘000 tonnes) 3,615 1,213 16% 15% -2%
Aluminium (‘000 tonnes) 871 304 -4% 10% 2%
Nickel (‘000 tonnes) 113.8 42.1 -1% 1% 21%
Alumina – The continued ramp up of the Efficiency and Growth project at Worsley (Australia) contributed to record alumina production for the nine month period ended March 2013.
Aluminium – An increase in metal production from the March 2012 quarter reflected a return to full technical capacity at Hillside (South Africa).
Nickel – Nickel production increased by 21 per cent from the December 2012 quarter as the Nickel West smelter and refinery (Australia) returned to full capacity following the successful completion of planned maintenance in the prior period. Total nickel production was further supported by strong performance at Cerro Matoso (Colombia).
Base Metals
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Copper (‘000 tonnes) 876.2 307.1 12% 9% 4%
Lead (tonnes) 147,398 49,080 -16% -8% 6%
Zinc (tonnes) 82,324 30,193 1% 2% 15%
Silver (‘000 ounces) 26,565 8,843 -11% -9% 3%
Uranium oxide concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes) 2,989 933 7% 4% -8%
Copper – Copper in concentrate production at Escondida (Chile) increased by 61 per cent during the nine month period ended March 2013. Production benefited from an increase in the average copper grade mined to 1.4 per cent. Total Escondida copper production remains on track to increase by at least 20 per cent in the 2013 financial year.
Antamina (Peru) achieved record production for the nine month period ended March 2013, despite a temporary reduction in the copper to zinc ore grade ratio during the recent quarter. Olympic Dam (Australia) production increased by 42 per cent in the March 2013 quarter following the completion of major planned maintenance in the prior period.
Lead/silver – Lead and silver production decreased at Cannington (Australia) during the nine month period ended March 2013 due to lower average ore grades.
Zinc – Production increased by 15 per cent from the December 2012 quarter and reflected a temporary increase in the grade profile at Antamina.
Uranium – Uranium production increased by seven per cent during the nine month period ended March 2013 due to higher recoveries and increased plant availability at Olympic Dam.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 2
Diamonds and Specialty Products
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Diamonds (‘000 carats) 930 322 -32% -26% 9%
Diamonds – On 10 April 2013, BHP Billiton completed the sale of its diamonds business, comprising its interests in the EKATI Diamond Mine and Diamonds Marketing operations, to Dominion Diamond Corporation for an aggregate cash consideration of US$553 million (after adjustments).
Iron Ore
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Iron ore (‘000 tonnes) 122,167 40,205 3% 6% -5%
Iron ore – Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) achieved record production for the nine month period ended March 2013. Production guidance of 183 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged, despite cyclone related downtime during the period. An annualised production rate approaching 200 million tonnes (100 per cent basis) is anticipated for the June 2013 quarter.
The Jimblebar Mine Expansion is on schedule for first production in the March 2014 quarter and will broadly match mine and port capacity at 220 million tonnes per annum (100 per cent basis). The progressive debottlenecking of the supply chain is expected to underpin substantial low cost, longer term growth in our WAIO business.
Samarco (Brazil) continued to operate at capacity during the March 2013 quarter.
Manganese
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Manganese ore (‘000 tonnes) 6,271 2,008 7% -2% -5%
Manganese alloy (‘000 tonnes) 426 143 -19% 4% -7%
Manganese ore – Record ore production for the nine month period ended March 2013 reflected a substantial improvement in plant availability at GEMCO (Australia), the world’s largest and lowest cost manganese operation.
Manganese alloy – The decrease in alloy volumes during the nine month period ended March 2013 was largely attributable to the permanent closure of energy intensive silicomanganese production at Metalloys (South Africa) in January 2012.
Metallurgical Coal
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Metallurgical coal (‘000 tonnes) 26,792 8,966 7% 22% 1%
Metallurgical coal – Queensland Coal (Australia) production was affected by adverse weather conditions during the March 2013 quarter. However, recently installed flood mitigation infrastructure enabled a rapid recovery in performance and the business was operating at full supply chain capacity at the end of the period. South Walker Creek achieved record quarterly production following the completion of a wash plant upgrade in the prior period.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 3
Our Queensland Coal operations achieved a significant milestone during the quarter with first production achieved at the Daunia mine, ahead of schedule. The ramp up of this mine and future commissioning of Caval Ridge will underpin an increase in the capacity of our Queensland Coal business to 66 million tonnes per annum (100 per cent basis) by the end of the 2014 calendar year.
A planned longwall move at the Dendrobium mine resulted in lower production at Illawarra Coal (Australia) in the March 2013 quarter. A longwall move is scheduled at the West Cliff mine during the June 2013 quarter.
Energy Coal
MAR MAR MAR YTD13 MAR Q13 MAR Q13
2013 2013 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 DEC Q12
Energy coal (‘000 tonnes) 53,349 15,486 1% -10% -15%
Energy coal – New South Wales Energy Coal (Australia) continued to benefit from the ramp up of the RX1 project with record production achieved for the nine month period ended March 2013. Production in the March 2013 quarter was affected by adverse weather conditions on the east coast of Australia and industrial action at Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) that preceded successful resolution of a new three year Enterprise Agreement.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 4
This report, together with the Exploration and Development Report, represents the Interim Management Statement for the purposes of the UK Listing Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules. There have been no significant changes in the financial position of the Group in the quarter ended 31 March 2013.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com
Media Relations
Australia
Gabrielle Notley
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United Kingdom
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Jennifer White
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Americas
Jaryl Strong
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Investor Relations
Australia
James Agar
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Andrew Gunn
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United Kingdom and South Africa
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Americas
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Matt Chism
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street
Registered Office: Neathouse Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
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Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015
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Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 5
| BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY QUARTER ENDED MAR 2012 PETROLEUM Crude oil & condensate (‘000 bbl) 18,127 Natural gas (bcf) 209.17 NGL (‘000 boe) 3,609 Total petroleum products (million boe) 56.60 ALUMINIUM AND NICKEL Alumina (‘000 tonnes) 1,052 Aluminium (‘000 tonnes) 277 Nickel (‘000 tonnes) 41.7 BASE METALS Copper (‘000 tonnes) 281.4 Lead (tonnes) 53,560 Zinc (tonnes) 29,727 Gold (ounces) 44,684 Silver (‘000 ounces) 9,715 Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 896 Molybdenum (tonnes) 521 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Diamonds (‘000 carats) 433 IRON ORE Iron ore (‘000 tonnes) 37,943 MANGANESE Manganese ore (‘000 tonnes) 2,040 Manganese alloy (‘000 tonnes) 138 METALLURGICAL COAL Metallurgical coal (‘000 tonnes) 7,337 ENERGY COAL Energy coal (‘000 tonnes) 17,248 |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR |
MAR |
MAR YTD13 |
% CHANGE |
MAR Q13 | |||||||||||
Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 1
| BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION BHP Billiton MAR interest 2012 PETROLEUM Production Crude oil & condensate (‘000 bbl) 18,127 Natural gas (bcf) 209.17 NGL (‘000 boe) (a) 3,609 Total petroleum products (million boe) 56.60 ALUMINIUM AND NICKEL ALUMINA Saleable production (‘000 tonnes) Worsley 86% 741 Alumar 36% 311 Total 1,052 ALUMINIUM Production (‘000 tonnes) Hillside 100% 144 Bayside 100% 26 Alumar 40% 42 Mozal 47% 65 Total 277 NICKEL Saleable production (‘000 tonnes) Cerro Matoso 99.9% 13.4 Nickel West 100% 28.3 Total 41.7 BASE METALS (b) COPPER Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 87.7 Antamina 33.8% 30.9 Pinto Valley 100% - Total 118.6 Cathode (‘000 tonnes) Escondida 57.5% 47.4 Pampa Norte (c) 100% 66.2 Pinto Valley 100% 1.4 Olympic Dam 100% 47.8 Total 162.8 Total Copper 281.4 LEAD Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 53,412 Antamina 33.8% 148 Total 53,560 ZINC Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Cannington 100% 12,904 Antamina 33.8% 16,823 Total 29,727 |
QUARTER |
SEP |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR |
MAR | ||||||||||
Refer footnotes on page 4.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 2
| BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION BHP Billiton MAR interest 2012 BASE METALS (continued) GOLD Payable metal in concentrate (ounces) Escondida 57.5% 12,732 Olympic Dam (refined gold) 100% 31,952 Total 44,684 SILVER Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 ounces) Escondida 57.5% 481 Antamina 33.8% 1,170 Cannington 100% 7,836 Olympic Dam (refined silver) 100% 228 Pinto Valley 100% - Total 9,715 URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Olympic Dam 100% 896 Total 896 MOLYBDENUM Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes) Antamina 33.8% 521 Total 521 DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS DIAMONDS Production (‘000 carats) EKATI™ 80% 433 Refer footnotes on page 4. |
QUARTER |
SEP |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR |
MAR | ||||||||||
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 3
| BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION BHP Billiton MAR interest 2012 IRON ORE Production (‘000 tonnes) (d) Newman (e) 85% 11,789 Goldsworthy Joint Venture 85% 37 Area C Joint Venture 85% 10,343 Yandi Joint Venture 85% 13,063 Samarco 50% 2,711 Total 37,943 MANGANESE MANGANESE ORES Saleable production (‘000 tonnes) South Africa (f) 44.4% 917 Australia (f) 60% 1,123 Total 2,040 MANGANESE ALLOYS Saleable production (‘000 tonnes) South Africa (f) (g) 60% 81 Australia (f) 60% 57 Total 138 METALLURGICAL COAL Production (‘000 tonnes) (h) BMA 50% 4,226 BHP Mitsui Coal (i) 80% 1,649 Illawarra 100% 1,462 Total 7,337 ENERGY COAL Production (‘000 tonnes) South Africa 100% 7,895 USA 100% 2,109 Australia 100% 4,291 Colombia 33% 2,953 Total 17,248 |
QUARTER |
SEP |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR |
MAR | ||||||||||
(a) LPG and ethane are reported as Natural Gas Liquid (NGL). Product-specific conversions are made and NGL is reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
(b) Metal production is reported on the basis of payable metal.
(c) Includes Cerro Colorado and Spence.
(d) Iron ore production is reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(e) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar.
(f) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%.
(g) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.
(h) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(i) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 4
| PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT PETROLEUM BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated. CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE (‘000 barrels) Bass Strait North West Shelf Stybarrow Pyrenees Other Australia (a) Atlantis (b) Mad Dog (b) Shenzi (b) Onshore US (c) Trinidad/Tobago Other Americas (b) (d) UK Algeria (e) Pakistan Total NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet) Bass Strait North West Shelf Other Australia (a) Atlantis (b) Mad Dog (b) Shenzi (b) Onshore US (c) Trinidad/Tobago Other Americas (b) (d) UK Pakistan Total NGL (‘000 barrels of oil equivalent) Bass Strait North West Shelf Atlantis (b) Mad Dog (b) Shenzi (b) Onshore US (c) Other Americas (b) (d) UK Algeria (e) Total TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (million barrels of oil equivalent) (f) |
MAR |
QUARTER |
SEP |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR TO DATE |
MAR |
(a) Other Australia includes Minerva.
(b) Gulf of Mexico volumes are net of royalties.
(c) Petrohawk Energy Corporation acquisition completed on 20 August 2011. Onshore US volumes are net of mineral holder royalties.
(d) Other Americas includes Neptune, West Cameron 76, Genesis and Starlifter. West Cameron 76 and Starlifter were divested in May 2012.
(e) Algeria includes ROD and Ohanet. The Ohanet Risk Sharing Contract expired in October 2011.
(f) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 5
| PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT ALUMINIUM AND NICKEL BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (‘000 tonnes) ALUMINA Saleable production Worsley, Australia Alumar, Brazil Total Sales Worsley, Australia Alumar, Brazil Total ALUMINIUM Production Hillside, South Africa Bayside, South Africa Alumar, Brazil Mozal, Mozambique Total Sales Hillside, South Africa Bayside, South Africa Alumar, Brazil Mozal, Mozambique Total NICKEL Cerro Matoso, Colombia Production Sales Nickel West, Australia Saleable production Nickel contained in concentrate Nickel contained in finished matte Nickel metal Nickel production Sales Nickel contained in concentrate Nickel contained in finished matte Nickel metal Nickel sales |
MAR |
QUARTER |
SEP |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR TO DATE |
MAR |
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 6
| PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT MAR 2012 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) 103,321 Sulphide ore milled (100%) (‘000 tonnes) 16,449 Average copper grade (%) 1.14% Production ex mill (100%) (‘000 tonnes) 153.1 Production Payable copper (‘000 tonnes) 87.7 Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 12,732 Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 47.4 Payable silver concentrate (‘000 ounces) 481 Sales Payable copper (‘000 tonnes) 82.6 Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 11,998 Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 44.3 Payable silver concentrate (‘000 ounces) 454 Pampa Norte, Chile Cerro Colorado Material mined (‘000 tonnes) 16,320 Ore milled (‘000 tonnes) 4,300 Average copper grade (%) 0.72% Production Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 18.7 Sales Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 20.2 Spence Material mined (‘000 tonnes) 29,982 Ore milled (‘000 tonnes) 4,279 Average copper grade (%) 1.20% Production Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 47.5 Sales Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 44.1 |
QUARTER |
SEP |
DEC |
MAR |
YEAR |
MAR | ||||||||||
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 7
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2012
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Antamina, Peru
Material mined (100%) (‘000 tonnes) 41,474 48,256 54,482 49,246 48,032 151,760 124,445
Sulphide ore milled (100%) (‘000 tonnes) 10,162 12,295 12,274 11,752 10,330 34,356 29,214
Average head grades
- Copper (%) 1.10% 1.01% 1.15% 1.16% 0.88% 1.07% 1.12%
- Zinc (%) 0.84% 0.80% 0.66% 0.64% 0.93% 0.73% 0.75%
Production
Payable copper (‘000 tonnes) 30.9 34.9 40.2 39.6 25.2 105.0 92.1
Payable zinc (tonnes) 16,823 18,208 14,514 12,587 19,148 46,249 39,332
Payable silver (‘000 ounces) 1,170 1,043 919 934 802 2,655 3,229
Payable lead (tonnes) 148 333 260 198 181 639 455
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 521 464 454 410 321 1,185 1,882
Sales
Payable copper (‘000 tonnes) 30.7 32.7 39.7 42.7 24.1 106.5 90.6
Payable zinc (tonnes) 13,464 18,174 15,519 17,874 16,062 49,455 35,704
Payable silver (‘000 ounces) 1,114 896 849 1,101 77 2,722 2,887
Payable lead (tonnes) 200 48 330 276 115 721 430
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 669 488 536 381 371 1,288 1,809
Cannington, Australia
Material mined (‘000 tonnes) 756 880 717 817 810 2,344 2,353
Ore milled (‘000 tonnes) 778 845 773 793 713 2,279 2,492
Average head grades
- Silver (g/t) 367 417 355 317 364 345 356
- Lead (%) 8.0% 8.6% 7.6% 7.0% 7.7% 7.4% 8.3%
- Zinc (%) 2.7% 2.5% 2.5% 2.9% 2.7% 2.7% 2.8%
Production
Payable silver (‘000 ounces) 7,836 9,757 7,689 6,949 7,323 21,961 24,451
Payable lead (tonnes) 53,412 63,334 51,923 45,937 48,899 146,759 175,756
Payable zinc (tonnes) 12,904 12,540 11,408 13,622 11,045 36,075 42,137
Sales
Payable silver (‘000 ounces) 7,081 10,784 8,506 6,694 7,265 22,465 22,475
Payable lead (tonnes) 49,027 73,400 59,042 46,319 48,661 154,022 163,942
Payable zinc (tonnes) 10,780 14,399 10,379 16,321 9,439 36,139 40,592
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 8
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2012
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Olympic Dam, Australia
Material mined (a) (‘000 tonnes) 2,389 2,629 2,226 2,123 2,448 6,797 7,372
Ore milled (‘000 tonnes) 2,195 2,475 2,471 2,435 2,353 7,259 7,106
Average copper grade (%) 2.01% 1.86% 1.90% 1.71% 1.73% 1.78% 2.02%
Average uranium grade (kg/t) 0.57 0.55 0.54 0.51 0.50 0.52 0.54
Production
Copper cathode (ER) (‘000 tonnes) 45.2 46.0 34.0 30.4 44.7 109.1 134.3
Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 2.6 3.8 3.0 3.2 3.0 9.2 8.5
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 896 1,080 1,042 1,014 933 2,989 2,805
Refined gold (fine ounces) 31,952 27,752 23,017 24,215 27,531 74,763 90,093
Refined silver (‘000 ounces) 228 251 207 193 214 614 656
Sales
Copper cathode (ER) (‘000 tonnes) 44.4 47.8 35.1 33.2 40.1 108.4 132.5
Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 3.0 3.1 3.4 2.7 3.1 9.2 9.0
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 640 1,252 615 1,343 816 2,774 2,676
Refined gold (fine ounces) 36,832 29,257 20,949 25,227 24,678 70,854 90,138
Refined silver (‘000 ounces) 268 200 265 169 211 645 712
(a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto Valley, US (a)
Production
Payable copper (‘000 tonnes) - - - 0.5 5.3 5.8 -
Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 3.6 4.2
Payable silver (‘000 ounces) - - - - 11 11 -
Sales
Payable copper (‘000 tonnes) - - - - 2.6 2.6 -
Copper cathode (EW) (‘000 tonnes) 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 3.5 4.1
Payable silver (‘000 ounces) - - - - 11 11 -
(a) Mining operations at Pinto Valley were restarted during the December 2012 quarter.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 9
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
YEAR TO DATE
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
MAR
MAR
2012
2012
2012
2012
2013
2013
2012
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
EKATI™, Canada (a)
Ore Processed (100%)
(‘000 tonnes)
1,001
1,214
1,042
982
954
2,978
3,268
Production
(‘000 carats)
433
413
313
295
322
930
1,371
(a) On 10 April 2013 BHP Billiton completed the sale of its diamonds business, comprising its interests in the EKATI Diamond Mine and Diamonds Marketing operations.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 10
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2012
IRON ORE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. (‘000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Newman (b) 11,789 13,132 11,752 12,809 13,028 37,589 38,194
Goldsworthy Joint Venture 37 143 432 378 296 1,106 625
Area C Joint Venture 10,343 11,166 10,937 10,245 10,983 32,165 31,259
Yandi Joint Venture 13,063 13,595 13,771 15,954 13,302 43,027 39,941
Total (BHP Billiton share) 35,232 38,036 36,892 39,386 37,609 113,887 110,019
Total production (100%) 41,449 44,748 43,403 46,337 44,245 133,985 129,434
Sales
Lump 8,235 9,100 8,338 9,806 9,339 27,483 24,679
Fines 26,523 28,870 28,718 30,479 28,370 87,567 84,240
Total (BHP Billiton share) 34,758 37,970 37,056 40,285 37,709 115,050 108,919
Total sales (100%) 40,892 44,670 43,595 47,393 44,363 135,351 128,140
Samarco, Brazil
Production
2,711
2,855
2,880
2,804
2,596
8,280
8,568
Sales
2,453
2,778
2,622
3,227
2,515
8,364
8,340
(a) Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(b) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 11
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2012
MANGANESE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
MANGANESE ORE
South Africa (a)
Saleable production 917 989 858 834 859 2,551 2,636
Sales 871 866 878 808 835 2,521 2,585
Australia (a)
Saleable production
1,123
1,077
1,288
1,283
1,149
3,720
3,229
Sales
1,115
1,343
1,171
979
1,326
3,476
3,085
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa (a) (b)
Saleable production 81 75 93 91 86 270 329
Sales 122 104 74 112 89 275 355
Australia (a)
Saleable production
57
-
37
62
57
156
198
Sales
57
23
46
52
68
166
206
(a) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%.
(b) Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 12
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2012
METALLURGICAL COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
METALLURGICAL COAL (a)
Queensland, Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater 955 991 1,148 1,588 1,157 3,893 3,444
Goonyella 1,153 1,012 1,535 1,392 1,478 4,405 3,991
Peak Downs 788 783 1,029 1,151 1,225 3,405 2,751
Saraji 627 724 773 994 711 2,478 2,329
Norwich Park (b) 248 193 - - - - 982
Gregory Joint Venture (c) 455 402 697 315 657 1,669 1,009
Daunia (d) - - - - 99 99 -
BMA total 4,226 4,105 5,182 5,440 5,327 15,949 14,506
BHP Mitsui Coal (e)
South Walker Creek 1,040 1,034 1,084 864 1,188 3,136 3,047
Poitrel 609 627 682 725 674 2,081 1,985
BHP Mitsui Coal total 1,649 1,661 1,766 1,589 1,862 5,217 5,032
Queensland total 5,875 5,766 6,948 7,029 7,189 21,166 19,538
Sales
Coking coal 4,522 4,007 4,058 5,561 4,933 14,552 14,433
Weak coking coal 1,595 1,512 1,545 1,820 2,029 5,394 5,033
Thermal coal 111 90 239 237 75 551 307
Total 6,228 5,609 5,842 7,618 7,037 20,497 19,773
Illawarra, Australia
Production 1,462 2,343 1,990 1,859 1,777 5,626 5,583
Sales
Coking coal 1,460 1,845 1,775 1,785 1,595 5,155 4,388
Thermal coal 219 279 502 327 145 974 819
Total 1,679 2,124 2,277 2,112 1,740 6,129 5,207
(a) Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal.
(b) Norwich Park ceased production on 11 May 2012.
(c) Gregory open-cut ceased production on 10 October 2012.
(d) Daunia project achieved first production in the March 2013 quarter.
(e) Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 13
PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2012
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
South Africa
Production 7,895 8,313 8,454 7,969 7,302 23,725 24,966
Sales
Export 3,807 3,314 3,385 3,583 3,604 10,572 10,792
Local utility 4,397 4,571 4,869 4,615 4,171 13,655 14,601
Inland 124 74 38 28 32 98 374
Total 8,328 7,959 8,292 8,226 7,807 24,325 25,767
New Mexico, US
Production
Navajo Coal 1,913 1,853 1,804 1,377 1,840 5,021 5,151
San Juan Coal 196 820 2,067 1,421 995 4,483 1,588
Total 2,109 2,673 3,871 2,798 2,835 9,504 6,739
Sales - local utility 3,057 2,773 3,420 3,265 3,275 9,960 9,795
NSW Energy Coal, Australia
Production 4,291 4,393 4,453 4,827 3,837 13,117 12,364
Sales
Export 3,160 4,388 4,488 4,187 4,505 13,180 10,249
Inland 297 404 250 265 174 689 1,255
Total 3,457 4,792 4,738 4,452 4,679 13,869 11,504
Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
Production 2,953 3,105 2,829 2,662 1,512 7,003 8,558
Sales - export 2,652 2,942 2,630 2,702 1,774 7,106 8,337
BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2013 Page 14
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: April 17, 2013 | By: | /s/ Jane McAloon | ||||
| Name: | Jane McAloon | |||||
| Title: | Group Company Secretary | |||||