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BHP Group Limited Interim / Quarterly Report 2013

Oct 16, 2012

14787_rns_2012-10-16_d151107a-af84-46f7-a603-0cc6b3dd7f49.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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NEWS RELEASE

Release Time

IMMEDIATE

==> picture [144 x 118] intentionally omitted <==

Date

17 October 2012

Number

25/12

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2012

  • The release of latent capacity and robust operating performance across our diversified portfolio continues to underpin strong growth in our high margin businesses.

  • Petroleum production averaged a record 666 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day during the September 2012 quarter as the Atlantis and Mad Dog facilities in the Gulf of Mexico successfully recommenced production.

  • Queensland Coal volumes rose by 20% during the September 2012 quarter as BMA production increased to over 80% of supply chain capacity.

  • Western Australia Iron Ore achieved another significant milestone with first ore loaded from the two recently installed shiploaders at Nelson Point as part of the Inner Harbour Expansion project.

  • Escondida copper production remains on track to increase by 20% in the 2013 financial year following the completion of scheduled maintenance and tie-in activities in the September 2012 quarter.

Petroleum

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (‘000 boe) 22,765 4% 17%
Natural gas (bcf) 230.89 30% 4%
Total petroleum products (million boe) 61.25 19% 9%

Total petroleum production – Petroleum production averaged a record 666 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day during the September 2012 quarter.

Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids – Liquids production increased by 17 per cent from the June 2012 quarter as the Atlantis and Mad Dog facilities in the Gulf of Mexico (US) successfully recommenced production. Reduced levels of planned maintenance at Bass Strait and the North West Shelf (both Australia) and development drilling at Shenzi (US) and Pyrenees (Australia) also contributed to the strong result.

Onshore US liquids production increased to a record 3.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) during the September 2012 quarter. With the drilling program running ahead of infrastructure development, robust growth is anticipated over the remainder of the 2013 financial year as pipeline capacity is installed and additional wells are brought online.

Petroleum production guidance for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged at 240 MMboe and includes an expected 15 per cent increase in valuable liquids production, largely attributable to our Onshore US business and Gulf of Mexico facilities.

Natural gas – Seasonally high gas demand at Bass Strait and strong operational performance at North West Shelf underpinned a quarterly production record for natural gas in the September 2012 quarter.

Aluminium

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Alumina ('000 tonnes) 1,170 10% 13%
Aluminium ('000 tonnes) 270 -14% 9%

Alumina – The ramp up of the Worsley Efficiency & Growth project (Australia) and continued strong operating performance at the Alumar refinery (Brazil) contributed to record alumina production in the September 2012 quarter.

Aluminium – Production was higher than the June 2012 quarter as potline capacity at Hillside (South Africa) recovered following a major unplanned outage in the March 2012 quarter. Operations are expected to progressively return to full technical capacity by the end of the 2012 calendar year.

Base Metals

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Copper (‘000 tonnes) 273.9 24% -12%
Lead (tonnes) 52,183 -6% -18%
Zinc (tonnes) 25,922 11% -16%
Silver (‘000 ounces) 9,165 0% -21%
Uranium oxide concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes) 1,042 4% -4%

Copper – A 24 per cent increase in production from the September 2011 quarter reflected the mining of higher grade ore at Escondida (Chile) and the impact of industrial action in the corresponding period. Record quarterly production was achieved at Antamina (Peru) as milling rates continued to exceed recently expanded ore processing capacity.

A reduction in smelter throughput affected Olympic Dam (Australia) production in the September 2012 quarter. A 27 day smelter outage is scheduled for the December 2012 quarter.

Escondida copper production remains on track to increase by 20 per cent in the 2013 financial year following the completion of scheduled maintenance and tie-in activities in the September 2012 quarter.

Lead/silver – Lower head grades at Cannington (Australia) contributed to a reduction in lead and silver production in the September 2012 quarter.

Zinc – Zinc production at Antamina declined during the September 2012 quarter as mining progressed through a copper-rich ore zone.

Uranium – Production for the September 2012 quarter was broadly in line with all comparable periods.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

2

Diamonds & Specialty Products

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Diamonds (‘000 carats) 313 -32% -24%

Diamonds – Production was lower than all comparable periods and reflected temporarily restricted mining conditions and unscheduled maintenance at EKATI (Canada). While production is expected to recover in the December 2012 quarter, it is forecast to remain constrained in the medium term as the operation extracts lower grade material, consistent with the mine plan.

The sale of BHP Billiton’s 37 per cent non-operated interest in Richards Bay Minerals (South Africa) to Rio Tinto was completed during the September 2012 quarter. The review of BHP Billiton’s diamonds business is continuing.

Nickel

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Nickel ('000 tonnes) 37.0 5% -13%

Nickel – An increase in nickel metal production in the September 2012 quarter reflected strong operating performance at both Cerro Matoso (Colombia) and the Nickel West Kwinana refinery (Australia). Total saleable production declined as nickel matte was stockpiled in advance of planned maintenance at the Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter in the December 2012 quarter.

Iron Ore

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Iron ore (‘000 tonnes) 39,772 1% -3%

Iron ore – Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) sustained strong performance in the September 2012 quarter despite the impact of a planned shutdown associated with the Inner Harbour Expansion project. Our Pilbara operations achieved another significant milestone during the quarter with first ore loaded from two recently installed shiploaders at Nelson Point.

WAIO production guidance remains unchanged with a five per cent increase anticipated in the 2013 financial year.

Samarco’s (Brazil) three pellet plants continued to operate at capacity during the period.

Manganese

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Manganese ore (‘000 tonnes) 2,146 6% 4%
Manganese alloy (‘000 tonnes) 130 -33% 73%

Manganese ore – Consistently strong operating performance and improved plant availability at GEMCO (Australia) contributed to record ore production in the September 2012 quarter.

Manganese alloy – The resumption of production at TEMCO (Australia) in July 2012 led to a substantial increase in alloy production from the June 2012 quarter. The decline in alloy production from the September 2011 quarter reflected the permanent closure of energy intensive silicomanganese production at Metalloys (South Africa) in January 2012.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

3

Metallurgical Coal

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Metallurgical coal (‘000 tonnes) 8,938 -4% 10%

Metallurgical coal – Queensland Coal (Australia) production increased by 20 per cent during the September 2012 quarter as significant latent capacity was released across the supply chain. Production at BMA benefited from a reduction in industrial activity with no significant work stoppages experienced since July 2012. A ballot on the BMA Enterprise Agreement will be conducted during October 2012. During the September 2012 quarter, BMA announced it would cease production at its Gregory open-cut mine following a review of the mine’s profitability.

A planned longwall move at the Appin mine led to lower production at Illawarra Coal (Australia) during the September 2012 quarter. A longwall move at the Dendrobium mine is expected to commence at the end of the December 2012 quarter.

Energy Coal

SEP SEP Q12 SEP Q12
2012 vs vs
QTR SEP Q11 JUN Q12
Energy coal (‘000 tonnes) 19,607 6% 6%

Energy coal – Production was higher than all comparable periods and reflected strong operating performance across the BHP Billiton Energy Coal portfolio. New South Wales Energy Coal (Australia) achieved record quarterly production following the completion of the RX1 project in the June 2012 quarter, ahead of schedule. In addition, the San Juan Coal mine (US) benefited from a full quarter of production following the resumption of longwall mining activity in the June 2012 quarter.

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 30 September 2012.

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

4

Media Relations

Investor Relations

Australia

Australia

James Agar Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 467 807 064 email: [email protected]

Antonios Papaspiropoulos Tel: +61 3 9609 3830 Mobile: +61 477 325 803 email: [email protected]

Andrew Gunn Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 439 558 454 email: [email protected]

Fiona Hadley Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908 email: [email protected]

United Kingdom and South Africa

Eleanor Nichols Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748 email: [email protected]

Tara Dines Tel: +44 20 7802 7113 Mobile: +44 7825 342 232 Email: [email protected]

United Kingdom

Americas

Ruban Yogarajah Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 email: [email protected]

Brendan Harris

Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726 email: [email protected]

Americas

Jaryl Strong Tel: +1 713 499 5548 Mobile: +1 281 222 6627 email: [email protected]

Matt Chism

Tel: +1 71 359 96158 Mobile: +1 281 782 2238 email: [email protected]

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 Registered in Australia Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015 Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia

BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

5

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

QUARTER ENDED
SEP
JUN
SEP
2011
2012
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011		 % CHANGE
SEP Q12
SEP Q12
vs
vs
SEP Q11
JUN Q12
PETROLEUM 18,482
15,726
18,413
177.35
221.25
230.89
3,356
3,758
4,352
51.40
56.36
61.25
1,060
1,039
1,170
315
248
270
220.3
312.5
273.9
55,659
63,667
52,183
23,444
30,748
25,922
39,439
40,569
32,436
9,151
11,539
9,165
1,000
1,080
1,042
595
464
454
457
413
313
35.1
42.7
37.0
39,572
40,891
39,772
2,019
2,066
2,146
194
75
130
9,291
8,109
8,938
18,460
18,484
19,607		 18,413
18,482
230.89
177.35
4,352
3,356
61.25
51.40
1,170
1,060
270
315
273.9
220.3
52,183
55,659
25,922
23,444
32,436
39,439
9,165
9,151
1,042
1,000
454
595
313
457
37.0
35.1
39,772
39,572
2,146
2,019
130
194
8,938
9,291
19,607
18,460		 0%
17%
30%
4%
30%
16%
19%
9%
10%
13%
-14%
9%
24%
-12%
-6%
-18%
11%
-16%
-18%
-20%
0%
-21%
4%
-4%
-24%
-2%
-32%
-24%
5%
-13%
1%
-3%
6%
4%
-33%
73%
-4%
10%
6%
6%
Crude oil & condensate
('000 bbl)
Natural gas
(bcf)
NGL
('000 boe)
Total petroleum products
(million boe)
ALUMINIUM
Alumina
('000 tonnes)
Aluminium
('000 tonnes)
BASE METALS
Copper
('000 tonnes)
Lead
(tonnes)
Zinc
(tonnes)
Gold
(ounces)
Silver
('000 ounces)
Uranium oxide concentrate
(tonnes)
Molybdenum
(tonnes)
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Diamonds
('000 carats)
NICKEL
Nickel
('000 tonnes)
IRON ORE
Iron ore
('000 tonnes)
MANGANESE
Manganese ore
('000 tonnes)
Manganese alloy
('000 tonnes)
METALLURGICAL COAL
Metallurgical coal
('000 tonnes)
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal
('000 tonnes)

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 1

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

BHP Billiton
Interest		 SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
PETROLEUM 18,482
18,866
18,127
15,726
18,413
177.35
214.49
209.17
221.25
230.89
3,356
3,362
3,609
3,758
4,352
51.40
57.98
56.60
56.36
61.25		 18,413
18,482
230.89
177.35
4,352
3,356
Production
Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl)
Natural gas (bcf)
NGL ('000 boe) (a)
Total petroleum products (million boe)
61.25
51.40
ALUMINIUM 752
694
741
730
859
308
307
311
309
311
1,060
1,001
1,052
1,039
1,170		 859
752
311
308
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Worsley
86%
Alumar
36%
Total
1,170
1,060
ALUMINIUM
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hillside
100%
Bayside
100%
Alumar
40%
Mozal
47%
Total		 180
180
144
117
139
25
24
26
23
25
44
42
42
42
39
66
67
65
66
67
315
313
277
248
270		 139
180
25
25
39
44
67
66
270
315
BASE METALS (b) 49.9
80.4
87.7
115.8
101.2
30.3
30.9
30.9
34.9
40.2
80.2
111.3
118.6
150.7
141.4
32.9
43.0
47.4
48.7
41.6
65.4
70.0
66.2
62.1
52.7
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
40.4
54.6
47.8
49.8
37.0
140.1
169.0
162.8
161.8
132.5		 101.2
49.9
40.2
30.3
COPPER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)
Escondida
57.5%
Antamina
33.8%
Total
Cathode ('000 tonnes)
Escondida
57.5%
Pampa Norte (c)
100%
Pinto Valley
100%
Olympic Dam
100%
Total
141.4
80.2
41.6
32.9
52.7
65.4
1.2
1.4
37.0
40.4
132.5
140.1
LEAD
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington
100%
Antamina
33.8%
Total		 55,557
66,787
53,412
63,334
51,923
102
205
148
333
260
55,659
66,992
53,560
63,667
52,183		 51,923
55,557
260
102
52,183
55,659
ZINC
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington
100%
Antamina
33.8%
Total		 14,488
14,745
12,904
12,540
11,408
8,956
13,553
16,823
18,208
14,514
23,444
28,298
29,727
30,748
25,922		 11,408
14,488
14,514
8,956
25,922
23,444

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 2

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
BHP Billiton
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
Interest
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
BHP Billiton
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
Interest
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED
BHP Billiton
Interest
YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
BASE METALS (continued) 11,063
14,242
12,732
12,817
9,419
28,376
29,765
31,952
27,752
23,017
39,439
44,007
44,684
40,569
32,436		 9,419
11,063
23,017
28,376
GOLD
Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)
Escondida
57.5%
Olympic Dam (refined gold)
100%
Total
32,436
39,439
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)
Escondida
57.5%
Antamina
33.8%
Cannington
100%
Olympic Dam (refined silver)
100%
Total		 403
549
481
488
350
972
1,087
1,170
1,043
919
7,559
9,056
7,836
9,757
7,689
217
211
228
251
207
9,151
10,903
9,715
11,539
9,165		 350
403
919
972
7,689
7,559
207
217
9,165
9,151
URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Olympic Dam
100%
Total		 1,000
909
896
1,080
1,042
1,000
909
896
1,080
1,042		 1,042
1,000
1,042
1,000
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Antamina
33.8%
Total		 595
766
521
464
454
595
766
521
464
454		 454
595
454
595
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 457
481
433
413
313		 313
457
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
EKATI™
80%
NICKEL 10.4
12.3
13.4
12.8
13.3
24.7
26.1
28.3
29.9
23.7
35.1
38.4
41.7
42.7
37.0		 13.3
10.4
23.7
24.7
NICKEL
Production ('000 tonnes)
CMSA
99.9%
Nickel West
100%
Total
37.0
35.1

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 3

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
BHP Billiton
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
Interest
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
BHP Billiton
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
Interest
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED
BHP Billiton
Interest
YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
IRON ORE 13,158
13,247
11,789
13,132
11,752
254
334
37
143
432
10,479
10,437
10,343
11,166
10,937
12,708
14,170
13,063
13,595
13,771
2,973
2,884
2,711
2,855
2,880
39,572
41,072
37,943
40,891
39,772		 11,752
13,158
432
254
10,937
10,479
13,771
12,708
2,880
2,973
Production ('000 tonnes) (d)
Newman (e)
85%
Goldsworthy Joint Venture
85%
Area C Joint Venture
85%
Yandi Joint Venture
85%
Samarco
50%
Total
39,772
39,572
MANGANESE 911
808
917
989
858
1,108
998
1,123
1,077
1,288
2,019
1,806
2,040
2,066
2,146		 858
911
1,288
1,108
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (f)
44.4%
Australia (f)
60%
Total
2,146
2,019
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (f) (g)
60%
Australia (f)
60%
Total		 124
124
81
75
93
70
71
57
-
37
194
195
138
75
130		 93
124
37
70
130
194
METALLURGICAL COAL 5,274
5,006
4,226
4,105
5,182
1,803
1,580
1,649
1,661
1,766
2,214
1,907
1,462
2,343
1,990
9,291
8,493
7,337
8,109
8,938		 5,182
5,274
1,766
1,803
1,990
2,214
Production ('000 tonnes) (h)
BMA
50%
BHP Mitsui Coal (i)
80%
Illawarra
100%
Total
8,938
9,291
ENERGY COAL 9,095
7,976
7,895
8,313
8,454
2,467
2,163
2,109
2,673
3,871
4,046
4,027
4,291
4,393
4,453
2,852
2,753
2,953
3,105
2,829
18,460
16,919
17,248
18,484
19,607		 8,454
9,095
3,871
2,467
4,453
4,046
2,829
2,852
Production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa
100%
USA
100%
Australia
100%
Colombia
33%
Total
19,607
18,460

(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 quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 4

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
PETROLEUM 2,659
2,527
1,844
1,400
534
1,171
2,605
3,901
17
13
1,586
2,081
377
-
4,035
3,848
2,358
672
397
466
367
373
252
447
1,309
1,498
73
85
18,413
18,482
39.39
31.88
35.41
32.97
6.20
4.45
0.50
0.64
0.06
-
0.96
0.62
122.59
77.59
9.08
9.31
0.35
1.19
3.33
3.91
13.02
14.79
230.89
177.35
2,074
1,823
394
423
37
120
9
-
309
296
1,516
416
13
41
-
18
-
219
4,352
3,356
61.25
51.40

(a) Other Australia includes Minerva.

(b) Gulf of Mexico volumes are net of royalties.

(c) The Genghis Khan operation is reported in Shenzi.

(d) Fayetteville shale acquisition completed on 31 March 2011. Petrohawk Energy Corporation acquisition completed on 20 August 2011. Onshore US volumes are net of mineral holder royalties.

(e) Other Americas includes Neptune, West Cameron 76, Genesis and Starlifter. West Cameron 76 and Starlifter were divested in May 2012.

(f) Algeria includes ROD and Ohanet. The Ohanet Risk Sharing Contract expired in October 2011.

(g) 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 quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 5

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINIUM ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Saleable production
Worsley, Australia
752
694
741
730
859
Alumar, Brazil
308
307
311
309
311
Total
1,060
1,001
1,052
1,039
1,170
Sales
Worsley, Australia
720
745
713
750
820
Alumar, Brazil
280
349
216
356
352
Total
1,000
1,094
929
1,106
1,172		 859
752
311
308
1,170
1,060
820
720
352
280
1,172
1,000
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		 180
180
144
117
139
25
24
26
23
25
44
42
42
42
39
66
67
65
66
67
315
313
277
248
270
163
186
141
126
139
24
25
27
21
26
44
43
31
45
46
60
85
66
54
58
291
339
265
246
269		 139
180
25
25
39
44
67
66
270
315
139
163
26
24
46
44
58
60
269
291

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 6

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
SEP DEC MAR JUN SEP SEP SEP
2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
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) 69,006 96,152 103,321 109,724 102,499 102,499 69,006
Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 12,029 18,663 16,449 18,640 16,850 16,850 12,029
Average copper grade (%) 0.97% 0.97% 1.14% 1.37% 1.35% 1.35% 0.97%
Production ex mill (100%) ('000 tonnes) 91.9 144.3 153.1 211.7 185.2 185.2 91.9
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 49.9 80.4 87.7 115.8 101.2 101.2 49.9
Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 11,063 14,242 12,732 12,817 9,419 9,419 11,063
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 32.9 43.0 47.4 48.7 41.6 41.6 32.9
Payable silver concentrate ('000 ounces) 403 549 481 488 350 350 403
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 49.2 82.1 82.6 113.1 95.7 95.7 49.2
Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 10,974 14,435 11,998 12,683 8,999 8,999 10,974
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 25.7 45.3 44.3 53.4 38.8 38.8 25.7
Payable silver concentrate ('000 ounces) 404 558 454 483 324 324 404
Pampa Norte, Chile
Cerro Colorado
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 14,736 16,792 16,320 16,246 16,067 16,067 14,736
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 4,608 4,601 4,300 4,388 4,505 4,505 4,608
Average copper grade (%) 0.72% 0.71% 0.72% 0.61% 0.55% 0.55% 0.72%
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 22.5 23.5 18.7 18.7 17.8 17.8 22.5
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 22.4 23.8 20.2 19.1 16.1 16.1 22.4
Spence
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 19,816 26,511 29,982 28,594 27,541 27,541 19,816
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 3,862 4,909 4,279 3,604 3,752 3,752 3,862
Average copper grade (%) 1.30% 1.46% 1.20% 1.28% 1.17% 1.17% 1.30%
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 42.9 46.5 47.5 43.4 34.9 34.9 42.9
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 43.2 46.6 44.1 51.3 31.1 31.1 43.2

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 7

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
SEP DEC MAR JUN SEP SEP SEP
2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
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) 44,212 38,759 41,474 48,256 54,482 54,482 44,212
Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 9,396 9,656 10,162 12,295 12,274 12,274 9,396
Average head grades
- Copper (%) 1.11% 1.15% 1.10% 1.01% 1.15% 1.15% 1.11%
- Zinc (%) 0.68% 0.72% 0.84% 0.80% 0.66% 0.66% 0.68%
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 30.3 30.9 30.9 34.9 40.2 40.2 30.3
Payable zinc (tonnes) 8,956 13,553 16,823 18,208 14,514 14,514 8,956
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 972 1,087 1,170 1,043 919 919 972
Payable lead (tonnes) 102 205 148 333 260 260 102
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 595 766 521 464 454 454 595
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 28.2 31.7 30.7 32.7 39.7 39.7 28.2
Payable zinc (tonnes) 9,586 12,654 13,464 18,174 15,519 15,519 9,586
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 833 940 1,114 896 849 849 833
Payable lead (tonnes) 91 139 200 48 330 330 91
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 549 591 669 488 536 536 549
Cannington, Australia
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 819 778 756 880 717 717 819
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 826 888 778 845 773 773 826
Average head grades
- Silver (g/t) 332 370 367 417 355 355 332
- Lead (%) 7.9% 8.8% 8.0% 8.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.9%
- Zinc (%) 2.9% 2.9% 2.7% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.9%
Production
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 7,559 9,056 7,836 9,757 7,689 7,689 7,559
Payable lead (tonnes) 55,557 66,787 53,412 63,334 51,923 51,923 55,557
Payable zinc (tonnes) 14,488 14,745 12,904 12,540 11,408 11,408 14,488
Sales
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 6,434 8,960 7,081 10,784 8,506 8,506 6,434
Payable lead (tonnes) 48,258 66,657 49,027 73,400 59,042 59,042 48,258
Payable zinc (tonnes) 15,734 14,078 10,780 14,399 10,379 10,379 15,734

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 8

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
SEP DEC MAR JUN SEP SEP SEP
2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011
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) 2,543 2,440 2,389 2,629 2,226 2,226 2,543
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 2,471 2,440 2,195 2,475 2,471 2,471 2,471
Average copper grade (%) 1.98% 2.08% 2.01% 1.86% 1.90% 1.90% 1.98%
Average uranium grade (kg/t) 0.54 0.50 0.57 0.55 0.54 0.54 0.54
Production
Copper cathode (ER) ('000 tonnes) 37.6 51.5 45.2 46.0 34.0 34.0 37.6
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 2.8 3.1 2.6 3.8 3.0 3.0 2.8
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 1,000 909 896 1,080 1,042 1,042 1,000
Refined gold (fine ounces) 28,376 29,765 31,952 27,752 23,017 23,017 28,376
Refined silver ('000 ounces) 217 211 228 251 207 207 217
Sales
Copper cathode (ER) ('000 tonnes) 36.4 51.7 44.4 47.8 35.1 35.1 36.4
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 3.5 2.5 3.0 3.1 3.4 3.4 3.5
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 910 1,126 640 1,252 615 615 910
Refined gold (fine ounces) 28,979 24,327 36,832 29,257 20,949 20,949 28,979
Refined silver ('000 ounces) 289 155 268 200 265 265 289
(a) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto Valley, USA
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 1.7 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.7

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 9

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 1,042
1,177
313
457

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 10

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED
YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
NICKEL 13.3
10.4
12.3
7.7
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		 2.6
1.8
2.3
2.3
1.3
9.0
15.2
10.5
14.2
5.8
13.1
9.1
15.5
13.4
16.6
24.7
26.1
28.3
29.9
23.7
1.2
2.6
1.5
3.6
1.6
10.1
13.9
10.2
16.7
6.7
9.4
10.9
14.2
15.7
14.2
20.7
27.4
25.9
36.0
22.5		 1.3
2.6
5.8
9.0
16.6
13.1
23.7
24.7
1.6
1.2
6.7
10.1
14.2
9.4
22.5
20.7

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 11

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT
SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
IRON ORE 11,752
13,158
432
254
10,937
10,479
13,771
12,708
36,892
36,599
43,403
43,058
8,338
7,744
28,718
29,311
37,056
37,055
43,595
43,594
Samarco, Brazil
Production
2,973
2,884
2,711
2,855
2,880
Sales
2,926
2,961
2,453
2,778
2,622		 2,880
2,973
2,622
2,926

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 12

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED
YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011
MANGANESE 858
911
702
861
Australia (a)
Saleable production
1,108
998
1,123
1,077
1,288
Sales
1,094
876
1,115
1,343
1,054		 1,288
1,108
1,054
1,094
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa (a) (b)
Saleable production
124
124
81
75
93
Sales
95
138
122
104
74		 93
124
74
95
Australia (a)
Saleable production
70
71
57
-
37
Sales
91
58
57
23
46		 37
70
46
91

(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 quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 13

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011

METALLURGICAL COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. ('000 tonnes)

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production
BMA
Blackwater
Goonyella
Peak Downs
Saraji
Norwich Park
Gregory Joint Venture
BMA total
BHP Mitsui Coal (b)
South Walker Creek
Poitrel
BHP Mitsui Coal total
Queensland total
Sales
Coking coal
Weak coking coal
Thermal coal
Total		 1,367
1,122
955
991
1,148
1,463
1,375
1,153
1,012
1,535
971
992
788
783
1,029
802
900
627
724
773
365
369
248
193
-
306
248
455
402
697
5,274
5,006
4,226
4,105
5,182
1,106
901
1,040
1,034
1,084
697
679
609
627
682
1,803
1,580
1,649
1,661
1,766
7,077
6,586
5,875
5,766
6,948
5,066
4,845
4,522
4,007
4,058
1,691
1,747
1,595
1,512
1,545
176
20
111
90
239
6,933
6,612
6,228
5,609
5,842		 1,148
1,367
1,535
1,463
1,029
971
773
802
-
365
697
306
5,182
5,274
1,084
1,106
682
697
1,766
1,803
6,948
7,077
4,058
5,066
1,545
1,691
239
176
5,842
6,933

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

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

Illawarra, Australia
Production
Sales
Coking coal
Thermal coal
Total		 2,214
1,907
1,462
2,343
1,990
1,673
1,255
1,460
1,845
1,775
159
441
219
279
502
1,832
1,696
1,679
2,124
2,277		 1,990
2,214
1,775
1,673
502
159
2,277
1,832

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 14

PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

SEP
DEC
MAR
JUN
SEP
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
QUARTER ENDED		 YEAR TO DATE
SEP
SEP
2012
2011

ENERGY COAL

ENERGY COAL ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
South Africa
Production
9,095
7,976
7,895
8,313
8,454
Sales
Export
3,439
3,546
3,807
3,314
3,385
Local utility
5,622
4,582
4,397
4,571
4,869
Inland
85
165
124
74
38
Total
9,146
8,293
8,328
7,959
8,292		 8,454
9,095
3,385
3,439
4,869
5,622
38
85
8,292
9,146
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal
San Juan Coal
Total
Sales - local utility		 1,178
2,060
1,913
1,853
1,804
1,289
103
196
820
2,067
2,467
2,163
2,109
2,673
3,871
3,630
3,108
3,057
2,773
3,420		 1,804
1,178
2,067
1,289
3,871
2,467
3,420
3,630
NSW Energy Coal, Australia
Production
Sales
Export
Inland
Total		 4,046
4,027
4,291
4,393
4,453
3,523
3,566
3,160
4,388
4,488
625
333
297
404
250
4,148
3,899
3,457
4,792
4,738		 4,453
4,046
4,488
3,523
250
625
4,738
4,148
Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
Production
Sales - export		 2,852
2,753
2,953
3,105
2,829
2,901
2,784
2,652
2,942
2,630		 2,829
2,852
2,630
2,901

BHP Billiton Production Report for the quarter ended 30 September 2012

Page 15

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