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BHP Group Limited Interim / Quarterly Report 2012

Apr 17, 2012

14787_rns_2012-04-17_d5b6767a-7293-4780-b356-413b06c1e365.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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NEWS RELEASE

Release Time

IMMEDIATE

==> picture [144 x 119] intentionally omitted <==

Date

18 April 2012

Number

10/12

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2012

  • Western Australia Iron Ore achieved record production for the nine months ended March 2012, a 22% increase on the prior corresponding period.

  • The Onshore US petroleum business delivered a 35% increase in liquids production compared to the December 2011 quarter.

  • Escondida (Chile) production increased by 9% from the December 2011 quarter, benefiting from higher ore grades.

  • Production records for the nine months and quarter ended March 2012 were achieved at two of BHP Billiton’s high value, export orientated energy coal operations, New South Wales Energy Coal (Australia) and Cerrejon Coal (Colombia).

  • Queensland Coal (Australia) production remained constrained as a result of industrial action and heavy rainfall.

Petroleum

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (‘000 boe) 65,799 21,733 -7% 0% -2%
Natural gas (bcf) 600.51 208.67 120% 146% -3%
Total petroleum products (million boe) 165.89 56.51 43% 58% -3%

Total petroleum production – Total production increased for the nine months ended March 2012 as our recently acquired Onshore US business reported strong growth. Guidance for the 2012 financial year of 225 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) remains unchanged.

Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids – Lower production for the nine months ended March 2012 reflected expiration of the Ohanet (Algeria) Risk Sharing Contract, maintenance and drilling delays at non-operated facilities, weather related downtime in Western Australia and natural field decline, especially at Pyrenees (Australia). Mad Dog (USA) was offline for the entire quarter and is forecast by the operator to recommence production during the June 2012 quarter. Atlantis (USA) was shut-in during April 2012 for an extended period of scheduled maintenance and will be offline until the September 2012 quarter.

Notably, the Onshore US business delivered a 35 per cent increase in liquids production compared to the December 2011 quarter. These liquids contributed 3.5 MMboe of Onshore US production in the March 2012 quarter consistent with our shift in focus towards the high return Eagle Ford shale. We continue to adjust our Onshore US development plans in response to lower US gas prices and expect activity in the liquids rich Eagle

Ford shale and Permian Basin to represent the significant majority of Onshore US operating activity by the end of the 2012 calendar year.

Natural gas – Strong performance from the Onshore US and Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago) businesses contributed to higher natural gas production for the nine months ended March 2012.

Aluminium

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Alumina (‘000 tonnes) 3,113 1,052 4% 10% 5%
Aluminium (‘000 tonnes) 905 277 -3% -9% -12%

Alumina – Production in the March 2012 quarter was higher than all comparable periods as the Alumar refinery (Brazil) continued to deliver into expanded capacity and output at Worsley (Australia) recovered following a planned calciner outage in the December 2011 quarter.

Aluminium – Production decreased during the March 2012 quarter as a major unplanned outage at Hillside (South Africa) led to the temporary curtailment of potline capacity. Operations are expected to progressively return to full technical capacity over the next year.

Base Metals

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Copper (‘000 tonnes) 782.0 281.4 -10% 3% 0%
Lead (tonnes) 176,211 53,560 -5% 3% -20%
Zinc (tonnes) 81,469 29,727 -31% -26% 5%
Silver (‘000 ounces) 29,769 9,715 -9% 7% -11%
Uranium oxide concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes) 2,805 896 -7% -16% -1%

Copper – Consistent with the mine plan, Escondida production increased by nine per cent from the December 2011 quarter, benefiting from higher ore grades. This was offset by unfavourable weather conditions and lower recoveries at Pampa Norte (Chile) and planned maintenance at Olympic Dam (Australia). Recent investment in the mining fleets at Antamina (Peru) and Pampa Norte contributed to material mined records for both assets for the nine months ended March 2012. In addition, Antamina achieved a milling record for the same period following successful commissioning of the expansion project.

Escondida production guidance remains unchanged for the 2012 financial year. Production is expected to improve as mining activities progress towards higher grade ore with completion of the Escondida Ore Access project in the main pit.

Lead/silver – Production at Cannington (Australia) decreased in the March 2012 quarter reflecting lower average ore grades and mill throughput.

Zinc – An improvement in Antamina ore grades and the successful commissioning of the expansion project led to a five per cent increase in total zinc production in the March 2012 quarter.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

2

Uranium – Production was largely unchanged in the March 2012 quarter.

Diamonds & Specialty Products

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Diamonds (‘000 carats) 1,371 433 -29% -21% -10%

Diamonds – As anticipated, production was lower than all comparable periods. EKATI (Canada) production is expected to remain constrained in the medium term as the operations extract lower grade material, consistent with the mine plan.

BHP Billiton announced a review of its diamonds business during the December 2011 quarter and this process is ongoing. During the March 2012 quarter, BHP Billiton announced that it had exercised an option to sell its 37 per cent non-operated interest in Richards Bay Minerals (South Africa) to Rio Tinto.

Stainless Steel Materials

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Nickel (‘000 tonnes) 115.2 41.7 1% 26% 9%

Nickel – Production was higher than all comparable periods reflecting improved smelter and refinery performance at Nickel West (Australia) and strong operating performance at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) following the successful replacement of the Line 1 furnace in September 2011.

During the March 2012 quarter the Nickel West Kwinana hydrogen plant was successfully commissioned and will enable the refinery to operate at full capacity in future periods.

In response to persistent weakness in nickel prices and the continued strength of the Australian dollar, BHP Billiton announced a reduction in functional support staff and a temporary reduction in mining activity at Nickel West Mt Keith during the March 2012 quarter. Production of nickel concentrate at Mt Keith will be maintained in the short term as commissioning of the Talc Redesign Project has enabled stockpiled talc-bearing ore to be processed.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

3

Iron Ore

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Iron ore (‘000 tonnes) 118,587 37,943 20% 14% -8%

Iron ore – Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) achieved record production for the nine months ended March 2012 despite a decline in volumes in the March 2012 quarter as a result of cyclone activity. Consistently strong operating performance, combined with the continued ramp up of Ore Handling Plant 3 at Yandi, dual tracking of the company’s rail infrastructure and additional ship loading capacity at Port Hedland, contributed to the record result.

Full year WAIO production guidance remains unchanged as scheduled maintenance and tie-in activities are expected to constrain performance in the June 2012 quarter.

Manganese

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Manganese ore (‘000 tonnes) 5,865 2,040 11% 51% 13%
Manganese alloy (‘000 tonnes) 527 138 -6% -20% -29%

Manganese ore – Production and sales in the March 2012 quarter were higher following the recovery from weather related downtime at GEMCO (Australia) and planned maintenance at Hotazel (South Africa). Record production and sales for the nine months ended March 2012 were achieved at both GEMCO and Hotazel.

Manganese alloy – In response to challenging conditions in the downstream manganese alloy industry, BHP Billiton announced the temporary suspension of production at TEMCO (Australia) and the cessation of production of energy intensive silica manganese at the Metalloys plant (South Africa) during the March 2012 quarter.

Metallurgical Coal

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Metallurgical coal (‘000 tonnes) 25,121 7,337 1% 10% -14%

Metallurgical coal – Queensland Coal production remained constrained in the March 2012 quarter as a result of industrial action and heavy rainfall. The extent to which industrial action will continue to affect production, sales and unit costs is difficult to predict, however with inventories now severely depleted, the impact on future quarters may be significant. Force majeure was declared across all BMA sites in April 2012 and remains in place.

A planned longwall move and plant shutdown at Dendrobium led to lower production at Illawarra Coal (Australia) in the March 2012 quarter. A longwall move at Appin is scheduled for the June 2012 quarter.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

4

Energy Coal

MAR MAR MAR YTD12 MAR Q12 MAR Q12
2012 2012 vs vs vs
YTD QTR MAR YTD11 MAR Q11 DEC Q11
Energy coal (‘000 tonnes) 52,627 17,248 3% -2% 2%

Energy coal – Production records for the nine months and quarter ended March 2012 were achieved at two of BHP Billiton’s high value, export orientated energy coal operations, New South Wales Energy Coal and Cerrejon Coal. Export volumes for New South Wales Energy Coal were adversely affected by vessel delays at the Port of Newcastle in the March 2012 quarter. Preparation for the resumption of mining activity at San Juan Coal (USA) has commenced, with a full restart expected in the June 2012 quarter.

Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton’s share and exclude suspended and sold operations.

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 2012.

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

Media Relations

Investor Relations

Australia

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

Kelly Quirke Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312 email: [email protected]

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

United Kingdom

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

Australia

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

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

United Kingdom and South Africa

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

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

Americas

Americas

Jaryl Strong Tel: +1 713 499 5548 Mobile: +1 281 222 6627 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

Scott Espenshade Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 email: [email protected]

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

Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

5

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

QUARTER ENDED
MAR
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011		 % CHANGE
MAR YTD12
MAR Q12
MAR Q12
vs
vs
vs
MAR YTD11
MAR Q11
DEC Q11
PETROLEUM 19,200
18,866
18,221
84.90
214.49
208.67
2,442
3,362
3,512
35.79
57.98
56.51
959
1,001
1,052
305
313
277
273.6
280.3
281.4
51,910
66,992
53,560
40,252
28,298
29,727
49,559
44,007
44,684
9,056
10,903
9,715
1,063
909
896
334
766
521
551
481
433
33.0
38.4
41.7
33,231
41,072
37,943
1,352
1,806
2,040
172
195
138
6,670
8,493
7,337
17,543
16,919
17,248		 55,569
61,939
600.51
273.27
10,230
8,647
165.89
116.13
3,113
2,984
905
933
782.0
867.1
176,211
185,976
81,469
117,394
128,130
150,546
29,769
32,779
2,805
3,030
1,882
1,027
1,371
1,930
115.2
114.5
118,587
98,880
5,865
5,303
527
563
25,121
24,756
52,627
51,162		 -10%
-5%
-3%
120%
146%
-3%
18%
44%
4%
43%
58%
-3%
4%
10%
5%
-3%
-9%
-12%
-10%
3%
0%
-5%
3%
-20%
-31%
-26%
5%
-15%
-10%
2%
-9%
7%
-11%
-7%
-16%
-1%
83%
56%
-32%
-29%
-21%
-10%
1%
26%
9%
20%
14%
-8%
11%
51%
13%
-6%
-20%
-29%
1%
10%
-14%
3%
-2%
2%
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)
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
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)

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 2012

Page 1

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
BHP Billiton
Interest		 QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
PETROLEUM 19,200
18,652
18,482
18,866
18,221
84.90
131.79
177.35
214.49
208.67
2,442
2,636
3,356
3,362
3,512
35.79
43.25
51.40
57.98
56.51		 55,569
61,939
600.51
273.27
10,230
8,647
Production
Crude oil & condensate ('000 bbl)
Natural gas (bcf)
NGL ('000 boe) (a)
Total petroleum products (million boe)
165.89
116.13
ALUMINIUM 663
725
752
694
741
296
301
308
307
311
959
1,026
1,060
1,001
1,052		 2,187
2,177
926
807
ALUMINA
Production ('000 tonnes)
Worsley
86%
Alumar
36%
Total
3,113
2,984
ALUMINIUM
Production ('000 tonnes)
Hillside
100%
Bayside
100%
Alumar
40%
Mozal
47%
Total		 173
179
180
180
144
24
24
25
24
26
44
43
44
42
42
64
67
66
67
65
305
313
315
313
277		 504
532
75
73
128
131
198
197
905
933
BASE METALS (b) 87.7
79.4
49.9
80.4
87.7
24.9
22.5
30.3
30.9
30.9
112.6
101.9
80.2
111.3
118.6
44.4
42.6
32.9
43.0
47.4
64.1
75.7
65.4
70.0
66.2
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.4
51.1
50.7
40.4
54.6
47.8
161.0
170.4
140.1
169.0
162.8		 218.0
311.1
92.1
75.3
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
310.1
386.4
123.3
136.5
201.6
196.5
4.2
4.3
142.8
143.4
471.9
480.7
LEAD
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington
100%
Antamina
33.8%
Total		 51,673
58,414
55,557
66,787
53,412
237
164
102
205
148
51,910
58,578
55,659
66,992
53,560		 175,756
184,950
455
1,026
176,211
185,976
ZINC
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington
100%
Antamina
33.8%
Total		 16,129
14,348
14,488
14,745
12,904
24,123
20,385
8,956
13,553
16,823
40,252
34,733
23,444
28,298
29,727		 42,137
46,309
39,332
71,085
81,469
117,394

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 2

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION
BHP Billiton
Interest		 QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
BASE METALS (continued) 19,667
17,116
11,063
14,242
12,732
29,892
28,429
28,376
29,765
31,952
49,559
45,545
39,439
44,007
44,684		 38,037
67,607
90,093
82,939
GOLD
Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)
Escondida
57.5%
Olympic Dam (refined gold)
100%
Total
128,130
150,546
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)
Escondida
57.5%
Antamina
33.8%
Cannington
100%
Olympic Dam (refined silver)
100%
Total		 670
580
403
549
481
813
773
972
1,087
1,170
7,315
8,242
7,559
9,056
7,836
258
282
217
211
228
9,056
9,877
9,151
10,903
9,715		 1,433
2,269
3,229
2,827
24,451
26,983
656
700
29,769
32,779
URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Olympic Dam
100%
Total		 1,063
1,015
1,000
909
896
1,063
1,015
1,000
909
896		 2,805
3,030
2,805
3,030
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Antamina
33.8%
Total		 334
418
595
766
521
334
418
595
766
521		 1,882
1,027
1,882
1,027
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 551
576
457
481
433		 1,371
1,930
DIAMONDS
Production ('000 carats)
EKATI™
80%
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS 7.8
7.4
10.4
12.3
13.4
25.2
30.8
24.7
26.1
28.3
33.0
38.2
35.1
38.4
41.7		 36.1
32.6
79.1
81.9
NICKEL
Production ('000 tonnes)
CMSA
99.9%
Nickel West
100%
Total
115.2
114.5

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 3

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012
BHP Billiton
Interest
YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
IRON ORE 11,912
12,480
13,158
13,247
11,789
305
284
254
334
37
9,510
10,044
10,479
10,437
10,343
8,799
9,796
12,708
14,170
13,063
2,705
2,922
2,973
2,884
2,711
33,231
35,526
39,572
41,072
37,943		 38,194
32,765
625
914
31,259
29,750
39,941
26,664
8,568
8,787
Production ('000 tonnes) (d)
Newman (e)
85%
Goldsworthy Joint Venture
85%
Area C Joint Venture
85%
Yandi Joint Venture
85%
Samarco
50%
Total
118,587
98,880
MANGANESE 514
776
911
808
917
838
1,014
1,108
998
1,123
1,352
1,790
2,019
1,806
2,040		 2,636
2,231
3,229
3,072
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (f)
60%
Australia (f)
60%
Total
5,865
5,303
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa (f) (g)
60%
Australia (f)
60%
Total		 111
120
124
124
81
61
70
70
71
57
172
190
194
195
138		 329
366
198
197
527
563
METALLURGICAL COAL 3,955
4,874
5,274
5,006
4,226
1,133
1,426
1,803
1,580
1,649
1,582
1,622
2,214
1,907
1,462
6,670
7,922
9,291
8,493
7,337		 14,506
15,027
5,032
4,467
5,583
5,262
Production ('000 tonnes) (h)
BMA
50%
BHP Mitsui Coal (i)
80%
Illawarra
100%
Total
25,121
24,756
ENERGY COAL 8,596
8,228
9,095
7,976
7,895
2,360
3,779
2,467
2,163
2,109
3,978
3,793
4,046
4,027
4,291
2,609
2,538
2,852
2,753
2,953
17,543
18,338
18,460
16,919
17,248		 24,966
26,100
6,739
7,833
12,364
9,878
8,558
7,351
Production ('000 tonnes)
South Africa
100%
USA
100%
Australia
100%
Colombia
33%
Total
52,627
51,162

(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%.

(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 2012

Page 4

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
PETROLEUM 7,002
7,729
4,757
6,144
2,625
1,771
9,648
15,204
39
38
6,827
8,613
-
2,901
12,038
11,153
4,505
-
1,385
584
1,120
1,186
1,208
1,632
4,171
4,747
244
237
55,569
61,939
75.27
82.06
95.13
108.07
13.43
14.52
1.99
3.24
-
0.44
1.75
2.16
323.39
-
28.53
-
3.26
4.05
14.45
18.77
43.31
39.96
600.51
273.27
4,585
4,694
1,278
1,347
367
515
-
123
880
777
2,634
-
109
138
75
213
302
840
10,230
8,647
165.89
116.13

(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.

(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 nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 5

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
ALUMINIUM 2,187
2,177
926
807
3,113
2,984
2,178
2,135
845
759
3,022
2,894
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		 173
179
180
180
144
24
24
25
24
26
44
43
44
42
42
64
67
66
67
65
305
313
315
313
277
163
181
163
186
141
38
29
24
25
27
43
44
44
43
31
66
80
60
85
66
310
334
291
339
265		 504
532
75
73
128
131
198
197
905
933
490
471
76
98
118
130
211
197
895
896

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 6

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2011 2011 2011 2011 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) 100,966 97,705 69,006 96,152 103,321 268,479 302,974
Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 15,993 16,399 12,029 18,663 16,449 47,141 54,479
Average copper grade (%) 1.15% 1.06% 0.97% 0.97% 1.14% 1.03% 1.22%
Production ex mill (100%) ('000 tonnes) 153.1 141.2 91.9 144.3 153.1 389.3 545.4
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 87.7 79.4 49.9 80.4 87.7 218.0 311.1
Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 19,667 17,116 11,063 14,242 12,732 38,037 67,607
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 44.4 42.6 32.9 43.0 47.4 123.3 136.5
Payable silver concentrate ('000 ounces) 670 580 403 549 481 1,433 2,269
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 74.3 90.9 49.2 82.1 82.6 213.9 303.0
Payable gold concentrate (fine ounces) 16,754 20,251 10,974 14,435 11,998 37,407 65,772
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 47.7 48.0 25.7 45.3 44.3 115.3 133.8
Payable silver concentrate ('000 ounces) 569 673 404 558 454 1,416 2,204
Pampa Norte, Chile
Cerro Colorado
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 16,320 17,840 14,736 16,792 16,320 47,848 50,254
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 4,251 4,771 4,608 4,601 4,300 13,509 13,466
Average copper grade (%) 0.75% 0.74% 0.72% 0.71% 0.72% 0.72% 0.75%
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 22.6 25.7 22.5 23.5 18.7 64.7 66.7
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 22.5 25.7 22.4 23.8 20.2 66.4 68.6
Spence
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 19,046 19,487 19,816 26,511 29,982 76,309 54,583
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 4,892 4,545 3,862 4,909 4,279 13,050 13,886
Average copper grade (%) 1.23% 1.22% 1.30% 1.46% 1.20% 1.33% 1.25%
Production
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 41.5 50.0 42.9 46.5 47.5 136.9 129.8
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 45.7 54.5 43.2 46.6 44.1 133.9 130.9

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 7

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2011 2011 2011 2011 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) 33,154 41,669 44,212 38,759 41,474 124,445 96,475
Sulphide ore milled (100%) ('000 tonnes) 9,288 9,253 9,396 9,656 10,162 29,214 27,676
Average head grades
- Copper (%) 0.99% 0.90% 1.11% 1.15% 1.10% 1.12% 0.99%
- Zinc (%) 1.15% 1.03% 0.68% 0.72% 0.84% 0.75% 1.20%
Production
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 24.9 22.5 30.3 30.9 30.9 92.1 75.3
Payable zinc (tonnes) 24,123 20,385 8,956 13,553 16,823 39,332 71,085
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 813 773 972 1,087 1,170 3,229 2,827
Payable lead (tonnes) 237 164 102 205 148 455 1,026
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 334 418 595 766 521 1,882 1,027
Sales
Payable copper ('000 tonnes) 26.1 23.5 28.2 31.7 30.7 90.6 75.6
Payable zinc (tonnes) 25,571 18,479 9,586 12,654 13,464 35,704 74,420
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 839 658 833 940 1,114 2,887 2,963
Payable lead (tonnes) 180 92 91 139 200 430 1,431
Payable molybdenum (tonnes) 394 346 549 591 669 1,809 1,124
Cannington, Australia
Material mined ('000 tonnes) 703 841 819 778 756 2,353 2,269
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 713 786 826 888 778 2,492 2,304
Average head grades
- Silver (g/t) 377 381 332 370 367 356 429
- Lead (%) 8.6% 8.6% 7.9% 8.8% 8.0% 8.3% 9.4%
- Zinc (%) 3.6% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9% 2.7% 2.8% 3.3%
Production
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 7,315 8,242 7,559 9,056 7,836 24,451 26,983
Payable lead (tonnes) 51,673 58,414 55,557 66,787 53,412 175,756 184,950
Payable zinc (tonnes) 16,129 14,348 14,488 14,745 12,904 42,137 46,309
Sales
Payable silver ('000 ounces) 7,263 8,235 6,434 8,960 7,081 22,475 26,455
Payable lead (tonnes) 52,199 58,868 48,258 66,657 49,027 163,942 183,105
Payable zinc (tonnes) 12,986 14,530 15,734 14,078 10,780 40,592 42,084

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 8

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED QUARTER ENDED YEAR TO DATE
MAR JUN SEP DEC MAR MAR MAR
2011 2011 2011 2011 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) 2,433 2,675 2,543 2,440 2,389 7,372 7,656
Ore milled ('000 tonnes) 2,670 2,533 2,471 2,440 2,195 7,106 7,797
Average copper grade (%) 1.84% 1.92% 1.98% 2.08% 2.01% 2.02% 1.84%
Average uranium grade kg/t 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.50 0.57 0.54 0.53
Production
Copper cathode (ER) ('000 tonnes) 47.8 47.0 37.6 51.5 45.2 134.3 134.4
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 3.3 3.7 2.8 3.1 2.6 8.5 9.0
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 1,063 1,015 1,000 909 896 2,805 3,030
Refined gold (fine ounces) 29,892 28,429 28,376 29,765 31,952 90,093 82,939
Refined silver ('000 ounces) 258 282 217 211 228 656 700
Sales
Copper cathode (ER) ('000 tonnes) 48.7 46.5 36.4 51.7 44.4 132.5 136.2
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 2.7 4.1 3.5 2.5 3.0 9.0 8.4
Uranium oxide concentrate (tonnes) 930 1,143 910 1,126 640 2,676 2,802
Refined gold (fine ounces) 31,742 30,323 28,979 24,327 36,832 90,138 80,413
Refined silver ('000 ounces) 334 269 289 155 268 712 685
(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 1.4 1.4 4.2 4.3
Sales
Copper cathode (EW) ('000 tonnes) 1.9 1.2 1.7 1.2 1.2 4.1 4.7

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 9

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 3,268
3,480
1,371
1,930

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 10

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS 36.1
32.6
34.6
33.3
Nickel West, Australia
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		 1.6
3.3
2.6
1.8
2.3
12.4
16.1
9.0
15.2
10.5
11.2
11.4
13.1
9.1
15.5
25.2
30.8
24.7
26.1
28.3
2.2
3.9
1.2
2.6
1.5
14.7
14.9
10.1
13.9
10.2
9.2
12.4
9.4
10.9
14.2
26.1
31.2
20.7
27.4
25.9		 6.7
4.2
34.7
47.8
37.7
29.9
79.1
81.9
5.3
4.6
34.2
49.2
34.5
31.0
74.0
84.8

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 11

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

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

IRON ORE

IRON ORE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
('000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Newman (b)
11,912
12,480
13,158
13,247
11,789
Goldsworthy Joint Venture
305
284
254
334
37
Area C Joint Venture
9,510
10,044
10,479
10,437
10,343
Yandi Joint Venture
8,799
9,796
12,708
14,170
13,063
Total (BHP Billiton share)
30,526
32,604
36,599
38,188
35,232
Total production (100%)
35,913
38,358
43,058
44,927
41,449
Shipments
Lump
7,669
7,463
7,744
8,700
8,235
Fines
22,648
25,379
29,311
28,406
26,523
Total (BHP Billiton share)
30,317
32,842
37,055
37,106
34,758
Total sales (100%)
35,667
38,638
43,594
43,654
40,892
(a) Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(b) Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar.		 38,194
32,765
625
914
31,259
29,750
39,941
26,664
110,019
90,093
129,434
105,991
24,679
23,321
84,240
67,567
108,919
90,888
128,140
106,927
Samarco, Brazil
Production
2,705
2,922
2,973
2,884
2,711
Shipments
2,598
2,736
2,926
2,961
2,453		 8,568
8,787
8,340
8,692

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 12

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012
YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
MANGANESE 2,636
2,231
2,585
2,305
Australia (a)
Saleable production
838
1,014
1,108
998
1,123
Sales
1,127
1,108
1,094
876
1,115		 3,229
3,072
3,085
2,852
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa (a) (b)
Saleable production
111
120
124
124
81
Sales
145
123
95
138
122		 329
366
355
393
Australia (a)
Saleable production
61
70
70
71
57
Sales
62
75
91
58
57		 198
197
206
183

(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 2012

Page 13

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
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
Shipments
Coking coal
Weak coking coal
Thermal coal
Total		 870
1,127
1,367
1,122
955
993
1,417
1,463
1,375
1,153
758
543
971
992
788
532
556
802
900
627
128
386
365
369
248
674
845
306
248
455
3,955
4,874
5,274
5,006
4,226
623
690
1,106
901
1,040
510
736
697
679
609
1,133
1,426
1,803
1,580
1,649
5,088
6,300
7,077
6,586
5,875
3,475
4,865
5,066
4,845
4,522
970
1,411
1,691
1,747
1,595
125
285
176
20
111
4,570
6,561
6,933
6,612
6,228		 3,444
3,462
3,991
3,942
2,751
2,859
2,329
2,223
982
669
1,009
1,872
14,506
15,027
3,047
2,444
1,985
2,023
5,032
4,467
19,538
19,494
14,433
15,359
5,033
4,509
307
699
19,773
20,567

(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
Shipments
Coking coal
Thermal coal
Total		 1,582
1,622
2,214
1,907
1,462
1,374
1,407
1,673
1,255
1,460
211
216
159
441
219
1,585
1,623
1,832
1,696
1,679		 5,583
5,262
4,388
4,257
819
1,109
5,207
5,366

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 14

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
QUARTER ENDED
MAR
JUN
SEP
DEC
MAR
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012		 YEAR TO DATE
MAR
MAR
2012
2011
ENERGY COAL 24,966
26,100
10,792
9,299
14,601
15,945
374
284
25,767
25,528
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal
San Juan Coal
Total
Sales - local utility		 1,629
2,271
1,178
2,060
1,913
731
1,508
1,289
103
196
2,360
3,779
2,467
2,163
2,109
3,385
3,106
3,630
3,108
3,057		 5,151
5,201
1,588
2,632
6,739
7,833
9,795
10,085
NSW Energy Coal, Australia
Production
Sales
Export
Inland
Total		 3,978
3,793
4,046
4,027
4,291
3,824
3,522
3,523
3,566
3,160
339
364
625
333
297
4,163
3,886
4,148
3,899
3,457		 12,364
9,878
10,249
9,703
1,255
923
11,504
10,626
Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
Production
Sales - export		 2,609
2,538
2,852
2,753
2,953
2,149
2,853
2,901
2,784
2,652		 8,558
7,351
8,337
7,597

BHP Billiton Production Report for the nine months ended 31 March 2012

Page 15

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