File name: EmailDetails

__________________________________________________________________________________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 29 January 2004

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

600 Bourke Street

Melbourne Victoria 3000

Australia

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F X   Form 40-F  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Yes     No X

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):


 

Date

29 January 2004

Number

05/04


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2003

 

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 December 2003.

  • Record quarterly Western Australian Iron Ore production of 23.0 million tonnes and record quarterly despatches of 22.5 million tonnes (100 per cent basis).
  • Record quarterly Aluminium production resulting from early commissioning of the Mozal 2 (Mozambique) and Hillside 3 (South Africa) expansions.
  • Record quarterly production of Ekati(TM) Diamonds (Canada).
  • First production from Ohanet wet gas development in Algeria.

In October 2003, BHP Billiton announced that Escondida would return to its normal mine plan and production profile commencing January 2004. In preparing for the return to the normal plan, Escondida has experienced difficulty in achieving the expected water recovery rates from the new tailings dam constructed during the Phase IV expansion. Escondida has identified the associated technical issues related to the water recovery rates and will begin to implement a solution. During this process, it is expected that the concentrators at Escondida will operate between 5 and 10 per cent below full rated throughput capacity.

****

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

Australia
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259
email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com

Tania Price, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 419 152 780
email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com

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

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

United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com

 

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

% CHANGE

DEC Q03

DEC Q03

YTD 03

DEC

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

vs

vs

vs

2002

2003

2003

2003

2002

DEC Q02

SEPT Q03

YTD 02

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

16,398

15,512

14,877

30,389

34,948

-9%

-4%

-13%

Natural gas

(bcf)

69.41

85.19

77.57

162.76

141.27

12%

-9%

15%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

167.97

199.33

200.51

399.84

376.93

19%

1%

6%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

19.91

27.32

25.25

52.57

47.58

27%

-8%

10%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

30.0

32.1

30.2

62.4

63.1

1%

-6%

-1%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

998

1,053

1,050

2,103

2,029

5%

0%

4%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

266

282

308

590

534

16%

9%

10%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

225.6

214.5

226.8

441.3

410.1

1%

6%

8%

Lead

(tonnes)

58,345

59,364

55,211

114,575

121,588

-5%

-7%

-6%

Zinc

(tonnes)

44,115

49,094

45,912

95,006

92,657

4%

-6%

3%

Gold

(ounces)

69,175

29,170

32,085

61,255

124,328

-54%

10%

-51%

Silver

('000 ounces)

9,870

10,596

9,980

20,576

21,130

1%

-6%

-3%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

365

325

290

615

678

-20%

-11%

-9%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

18,447

20,922

21,728

42,650

37,075

18%

4%

15%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,390

9,099

8,445

17,544

17,040

1%

-7%

3%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,059

1,153

1,199

2,352

2,154

13%

4%

9%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

190

147

183

330

365

-4%

24%

-10%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

414

496

527

1,023

747

27%

6%

37%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

1,071

1,552

1,704

3,256

2,025

59%

10%

61%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

20,648

21,156

19,978

41,134

39,977

-3%

-6%

3%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

19.4

20.6

20.0

40.6

38.5

3%

-3%

5%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

230

227

269

496

468

17%

19%

6%

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

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

BHP Billiton

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

Interest

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

16,398

15,310

15,635

15,512

14,877

30,389

34,948

Natural gas

(bcf)

69.41

66.99

72.91

85.19

77.57

162.76

141.27

LPG

('000 tonnes)

167.97

160.62

205.57

199.33

200.51

399.84

376.93

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

19.91

22.35

24.97

27.32

25.25

52.57

47.58

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

30.0

28.4

30.3

32.1

30.2

62.4

63.1

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

662

658

724

699

700

1,399

1,360

Suriname

45%

213

222

223

227

230

457

434

Alumar

36%

123

123

113

127

120

247

235

Total

998

1,003

1,060

1,053

1,050

2,103

2,029

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

134

133

132

135

151

286

269

Bayside

100%

45

48

46

47

46

93

91

Alumar

46.3%

44

45

45

31

36

67

88

Valesul

45.5%

11

10

11

11

11

22

22

Mozal

47%

32

31

39

58

64

122

64

Total

266

267

273

282

308

590

534

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

105.6

118.5

126.6

115.9

109.1

225.0

174.0

Tintaya (c)

100%

-

-

-

-

15.0

15.0

-

Antamina

33.8%

26.4

23.6

21.2

16.9

20.5

37.4

52.1

Alumbrera (d)

25%

13.4

9.9

-

-

-

-

24.5

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

14.3

13.2

13.8

14.1

14.2

28.3

29.2

Selbaie (f)

100%

2.1

1.7

1.8

1.6

1.8

3.4

4.9

Total

161.8

166.9

163.4

148.5

160.6

309.1

284.7

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

19.1

20.4

21.1

21.4

21.8

43.2

37.0

Cerro Colorado

100%

33.1

32.5

33.0

33.1

33.0

66.1

65.6

Tintaya (c)

100%

8.9

9.0

9.1

9.0

9.0

18.0

17.3

Pinto Valley

100%

2.7

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.4

4.9

5.5

Total

63.8

64.4

65.8

66.0

66.2

132.2

125.4

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

57,651

58,711

59,389

59,364

55,211

114,575

119,327

Pering (g)

100%

694

354

-

-

-

-

2,261

Total

58,345

59,065

59,389

59,364

55,211

114,575

121,588

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

14,721

15,480

18,479

14,850

11,692

26,542

29,903

Antamina

33.8%

15,424

20,519

28,553

27,933

27,026

54,959

33,613

Selbaie (f)

100%

6,540

6,421

7,364

6,311

7,194

13,505

16,380

Pering (g)

100%

7,430

4,335

-

-

-

-

12,761

Total

44,115

46,755

54,396

49,094

45,912

95,006

92,657

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

15,936

17,458

20,664

25,016

24,833

49,849

26,010

Tintaya (c)

100%

-

-

-

-

2,658

2,658

-

Alumbrera (d)

25%

46,940

35,084

-

-

-

-

86,219

Selbaie (f)

100%

5,069

4,146

4,081

3,129

3,428

6,557

9,555

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

1,230

1,114

1,007

1,025

1,166

2,191

2,544

Total

69,175

57,802

25,752

29,170

32,085

61,255

124,328

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

8,326

8,773

8,161

9,177

8,287

17,464

17,938

Escondida

57.5%

387

471

538

561

550

1,111

691

Antamina

33.8%

557

617

517

435

494

929

1,093

Tintaya (c)

100.0%

-

-

-

-

170

170

-

Alumbrera (d)

25.0%

72

75

-

-

-

-

125

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

159

140

143

160

163

323

321

Selbaie (f)

100%

369

279

284

263

316

579

962

Total

9,870

10,355

9,643

10,596

9,980

20,576

21,130

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

115

113

21

25

20

45

208

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

250

260

280

300

270

570

470

Total

365

373

301

325

290

615

678

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (h)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

5,287

4,964

6,221

6,639

6,707

13,346

10,773

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (i)

85%

1,808

1,497

1,497

1,633

1,477

3,110

3,699

Area C Joint Venture (j)

85%

-

-

19

341

1,048

1,389

-

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,187

7,452

8,353

8,679

9,005

17,684

15,983

Jimblebar

100%

1,186

1,371

1,428

1,622

1,520

3,142

2,619

Samarco

50%

1,979

1,953

1,902

2,008

1,971

3,979

4,001

Total

18,447

17,237

19,420

20,922

21,728

42,650

37,075

METALLURGICAL COAL (k)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,032

5,838

5,769

5,591

5,395

10,986

9,684

BHP Mitsui Coal (l)

80%

1,472

1,200

2,033

1,926

1,591

3,517

3,335

Illawarra

100%

1,886

1,518

1,224

1,582

1,459

3,041

4,021

Total

8,390

8,556

9,026

9,099

8,445

17,544

17,040

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

560

534

574

600

651

1,251

1,141

Australia (m)

60%

499

356

484

553

548

1,101

1,013

Total

1,059

890

1,058

1,153

1,199

2,352

2,154

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

125

117

137

93

122

215

249

Australia (m)

60%

65

60

58

54

61

115

116

Total

190

177

195

147

183

330

365

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron

100%

414

465

458

496

527

1,023

747

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

1,071

1,015

1,300

1,552

1,704

3,256

2,025

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,333

13,256

13,812

13,782

13,472

27,254

27,171

USA (n)

100%

4,339

3,147

3,877

3,582

2,829

6,411

7,139

Australia

100%

1,234

1,922

2,041

1,756

2,054

3,810

2,478

Indonesia (o)

80%

29

28

-

-

-

-

245

Colombia

33%

1,713

1,382

2,261

2,036

1,623

3,659

2,944

Total

20,648

19,735

21,991

21,156

19,978

41,134

39,977

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

11.9

11.1

12.2

12.4

12.2

24.6

23.6

Yabulu

100%

7.5

7.5

8.8

8.2

7.8

16.0

14.9

Total

19.4

18.6

21.0

20.6

20.0

40.6

38.5

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

230

263

259

227

269

496

468

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

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

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

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

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

(e) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. The sale is expected to close by the end

of February 2004.

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

in May 2004.

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

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

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

(j) Production commenced in May 2003.

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

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

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

(n) Includes production from longwall operations at San Juan which commenced in October 2002.

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

Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

5,799

5,391

5,643

5,872

5,333

11,205

12,598

North West Shelf - condensate

1,510

1,566

1,560

1,491

1,204

2,695

3,112

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,655

1,679

1,606

1,604

1,675

3,279

3,531

Laminaria

1,869

1,419

1,161

1,151

966

2,117

4,783

Griffin

1,089

831

708

742

563

1,305

2,370

Pakistan

17

16

14

53

53

106

35

Typhoon/Boris (a)

654

852

1,430

1,214

1,605

2,819

1,887

Americas

652

816

715

608

586

1,194

1,370

Liverpool Bay

2,463

2,174

2,344

2,324

2,061

4,385

4,301

Bruce/Keith

690

566

454

453

387

840

961

Algeria (b)

444

444

Total

16,398

15,310

15,635

15,512

14,877

30,389

34,948

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

21.07

17.51

25.37

33.04

23.86

56.90

54.14

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.82

3.81

4.07

3.99

3.95

7.94

7.44

North West Shelf - LNG

14.93

15.11

15.41

16.74

14.93

31.67

31.48

Griffin

1.03

0.81

0.81

0.96

0.90

1.86

1.98

Pakistan

2.76

2.57

2.33

7.86

7.83

15.69

5.59

Typhoon/Boris (a)

0.71

2.03

2.03

1.58

2.41

3.99

2.09

Americas

3.80

3.34

3.42

3.25

3.73

6.98

7.71

Bruce

10.55

10.04

8.17

8.77

8.52

17.29

15.14

Keith

0.15

0.15

0.14

0.11

0.08

0.19

0.22

Liverpool Bay

10.59

11.62

11.16

8.89

11.36

20.25

15.48

Total

69.41

66.99

72.91

85.19

77.57

162.76

141.27

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

115.23

111.74

135.18

150.19

130.02

280.21

264.89

North West Shelf

31.04

32.67

32.39

34.21

28.11

62.32

67.36

Bruce

20.47

15.10

37.24

14.12

17.71

31.83

42.92

Keith

1.23

1.11

0.76

0.81

0.31

1.12

1.76

Algeria (b)

24.36

24.36

Total

167.97

160.62

205.57

199.33

200.51

399.84

376.93

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

19.91

22.35

24.97

27.32

25.25

52.57

47.58

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

30.0

28.4

30.3

32.1

30.2

62.4

63.1

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (c)

(a) Boris commenced production in February 2003.

(b) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003.

(c) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions based on the following:

6000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe

1 tonne of LPG equals 11.6 boe

1 tonne of ethane equals 4.4667 boe

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

662

658

724

699

700

1,399

1,360

Paranam, Suriname

213

222

223

227

230

457

434

Alumar, Brazil

123

123

113

127

120

247

235

Total

998

1,003

1,060

1,053

1,050

2,103

2,029

Sales

Worsley, Australia

606

751

636

697

740

1,437

1,364

Paranam, Suriname

201

243

228

221

250

471

454

Alumar, Brazil

125

124

107

120

128

248

255

Total

932

1,118

971

1,038

1,118

2,156

2,073

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

134

133

132

135

151

286

269

Bayside, South Africa

45

48

46

47

46

93

91

Alumar, Brazil

44

45

45

31

36

67

88

Valesul, Brazil

11

10

11

11

11

22

22

Mozal, Mozambique

32

31

39

58

64

122

64

Total

266

267

273

282

308

590

534

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

135

133

143

134

145

279

259

Bayside, South Africa

45

48

48

54

35

89

92

Alumar, Brazil

52

38

51

38

25

63

90

Valesul, Brazil

12

9

10

11

12

23

21

Mozal, Mozambique

35

33

41

61

40

101

62

Total

279

261

293

298

257

555

524

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

BASE METALS

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

Escondida, Chile (a)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

74,303

73,466

74,665

69,342

82,909

152,251

148,974

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

14,632

16,744

16,416

18,888

18,299

37,187

24,774

Average copper grade

(%)

1.59%

1.49%

1.62%

1.33%

1.31%

1.32%

1.53%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

191.8

210.8

230.9

208.2

197.1

405.3

317.4

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

105.6

118.5

126.6

115.9

109.1

225.0

174.0

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

15,936

17,458

20,664

25,016

24,833

49,849

26,010

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

19.1

20.4

21.1

21.4

21.8

43.2

37.0

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

387

471

538

561

550

1,111

691

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

104.8

113.5

128.9

116.2

114.8

231.0

181.8

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

16,709

17,166

20,138

25,335

26,984

52,319

28,398

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

19.5

19.3

20.3

18.1

23.8

41.9

37.6

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

400

484

584

574

634

1,208

669

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

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

4,151

17,450

21,601

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

1,408

1,408

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

-

-

1.38%

1.38%

-

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

15.0

15.0

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

-

-

2,658

2,658

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.9

9.0

9.1

9.0

9.0

18.0

17.3

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

-

170.0

170.0

-

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

10.6

10.6

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

-

-

3,086

3,086

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.7

8.7

9.5

8.9

8.7

17.6

16.7

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

-

-

-

100.0

100.0

-

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

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

15,027

16,564

16,458

20,332

19,855

40,187

32,990

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

3,942

3,916

4,130

4,346

4,405

8,751

7,701

Average copper grade

(%)

1.03%

1.00%

0.96%

0.99%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

33.1

32.5

33.0

33.1

33.0

66.1

65.6

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

29.1

39.3

31.5

28.9

35.2

64.1

56.3

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

25,797

25,290

28,353

30,174

28,474

58,648

56,032

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,395

6,424

6,697

6,018

7,273

13,291

13,189

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.41%

1.32%

1.09%

1.17%

1.17%

1.17%

1.37%

- Zinc

(%)

1.15%

1.54%

1.97%

2.17%

1.77%

1.95%

1.22%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

26.4

23.6

21.2

16.9

20.5

37.4

52.1

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,424

20,519

28,553

27,933

27,026

54,959

33,613

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

557

617

517

435

494

929

1,093

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.11

0.11

0.02

0.03

0.02

0.05

0.21

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

25.8

22.4

21.2

18.6

22.6

41.2

56.4

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

14,407

15,400

31,034

26,781

26,928

53,709

33,591

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

530

575

435

420

491

911

1,120

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.17

0.10

0.10

0.01

0.03

0.04

0.19

Highland Valley, Canada (a)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

18,682

16,642

18,186

16,892

15,774

32,666

39,137

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

12,924

11,602

12,565

12,261

12,602

24,863

25,865

Average copper grade

(%)

0.39%

0.40%

0.39%

0.40%

0.38%

0.39%

0.40%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

14.3

13.2

13.8

14.1

14.2

28.3

29.2

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.25

0.26

0.28

0.30

0.27

0.57

0.47

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

159

140

143

160

163

323

321

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

1,230

1,114

1,007

1,025

1,166

2,191

2,544

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

17.5

10.0

10.7

16.7

16.7

33.4

31.9

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.22

0.26

0.23

0.28

0.30

0.58

0.41

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

189

106

116

177

190

367

342

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

1,644

843

793

1,505

1,225

2,730

2,884

(a) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Highland Valley Copper with effect from January 3, 2004. The sale is expected to close by

the end of February 2004.

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

573

601

588

637

699

1,336

1,204

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

564

589

560

589

598

1,187

1,163

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

535

550

525

564

497

530

550

- Lead

(%)

11.9%

11.8%

12.1%

11.5%

10.5%

11.0%

11.8%

- Zinc

(%)

4.3%

4.3%

5.3%

4.0%

3.4%

3.7%

4.3%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,326

8,773

8,161

9,177

8,287

17,464

17,938

Payable lead

(tonnes)

57,651

58,711

59,389

59,364

55,211

114,575

119,327

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

14,721

15,480

18,479

14,850

11,692

26,542

29,903

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,049

8,956

8,412

6,765

10,716

17,481

18,450

Payable lead

(tonnes)

62,748

57,961

58,742

43,953

69,447

113,400

122,604

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

14,849

18,056

13,288

16,223

15,443

31,666

26,926

Selbaie, Canada (a)

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

999

919

982

858

1,017

1,875

2,048

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

1.09%

1.11%

1.18%

1.13%

1.13%

1.13%

1.23%

- Copper

(%)

0.28%

0.25%

0.24%

0.25%

0.24%

0.24%

0.31%

- Gold

(g/t)

0.25

0.23

0.23

0.22

0.20

0.21

0.24

- Silver

(g/t)

22.75

22.15

20.62

22.38

24.25

23.39

29.08

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

6,540

6,421

7,364

6,311

7,194

13,505

16,380

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,111

1,654

1,768

1,606

1,764

3,370

4,900

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

5,069

4,146

4,081

3,129

3,428

6,557

9,555

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

369

279

284

263

316

579

962

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

7,245

6,649

6,812

6,209

7,429

13,638

17,106

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,107

2,751

1,612

1,918

1,615

3,533

4,930

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

3,082

5,508

4,280

4,384

3,377

7,761

9,014

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

478

444

355

292

253

545

1,005

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

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.7

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.4

4.9

5.5

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.4

4.9

5.3

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

5,287

4,964

6,221

6,639

6,707

13,346

10,773

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b)

1,808

1,497

1,497

1,633

1,477

3,110

3,699

Area C Joint Venture (c)

-

-

19

341

1,048

1,389

-

Yandi Joint Venture

8,187

7,452

8,353

8,679

9,005

17,684

15,983

Jimblebar

1,186

1,371

1,428

1,622

1,520

3,142

2,619

Total (BHP Billiton share)

16,468

15,284

17,518

18,914

19,757

38,671

33,074

Total production (100%)

19,165

17,739

20,359

21,965

22,975

44,940

38,449

Shipments

Lump

4,290

4,352

4,193

4,898

5,169

10,067

8,625

Fines

13,896

12,144

13,187

13,334

13,968

27,302

25,738

Total (BHP Billiton share)

18,186

16,496

17,380

18,232

19,137

37,369

34,363

Total shipments (100%)

21,396

19,407

20,448

21,450

22,515

43,965

40,429

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

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

(c) Mining commenced in May 2003.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,979

1,953

1,902

2,008

1,971

3,979

4,001

Shipments

2,004

2,049

2,153

2,013

1,886

3,899

4,038

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,603

1,668

1,937

1,578

1,581

3,159

3,236

Goonyella

812

1,191

1,075

994

829

1,823

1,546

Peak Downs

757

1,009

1,076

1,004

1,004

2,008

1,546

Saraji

629

599

666

747

655

1,402

1,056

Norwich Park

451

610

527

524

582

1,106

1,024

Gregory Joint Venture

780

761

488

744

744

1,488

1,276

BMA total

5,032

5,838

5,769

5,591

5,395

10,986

9,684

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

400

300

1,014

969

812

1,781

1,327

South Walker Creek

1,072

900

1,019

957

779

1,736

2,008

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,472

1,200

2,033

1,926

1,591

3,517

3,335

Queensland total

6,504

7,038

7,802

7,517

6,986

14,503

13,019

Shipments

Coking coal

4,034

4,707

4,395

4,838

5,258

10,096

8,199

Weak coking coal

1,503

1,569

1,525

1,617

1,649

3,266

3,242

Thermal coal

800

852

943

801

987

1,788

1,822

Total

6,337

7,128

6,863

7,256

7,894

15,150

13,263

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

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

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,886

1,518

1,224

1,582

1,459

3,041

4,021

Shipments

Coking coal

1,900

1,611

1,571

1,513

1,293

2,806

3,415

Thermal coal

95

242

179

91

47

138

229

Total

1,995

1,853

1,750

1,604

1,340

2,944

3,644

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

560

534

574

600

651

1,251

1,141

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

499

356

484

553

548

1,101

1,013

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

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

125

117

137

93

122

215

249

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

65

60

58

54

61

115

116

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

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie™ Iron, Australia

Production

414

465

458

496

527

1,023

747

Shipments

464

416

487

435

570

1,005

666

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,045

1,087

1,182

1,064

1,123

2,187

2,041

Production

('000 carats)

1,071

1,015

1,300

1,552

1,704

3,256

2,025

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,333

13,256

13,812

13,782

13,472

27,254

27,171

Sales

Export

6,609

5,696

6,339

5,274

5,500

10,774

12,257

Local utility

7,263

7,160

7,926

8,215

7,701

15,916

15,099

Inland

412

340

337

338

326

664

883

Total

14,284

13,196

14,602

13,827

13,527

27,354

28,239

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

2,154

1,797

2,497

2,262

1,553

3,815

3,756

San Juan Coal (a)

2,185

1,350

1,380

1,320

1,276

2,596

3,383

Total

4,339

3,147

3,877

3,582

2,829

6,411

7,139

Sales - local utility

3,348

3,316

3,643

3,713

3,327

7,040

6,894

(a) Includes production from longwall operations which commenced at San Juan in October 2002.

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

1,234

1,922

2,041

1,756

2,054

3,810

2,478

Sales

Export

881

1,036

1,301

952

861

1,813

1,664

Inland

276

704

1,285

873

633

1,506

642

Total

1,157

1,740

2,586

1,825

1,494

3,319

2,306

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Production (a)

Petangis (b)

29

28

-

-

-

-

245

Total

29

28

-

-

-

-

245

Sales - export

49

56

-

-

-

-

238

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

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

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

1,713

1,382

2,261

2,036

1,623

3,659

2,944

Sales - export

1,851

1,971

2,247

1,966

1,999

3,965

3,097

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

11.9

11.1

12.2

12.4

12.2

24.6

23.6

Sales

12.8

10.3

13.5

11.1

13.1

24.2

23.3

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

7.5

7.5

8.8

8.2

7.8

16.0

14.9

Cobalt

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.9

1.0

Sales

Nickel

8.3

8.1

9.5

7.8

8.4

16.2

15.4

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.9

1.0

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

230

263

259

227

269

496

468

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

 

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015

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

                                                                    The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BHP BILLITON LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________

Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 29 January 2004