BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

__________________________________________________________________________________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

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

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 28 July 2004

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

180 Lonsdale 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

28 July 2004

Number

24/04


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
30 JUNE 2004

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 30 June 2004. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share.

During the 2004 financial year, annual production records were set for a number of commodities supported by strong demand, including:

  • Iron ore production of 84.2 million tonnes.
  • Manganese ore production of 5.0 (100% basis) million tonnes.
  • Aluminium production of 1.3 million tonnes.
  • Alumina production of 4.2 million tonnes.
  • Silver production of 43.7 million ounces.
  • Nickel production of 82 thousand tonnes.
  • Diamonds production of 5.5 million carats and plant throughput of 4.4 (100% basis) million tonnes.
  • Natural gas production of 324.3 billion cubic (54 million barrels of oil equivalent).

****


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

Australia
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com

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

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

United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com

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

South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

% CHANGE

JUN Q04

JUN Q04

YTD 04

JUNE

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

vs

vs

vs

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

JUN Q03

MAR Q04

YTD 03

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

15,635

14,341

13,297

58,027

65,893

-15%

-7%

-12%

Natural gas

(bcf)

72.91

76.47

85.11

324.34

281.17

17%

11%

15%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

205.57

217.83

235.86

853.53

743.12

15%

8%

15%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

24.97

16.59

25.14

94.30

94.90

1%

52%

-1%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

30.3

29.8

30.3

122.5

121.8

0%

2%

1%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,060

1,062

1,059

4,224

4,092

0%

0%

3%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

273

333

333

1,256

1,074

22%

0%

17%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

229.2

240.6

272.6

954.4

870.5

19%

13%

10%

Lead

(tonnes)

59,389

70,838

64,472

249,885

240,042

9%

-9%

4%

Zinc

(tonnes)

54,396

35,194

29,038

159,238

193,808

-47%

-17%

-18%

Gold

(ounces)

25,752

32,914

31,145

125,314

207,882

21%

-5%

-40%

Silver

('000 ounces)

9,643

12,064

11,053

43,692

41,128

15%

-8%

6%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

301

81

240

936

1,352

-20%

195%

-31%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

19,420

21,085

20,537

84,220

73,732

6%

-3%

14%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

9,026

8,532

9,284

35,360

34,622

3%

9%

2%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,058

1,264

1,337

4,953

4,102

26%

6%

21%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

195

179

203

712

737

4%

13%

-3%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

458

399

294

1,716

1,670

-36%

-26%

3%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

1,300

1,015

1,211

5,482

4,340

-7%

19%

26%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

21,991

21,279

21,494

83,885

81,703

-2%

1%

3%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

21.0

21.2

19.9

81.7

78.1

-5%

-6%

5%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

259

266

264

1,026

990

2%

-1%

4%

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

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

BHP Billiton

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

Interest

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

15,635

15,512

14,877

14,341

13,297

58,027

65,893

Natural gas

(bcf)

72.91

85.19

77.57

76.47

85.11

324.34

281.17

LPG

('000 tonnes)

205.57

199.33

200.51

217.83

235.86

853.53

743.12

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

24.97

27.32

25.25

16.59

25.14

94.30

94.90

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

30.3

32.1

30.2

29.8

30.3

122.5

121.8

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

724

699

700

704

696

2,799

2,742

Suriname

45%

223

227

230

228

233

918

879

Alumar

36%

113

127

120

130

130

507

471

Total

1,060

1,053

1,050

1,062

1,059

4,224

4,092

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

132

135

151

169

167

622

534

Bayside

100%

46

47

46

45

46

184

185

Alumar

46.3%

45

31

36

44

45

156

178

Valesul

45.5%

11

11

11

11

11

44

43

Mozal

47%

39

58

64

64

64

250

134

Total

273

282

308

333

333

1,256

1,074

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

126.6

115.9

109.1

130.8

159.1

514.9

419.1

Tintaya (c)

100%

-

-

15.0

22.9

19.6

57.5

-

Antamina

33.8%

21.2

16.9

20.5

24.6

29.9

91.9

96.9

Alumbrera (d)

25%

-

-

-

-

-

-

34.4

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

13.8

14.1

14.2

-

-

28.3

56.2

Selbaie (f)

100%

1.8

1.6

1.8

0.8

-

4.1

8.3

Total

163.4

148.5

160.6

179.1

208.6

696.7

614.9

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

21.1

21.4

21.8

21.7

21.8

86.7

78.5

Cerro Colorado

100%

33.0

33.1

33.0

28.1

31.3

125.5

131.1

Tintaya (c)

100%

9.1

9.0

9.0

9.3

8.7

36.0

35.4

Pinto Valley

100%

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.2

9.5

10.6

Total

65.8

66.0

66.2

61.5

64.0

257.7

255.6

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

59,389

59,364

55,211

70,838

64,472

249,885

237,427

Pering (g)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,615

Total

59,389

59,364

55,211

70,838

64,472

249,885

240,042

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

18,479

14,850

11,692

13,589

13,493

53,624

63,862

Antamina

33.8%

28,553

27,933

27,026

19,099

15,545

89,603

82,685

Selbaie (f)

100%

7,364

6,311

7,194

2,506

-

16,011

30,165

Pering (g)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

17,096

Total

54,396

49,094

45,912

35,194

29,038

159,238

193,808

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

20,664

25,016

24,833

27,492

26,044

103,385

64,132

Tintaya (c)

100%

-

-

2,658

4,009

5,101

11,768

-

Alumbrera (d)

25%

-

-

-

-

-

-

121,303

Selbaie (f)

100%

4,081

3,129

3,428

1,413

-

7,970

17,782

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

1,007

1,025

1,166

-

-

2,191

4,665

Total

25,752

29,170

32,085

32,914

31,145

125,314

207,882

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

8,161

9,177

8,287

10,485

9,471

37,420

34,872

Escondida

57.5%

538

561

550

614

720

2,445

1,700

Antamina

33.8%

517

435

494

588

662

2,179

2,227

Tintaya (c)

100.0%

-

-

170

239

200

608

-

Alumbrera (d)

25.0%

-

-

-

-

-

-

200

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

143

160

163

-

-

323

604

Selbaie (f)

100%

284

263

316

138

-

717

1,525

Total

9,643

10,596

9,980

12,064

11,053

43,692

41,128

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

21

25

20

81

240

366

342

Highland Valley Copper (e)

33.6%

280

300

270

-

-

570

1,010

Total

301

325

290

81

240

936

1,352

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (h)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,221

6,639

6,707

6,031

5,084

24,461

21,958

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (i)

85%

1,497

1,633

1,477

1,348

1,386

5,844

6,693

Area C Joint Venture (j)

85%

19

341

1,048

1,768

2,519

5,676

19

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,353

8,679

9,005

8,429

8,046

34,159

31,788

Jimblebar

100%

1,428

1,622

1,520

1,647

1,566

6,355

5,418

Samarco

50%

1,902

1,956

1,971

1,862

1,936

7,725

7,856

Total

19,420

20,870

21,728

21,085

20,537

84,220

73,732

METALLURGICAL COAL (k)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,769

5,591

5,395

5,263

6,285

22,534

21,291

BHP Mitsui Coal (l)

80%

2,033

1,926

1,591

1,811

1,653

6,981

6,568

Illawarra

100%

1,224

1,582

1,459

1,458

1,346

5,845

6,763

Total

9,026

9,099

8,445

8,532

9,284

35,360

34,622

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

574

600

651

604

647

2,502

2,249

Australia (m)

60%

484

553

548

660

690

2,451

1,853

Total

1,058

1,153

1,199

1,264

1,337

4,953

4,102

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

137

93

122

116

131

462

503

Australia (m)

60%

58

54

61

63

72

250

234

Total

195

147

183

179

203

712

737

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron (n)

100%

458

496

527

399

294

1,716

1,670

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

1,300

1,552

1,704

1,015

1,211

5,482

4,340

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,812

13,782

13,472

13,231

13,768

54,253

54,239

USA

100%

3,877

3,560

2,829

3,687

3,154

13,230

14,163

Australia

100%

2,041

1,756

2,054

2,318

2,590

8,718

6,441

Indonesia (o)

80%

-

-

-

-

-

-

273

Colombia

33%

2,261

2,036

1,623

2,043

1,982

7,684

6,587

Total

21,991

21,134

19,978

21,279

21,494

83,885

81,703

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

12.2

12.4

12.2

12.5

12.0

49.1

46.9

Yabulu

100%

8.8

8.2

7.8

8.7

7.9

32.6

31.2

Total

21.0

20.6

20.0

21.2

19.9

81.7

78.1

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (m)

60%

259

227

269

266

264

1,026

990

(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,

and recommenced during August 2003.

(d) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Alumbrera with effect from June 2003.

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

(f) Production at Selbaie ceased in February 2004, in accordance with mine plan. Shipments ceased in May 2004.

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

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

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

(j) Production commenced in May 2003.

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

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

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

(n) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following a gas explosion in May 2004.

(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

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

5,643

5,872

5,333

5,174

4,641

21,020

23,632

North West Shelf - condensate

1,560

1,491

1,204

1,352

1,367

5,414

6,238

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,606

1,604

1,675

1,519

1,357

6,155

6,816

Laminaria

1,161

1,151

966

928

803

3,848

7,363

Griffin

708

742

563

380

585

2,270

3,909

Pakistan

14

53

53

50

49

205

65

Typhoon/Boris (a)

1,430

1,214

1,605

1,457

1,462

5,738

4,169

Americas

715

608

586

332

213

1,739

2,901

Liverpool Bay

2,344

2,324

2,061

1,926

1,788

8,099

8,819

Bruce/Keith

454

453

387

423

388

1,651

1,981

Algeria (b)

444

800

644

1,888

-

Total

15,635

15,512

14,877

14,341

13,297

58,027

65,893

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

25.37

33.04

23.86

24.95

34.62

116.47

97.02

North West Shelf - Domestic

4.07

3.99

3.95

3.91

3.76

15.61

15.32

North West Shelf - LNG

15.41

16.74

14.93

13.74

15.43

60.84

62.00

Griffin

0.81

0.96

0.90

0.44

0.67

2.97

3.60

Pakistan

2.33

7.86

7.83

7.51

7.10

30.30

10.49

Typhoon/Boris (a)

2.03

1.58

2.41

2.14

2.13

8.26

6.15

Americas

3.42

3.25

3.73

2.60

2.75

12.33

14.47

Bruce

8.17

8.77

8.52

9.27

8.29

34.85

33.35

Keith

0.14

0.11

0.08

0.17

0.20

0.56

0.51

Liverpool Bay

11.16

8.89

11.36

11.74

10.16

42.15

38.26

Total

72.91

85.19

77.57

76.47

85.11

324.34

281.17

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

135.18

150.19

130.02

111.26

136.52

527.99

511.81

North West Shelf

32.39

34.21

28.11

29.59

32.95

124.86

132.42

Bruce

37.24

14.12

17.71

18.40

18.64

68.87

95.26

Keith

0.76

0.81

0.31

0.82

0.63

2.57

3.63

Algeria (b)

24.36

57.76

47.12

129.24

-

Total

205.57

199.33

200.51

217.83

235.86

853.53

743.12

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

24.97

27.32

25.25

16.59

25.14

94.30

94.90

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

30.3

32.1

30.2

29.8

30.3

122.47

121.80

(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

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

724

699

700

704

696

2,799

2,742

Paranam, Suriname

223

227

230

228

233

918

879

Alumar, Brazil

113

127

120

130

130

507

471

Total

1,060

1,053

1,050

1,062

1,059

4,224

4,092

Sales

Worsley, Australia

636

697

740

652

732

2,821

2,751

Paranam, Suriname

228

221

250

233

214

918

925

Alumar, Brazil

107

120

128

144

111

503

486

Total

971

1,038

1,118

1,029

1,057

4,242

4,162

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

132

135

151

169

167

622

534

Bayside, South Africa

46

47

46

45

46

184

185

Alumar, Brazil

45

31

36

44

45

156

178

Valesul, Brazil

11

11

11

11

11

44

43

Mozal, Mozambique

39

58

64

64

64

250

134

Total

273

282

308

333

333

1,256

1,074

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

143

134

145

176

171

626

535

Bayside, South Africa

48

54

35

49

45

183

188

Alumar, Brazil

51

38

25

39

55

157

179

Valesul, Brazil

10

11

12

11

12

46

40

Mozal, Mozambique

41

61

40

78

56

235

136

Total

293

298

257

353

339

1,247

1,078

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

BASE METALS

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

Escondida, Chile (a)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

74,665

69,342

82,909

83,640

95,757

331,648

297,105

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

16,416

18,888

18,299

19,620

21,197

78,004

57,934

Average copper grade

(%)

1.62%

1.33%

1.31%

1.48%

1.61%

1.44%

1.55%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

230.9

208.2

197.1

239.6

284.2

929.1

759.1

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

126.6

115.9

109.1

130.8

159.1

514.9

419.1

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

20,664

25,016

24,833

27,492

26,044

103,385

64,132

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

21.1

21.4

21.8

21.7

21.8

86.7

78.5

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

538

561

550

614

720

2,445

1,700

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

128.9

116.2

114.8

127.3

150.4

508.7

424.2

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

20,138

25,335

26,984

28,545

24,874

105,738

65,702

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

20.3

18.1

23.8

26.2

21.3

89.4

77.2

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

584

574

634

612

683

2,503

1,737

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

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

-

4,151

17,450

17,206

17,944

56,751

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

1,408

1,609

1,616

4,633

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

1.38%

1.61%

1.45%

1.48%

-

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

15.0

22.9

19.6

57.5

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

2,658

4,009

5,101

11,768

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

9.1

9.0

9.0

9.3

8.7

36.0

35.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

-

170.0

238.5

199.8

608

-

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

10.6

23.1

20.6

54.3

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

3,086

4,372

4,100

11,558

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

9.5

8.9

8.7

8.2

8.4

34.2

34.9

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

-

100.0

240.1

226.4

566.5

-

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

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

16,458

20,332

19,855

16,199

16,697

73,083

66,012

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,130

4,346

4,405

3,700

4,330

16,781

15,747

Average copper grade

(%)

0.96%

0.99%

1.00%

0.92%

0.90%

0.95%

0.99%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

33.0

33.1

33.0

28.1

31.3

125.5

131.1

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

31.5

28.9

35.2

27.8

35.5

127.4

127.1

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

28,353

30,174

28,474

28,588

36,035

123,271

109,675

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,697

6,018

7,273

6,954

8,205

28,450

26,310

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.09%

1.17%

1.17%

1.26%

1.37%

1.25%

1.29%

- Zinc

(%)

1.97%

2.17%

1.77%

1.48%

0.97%

1.55%

1.49%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

21.2

16.9

20.5

24.6

29.9

91.9

96.9

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

28,553

27,933

27,026

19,099

15,545

89,603

82,685

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

517

435

494

588

662

2,179

2,227

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.02

0.03

0.02

0.08

0.24

0.37

0.34

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

21.2

18.6

22.6

20.2

26.4

87.8

100.0

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

31,034

26,781

26,928

14,219

19,931

87,859

80,025

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

435

420

491

423

655

1,989

2,130

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.10

0.01

0.03

0.04

0.11

0.20

0.39

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

588

637

699

729

681

2,746

2,393

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

560

589

598

698

724

2,609

2,312

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

525

564

497

539

486

520

544

- Lead

(%)

12.1%

11.5%

10.5%

11.4%

10.8%

11.1%

11.9%

- Zinc

(%)

5.3%

4.0%

3.4%

3.5%

3.4%

3.6%

4.5%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,161

9,177

8,287

10,485

9,471

37,420

34,872

Payable lead

(tonnes)

59,389

59,364

55,211

70,838

64,472

249,885

237,427

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

18,479

14,850

11,692

13,589

13,493

53,624

63,862

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,384

6,765

10,716

8,569

12,583

38,633

35,609

Payable lead

(tonnes)

59,594

43,953

69,447

56,259

84,315

253,974

240,579

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

13,197

16,223

15,443

12,790

13,410

57,866

58,308

Selbaie, Canada (a)

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

982

858

1,017

346

-

2,221

3,949

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

1.18%

1.13%

1.13%

1.16%

-

1.14%

1.19%

- Copper

(%)

0.24%

0.25%

0.24%

0.30%

-

0.25%

0.28%

- Gold

(g/t)

0.23

0.22

0.20

0.24

-

0.21

0.24

- Silver

(g/t)

20.62

22.38

24.25

26.64

-

23.90

25.36

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

7,364

6,311

7,194

2,506

-

16,011

30,165

Payable copper

(tonnes)

1,768

1,606

1,764

770

-

4,140

8,322

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

4,081

3,129

3,428

1,413

-

7,970

17,782

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

284

263

316

138

-

717

1,525

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

6,812

6,209

7,429

4,127

-

17,765

30,567

Payable copper

(tonnes)

1,612

1,918

1,615

1,741

1,356

6,630

9,293

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

4,280

4,384

3,377

3,364

2,484

13,609

18,802

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

355

292

253

317

231

1,093

1,804

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

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.2

9.5

10.6

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.6

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.3

9.5

10.5

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

6,221

6,639

6,707

6,031

5,084

24,461

21,958

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b)

1,497

1,633

1,477

1,348

1,386

5,844

6,693

Area C Joint Venture (c)

19

341

1,048

1,768

2,519

5,676

19

Yandi Joint Venture

8,353

8,679

9,005

8,429

8,046

34,159

31,788

Jimblebar

1,428

1,622

1,520

1,647

1,566

6,355

5,418

Total (BHP Billiton share)

17,518

18,914

19,757

19,223

18,601

76,495

65,876

Total production (100%)

20,359

21,965

22,975

22,326

21,608

88,874

76,547

Shipments

Lump

4,193

4,898

5,169

5,402

5,064

20,533

17,170

Fines

13,187

13,334

13,968

13,181

14,067

54,550

51,069

Total (BHP Billiton share)

17,380

18,232

19,137

18,583

19,131

75,083

68,239

Total shipments (100%)

20,448

21,450

22,515

21,862

22,507

88,334

80,284

(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

1,902

1,956

1,971

1,862

1,936

7,725

7,856

Shipments

2,153

2,013

1,886

1,918

1,994

7,811

8,240

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,937

1,578

1,581

1,508

1,864

6,531

6,841

Goonyella

1,075

994

829

1,019

935

3,777

3,812

Peak Downs

1,076

1,004

1,004

881

1,223

4,112

3,631

Saraji

666

747

655

703

806

2,911

2,321

Norwich Park

527

524

582

556

682

2,344

2,161

Gregory Joint Venture

488

744

744

596

775

2,859

2,525

BMA total

5,769

5,591

5,395

5,263

6,285

22,534

21,291

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

1,014

969

812

967

575

3,323

2,641

South Walker Creek

1,019

957

779

844

1,078

3,658

3,927

BHP Mitsui Coal total

2,033

1,926

1,591

1,811

1,653

6,981

6,568

Queensland total

7,802

7,517

6,986

7,074

7,938

29,515

27,859

Shipments

Coking coal

4,395

4,838

5,258

5,116

4,777

19,989

17,301

Weak coking coal

1,525

1,617

1,649

1,585

1,569

6,420

6,336

Thermal coal

943

801

987

803

756

3,347

3,617

Total

6,863

7,256

7,894

7,504

7,102

29,756

27,254

(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

1,224

1,582

1,459

1,458

1,346

5,845

6,763

Shipments

Coking coal

1,571

1,513

1,293

1,359

1,215

5,380

6,597

Thermal coal

179

91

47

134

114

386

650

Total

1,750

1,604

1,340

1,493

1,329

5,766

7,247

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

574

600

651

604

647

2,502

2,249

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

484

553

548

660

690

2,451

1,853

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

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

137

93

122

116

131

462

503

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

58

54

61

63

72

250

234

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

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie™ Iron, Australia

Production (a)

458

496

527

399

294

1,716

1,670

Shipments

487

435

570

436

318

1,759

1,569

(a) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following a gas explosion in May 2004.

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,182

1,064

1,123

1,052

1,207

4,446

4,310

Production

('000 carats)

1,300

1,552

1,704

1,015

1,211

5,482

4,340

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,812

13,782

13,472

13,231

13,768

54,253

54,239

Sales

Export

6,339

5,274

5,500

5,354

4,830

20,958

24,292

Local utility

7,926

8,215

7,701

7,579

8,426

31,921

30,185

Inland

337

338

326

330

361

1,355

1,560

Total

14,602

13,827

13,527

13,263

13,617

54,234

56,037

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

2,497

2,240

1,553

1,709

1,714

7,216

8,050

San Juan Coal

1,380

1,320

1,276

1,978

1,440

6,014

6,113

Total

3,877

3,560

2,829

3,687

3,154

13,230

14,163

Sales - local utility

3,643

3,713

3,327

3,213

3,353

13,606

13,853

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

2,041

1,756

2,054

2,318

2,590

8,718

6,441

Sales

Export

1,301

952

861

1,729

1,734

5,276

4,001

Inland

1,285

873

633

1,044

958

3,508

2,631

Total

2,586

1,825

1,494

2,773

2,692

8,784

6,632

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Production (a)

Petangis (b)

-

-

-

-

-

-

273

Total

-

-

-

-

-

-

273

Sales - export

-

-

-

-

-

-

294

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

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

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

2,261

2,036

1,623

2,043

1,982

7,684

6,587

Sales - export

2,247

1,966

1,999

1,828

2,283

8,076

7,315

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

YEAR ENDED

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

2003

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.2

12.4

12.2

12.5

12.0

49.1

46.9

Sales

13.5

11.1

13.1

11.2

12.8

48.2

47.1

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

8.8

8.2

7.8

8.7

7.9

32.6

31.2

Cobalt

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.5

1.9

1.9

Sales

Nickel

9.5

7.8

8.4

8.0

7.9

32.1

33.0

Cobalt

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.4

1.8

2.0

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

259

227

269

266

264

1,026

990

(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:
28 July 2004