UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

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

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 20, 2011

 

 

 

BHP BILLITON LIMITED (ABN 49 004 028 077) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)		BHP BILLITON PLC (REG. NO. 3196209) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)   180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA (Address of principal executive offices)		ENGLAND AND WALES (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)   NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

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

x  Form 20-F            ¨  Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

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

¨  Yes            x  No

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

 

 

 

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NEWS RELEASE
Release Time		IMMEDIATE
Date		20 April 2011
Number		13/11

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2011

 

•

Successfully concluded the acquisition of the Fayetteville Shale (USA), which is expected to be an important contributor to the continued growth of the Petroleum business.

 

•

Quarterly production records were achieved at Hunter Valley Energy Coal (Australia) and the Alumar refinery (Brazil), while record milling rates were set at Olympic Dam (Australia) for the second consecutive quarter.

 

•

Record iron ore production and sales for the nine months ended March 2011 were achieved at both Western Australia Iron Ore and Samarco (Brazil), highlighting the benefit of BHP Billiton’s commitment to invest through economic cycles. Year to date production records were also achieved for crude oil and condensate, the North West Shelf (Australia) and manganese ore.

Petroleum

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Crude Oil, Condensate and Natural Gas Liquids (‘000 bbl)			70,586				21,642				-1	%			-4	%			-8	%
Natural Gas (bcf)			273.27				84.90				-2	%			-4	%			3	%
Total Petroleum Products (million boe)			116.13				35.79				-1	%			-4	%			-4	%

Total Petroleum Production – Record crude oil and condensate production for the nine months ended March 2011 reflected strong performance at the BHP Billiton operated Pyrenees (Australia) and Shenzi (USA) fields. Production for the March 2011 quarter continued to be impacted by permitting delays in the Gulf of Mexico (USA) and the tropical cyclone season in Western Australia.

Following regulatory approval, BHP Billiton was the first operator to resume production drilling in the deep water Gulf of Mexico at the BHP Billiton operated Shenzi field. This followed previous approvals for water injection wells. Notwithstanding these important milestones, permitting delays in the Gulf of Mexico continue to impact our Petroleum operations, further deferring the drilling of high volume production wells. When excluding volume growth from the Fayetteville Shale acquisition, we therefore expect production to be lower in the 2012 financial year.

Crude Oil, Condensate, and Natural Gas Liquids – Crude oil production growth, specifically at Atlantis (USA), has been significantly impacted by the inability to drill new, high volume production wells. Production in the March 2011 quarter was further impacted by the tropical cyclone season in Western Australia.

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Natural Gas – Year to date natural gas production declined despite record performance at the North West Shelf as lower volumes from the Gulf of Mexico and severe flooding in Pakistan impacted performance. A recovery in quarterly production in Pakistan and stronger seasonal demand at Bass Strait (Australia) resulted in higher natural gas production when compared with the prior period.

BHP Billiton successfully concluded the acquisition of 100 per cent of Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s upstream and midstream Fayetteville interests on 31 March 2011, providing a leadership position in a consolidated shale play.

Aluminium

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Alumina (‘000 tonnes) (a)			2,984				959				7	%			-6	%			-6	%
Aluminium (‘000 tonnes)			933				305				0	%			0	%			-3	%

Alumina – Production in the March 2011 quarter was impacted by a planned calciner outage at Worsley (Australia). The Alumar refinery continued to ramp up during the period and is now producing at near nameplate capacity.

Aluminium – Production across all operations was in line with comparable periods.

Base Metals

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Copper (‘000 tonnes)			867.1				273.6				11	%			19	%			-9	%
Lead (tonnes)			185,976				51,910				0	%			-15	%			-20	%
Zinc (tonnes)			117,394				40,252				-23	%			-14	%			9	%
Silver (‘000 ounces)			32,779				9,056				-3	%			-21	%			-22	%
Uranium Oxide Concentrate (Uranium) (tonnes)			3,030				1,063				93	%			1,094	%			11	%

Copper – Production was higher than both the nine months and quarter ended March 2010, which were impacted by the Clark Shaft outage at Olympic Dam and industrial action at Pampa Norte (Chile). Record year to date milling rates were achieved at Pampa Norte, Olympic Dam and Antamina (Peru).

Consistent with prior full year production guidance for Escondida (Chile), copper volumes declined in the March 2011 quarter largely as a result of lower ore grades. In addition, a higher proportion of hard ore constrained mill throughput rates at Escondida, although the impact was mitigated by continued strong performance in the SX-EW circuit. At Olympic Dam, a second consecutive quarterly record was set for milling rates.

Lead/Silver – Lower lead and silver grades and weather related disruption of mining activities reduced production at Cannington (Australia) in the March 2011 quarter.

Zinc – An improvement in grades and recoveries at Antamina resulted in higher zinc production in the March 2011 quarter when compared with the prior period.

---

Uranium – Record mining and milling rates for the nine months ended March 2011 highlighted the strong recovery in performance at Olympic Dam that has followed the successful repair of the Clark Shaft.

Diamonds & Specialty Products

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Diamonds (‘000 carats)			1,930				551				-16	%			-28	%			-18	%

Diamonds – Production for the March 2011 quarter was lower than comparable periods primarily due to lower average ore grade. Production continues to be influenced by the variability of ore sources due to the mix of open pit and underground mining. Consistent with the mine plan, BHP Billiton expects lower average ore grades to impact EKATI (Canada) production in the 2012 financial year.

Stainless Steel Materials

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Nickel (‘000 tonnes) (b)			114.5				33.0				-10	%			-24	%			-23	%

Nickel – Contained nickel production was lower than comparable periods due to reduced production from Cerro Matoso (Colombia) following commencement of the planned furnace replacement in February 2011.

When compared with the December 2010 quarter, metal production increased at the Nickel West Kwinana refinery (Australia) following improved hydrogen supply. This was more than offset by lower matte production as a result of weather related interruptions and maintenance at the Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter (Australia).

Iron Ore

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Iron Ore (‘000 tonnes)			98,880				33,231				6	%			7	%			-1	%

Iron Ore – Record production and sales for the nine months ended March 2011 were achieved at both Western Australia Iron Ore and Samarco, highlighting the benefit of BHP Billiton’s commitment to invest through economic cycles.

Western Australia Iron Ore recorded another strong quarter of production despite seasonal weather impacts and tie-in activities. Samarco production was impacted by planned maintenance during the period.

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Manganese

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Manganese Ore (‘000 tonnes)			5,303				1,352				20	%			-21	%			-26	%
Manganese Alloy (‘000 tonnes)			563				172				54	%			1	%			-10	%

Manganese Ore – Production in the March 2011 quarter was impacted by safety related downtime at Hotazel (South Africa) and heavy rainfall at GEMCO (Australia). Hotazel and GEMCO achieved record production and sales volumes for the nine months ended March 2011, reflecting an improvement in the underlying market fundamentals.

Manganese Alloy – Production was lower than the December 2010 quarter due to maintenance at both Metalloys (South Africa) and TEMCO (Australia), although both achieved year to date sales records.

Metallurgical Coal

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Metallurgical Coal (‘000 tonnes)			24,756				6,670				-6	%			-18	%			-14	%

Metallurgical Coal – The Bowen Basin has been significantly affected by persistent wet weather for a large part of the 2011 financial year that continues to delay recovery efforts, particularly for the large open cut operations. At Queensland Coal (Australia), resultant in-pit water accumulation has severely restricted overburden removal and broader mining activities. Force majeure remains in place for the majority of our Bowen Basin products with production, sales and unit costs likely to be impacted, to some extent, for the remainder of the 2011 calendar year.

Illawarra Coal (Australia) production for the quarter was impacted by the commencement of two longwall moves at Dendrobium and Appin, which will continue into the June 2011 quarter.

Energy Coal

 

		MAR 2011 YTD				MAR 2011 QTR				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
Energy Coal (‘000 tonnes)			51,162				17,543				3	%			7	%			6	%

Energy Coal – Quarterly and year to date production and sales records for Hunter Valley Energy Coal reflect the successful ramp-up of the MAC20 project and the use of our recently commissioned Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) port capacity. Total Energy Coal production was also higher than all comparable periods as Cerrejon Coal (Colombia) recovered following record rainfall in the December 2010 quarter.

 

(a)	Excluding Suriname which was sold effective 31 July 2009.

(b)	Excluding Yabulu which was sold effective 31 July 2009.

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

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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 2011.

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

 

Australia Brendan Harris, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4323 Mobile: +61 437 134 814 email: Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com   Samantha Stevens, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com   Amanda Buckley, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2209 Mobile: +61 419 801 349 email: Amanda.Buckley@bhpbilliton.com   Kelly Quirke, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312 email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com   Fiona Martin, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908 email: Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com		United Kingdom & South Africa Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com   United Kingdom & Americas Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022 email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com   Americas Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com
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		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

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BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

						QUARTER ENDED												YEAR TO DATE								% CHANGE
						MAR 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010				MAR YTD11 vs MAR YTD10				MAR Q11 vs MAR Q10				MAR Q11 vs DEC Q10
PETROLEUM
Crude oil & condensate			(‘000 bbl)				19,736				20,652				19,200				61,939				61,890				0	%			-3	%			-7	%
Natural gas			(bcf)				88.27				82.54				84.90				273.27				277.59				-2	%			-4	%			3	%
Natural gas liquid			(‘000 bbl)				2,769				2,842				2,442				8,647				9,567				-10	%			-12	%			-14	%
Total Petroleum Products			(million boe)				37.21				37.25				35.79				116.13				117.72				-1	%			-4	%			-4	%
ALUMINIUM
Alumina (a)			(‘000 tonnes)				1,021				1,025				959				2,984				2,801				7	%			-6	%			-6	%
Aluminium			(‘000 tonnes)				306				314				305				933				932				0	%			0	%			-3	%
BASE METALS
Copper			(‘000 tonnes)				229.1				302.3				273.6				867.1				784.1				11	%			19	%			-9	%
Lead			(tonnes)				61,127				64,925				51,910				185,976				185,570				0	%			-15	%			-20	%
Zinc			(tonnes)				46,597				36,945				40,252				117,394				152,857				-23	%			-14	%			9	%
Gold			(ounces)				21,662				51,626				49,559				150,546				106,614				41	%			129	%			-4	%
Silver			(‘000 ounces)				11,491				11,571				9,056				32,779				33,949				-3	%			-21	%			-22	%
Uranium oxide concentrate			(tonnes)				89				957				1,063				3,030				1,567				93	%			1094	%			11	%
Molybdenum			(tonnes)				190				485				334				1,027				544				89	%			76	%			-31	%
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Diamonds			(‘000 carats)				770				676				551				1,930				2,310				-16	%			-28	%			-18	%
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
Nickel (b)			(‘000 tonnes)				43.3				43.0				33.0				114.5				127.7				-10	%			-24	%			-23	%
IRON ORE
Iron ore			(‘000 tonnes)				31,164				33,666				33,231				98,880				93,719				6	%			7	%			-1	%
MANGANESE
Manganese ore			(‘000 tonnes)				1,710				1,829				1,352				5,303				4,403				20	%			-21	%			-26	%
Manganese alloy			(‘000 tonnes)				171				192				172				563				365				54	%			1	%			-10	%
METALLURGICAL COAL
Metallurgical coal			(‘000 tonnes)				8,157				7,787				6,670				24,756				26,454				-6	%			-18	%			-14	%
ENERGY COAL
Energy coal			(‘000 tonnes)				16,342				16,513				17,543				51,162				49,861				3	%			7	%			6	%

 

(a)	Excluding Suriname which was sold effective 31 July 2009.

(b)	Excluding Yabulu which was sold effective 31 July 2009.

Throughout this report figures in italics indicate that this figure has been adjusted since it was previously reported.

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BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

 

		QUARTER ENDED																								YEAR TO DATE
		BHP Billiton Interest				MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
PETROLEUM
Production
Crude oil & condensate (‘000 bbl)							19,736				22,497				22,087				20,652				19,200				61,939				61,890
Natural gas (bcf)							88.27				90.98				105.83				82.54				84.90				273.27				277.59
NGL (‘000 bbl) (a)							2,769				3,182				3,363				2,842				2,442				8,647				9,567
Total Petroleum Products (million boe)							37.21				40.84				43.09				37.25				35.79				116.13				117.72
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINA
Production (‘000 tonnes)
Worsley			86	%			811				779				756				758				663				2,177				2,275
Suriname (b)			45	%			—				—				—				—				—				—				78
Alumar			36	%			210				183				244				267				296				807				526
Total							1,021				962				1,000				1,025				959				2,984				2,879
ALUMINIUM
Production (‘000 tonnes)
Hillside			100	%			174				177				180				179				173				532				533
Bayside			100	%			24				24				24				25				24				73				74
Alumar			40	%			44				43				44				43				44				131				131
Mozal			47	%			64				65				66				67				64				197				194
Total							306				309				314				314				305				933				932
BASE METALS (c)
COPPER
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 tonnes)
Escondida			57.5	%			101.5				113.2				110.7				112.7				87.7				311.1				334.9
Antamina			33.8	%			22.4				25.3				23.2				27.2				24.9				75.3				73.3
Total							123.9				138.5				133.9				139.9				112.6				386.4				408.2
Cathode (‘000 tonnes)
Escondida			57.5	%			36.2				44.2				45.0				47.1				44.4				136.5				130.0
Pampa Norte (d)			100	%			65.2				69.6				66.4				66.0				64.1				196.5				175.2
Pinto Valley			100	%			1.6				1.5				1.4				1.5				1.4				4.3				4.7
Olympic Dam			100	%			2.2				37.3				44.5				47.8				51.1				143.4				66.0
Total							105.2				152.6				157.3				162.4				161.0				480.7				375.9
LEAD
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington			100	%			60,577				62,288				68,529				64,748				51,673				184,950				183,157
Antamina			33.8	%			550				628				612				177				237				1,026				2,413
Total							61,127				62,916				69,141				64,925				51,910				185,976				185,570
ZINC
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Cannington			100	%			15,257				13,935				15,260				14,920				16,129				46,309				48,771
Antamina			33.8	%			31,340				31,487				24,937				22,025				24,123				71,085				104,086
Total							46,597				45,422				40,197				36,945				40,252				117,394				152,857

Refer footnotes on page 4.

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BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		BHP Billiton Interest				MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
BASE METALS (continued)
GOLD
Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)
Escondida			57.5	%			20,010				21,586				24,807				23,133				19,667				67,607				54,839
Olympic Dam (refined gold)			100	%			1,652				13,719				24,554				28,493				29,892				82,939				51,775
Total							21,662				35,305				49,361				51,626				49,559				150,546				106,614
SILVER
Payable metal in concentrate (‘000 ounces)
Escondida			57.5	%			794				743				803				796				670				2,269				2,131
Antamina			33.8	%			1,079				1,234				989				1,025				813				2,827				3,478
Cannington			100	%			9,605				9,324				10,159				9,509				7,315				26,983				27,952
Olympic Dam (refined silver)			100	%			13				112				201				241				258				700				388
Total							11,491				11,413				12,152				11,571				9,056				32,779				33,949
URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Olympic Dam			100	%			89				712				1,010				957				1,063				3,030				1,567
Total							89				712				1,010				957				1,063				3,030				1,567
MOLYBDENUM
Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)
Antamina			33.8	%			190				269				208				485				334				1,027				544
Total							190				269				208				485				334				1,027				544
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
DIAMONDS
Production (‘000 carats)
EKATI™			80	%			770				740				703				676				551				1,930				2,310
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
NICKEL
Production (‘000 tonnes)
CMSA			99.9	%			11.6				13.0				12.4				12.4				7.8				32.6				36.6
Yabulu (e)			100	%			—				—				—				—				—				—				2.8
Nickel West			100	%			31.7				32.7				26.1				30.6				25.2				81.9				91.1
Total							43.3				45.7				38.5				43.0				33.0				114.5				130.5

Refer footnotes on page 4.

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BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		BHP Billiton Interest				MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
IRON ORE
Production (‘000 tonnes) (f)
Newman (g)			85	%			7,896				8,478				9,640				11,213				11,912				32,765				23,619
Goldsworthy Joint Venture			85	%			421				422				384				225				305				914				1,266
Area C Joint Venture			85	%			9,524				9,767				10,086				10,154				9,510				29,750				28,920
Yandi Joint Venture			85	%			10,549				9,768				8,787				9,078				8,799				26,664				31,628
Samarco			50	%			2,774				2,808				3,086				2,996				2,705				8,787				8,286
Total							31,164				31,243				31,983				33,666				33,231				98,880				93,719
MANGANESE
MANGANESE ORES
Saleable production (‘000 tonnes)
South Africa (h)			60	%			781				845				938				779				514				2,231				1,873
Australia (h)			60	%			929				876				1,184				1,050				838				3,072				2,530
Total							1,710				1,721				2,122				1,829				1,352				5,303				4,403
MANGANESE ALLOYS
Saleable production (‘000 tonnes)
South Africa (h) (i)			60	%			106				152				132				123				111				366				212
Australia (h)			60	%			65				66				67				69				61				197				153
Total							171				218				199				192				172				563				365
METALLURGICAL COAL
Production (‘000 tonnes) (j)
BMA			50	%			5,871				7,101				6,538				4,534				3,955				15,027				17,302
BHP Mitsui Coal (k)			80	%			1,251				1,766				1,913				1,421				1,133				4,467				4,677
Illawarra			100	%			1,035				2,060				1,848				1,832				1,582				5,262				4,475
Total							8,157				10,927				10,299				7,787				6,670				24,756				26,454
ENERGY COAL
Production (‘000 tonnes)
South Africa			100	%			7,741				7,237				8,997				8,507				8,596				26,100				23,222
USA			100	%			2,925				3,413				3,177				2,296				2,360				7,833				10,065
Australia			100	%			3,177				2,802				2,506				3,394				3,978				9,878				9,237
Colombia			33	%			2,499				2,818				2,426				2,316				2,609				7,351				7,337
Total							16,342				16,270				17,106				16,513				17,543				51,162				49,861

 

(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)	Suriname was sold effective 31 July 2009.

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

(d)	Includes Cerro Colorado and Spence.

(e)	Yabulu was sold effective 31 July 2009.

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

(g)	Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar.

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

(i)	Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

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

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

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
PETROLEUM
BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.
CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE (‘000 barrels)
Bass Strait			2,779				2,886				2,711				2,553				2,465				7,729				9,311
North West Shelf			2,328				1,977				2,237				2,188				1,719				6,144				6,995
Stybarrow			433				784				551				358				862				1,771				2,740
Pyrenees (a)			1,530				5,071				5,516				5,362				4,326				15,204				1,530
Other Australia (b)			15				13				15				10				13				38				233
Atlantis (c)			3,792				3,221				3,038				2,881				2,694				8,613				12,723
Mad Dog (c)			1,219				1,120				1,075				874				952				2,901				3,393
Shenzi (c) (d)			4,421				4,416				3,916				3,859				3,378				11,153				14,950
Trinidad /Tobago			407				349				285				—				299				584				1,250
Other Americas (c) (e)			403				370				359				430				397				1,186				1,329
UK			767				615				611				479				542				1,632				2,073
Algeria			1,543				1,587				1,686				1,587				1,474				4,747				5,053
Pakistan			99				88				87				71				79				237				310
Total			19,736				22,497				22,087				20,652				19,200				61,939				61,890
NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)
Bass Strait			18.81				30.02				38.81				20.94				22.31				82.06				74.32
North West Shelf			35.34				31.24				36.49				36.47				35.11				108.07				102.18
Other Australia (b)			5.60				4.99				6.00				3.83				4.69				14.52				16.90
Atlantis (c)			1.70				0.47				1.33				1.07				0.84				3.24				5.54
Mad Dog (c)			0.29				0.12				0.25				0.06				0.13				0.44				0.73
Shenzi (c) (d)			1.07				1.27				0.75				0.77				0.64				2.16				3.70
Other Americas (c) (e)			1.32				1.45				1.40				1.32				1.33				4.05				4.40
UK			7.36				6.03				6.31				6.14				6.32				18.77				17.64
Pakistan			16.78				15.39				14.49				11.94				13.53				39.96				52.18
Total			88.27				90.98				105.83				82.54				84.90				273.27				277.59
NGL (‘000 barrels)
Bass Strait			1,376				1,817				2,030				1,412				1,252				4,694				5,028
North West Shelf			478				425				471				442				434				1,347				1,380
Atlantis (c)			227				212				188				177				150				515				790
Mad Dog (c)			45				47				42				42				39				123				134
Shenzi (c) (d)			275				265				196				336				245				777				915
Other Americas (c) (e)			43				41				42				54				42				138				142
UK			49				90				60				74				79				213				100
Algeria			276				285				334				305				201				840				1,078
Total			2,769				3,182				3,363				2,842				2,442				8,647				9,567
TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS			37.21				40.84				43.09				37.25				35.79				116.13				117.72
(million barrels of oil equivalent) (f)

 

(a)	Pyrenees achieved first production on 1 March 2010.

(b)	Other Australia includes Griffin and Minerva. Griffin ceased production on 23 October 2009.

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

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

(e)	Other Americas includes Neptune, West Cameron 76, Mustang, Genesis and Starlifter.

(f)	Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are based on 6000scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
ALUMINIUM
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
ALUMINA
Production
Worsley, Australia			811				779				756				758				663				2,177				2,275
Paranam, Suriname (a)			—				—				—				—				—				—				78
Alumar, Brazil			210				183				244				267				296				807				526
Total			1,021				962				1,000				1,025				959				2,984				2,879
Sales
Worsley, Australia			735				822				767				735				633				2,135				2,224
Paranam, Suriname (a)			—				—				—				—				—				—				74
Alumar, Brazil			218				175				239				271				249				759				552
Total (b)			953				997				1,006				1,006				882				2,894				2,850
ALUMINIUM
Production
Hillside, South Africa			174				177				180				179				173				532				533
Bayside, South Africa			24				24				24				25				24				73				74
Alumar, Brazil			44				43				44				43				44				131				131
Mozal, Mozambique			64				65				66				67				64				197				194
Total			306				309				314				314				305				933				932
Sales
Hillside, South Africa			172				169				148				160				163				471				522
Bayside, South Africa			25				32				29				31				38				98				78
Alumar, Brazil			43				48				44				43				43				130				132
Mozal, Mozambique			58				78				55				76				66				197				181
Total			298				327				276				310				310				896				913
Tolling Agreement (b)			—				—				—				—				—				—				15
			298				327				276				310				310				896				928

 

(a)	Suriname was sold effective 31 July 2009.

(b)	Equity Alumina from Suriname was converted into Aluminium under a third party tolling agreement. These tonnages were allocated to equity sales. This Aluminium is now treated as third party product following the sale of Suriname.

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

				QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
				MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
BASE METALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated. Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Escondida, Chile
Material mined (100%)		(‘000 tonnes)			103,216				109,098				103,841				98,167				100,966				302,974				307,544
Sulphide ore milled (100%)		(‘000 tonnes)			17,697				17,711				19,697				18,789				15,993				54,479				54,167
Average copper grade		(%)			1.29	%			1.40	%			1.24	%			1.26	%			1.15	%			1.22	%			1.36	%
Production ex Mill (100%)		(‘000 tonnes)			189.6				205.3				197.7				194.6				153.1				545.4				611.0
Production
Payable copper		(‘000 tonnes)			101.5				113.2				110.7				112.7				87.7				311.1				334.9
Payable gold concentrate		(fine ounces)			20,010				21,586				24,807				23,133				19,667				67,607				54,839
Copper cathode (EW)		(‘000 tonnes)			36.2				44.2				45.0				47.1				44.4				136.5				130.0
Payable silver concentrate		(‘000 ounces)			794				743				803				796				670				2,269				2,131
Sales
Payable copper		(‘000 tonnes)			100.4				106.4				114.8				113.9				74.3				303.0				333.6
Payable gold concentrate		(fine ounces)			20,390				20,604				25,661				23,357				16,754				65,772				55,412
Copper cathode (EW)		(‘000 tonnes)			40.3				45.0				40.0				46.1				47.7				133.8				132.1
Payable silver concentrate		(‘000 ounces)			786				714				831				804				569				2,204				2,137
Pampa Norte, Chile
Cerro Colorado
Material mined		(‘000 tonnes)			14,513				15,828				15,644				18,290				16,320				50,254				48,118
Ore milled		(‘000 tonnes)			4,367				4,707				4,584				4,631				4,251				13,466				12,439
Average copper grade		(%)			0.72	%			0.67	%			0.73	%			0.76	%			0.75	%			0.75	%			0.76	%
Production
Copper cathode (EW)		(‘000 tonnes)			20.2				24.8				21.7				22.4				22.6				66.7				60.4
Sales
Copper cathode (EW)		(‘000 tonnes)			20.7				22.4				21.4				24.7				22.5				68.6				60.2
Spence
Material mined		(‘000 tonnes)			18,739				19,191				17,148				18,389				19,046				54,583				41,650
Ore milled		(‘000 tonnes)			4,917				4,389				4,427				4,567				4,892				13,886				10,777
Average copper grade		(%)			1.34	%			1.29	%			1.25	%			1.28	%			1.23	%			1.25	%			1.42	%
Production
Copper cathode (EW)		(‘000 tonnes)			45.0				44.8				44.7				43.6				41.5				129.8				114.8
Sales
Copper cathode (EW)		(‘000 tonnes)			40.3				49.5				37.0				48.2				45.7				130.9				115.2

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
						MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
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)				26,705				30,014				30,599				32,722				33,154				96,475				83,761
Sulphide ore milled (100%)			(‘000 tonnes)				8,791				9,328				9,041				9,347				9,288				27,676				26,074
Average head grades
- Copper			(%)				1.02	%			0.99	%			0.93	%			1.06	%			0.99	%			0.99	%			1.09	%
- Zinc			(%)				1.59	%			1.53	%			1.35	%			1.11	%			1.15	%			1.20	%			1.76	%
Production
Payable copper			(‘000 tonnes)				22.4				25.3				23.2				27.2				24.9				75.3				73.3
Payable zinc			(tonnes)				31,340				31,487				24,937				22,025				24,123				71,085				104,086
Payable silver			(‘000 ounces)				1,079				1,234				989				1,025				813				2,827				3,478
Payable lead			(tonnes)				550				628				612				177				237				1,026				2,413
Payable molybdenum			(tonnes)				190				269				208				485				334				1,027				544
Sales
Payable copper			(‘000 tonnes)				20.3				24.3				27.7				21.8				26.1				75.6				72.5
Payable zinc			(tonnes)				33,030				34,643				23,937				24,912				25,571				74,420				103,943
Payable silver			(‘000 ounces)				965				893				1,242				882				839				2,963				3,179
Payable lead			(tonnes)				830				431				748				503				180				1,431				3,240
Payable molybdenum			(tonnes)				148				203				438				292				394				1,124				519
Cannington, Australia
Material mined			(‘000 tonnes)				714				837				742				824				703				2,269				2,393
Ore milled			(‘000 tonnes)				708				776				831				760				713				2,304				2,365
Average head grades
- Silver			(g/t)				494				441				447				459				377				429				436
- Lead			(%)				10.0	%			9.4	%			9.6	%			9.9	%			8.6	%			9.4	%			9.1	%
- Zinc			(%)				3.5	%			3.1	%			3.0	%			3.3	%			3.6	%			3.3	%			3.3	%
Production
Payable silver			(‘000 ounces)				9,605				9,324				10,159				9,509				7,315				26,983				27,952
Payable lead			(tonnes)				60,577				62,288				68,529				64,748				51,673				184,950				183,157
Payable zinc			(tonnes)				15,257				13,935				15,260				14,920				16,129				46,309				48,771
Sales
Payable silver			(‘000 ounces)				8,268				11,280				9,219				9,973				7,263				26,455				25,898
Payable lead			(tonnes)				51,745				74,341				63,091				67,815				52,199				183,105				171,611
Payable zinc			(tonnes)				18,243				16,029				12,477				16,621				12,986				42,084				48,706

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
						MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
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)				689				1,363				2,710				2,513				2,433				7,656				3,902
Ore milled			(‘000 tonnes)				234				1,685				2,505				2,622				2,670				7,797				3,404
Average copper grade			(%)				2.33	%			1.94	%			1.91	%			1.78	%			1.84	%			1.84	%			1.80	%
Average uranium grade			kg/t				0.57				0.58				0.54				0.50				0.54				0.53				0.58
Production
Copper cathode (ER)			(‘000 tonnes)				1.9				34.9				41.6				45.0				47.8				134.4				61.4
Copper cathode (EW)			(‘000 tonnes)				0.3				2.4				2.9				2.8				3.3				9.0				4.6
Uranium oxide concentrate			(tonnes)				89				712				1,010				957				1,063				3,030				1,567
Refined gold			(fine ounces)				1,652				13,719				24,554				28,493				29,892				82,939				51,775
Refined silver			(‘000 ounces)				13				112				201				241				258				700				388
Sales
Copper cathode (ER)			(‘000 tonnes)				6.1				29.3				42.2				45.3				48.7				136.2				65.9
Copper cathode (EW)			(‘000 tonnes)				0.7				1.5				2.8				2.9				2.7				8.4				5.4
Uranium oxide concentrate			(tonnes)				182				122				751				1,121				930				2,802				2,259
Refined gold			(fine ounces)				5,980				10,811				18,914				29,757				31,742				80,413				53,699
Refined silver			(‘000 ounces)				46				49				201				150				334				685				417
(a)    Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.
Pinto Valley, USA
Production
Copper cathode (EW)			(‘000 tonnes)				1.6				1.5				1.4				1.5				1.4				4.3				4.7
Sales
Copper cathode (EW)			(‘000 tonnes)				1.1				1.5				1.8				1.0				1.9				4.7				4.0

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
						MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
DIAMONDS
EKATI™, Canada
Ore Processed (100%)			(‘000 tonnes)				1,256				1,235				1,196				1,162				1,122				3,480				3,695
Production			(‘000 carats)				770				740				703				676				551				1,930				2,310

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
NICKEL
CMSA, Colombia
Production			11.6				13.0				12.4				12.4				7.8				32.6				36.6
Sales			13.4				12.5				12.0				12.8				8.5				33.3				36.2
Yabulu, Australia (a)
Production
Nickel metal			—				—				—				—				—				—				2.8
Cobalt			—				—				—				—				—				—				0.1
Sales
Nickel metal			—				—				—				—				—				—				2.2
Cobalt			—				—				—				—				—				—				0.1
(a)    Yabulu was sold effective 31 July 2009.
Nickel West, Australia
Production
Nickel contained in concentrate			7.1				6.1				0.9				1.7				1.6				4.2				16.5
Nickel contained in finished matte			10.6				15.7				13.6				21.8				12.4				47.8				28.6
Nickel metal			14.0				10.9				11.6				7.1				11.2				29.9				46.0
Nickel production			31.7				32.7				26.1				30.6				25.2				81.9				91.1
Sales
Nickel contained in concentrate			7.0				6.3				1.6				0.8				2.2				4.6				16.1
Nickel contained in finished matte			10.8				15.2				14.6				19.9				14.7				49.2				26.3
Nickel metal			14.9				9.2				12.2				9.6				9.2				31.0				46.5
Nickel sales			32.7				30.7				28.4				30.3				26.1				84.8				88.9

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
IRON ORE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
IRON ORE (a)
Pilbara, Australia
Production
Newman (b)			7,896				8,478				9,640				11,213				11,912				32,765				23,619
Goldsworthy Joint Venture			421				422				384				225				305				914				1,266
Area C Joint Venture			9,524				9,767				10,086				10,154				9,510				29,750				28,920
Yandi Joint Venture			10,549				9,768				8,787				9,078				8,799				26,664				31,628
Total (BHP Billiton share)			28,390				28,435				28,897				30,670				30,526				90,093				85,433
Total production (100%)			33,400				33,452				33,996				36,082				35,913				105,991				100,509
Shipments
Lump			8,071				7,135				7,822				7,830				7,669				23,321				24,051
Fines			19,974				21,512				21,049				23,870				22,648				67,567				60,693
Total (BHP Billiton share)			28,045				28,647				28,871				31,700				30,317				90,888				84,744
Total sales (100%)			32,994				33,703				33,966				37,294				35,667				106,927				99,699
(a)    Iron ore production and shipments are reported on a wet tonnes basis.
(b)    Newman includes Mt Newman Joint Venture and Jimblebar.
Samarco, Brazil
Production			2,774				2,808				3,086				2,996				2,705				8,787				8,286
Shipments			2,594				2,591				2,634				3,460				2,598				8,692				8,603

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
MANGANESE
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
MANGANESE ORE
South Africa (a)
Saleable production			781				845				938				779				514				2,231				1,873
Sales			741				929				657				947				701				2,305				2,204
Australia (a)
Saleable production			929				876				1,184				1,050				838				3,072				2,530
Sales			835				974				552				1,173				1,127				2,852				2,658
MANGANESE ALLOY
South Africa (a) (b)
Saleable production			106				152				132				123				111				366				212
Sales			77				101				95				153				145				393				244
Australia (a)
Saleable production			65				66				67				69				61				197				153
Sales			54				75				53				68				62				183				182

 

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

(b)	Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
METALLURGICAL COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
METALLURGICAL COAL (a)
Queensland, Australia
Production
BMA
Blackwater			1,254				1,627				1,458				1,134				870				3,462				4,106
Goonyella			1,667				1,946				1,863				1,086				993				3,942				4,722
Peak Downs			1,030				1,298				1,117				984				758				2,859				3,034
Saraji			965				932				872				819				532				2,223				2,470
Norwich Park			375				528				468				73				128				669				1,342
Gregory Joint Venture			580				770				760				438				674				1,872				1,628
BMA total			5,871				7,101				6,538				4,534				3,955				15,027				17,302
BHP Mitsui Coal (b)
South Walker Creek			697				1,028				1,056				765				623				2,444				2,581
Poitrel			554				738				857				656				510				2,023				2,096
BHP Mitsui Coal total			1,251				1,766				1,913				1,421				1,133				4,467				4,677
Queensland total			7,122				8,867				8,451				5,955				5,088				19,494				21,979
Shipments
Coking coal			4,836				7,268				6,641				5,243				3,475				15,359				16,496
Weak coking coal			1,356				2,109				1,653				1,886				970				4,509				4,747
Thermal coal			385				339				368				206				125				699				1,042
Total			6,577				9,716				8,662				7,335				4,570				20,567				22,285
(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			1,035				2,060				1,848				1,832				1,582				5,262				4,475
Shipments
Coking coal			980				1,652				1,388				1,495				1,374				4,257				4,485
Thermal coal			109				213				362				536				211				1,109				518
Total			1,089				1,865				1,750				2,031				1,585				5,366				5,003

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PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT
		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2010				JUNE 2010				SEPT 2010				DEC 2010				MAR 2011				MAR 2011				MAR 2010
ENERGY COAL
BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.
(‘000 tonnes)
South Africa
Production			7,741				7,237				8,997				8,507				8,596				26,100				23,222
Sales
Export			2,856				2,449				3,047				3,365				2,887				9,299				8,082
Local utility			4,263				4,351				5,667				5,024				5,254				15,945				14,328
Inland			56				47				110				96				78				284				151
Total			7,175				6,847				8,824				8,485				8,219				25,528				22,561
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal			1,873				1,640				1,754				1,818				1,629				5,201				5,825
San Juan Coal			1,052				1,773				1,423				478				731				2,632				4,240
Total			2,925				3,413				3,177				2,296				2,360				7,833				10,065
Sales - local utility			2,555				3,005				3,361				3,339				3,385				10,085				9,819
Hunter Valley, Australia
Production			3,177				2,802				2,506				3,394				3,978				9,878				9,237
Sales
Export			2,263				2,524				2,626				3,253				3,824				9,703				6,988
Inland			601				474				404				180				339				923				1,602
Total			2,864				2,998				3,030				3,433				4,163				10,626				8,590
Cerrejon Coal, Colombia
Production			2,499				2,818				2,426				2,316				2,609				7,351				7,337
Sales - export			2,419				2,601				2,776				2,672				2,149				7,597				7,499

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SIGNATURES

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

 

				BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billition Plc.
Date: April 20, 2011		By:		/s/ Jane McAloon
		Name:		Jane McAloon
		Title:		Group Company Secretary