BBL BHP Group Plc

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 22, 2015

 

 

 

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

 

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA		ENGLAND AND WALES
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)		(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
171 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA		NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
(Address of principal executive offices)		(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		22 April 2015
Number		07/15

BHP BILLITON OPERATIONAL REVIEW

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2015

 

•

Group production increased by 9% for the nine months ended March 2015 with records achieved for 10 operations and five commodities. We remain on track to deliver Group production growth(1) of 16% over the two years to the end of the 2015 financial year.

 

•

Petroleum production increased by 6% to a record 193 MMboe supported by a 76% increase in Onshore US liquids volumes to 40.2 MMboe. Guidance for the 2015 financial year remains unchanged at 255 MMboe.

 

•

Copper production(2) increased by 2% to 1.3 Mt as strong underlying operating performance at Escondida more than offset the impacts of severe weather in Northern Chile, lower grades at Antamina and a mill outage at Olympic Dam. Production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 1.7 Mt.

 

•

Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) production increased by 16% to a record 188 Mt (100% basis) underpinned by continued improvements in our integrated supply chain. WAIO production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 250 Mt (100% basis). The potential of our installed infrastructure continues to exceed expectations and as a result we are deferring the Inner Harbour Debottlenecking project. While this will lead to a slower path to system capacity of 290 Mtpa, it will come at a lower capital cost.

 

•

Metallurgical coal production increased by 14% to 38 Mt and reflected record volumes at both Queensland Coal and Illawarra Coal. Production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 49 Mt.

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mackenzie, said: “Our teams continue to exceed expectations and deliver strong operating performance. Our commitment to sustainably improve productivity and lower costs is helping mitigate the impact of subdued commodity prices and supporting returns for our shareholders.

“In Iron Ore, our focus remains on producing at the lowest possible cost with Western Australia Iron Ore unit costs now below US$20 per tonne⁽³⁾ as we continue to improve productivity. Over the last decade, China’s unprecedented demand growth provided Australia and BHP Billiton with a unique opportunity. We acted swiftly to bring on new iron ore capacity at some of the lowest costs globally, generating long-term value for shareholders, the government and communities which would otherwise have been lost to overseas competitors. Despite the subsequent increase in supply-side competition, these low-cost expansions continue to deliver attractive margins and returns through the cycle.

“In Petroleum, we have responded quickly to current market conditions by reducing the number of rigs operated in our Onshore US business by 35 per cent over the March 2015 quarter. We continue to review our drilling and development program as we seek to maximise the value of our resource base. With higher oil prices expected over the medium term, we believe deferring development will create more value than producing today. Our high-quality acreage and excellent operating performance, with industry-leading drilling costs, gives us a strong platform from which to build.

“The proposed demerger of South32 is also on track, with the BHP Billiton Board unanimously recommending shareholders vote in favour of the demerger. With a more focused portfolio, BHP Billiton will have the potential to unlock further shareholder value, while creating a new global diversified metals and mining company with a significant industry presence in each of its major commodities.”

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		1

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Operational performance summary

Production for the nine months and quarter ended March 2015 is summarised in the table below.

 

Production		MAR 2015 YTD				MAR 2015 QTR				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Total petroleum production (MMboe)			192.5				61.5				6	%			1	%			(3	%)
Copper (kt)			1,273.1				460.0				1	%			11	%			9	%
Iron ore (kt)			172,422				58,979				17	%			20	%			5	%
Metallurgical coal (kt)			37,765				11,458				14	%			0	%			(15	%)
Energy coal (kt)			56,173				19,714				2	%			11	%			6	%
Alumina (kt)			3,881				1,248				1	%			0	%			(11	%)
Aluminium (kt)			762				245				(15	%)			(14	%)			(4	%)
Manganese ores (kt)			6,604				2,049				9	%			14	%			(11	%)
Manganese alloys (kt)			554				182				19	%			12	%			(10	%)
Nickel (kt)			102.4				32.5				(9	%)			(5	%)			(5	%)

Production guidance for the 2015 financial year is summarised in the table below.

 

Production guidance		FY14				Previous FY15e				New FY15e				FY14 vs FY15e
Petroleum (MMboe)(4)			243				255				255				5	%
Copper (Mt)(2)			1.7				1.8				1.7				—
Iron ore (Mt)			204				225				230				13	%
Metallurgical coal (Mt)			45				47				49				9	%
Energy coal (Mt)			73				73				73				—

Major development projects

The BMA Hay Point Stage Three Expansion project loaded first coal during the March 2015 quarter, on revised schedule and budget, and will not be reported in future Operational Reviews. At 31 March 2015, BHP Billiton had six major projects under development with a combined budget of US$12.0 billion.

Corporate update

On 17 March 2015, the BHP Billiton Board recommended shareholders approve the proposed demerger of South32 at the shareholder meetings to be held on 6 May 2015. The Board believes that with a more focused portfolio, BHP Billiton will be better placed to achieve further productivity benefits in its core portfolio, while creating a substantial new company, South32. The proposed demerger would be effected via a distribution of South32 shares by way of an in-specie dividend to shareholders in both BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc. Eligible BHP Billiton shareholders will receive one South32 share for every BHP Billiton share held on the applicable record date.

On 19 March 2015, the Group priced a five year A$1.0 billion note issue under its Australian Medium Term Note Program which will pay interest at three per cent and mature in March 2020. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		2

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Petroleum and Potash

Production

 

		MAR 2015 YTD				MAR 2015 QTR				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (MMboe)			93.4				31.3				21	%			15	%			0	%
Natural gas (bcf)			594.8				181.5				(5	%)			(10	%)			(7	%)
Total petroleum products (MMboe)			192.5				61.5				6	%			1	%			(3	%)

Total petroleum production – Total petroleum production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by six per cent to a record 192.5 MMboe. Guidance for the 2015 financial year remains unchanged at 255 MMboe.

Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids – Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 21 per cent to 93.4 MMboe.

Onshore US liquids volumes for the nine months ended March 2015 rose by 76 per cent to 40.2 MMboe. This strong performance was underpinned by a doubling of liquids production from both the Black Hawk and Permian as we continue to realise significant improvements in shale drilling and completions efficiency.

In our Conventional business, strong uptime performance at Atlantis and Pyrenees was offset by natural field decline at North West Shelf and the impact of industrial action at Bass Strait.

Natural gas – Natural gas production for the nine months ended March 2015 declined by five per cent to 595 bcf.

Strong uptime performance at North West Shelf and Macedon partially offset scheduled maintenance at Pakistan, industrial action and weaker seasonal demand at Bass Strait and the divestment of Liverpool Bay in the 2014 financial year.

On 16 February 2015, BHP Billiton signed an agreement with Tri-Resources, a subsidiary of the Hashoo Group, for the sale of our gas business in Pakistan. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Projects

 

Project and ownership

Capital expenditure (US$m)

Initial production target date

Capacity

Progress

North West Shelf Greater Western Flank-A (Australia) 16.67% (non-operator)

400

CY16

To maintain LNG plant throughput from the North West Shelf operations.

On schedule and budget. The overall project is 89% complete.

Bass Strait Longford Gas Conditioning Plant (Australia) 50% (non-operator)

520

CY16

Designed to process approximately 400 MMcf/d of high-CO2 gas.

On schedule and budget. The overall project is 54% complete.

Onshore US development activity

Onshore US drilling and development expenditure totalled US$3.0 billion for the nine months ended March 2015 and we expect expenditure of approximately US$3.4 billion in the 2015 financial year.

Our Onshore US operated rig count decreased from 26 to 17 during the March 2015 quarter. The reduction in drilling activity will not impact 2015 financial year production guidance and we are confident that shale liquids volumes will rise by over 50 per cent in the period. We continue to review our drilling and development program and will exercise the flexibility within our shale portfolio to maximise value.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		3

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March 2015 YTD				Liquids focused areas								Gas focused areas
(March 2014 YTD)				Eagle Ford				Permian				Haynesville				Fayetteville				Total
Capital expenditure		US$ billion			1.9 (2.4	)			0.6 (0.4	)			0.3 (0.3	)			0.2 (0.2	)			3.0 (3.2	)
Rig allocation		At period end			12 (17	)			4 (4	)			1 (3	)			0 (0	)			17 (24	)
Net wells drilled and completed		Period total			153 (218	)			32 (32	)			18 (31	)			36 (60	)			239 (341	)
Net productive wells		At period end			796 (606	)			63(5) (61	)			388(5) (892	)			1,028 (1,012	)			2,275 (2,571	)

Capital expenditure includes land acquisition, site preparation, drilling, completions, well site facilities, mid-stream infrastructure and pipelines. The number of wells drilled and completed can vary significantly from period to period based on changes in rig activity and the inventory of wells drilled but not yet completed at period end.

Petroleum exploration

There were no exploration or appraisal wells drilled during the March 2015 quarter. Petroleum exploration expenditure for the nine months ended March 2015 was US$393 million, of which US$363 million was expensed. Total petroleum exploration expenditure for the 2015 financial year is expected to be US$600 million and remains focused on the Gulf of Mexico, Western Australia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The seismic acquisition program in Trinidad and Tobago was successfully completed for the nine deep water blocks accessed between 2012 and 2014⁽⁶⁾.

Potash

 

Project and ownership		Investment (US$m)				Scope		Progress
Jansen Potash (Canada) 100%			2,600			Investment to finish the excavation and lining of the production and service shafts, and to continue the installation of essential surface infrastructure and utilities.		The project is 42% complete and within the approved budget. Shaft excavation is steadily progressing following the successful redesign of the temporary liner.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		4

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Copper

Production

 

		MAR 2015 YTD				MAR 2015 QTR				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Copper (kt)			1,273.1				460.0				1	%			11	%			9	%
Lead (t)			140,289				40,604				(1	%)			(15	%)			(19	%)
Zinc (t)			103,933				29,960				29	%			54	%			(10	%)
Silver (troy koz)			24,217				7,529				(8	%)			(14	%)			(1	%)
Uranium oxide concentrate (t)			2,549				607				(13	%)			(37	%)			(44	%)

Copper – Total copper production⁽²⁾ for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by two per cent to 1.3 Mt. Production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 1.7 Mt, six per cent below prior guidance. The revision to guidance reflects the impact of heavy rainfall in Northern Chile in March 2015 and an electrical failure which caused a mill outage at Olympic Dam in January 2015.

Escondida copper production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by seven per cent to 891 kt. Strong operating performance, including a 14 per cent increase in truck utilisation, resulted in record material mined for the period. This was partially offset by the impact of severe wet weather in March 2015, along with water restrictions, two days of industrial action and a power outage throughout Northern Chile in the first half of the 2015 financial year. Escondida copper production of approximately 1.22 Mt is now anticipated for the 2015 financial year.

Pampa Norte copper production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 15 per cent to 192 kt as Spence benefited from higher recoveries. Production at Pampa Norte for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be marginally higher than the prior year, despite the impact of severe wet weather in March 2015, as improved grades and recoveries at Spence continue to offset declining grades and recoveries at Cerro Colorado.

Olympic Dam copper production for the nine months ended March 2015 decreased by 15 per cent to 111 kt following an electrical failure which caused a mill outage in January 2015. The mill is expected to be offline for approximately six months with an associated reduction in copper production of 60 to 70 kt with the majority of the impact anticipated this financial year.

Antamina copper production for the nine months ended March 2015 decreased by 32 per cent to 80 kt as lower grades more than offset record mill throughput. Average copper grades at Antamina are expected to remain broadly unchanged in the June 2015 quarter, consistent with the mine plan.

Lead – Lead production for the nine months ended March 2015 was in line with the prior period.

Silver – Silver production for the nine months ended March 2015 decreased by eight per cent as higher mill throughput at Antamina and Cannington was more than offset by lower ore grades at both operations, consistent with the mine plans.

Zinc – Zinc production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 29 per cent and primarily reflected increased mill throughput and higher grades at Antamina and Cannington.

Uranium – Uranium production for the nine months ended March 2015 decreased by 13 per cent as a result of the mill outage at Olympic Dam.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		5

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Projects

 

Project and ownership

Capital expenditure (US$m)

Initial production target date

Capacity

Progress

Escondida Organic Growth Project 1 (Chile) 57.5%

4,199

H1 CY15

New concentrator with 152 ktpd capacity.

On schedule and revised budget. The overall project is 98% complete.

Escondida Water Supply (Chile) 57.5%

3,430

CY17

New desalination facility to ensure continued water supply to Escondida.

On schedule and budget. The overall project is 37% complete.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		6

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Iron Ore

Production

 

		MAR 2015 YTD				MAR 2015 QTR				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Iron ore (kt)			172,422				58,979				17	%			20	%			5	%

Iron ore – Total iron ore production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 17 per cent to a record 172 Mt. Production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 230 Mt, two per cent higher than prior guidance.

Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 16 per cent to a record 188 Mt (100 per cent basis). This result was underpinned by continued improvement in the performance of our integrated supply chain, the successful ramp-up of the Jimblebar mining hub to a rate in excess of 45 Mtpa, and the relatively limited impact of the wet season. WAIO also achieved record sales volumes of 190 Mt (100 per cent basis) as our strategy of increasing the percentage of direct to ship ore unlocked port capacity.

WAIO production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 250 Mt (100 per cent basis), two per cent higher than prior guidance. Further growth in supply chain capacity to 270 Mtpa (100 per cent basis) is expected to be achieved without the need for additional fixed plant investment. The potential of our installed infrastructure continues to exceed expectations and as a result we are deferring the Inner Harbour Debottlenecking project. While this will lead to a slower path to system capacity of 290 Mtpa, it will come at a lower capital cost.

Samarco production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 37 per cent to a record 22 Mt (100 per cent basis) as the fourth pellet plant reached full capacity during the period.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		7

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Coal

Production

 

		MAR 2015 YTD				MAR 2015 QTR				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Metallurgical coal (kt)			37,765				11,458				14	%			0	%			(15	%)
Energy coal (kt)			56,173				19,714				2	%			11	%			6	%

Metallurgical coal – Metallurgical coal production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 14 per cent to a record 38 Mt. Production for the 2015 financial year is now expected to be 49 Mt, four per cent higher than prior guidance.

Record production and sales volumes at Queensland Coal for the nine months ended March 2015, reflected the successful ramp-up of the Caval Ridge mine and sustained improvements in truck and wash-plant utilisation across the operations. Production declined by 13 per cent from the December 2014 quarter as a result of a longwall move at Crinum and wet weather.

Illawarra Coal achieved record production for the nine months ended March 2015 of 6.5 Mt as maintenance efficiencies supported higher equipment utilisation rates. Longwall moves at Dendrobium and West Cliff led to a 25 per cent decline in volumes during the March 2015 quarter.

Energy coal – Energy coal production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by two per cent to 56 Mt. Guidance for the 2015 financial year remains unchanged at 73 Mt.

South Africa Energy Coal production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 15 per cent and reflected improved equipment utilisation and optimised mine planning. This was partially offset by lower production at Cerrejón as a result of drought conditions and the need to manage dust emissions, and lower customer demand for our Navajo Coal product.

Projects

 

Project and ownership

Capital expenditure (US$m)

Initial production target date

Capacity

Progress

Hay Point Stage Three Expansion (Australia) 50%

1,505

(7)

CY15

Increases port capacity from 44 Mtpa to 55 Mtpa and reduces storm vulnerability.

On revised schedule and budget. The overall project is 96% complete. First coal loaded on 12 January 2015.

Appin Area 9 (Australia) 100%

845

CY16

Maintains Illawarra Coal’s production capacity with a replacement mining domain and capacity to produce 3.5 Mtpa of metallurgical coal.

On schedule and budget. The overall project is 81% complete.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		8

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Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel

Production

 

		MAR 2015 YTD				MAR 2015 QTR				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Alumina (kt)			3,881				1,248				1	%			0	%			(11	%)
Aluminium (kt)			762				245				(15	%)			(14	%)			(4	%)
Manganese ores (kt)			6,604				2,049				9	%			14	%			(11	%)
Manganese alloys (kt)			554				182				19	%			12	%			(10	%)
Nickel (kt)			102.4				32.5				(9	%)			(5	%)			(5	%)

Alumina – Alumina production was broadly unchanged for the nine months ended March 2015 at 3.9 Mt and included record production at the Alumar refinery. Worsley volumes decreased by 12 per cent from the December 2014 quarter, which benefitted from the processing of stockpiled hydrate.

Aluminium – Aluminium production for the nine months ended March 2015 decreased by 15 per cent to 762 kt despite record production at Mozal. Lower volumes primarily reflected the cessation of smelting activities at Bayside and the temporary suspension of potlines II and III at Alumar in the 2014 financial year, and the planned replacement of transformers at Hillside. Production at Hillside and Mozal remains robust despite the increased frequency of load shedding.

On 30 March 2015, BHP Billiton announced that South32 had agreed with Alcoa, its joint venture partner and operator of the Alumar aluminium smelter, to suspend potline I from 15 April 2015. All three potlines will continue to be subject to ongoing review, having regard to market conditions.

Manganese ores – Manganese ore production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by nine per cent to 6.6 Mt as an increase in plant availability at Wessels and an improvement in ore recovery at Mamatwan underpinned record production at Hotazel. Higher mill throughput and grades at GEMCO partially offset adverse weather conditions in the March 2015 quarter.

Manganese alloys – Manganese alloy production for the nine months ended March 2015 increased by 19 per cent to 554 kt as Metalloys and TEMCO benefitted from improved smelter stability and availability.

Nickel – Nickel production for the nine months ended March 2015 decreased by nine per cent to 102 kt. Lower Nickel West production reflected the closure of the Perseverance underground mine in November 2013 and an unplanned outage at the Kwinana refinery, while lower grades affected Cerro Matoso production. Production for the 2015 financial year at Nickel West is now expected to be 90 kt, while guidance at Cerro Matoso remains unchanged at 43kt.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		9

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Minerals exploration

Minerals exploration expenditure for the nine months ended March 2015 was US$203 million, of which US$148 million was expensed. Greenfield minerals exploration is predominantly focused on advancing copper targets within Chile, Peru and the South-West United States.

 

 

Variance analysis relates to the relative performance of BHP Billiton and/or its operations during the nine months ended March 2015 compared with the nine months ended 2014, unless otherwise noted. Production volumes, sales volumes and capital and exploration expenditure from subsidiaries are reported on a 100 per cent basis; production volumes, sales volumes and capital and exploration expenditure from equity accounted investments and other operations are reported on a proportionate consolidation basis. Production and sales volumes for our manganese operations are reported on a 100 per cent basis.

The following footnotes apply to this Operational Review:

 

(1)	Copper equivalent production based on FY13 average realised product prices.

(2)	Excludes Pinto Valley which was sold during the 2014 financial year.

(3)	Unit cash cost excluding freight and royalties.

(4)	Excludes Liverpool Bay which was sold during the 2014 financial year.

(5)	Change in productive well count includes the reduction associated with the divestments of North Louisiana conventional assets (Haynesville) and Pecos unconventional gas assets (Permian).

(6)	21,220 square kilometres 3D seismic acquisition completed over Trinidad and Tobago Blocks 3, 5, 6, 7, 14, 23a, 23b, 28 and 29.

(7)	Excludes announced pre-commitment funding.

The following abbreviations may have been used throughout this report: barrels (bbl); billion cubic feet (bcf); cost and freight (CFR); cost, insurance and freight (CIF); dry metric tonne unit (dmtu); free on board (FOB); grams per tonne (g/t); kilograms per tonne (kg/t); kilometre (km); metre (m); million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe); million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d); million tonnes (Mt); million tonnes per annum (Mtpa); ounces (oz); pounds (lb); thousand barrels of oil equivalent (Mboe); thousand ounces (koz); thousand standard cubic feet (Mscf); thousand tonnes (kt); thousand tonnes per annum (ktpa); thousand tonnes per day (ktpd); tonnes (t); and wet metric tonnes (wmt).

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		10

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

 

Media Relations   Australia   Emily Perry Tel: +61 3 9609 2800 Mobile: +61 477 325 803 email: Emily.Perry@bhpbilliton.com   Paul Hitchins Tel: + 61 3 9609 2592 Mobile: + 61 419 315 001 email: Paul.Hitchins@bhpbilliton.com   Eleanor Nichols Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748 email: Eleanor.Nichols@bhpbilliton.com   United Kingdom   Ruban Yogarajah Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com   Jennifer White Tel: +44 20 7802 7462 Mobile: +44 7827 253 764 email: Jennifer.White@bhpbilliton.com   Americas   Ruban Yogarajah Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com		Investor Relations   Australia   Tara Dines Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 499 249 005 email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com   Andrew Gunn Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 402 087 354 email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com   United Kingdom and South Africa   Jonathan Price Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726 email: Jonathan.H.Price@bhpbilliton.com   Dean Simon Tel: +44 20 7802 7461 Mobile: +44 7717 511 193 email: Dean.Simon@bhpbilliton.com   Americas   James Agar Tel: +1 212 310 1421 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011 email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com   Joseph Suarez Tel: +1 212 310 1422 Mobile: +1 646 400 3803 email: Joseph.Suarez@bhpbilliton.com
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077		BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia		Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Level 16, 171 Collins Street		Registered Office: Neathouse Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia		London SW1V 1LH United Kingdom
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015		Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111
Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		11

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BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

 

				QUARTER ENDED												YEAR TO DATE								% CHANGE
				MAR 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014				MAR YTD15 vs MAR YTD14				MAR Q15 vs MAR Q14				MAR Q15 vs DEC Q14
Petroleum
Crude oil, condensate and NGL		(Mboe)			27,244				31,163				31,298				93,406				77,270				21	%			15	%			0	%
Natural gas		(bcf)			202.0				194.4				181.5				594.8				624.3				(5	%)			(10	%)			(7	%)
Total petroleum production		(MMboe)			60.9				63.6				61.5				192.5				181.3				6	%			1	%			(3	%)
Copper
Copper		(kt)			413.9				423.7				460.0				1,273.1				1,257.1				1	%			11	%			9	%
Lead		(t)			47,577				50,111				40,604				140,289				141,861				(1	%)			(15	%)			(19	%)
Zinc		(t)			19,409				33,310				29,960				103,933				80,819				29	%			54	%			(10	%)
Gold		(troy oz)			48,740				51,247				47,706				151,297				134,583				12	%			(2	%)			(7	%)
Silver		(troy koz)			8,757				7,620				7,529				24,217				26,295				(8	%)			(14	%)			(1	%)
Uranium		(t)			966				1,076				607				2,549				2,944				(13	%)			(37	%)			(44	%)
Molybdenum		(t)			281				75				151				266				1,118				(76	%)			(46	%)			101	%
Iron ore
Iron ore		(kt)			49,280				56,352				58,979				172,422				146,921				17	%			20	%			5	%
Coal
Metallurgical coal		(kt)			11,467				13,538				11,458				37,765				33,192				14	%			(0	%)			(15	%)
Energy coal		(kt)			17,723				18,622				19,714				56,173				55,129				2	%			11	%			6	%
Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
Alumina		(kt)			1,250				1,398				1,248				3,881				3,853				1	%			(0	%)			(11	%)
Aluminium		(kt)			286				256				245				762				898				(15	%)			(14	%)			(4	%)
Manganese ores		(kt)			1,801				2,296				2,049				6,604				6,047				9	%			14	%			(11	%)
Manganese alloys		(kt)			162				201				182				554				465				19	%			12	%			(10	%)
Nickel		(kt)			34.1				34.2				32.5				102.4				112.3				(9	%)			(5	%)			(5	%)

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

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		12

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BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		BHP Billiton interest				MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Petroleum
Production
Crude oil, condensate and NGL (Mboe) (1)
Onshore US							8,575				10,540				11,460				12,905				15,848				40,213				22,808
Coventional							18,669				18,337				19,485				18,258				15,450				53,193				54,462
Total							27,244				28,877				30,945				31,163				31,298				93,406				77,270
Natural gas (bcf)
Onshore US							109.7				118.9				113.6				110.3				99.9				323.8				329.9
Coventional							92.3				96.1				105.3				84.1				81.6				271.0				294.4
Total							202.0				215.0				218.9				194.4				181.5				594.8				624.3
Total petroleum production (MMboe)							60.9				64.7				67.4				63.6				61.5				192.5				181.3
Copper (2)
Copper
Payable metal in concentrate (kt)
Escondida (3)			57.5	%			190.6				241.0				199.4				208.8				260.9				669.1				603.7
Antamina			33.8	%			33.0				26.2				25.7				27.3				26.7				79.7				117.3
Pinto Valley			100	%			—				—				—				—				—				—				12.5
Total							223.6				267.2				225.1				236.1				287.6				748.8				733.5
Cathode (kt)
Escondida (3)			57.5	%			75.8				81.5				69.3				75.0				77.3				221.6				226.5
Pampa Norte (4)			100	%			63.4				66.8				55.8				69.6				66.5				191.9				166.3
Pinto Valley			100	%			—				—				—				—				—				—				0.9
Olympic Dam			100	%			51.1				54.5				39.2				43.0				28.6				110.8				129.9
Total							190.3				202.8				164.3				187.6				172.4				524.3				523.6
Total copper							413.9				470.0				389.4				423.7				460.0				1,273.1				1,257.1
Lead
Payable metal in concentrate (t)
Cannington			100	%			47,214				45,768				48,941				49,625				40,111				138,677				140,760
Antamina			33.8	%			363				397				633				486				493				1,612				1,101
Total							47,577				46,165				49,574				50,111				40,604				140,289				141,861
Zinc
Payable metal in concentrate (t)
Cannington			100	%			10,074				15,666				19,927				17,039				16,389				53,355				42,230
Antamina			33.8	%			9,335				13,450				20,736				16,271				13,571				50,578				38,589
Total							19,409				29,116				40,663				33,310				29,960				103,933				80,819
Gold
Payable metal in concentrate (troy oz)
Escondida (3)			57.5	%			20,110				20,920				21,980				12,710				21,265				55,955				51,984
Olympic Dam (refined gold)			100	%			28,630				38,785				30,364				38,537				26,441				95,342				82,550
Pinto Valley			100	%			—				—				—				—				—				—				49
Total							48,740				59,705				52,344				51,247				47,706				151,297				134,583
Silver
Payable metal in concentrate (troy koz)
Escondida (3)			57.5	%			1,078				1,320				1,159				958				1,355				3,472				2,951
Antamina			33.8	%			961				843				954				885				872				2,711				3,516
Cannington			100	%			6,465				6,029				6,701				5,534				5,130				17,365				19,132
Olympic Dam (refined silver)			100	%			253				317				254				243				172				669				655
Pinto Valley			100	%			—				—				—				—				—				—				41
Total							8,757				8,509				9,068				7,620				7,529				24,217				26,295
Uranium
Payable metal in concentrate (t)
Olympic Dam			100	%			966				1,044				866				1,076				607				2,549				2,944
Total							966				1,044				866				1,076				607				2,549				2,944

Refer footnotes on page 15.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		13

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BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		BHP Billiton interest				MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Copper (2) (continued)
Molybdenum
Payable metal in concentrate (t)
Antamina			33.8	%			281				83				40				75				151				266				1,118
Total							281				83				40				75				151				266				1,118
Iron Ore
Production (kt) (5)
Newman			85	%			15,470				16,766				16,707				16,012				14,916				47,635				40,149
Yarrie			85	%			206				—				—				—				—				—				836
Area C Joint Venture			85	%			11,282				12,481				13,265				11,314				13,201				37,780				34,479
Yandi Joint Venture			85	%			15,622				17,615				16,607				17,694				16,798				51,099				50,903
Jimblebar (6)			85	%			2,721				3,740				3,971				2,813				4,513				11,297				5,123
Wheelarra			85	%			1,698				2,973				3,115				4,755				5,965				13,835				7,580
Samarco			50	%			2,281				3,068				3,426				3,764				3,586				10,776				7,851
Total							49,280				56,643				57,091				56,352				58,979				172,422				146,921
Coal
Metallurgical coal
Production (kt) (7)
BMA			50	%			7,461				7,596				8,228				9,009				7,602				24,839				21,660
BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal (8)			80	%			1,995				2,143				2,204				2,128				2,057				6,389				6,166
Illawarra			100	%			2,011				2,147				2,337				2,401				1,799				6,537				5,366
Total							11,467				11,886				12,769				13,538				11,458				37,765				33,192
Energy coal
Production (kt)
South Africa (9)			90	%			7,398				8,013				8,026				8,499				9,240				25,765				22,371
USA			100	%			2,359				2,412				2,690				2,512				2,247				7,449				8,400
Australia			100	%			5,018				5,030				4,752				4,608				5,252				14,612				14,934
Colombia			33.3	%			2,948				2,908				2,369				3,003				2,975				8,347				9,424
Total							17,723				18,363				17,837				18,622				19,714				56,173				55,129
Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
Alumina
Saleable production (kt)
Worsley			86	%			936				1,010				893				1,060				937				2,890				2,906
Alumar			36	%			314				315				342				338				311				991				947
Total							1,250				1,325				1,235				1,398				1,248				3,881				3,853
Aluminium
Production (kt)
Hillside			100	%			172				176				180				176				168				524				539
Bayside			100	%			23				18				—				—				—				—				71
Alumar			40	%			26				15				13				13				12				38				89
Mozal			47.1	%			65				67				68				67				65				200				199
Total							286				276				261				256				245				762				898
Manganese ores
Saleable production (kt)
South Africa (10)			44.4	%			782				936				1,049				1,007				913				2,969				2,590
Australia (10)			60	%			1,019				1,319				1,210				1,289				1,136				3,635				3,457
Total							1,801				2,255				2,259				2,296				2,049				6,604				6,047
Manganese alloys
Saleable production (kt)
South Africa (10) (11)			60	%			91				106				112				121				114				347				271
Australia (10)			60	%			71				75				59				80				68				207				194
Total							162				181				171				201				182				554				465

Refer footnotes on page 15.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		14

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BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION

 

						QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		BHP Billiton interest				MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel (continued)
Nickel
Saleable production (kt)
Cerro Matoso			99.9	%			9.8				10.2				10.7				10.5				10.6				31.8				34.1
Nickel West			100	%			24.3				20.7				25.0				23.7				21.9				70.6				78.2
Total							34.1				30.9				35.7				34.2				32.5				102.4				112.3

 

(1)	LPG and ethane are reported as natural gas liquids (NGL). Product-specific conversions are made and NGL is reported in barrels of oil equivalent (boe). Total boe conversions are based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.

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

(3)	Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 57.5%.

(4)	Includes Cerro Colorado and Spence.

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

(6)	Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 85%.

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

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

(9)	Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 90%.

(10)	Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%.

(11)	Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		15

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Petroleum
Crude oil, condensate and NGL (Mboe)
Crude oil and condensate
Bass Strait			2,095				2,355				2,818				2,284				1,156				6,258				6,300
North West Shelf			1,504				1,408				1,501				1,395				1,355				4,251				4,866
Stybarrow			282				255				225				248				194				667				947
Pyrenees			2,386				2,075				2,109				1,901				1,709				5,719				5,388
Other Australia (1)			11				14				17				11				11				39				37
Atlantis (2)			3,734				4,114				4,175				3,740				3,645				11,560				10,675
Mad Dog (2)			704				187				390				877				720				1,987				1,932
Shenzi (2)			3,467				3,530				3,530				3,502				3,283				10,315				10,135
Eagle Ford (3)			5,215				6,593				7,060				8,098				10,837				25,995				13,869
Permian (3)			356				463				601				807				856				2,264				958
Haynesville (3) (4)			18				13				16				4				—				20				44
Trinidad/Tobago			279				248				252				227				196				675				913
Other Americas (2) (5)			329				371				349				500				348				1,197				1,080
UK (6)			254				27				34				77				64				175				701
Algeria			1,069				996				1,011				1,050				975				3,036				3,367
Pakistan			49				37				38				33				27				98				163
Total			21,752				22,686				24,126				24,754				25,376				74,256				61,375
NGL
Bass Strait			1,621				2,026				2,161				1,512				961				4,634				5,225
North West Shelf			276				288				293				273				268				834				909
Atlantis (2)			288				111				248				294				245				787				891
Mad Dog (2)			36				39				21				42				37				100				98
Shenzi (2)			280				252				271				260				235				766				798
Eagle Ford (3)			2,775				3,179				3,421				3,638				3,868				10,927				7,299
Permian (3)			211				292				362				358				287				1,007				636
Haynesville (3) (4)			—				—				—				—				—				—				2
Other Americas (2) (5)			2				—				38				25				14				77				23
UK (6)			3				4				4				7				7				18				14
Total			5,492				6,191				6,819				6,409				5,922				19,150				15,895
Total crude oil, condensate and NGL			27,244				28,877				30,945				31,163				31,298				93,406				77,270
Natural gas (bcf)
Bass Strait			21.2				30.5				33.3				18.8				18.3				70.4				78.1
North West Shelf			31.4				31.8				36.9				33.4				32.8				103.1				95.9
Other Australia (1)			13.2				13.6				16.4				13.0				14.1				43.5				37.6
Atlantis (2)			1.8				1.9				1.7				2.3				1.7				5.7				4.9
Mad Dog (2)			0.1				0.1				0.1				0.1				0.1				0.3				0.3
Shenzi (2)			0.8				0.8				0.8				0.8				0.7				2.3				2.4
Eagle Ford (3)			23.9				30.8				28.5				26.3				27.7				82.5				72.1
Permian (3)			2.2				2.5				3.0				2.8				2.1				7.9				6.5
Haynesville (3) (4)			46.3				45.7				45.7				43.6				37.8				127.1				137.8
Fayetteville (3)			37.3				39.9				36.4				37.6				32.3				106.3				113.5
Trinidad/Tobago			9.3				9.1				8.8				7.8				7.2				23.8				28.9
Other Americas (2) (5)			0.2				0.2				0.2				0.2				0.2				0.6				0.8
UK (6)			5.4				0.8				0.7				1.4				1.1				3.2				15.1
Pakistan			8.9				7.3				6.4				6.3				5.4				18.1				30.4
Total			202.0				215.0				218.9				194.4				181.5				594.8				624.3
Total petroleum production (MMboe) (7)			60.9				64.7				67.4				63.6				61.5				192.5				181.3

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		16

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Petroleum (continued)

 

(1)	Other Australia includes Minerva and Macedon.

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

(3)	Onshore US volumes are net of mineral holder royalties.

(4)	Haynesville includes North Louisiana Conventional. BHP Billiton completed the sale of North Louisiana Conventional on 17 November 2014.

(5)	Other Americas includes Neptune, Genesis and Overriding Royalty Interest.

(6)	UK includes Bruce/Keith and Liverpool Bay. BHP Billiton completed the sale of its 46.1% operated interest in Liverpool Bay on 31 March 2014.

(7)	Total boe conversions are based on 6,000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		17

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

				QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
				MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Copper
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Escondida, Chile (1)
Material mined		(kt)			96,420				94,673				101,920				113,522				110,607				326,049				283,978
Sulphide ore milled		(kt)			21,051				21,438				20,651				18,354				21,382				60,387				58,911
Average copper grade		(%)			1.12	%			1.33	%			1.20	%			1.45	%			1.49	%			1.38	%			1.26	%
Production ex mill		(kt)			195.5				235.6				205.5				215.5				266.3				687.3				620.5
Production
Payable copper (2)		(kt)			190.6				241.0				199.4				208.8				260.9				669.1				603.7
Payable gold concentrate		(troy oz)			20,110				20,920				21,980				12,710				21,265				55,955				51,984
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			75.8				81.5				69.3				75.0				77.3				221.6				226.5
Payable silver concentrate		(troy koz)			1,078				1,320				1,159				958				1,355				3,472				2,951
Sales
Payable copper		(kt)			173.2				239.1				203.3				203.2				269.6				676.1				593.6
Payable gold concentrate		(troy oz)			20,889				20,920				21,980				12,710				21,265				55,955				51,981
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			76.4				83.3				64.1				79.8				64.9				208.8				226.1
Payable silver concentrate		(troy koz)			1,046				1,320				1,159				958				1,355				3,472				2,958
(1)    Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 57.5%. (2)    June 2014 quarter includes 4.3 kt of copper contained in ore sold to third parties.
Pampa Norte, Chile
Cerro Colorado
Material mined		(kt)			15,939				17,087				15,517				16,124				15,030				46,671				49,197
Ore milled		(kt)			4,508				4,016				4,189				4,446				4,501				13,136				13,170
Average copper grade		(%)			0.75	%			0.76	%			0.77	%			0.70	%			0.68	%			0.72	%			0.76	%
Production
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			22.0				21.3				15.7				20.6				21.5				57.8				59.0
Sales
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			12.4				28.7				20.0				21.0				22.0				63.0				47.3
Spence
Material mined		(kt)			25,037				25,962				24,238				23,422				21,429				69,089				77,279
Ore milled		(kt)			4,735				3,775				4,409				4,560				3,783				12,752				14,383
Average copper grade		(%)			1.23	%			1.30	%			1.33	%			1.20	%			1.06	%			1.20	%			1.20	%
Production
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			41.4				45.5				40.1				49.0				45.0				134.1				107.3
Sales
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			40.0				49.6				36.9				51.8				45.0				133.7				101.8

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		18

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

				QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
				MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Copper (continued)
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Antamina, Peru
Material mined (100%)		(kt)			45,837				49,797				54,675				43,793				49,787				148,255				153,137
Sulphide ore milled (100%)		(kt)			11,729				12,756				12,370				13,594				12,880				38,844				36,015
Average head grades
- Copper		(%)			1.00	%			0.77	%			0.81	%			0.74	%			0.79	%			0.78	%			1.12	%
- Zinc		(%)			0.54	%			0.58	%			0.84	%			0.66	%			0.69	%			0.73	%			0.61	%
Production
Payable copper		(kt)			33.0				26.2				25.7				27.3				26.7				79.7				117.3
Payable zinc		(t)			9,335				13,450				20,736				16,271				13,571				50,578				38,589
Payable silver		(troy koz)			961				843				954				885				872				2,711				3,516
Payable lead		(t)			363				397				633				486				493				1,612				1,101
Payable molybdenum		(t)			281				83				40				75				151				266				1,118
Sales
Payable copper		(kt)			30.2				26.5				26.3				29.8				26.5				82.6				116.0
Payable zinc		(t)			10,158				14,527				12,912				21,459				15,545				49,916				44,678
Payable silver		(troy koz)			910				893				896				1,026				915				2,837				3,780
Payable lead		(t)			405				521				320				711				461				1,492				1,070
Payable molybdenum		(t)			347				142				50				90				163				303				1,200
Cannington, Australia
Material mined		(kt)			773				806				823				925				813				2,561				2,640
Ore milled		(kt)			779				821				819				850				791				2,460				2,381
Average head grades
- Silver		(g/t)			311				286				301				246				247				265				299
- Lead		(%)			7.3	%			6.9	%			7.1	%			7.0	%			6.3	%			6.8	%			7.1	%
- Zinc		(%)			2.4	%			3.1	%			3.8	%			3.2	%			3.2	%			3.4	%			2.9	%
Production
Payable silver		(troy koz)			6,465				6,029				6,701				5,534				5,130				17,365				19,132
Payable lead		(t)			47,214				45,768				48,941				49,625				40,111				138,677				140,760
Payable zinc		(t)			10,074				15,666				19,927				17,039				16,389				53,355				42,230
Sales
Payable silver		(troy koz)			6,127				5,641				7,084				5,631				4,972				17,687				20,519
Payable lead		(t)			43,649				41,607				51,197				48,482				40,341				140,020				147,334
Payable zinc		(t)			11,020				15,708				15,450				18,028				17,057				50,535				46,547

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		19

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

				QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
				MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Copper (continued)
Metals production is payable metal unless otherwise stated.
Olympic Dam, Australia
Material mined (1)		(kt)			2,495				2,405				2,692				2,667				2,186				7,545				8,109
Ore milled		(kt)			2,421				2,654				2,206				2,776				1,477				6,459				7,466
Average copper grade		(%)			1.90	%			1.91	%			1.97	%			1.70	%			1.88	%			1.83	%			1.87	%
Average uranium grade		(kg/t)			0.54				0.51				0.61				0.52				0.56				0.56				0.53
Production
Copper cathode (ER)		(kt)			48.4				51.3				36.9				39.9				26.3				103.1				121.9
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			2.7				3.2				2.3				3.1				2.3				7.7				8.0
Uranium oxide concentrate		(t)			966				1,044				866				1,076				607				2,549				2,944
Refined gold		(troy oz)			28,630				38,785				30,364				38,537				26,441				95,342				82,550
Refined silver		(troy koz)			253				317				254				243				172				669				655
Sales
Copper cathode (ER)		(kt)			47.5				54.2				36.6				39.9				28.0				104.5				117.6
Copper cathode (EW)		(kt)			2.5				3.0				2.5				3.1				2.7				8.3				7.4
Uranium oxide concentrate		(t)			732				1,426				848				1,125				877				2,850				2,699
Refined gold		(troy oz)			31,129				38,500				30,707				34,938				31,938				97,583				85,030
Refined silver		(troy koz)			262				367				227				238				206				671				615
(1)    Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		20

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Iron Ore
(kt)
Iron ore
Pilbara, Australia
Production (1)
Newman			15,470				16,766				16,707				16,012				14,916				47,635				40,149
Yarrie (2)			206				—				—				—				—				—				836
Area C Joint Venture			11,282				12,481				13,265				11,314				13,201				37,780				34,479
Yandi Joint Venture			15,622				17,615				16,607				17,694				16,798				51,099				50,903
Jimblebar (3)			2,721				3,740				3,971				2,813				4,513				11,297				5,123
Wheelarra (4)			1,698				2,973				3,115				4,755				5,965				13,835				7,580
Total			46,999				53,575				53,665				52,588				55,393				161,646				139,070
Total production (100%)			54,812				62,369				62,436				61,371				64,372				188,179				162,708
Sales
Lump			11,230				11,572				12,766				12,661				12,617				38,044				31,518
Fines			35,880				40,834				41,633				41,185				42,635				125,453				106,919
Total			47,110				52,406				54,399				53,846				55,252				163,497				138,437
Total sales (100%)			55,018				61,015				63,303				62,848				64,201				190,352				162,387
(1)    Iron ore production and sales are reported on a wet tonnes basis. (2)    Yarrie ceased production on 25 February 2014. (3)    Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 85%. (4)    Production from Wheelarra is processed via the Jimblebar processing hub.
Samarco, Brazil
Production (1)			2,281				3,068				3,426				3,764				3,586				10,776				7,851
Sales			2,036				3,077				3,303				4,151				2,876				10,330				7,737

 

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

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		21

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Coal
(kt)
Metallurgical coal
Queensland Coal
Production (1)
BMA
Blackwater			1,759				1,625				1,777				1,775				1,569				5,121				5,105
Goonyella			2,041				1,553				2,144				2,350				1,951				6,445				5,777
Peak Downs			1,314				1,282				1,144				1,235				1,263				3,642				3,627
Saraji			1,108				1,058				1,022				1,257				1,033				3,312				3,500
Gregory Joint Venture			654				997				808				994				607				2,409				1,968
Daunia			585				518				628				617				489				1,734				1,683
Caval Ridge			—				563				705				781				690				2,176				—
Total BMA			7,461				7,596				8,228				9,009				7,602				24,839				21,660
BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal (2)
South Walker Creek			1,312				1,323				1,391				1,236				1,282				3,909				3,923
Poitrel			683				820				813				892				775				2,480				2,243
Total BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal			1,995				2,143				2,204				2,128				2,057				6,389				6,166
Total Queensland Coal			9,456				9,739				10,432				11,137				9,659				31,228				27,826
Sales
Coking coal			7,030				7,250				7,306				8,379				7,118				22,803				19,670
Weak coking coal			2,594				2,358				2,859				2,670				2,720				8,249				7,496
Thermal coal			122				134				43				171				182				396				553
Total			9,746				9,742				10,208				11,220				10,020				31,448				27,719
(1)    Metallurgical coal production is reported on the basis of saleable product. Production figures include some thermal coal. (2)    Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 80%.
Illawarra, Australia
Production (1)			2,011				2,147				2,337				2,401				1,799				6,537				5,366
Sales
Coking coal			1,581				1,761				1,617				1,830				1,810				5,257				4,160
Thermal coal			460				486				373				426				272				1,071				1,137
Total			2,041				2,247				1,990				2,256				2,082				6,328				5,297

 

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

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		22

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Coal (continued)
(kt)
Energy coal
South Africa (1)
Production			7,398				8,013				8,026				8,499				9,240				25,765				22,371
Sales
Export			3,179				3,528				3,739				4,174				4,354				12,267				9,770
Local utility			3,478				4,498				4,367				4,650				4,753				13,770				11,832
Inland			—				—				36				84				168				288				—
Total			6,657				8,026				8,142				8,908				9,275				26,325				21,602
(1)    Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 90%.
New Mexico, USA
Production
Navajo Coal (1)			975				1,082				1,243				1,064				1,156				3,463				4,045
San Juan Coal			1,384				1,330				1,447				1,448				1,091				3,986				4,355
Total			2,359				2,412				2,690				2,512				2,247				7,449				8,400
Sales - local utility			2,360				2,382				2,723				2,592				2,177				7,492				8,439
(1)    BHP Billiton completed the sale of Navajo Mine on 30 December 2013. As BHP Billiton will retain control of the mine until full consideration is received, production will continue to be reported by the Group.
NSW Energy Coal, Australia
Production			5,018				5,030				4,752				4,608				5,252				14,612				14,934
Sales
Export			4,346				4,548				4,787				4,625				4,897				14,309				13,270
Inland			270				333				371				228				337				936				1,048
Total			4,616				4,881				5,158				4,853				5,234				15,245				14,318
Cerrejón, Colombia
Production			2,948				2,908				2,369				3,003				2,975				8,347				9,424
Sales - export			2,647				2,858				3,077				2,732				3,005				8,814				8,869

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		23

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel
(kt)
Alumina
Saleable production
Worsley, Australia			936				1,010				893				1,060				937				2,890				2,906
Alumar, Brazil			314				315				342				338				311				991				947
Total			1,250				1,325				1,235				1,398				1,248				3,881				3,853
Sales
Worsley, Australia			986				1,020				875				1,068				866				2,809				2,844
Alumar, Brazil			262				388				323				371				285				979				860
Total			1,248				1,408				1,198				1,439				1,151				3,788				3,704
Aluminium
Production
Hillside, South Africa			172				176				180				176				168				524				539
Bayside, South Africa (1)			23				18				—				—				—				—				71
Alumar, Brazil			26				15				13				13				12				38				89
Mozal, Mozambique			65				67				68				67				65				200				199
Total			286				276				261				256				245				762				898
Sales
Hillside, South Africa			187				168				174				178				166				518				540
Bayside, South Africa (1)			24				24				—				—				—				—				72
Alumar, Brazil			25				17				12				13				13				38				87
Mozal, Mozambique			72				62				64				73				66				203				214
Total			308				271				250				264				245				759				913
(1)    Aluminium smelting at Bayside ceased with the closure of the final potline in June 2014.
Manganese ores
Saleable production
South Africa (1)			782				936				1,049				1,007				913				2,969				2,590
Australia (1)			1,019				1,319				1,210				1,289				1,136				3,635				3,457
Total			1,801				2,255				2,259				2,296				2,049				6,604				6,047
Sales
South Africa (1)			915				931				999				983				1,024				3,006				2,549
Australia (1)			1,252				1,288				1,224				1,208				1,143				3,575				3,775
Total			2,167				2,219				2,223				2,191				2,167				6,581				6,324
Manganese alloys
Saleable production
South Africa (1) (2)			91				106				112				121				114				347				271
Australia (1)			71				75				59				80				68				207				194
Total			162				181				171				201				182				554				465
Sales
South Africa (1) (2)			113				112				115				109				116				340				288
Australia (1)			85				74				56				73				43				172				202
Total			198				186				171				182				159				512				490

 

(1)	Shown on 100% basis. BHP Billiton interest in saleable production is 60%, except Hotazel Manganese Mines which is 44.4%.

(2)	Production includes Medium Carbon Ferro Manganese.

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		24

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PRODUCTION AND SALES REPORT

 

		QUARTER ENDED																				YEAR TO DATE
		MAR 2014				JUN 2014				SEP 2014				DEC 2014				MAR 2015				MAR 2015				MAR 2014
Aluminium, Manganese and Nickel (continued)
(kt)
Nickel
Cerro Matoso, Colombia
Production			9.8				10.2				10.7				10.5				10.6				31.8				34.1
Sales			10.0				10.2				10.5				10.1				11.0				31.6				34.9
Nickel West, Australia
Saleable production
Nickel contained in concentrate			2.5				1.6				2.2				1.7				1.9				5.8				8.3
Nickel contained in finished matte			6.1				4.4				9.1				5.5				6.1				20.7				21.0
Nickel metal			15.7				14.7				13.7				16.5				13.9				44.1				48.9
Nickel production			24.3				20.7				25.0				23.7				21.9				70.6				78.2
Sales
Nickel contained in concentrate			2.3				1.6				2.1				1.6				2.0				5.7				7.8
Nickel contained in finished matte			5.3				6.2				6.6				7.4				6.4				20.4				20.5
Nickel metal			16.7				14.4				11.9				17.5				13.5				42.9				49.2
Nickel sales			24.3				22.2				20.6				26.5				21.9				69.0				77.5

 

 

BHP Billiton Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2015		25

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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 Billiton Plc
Date: April 22, 2015		By:		/s/ Rachel Agnew
		Name:		Rachel Agnew
		Title:		Company Secretary