Organisational
 

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

January 24, 2006

BHP Billiton Limited
-----------------------------------
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
-----------------------------------
(Address of principal executive office)
 
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 
 

24 January 2006
Number 01/06


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2005


BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 December 2005. Throughout this report, unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share.

  • Record half year production of aluminium, copper, nickel and LNG supported by strong market conditions.
  • Half year production of copper up 24% and nickel up 137% following the acquisition of WMC in June 2005.
  • Escondida (Chile) achieved third consecutive quarter of record copper production.
  • Increased production at Western Australian Iron Ore (Australia) following weather and derailment interruptions last quarter.

 

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

PETROLEUM

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Crude Oil & Condensate ('000 bbl)

23,434

11,200

-3%

-8%

-8%

Natural Gas (bcf)

184.00

86.35

12%

-1%

-12%

Total Petroleum Products (million boe)

59.31

27.93

3%

-5%

-11%


Total Petroleum Products - Total production for the December 2005 half year increased against the half year ended December 2004. This primarily reflects increased production from Minerva (Australia), Angostura (Trinidad & Tobago), Mad Dog (USA), all commissioned in January 2005 and ROD (Algeria), commissioned in October 2004. This was offset by natural field decline at Bass Strait (Australia) and Liverpool Bay (UK), the sale of our interests in Laminaria (Australia) in January 2005, and hurricane related disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico.

Crude Oil and Condensate - Production for the December 2005 quarter was impacted by the loss of production from the Typhoon/Boris facility (USA) due to hurricane damage, natural field decline at Bass Strait and Liverpool Bay, the sale of our interests in Laminaria in January 2005 and unscheduled well downtime at North West Shelf. Offsetting this was increased production following the commissioning of Angostura and Mad Dog, both in January 2005 and ROD in October 2004.

Production was lower than the September 2005 quarter due to the timing of recognition of production entitlements and planned maintenance at ROD, loss of production from the Typhoon / Boris facility and a scheduled annual shut-down at North West Shelf.

Natural Gas - Production for the December 2005 quarter was in line with the December 2004 quarter.

Production for the December 2005 quarter was lower than the September 2005 quarter due to lower seasonal demand for Bass Strait gas, partly offset by higher seasonal demand for Liverpool Bay gas and North West Shelf LNG. Minerva gas production decreased during the quarter primarily as a result of scheduled maintenance.

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

ALUMINIUM

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Alumina ('000 tonnes)

2,040

1,012

0%

-2%

-2%

Aluminium ('000 tonnes)

678

344

0%

2%

3%

Alumina - Production for the half year and quarter ended December 2005 was in line with all comparative periods.

Aluminium - Record production was achieved for the half year ended December 2005. Mozal (Mozambique) and Hillside (South Africa) continue to deliver strong production, both achieving quarterly and half yearly records. Bayside (South Africa) returned to full operating capacity during the quarter following a potline outage in April 2005.

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

BASE METALS

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Copper ('000 tonnes)

637.3

328.4

24%

24%

6%

Silver ('000 ounces)

25,228

13,866

5%

12%

22%

Lead (tonnes)

142,060

77,187

4%

8%

19%

Uranium Oxide Concentrate (tonnes)

2,158

1,070

n/a

n/a

-2%

Copper - Production for the December 2005 half year was a record 637,300 tonnes, 24% higher than the December 2004 half year, reflecting improved performance at Escondida and inclusion of a full six months of production from Olympic Dam (Australia).

Escondida achieved its third consecutive quarter of record production due to increased mill throughput, the commissioning of Norte and higher head grades. Increased mill throughput and higher head grades also led to record quarterly production at Antamina (Peru) and higher production at Olympic Dam. Production from Cerro Colorado (Chile) continued to ramp up to near full operational capacity following an earthquake in June 2005.

Silver - Production was higher in the December 2005 half year primarily due to record production at Escondida reflecting increased throughput, inclusion of six months of production from Olympic Dam and improved mill throughput at Cannington (Australia).

December 2005 quarterly production was higher than the September 2005 quarter as a result of improved mill throughput at Cannington compared to the previous period and record quarterly production at Antamina.

Lead - December 2005 half year and quarterly production increased as a result of improved mill throughput at Cannington.

Uranium Oxide Concentrate - Production in the December 2005 quarter was in line with the September 2005 quarter.

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Iron ore ('000 tonnes)

48,211

24,610

2%

-1%

4%

Metallurgical Coal ('000 tonnes)

17,959

8,973

-5%

-7%

0%

Manganese Ores ('000 tonnes)

2,665

1,278

-3%

-6%

-8%

Manganese Alloys ('000 tonnes)

304

165

-24%

-20%

19%

Iron Ore - December 2005 half year and quarterly production was in line with the December 2004 comparative periods.

Production was higher in the December 2005 quarter than the September 2005 quarter following the impact of heavy rainfall and a derailment in the previous quarter. This was partly offset by the impact of Rapid Growth Project 2 tie-in activity during the December 2005 quarter.

Metallurgical Coal - Production for the half year and quarter ended December 2005 was lower than the half year and quarter ended December 2004. This primarily reflects reduced production at Queensland Coal (Australia) due to the depletion of reserves at Riverside, scheduled dragline outages at South Walker Creek and Saraji and increased maintenance at Blackwater. This was offset by the continued ramp up of Broadmeadow (Australia), commissioned in August 2005. Illawarra Coal (Australia) delivered strong production during the quarter with the ramp up of Dendrobium, which was commissioned in April 2005.

Production for the December 2005 quarter was in line with the September 2005 quarter.

Manganese ore - Production for the December 2005 half year and quarter was lower than all comparative periods as a result of lower market demand.

Manganese alloys - December 2005 half year and quarterly production decreased compared to the December 2004 comparative periods primarily reflecting lower market demand.

December 2005 quarterly production was higher than the September 2005 quarter due to scheduled maintenance at Metalloys (South Africa) in the previous period.

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

DIAMONDS & SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Diamonds ('000 carats)

1,466

614

-21%

-30%

-28%

Fertiliser ('000 tonnes)

497.5

252.6

n/a

n/a

3%

Diamonds - Carat production decreased in the half year ended December 2005 primarily reflecting the processing of lower grade ore at Ekati (Canada).

December 2005 quarterly production was lower than the September 2005 quarter as a result of reduced throughput and lower grade following changed ore sources within the mine.

Fertiliser - Record half year and quarterly production was achieved at Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations resulting from increased operating efficiency.

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

ENERGY COAL

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Energy Coal ('000 tonnes)

45,297

21,287

1%

0%

-11%

Energy Coal - Production for the half year ended December 2005 was in line with the December 2004 half year.

Production for the December 2005 quarter was lower than the September 2005 quarter, primarily reflecting lower seasonal demand for Ingwe (South Africa) domestic coal, return to normal longwall geological conditions at San Juan Coal (USA) following a record quarter in September 2005 due to unusually favourable conditions, and reduced yields and equipment availability combined with increased strip ratios at Hunter Valley Coal (Australia).

DEC

DEC

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

2005

2005

vs

vs

vs

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

HALF

QTR

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEPT Q05

Nickel ('000 tonnes)

93.1

49.0

137%

149%

11%

Nickel - Record production for the half year ended December 2005 primarily reflects inclusion of a full six months of production from Nickel West.

Production for the December 2005 quarter was higher than the September 2005 quarter as a result of higher production at Nickel West due to improved alignment of concentrate availability with smelter uptime. This was partly offset by increased maintenance and the continuing impact of expansion tie-ins at Yabulu (Australia).

****

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

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

United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

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

South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 or UK: +44 20 7802 4183
Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

 

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

% CHANGE

DEC H05

DEC Q05

DEC Q05

DEC

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

vs

vs

vs

2004

2005

2005

2005

2004

DEC H04

DEC Q04

SEP Q05

PETROLEUM

 

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

12,190

12,234

11,200

23,434

24,218

-3%

-8%

-8%

Natural gas

(bcf)

87.35

97.65

86.35

184.00

164.54

12%

-1%

-12%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

216.07

234.24

190.59

424.83

447.10

-5%

-12%

-19%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

27.20

28.02

24.72

52.74

54.95

-4%

-9%

-12%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

29.38

31.38

27.93

59.31

57.41

3%

-5%

-11%

ALUMINIUM

 

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,036

1,028

1,012

2,040

2,036

0%

-2%

-2%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

338

334

344

678

677

0%

2%

3%

BASE METALS

 

Copper

('000 tonnes)

265.7

308.9

328.4

637.3

514.5

24%

24%

6%

Lead

(tonnes)

71,509

64,873

77,187

142,060

136,419

4%

8%

19%

Zinc

(tonnes)

20,918

29,147

23,928

53,075

44,769

19%

14%

-18%

Gold

(ounces)

31,247

53,666

54,700

108,366

61,379

77%

75%

2%

Silver

('000 ounces)

12,353

11,362

13,866

25,228

24,121

5%

12%

22%

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

-

1,088

1,070

2,158

-

-

-

-2%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

560

573

772

1,345

883

52%

38%

35%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

 

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

24,916

23,601

24,610

48,211

47,461

2%

-1%

4%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

9,609

8,986

8,973

17,959

18,850

-5%

-7%

0%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,361

1,387

1,278

2,665

2,740

-3%

-6%

-8%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

207

139

165

304

402

-24%

-20%

19%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

872

852

614

1,466

1,858

-21%

-30%

-28%

Fertiliser

('000 tonnes)

-

244.9

252.6

497.5

-

-

-

3%

ENERGY COAL

 

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

21,389

24,010

21,287

45,297

44,634

1%

0%

-11%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

 

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

19.7

44.1

49.0

93.1

39.3

137%

149%

11%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

271

-

-

-

536

-

-

-

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

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

HALF YEAR ENDED

BHP Billiton

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

Interest

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

PETROLEUM

 

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

12,190

12,345

13,939

12,234

11,200

23,434

24,218

Natural gas

(bcf)

87.35

82.35

98.79

97.65

86.35

184.00

164.54

LPG

('000 tonnes)

216.07

199.29

213.71

234.24

190.59

424.83

447.10

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

27.20

23.61

22.97

28.02

24.72

52.74

54.95

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

29.38

28.49

33.13

31.38

27.93

59.31

57.41

ALUMINIUM

 

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

686

746

718

689

663

1,352

1,349

Suriname

45%

222

220

209

227

219

445

445

Alumar

36%

128

126

127

112

130

242

242

Total

1,036

1,092

1,054

1,028

1,012

2,039

2,036

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

171

169

172

172

177

349

344

Bayside

100%

46

45

29

41

46

88

92

Alumar

46.3%

45

43

44

45

45

90

89

Valesul

45.5%

11

10

11

11

10

21

22

Mozal

47%

65

65

65

65

66

132

130

Total

338

332

321

334

344

679

677

BASE METALS (a)

 

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

146.3

135.4

154.0

168.6

169.0

337.6

288.8

Antamina

33.8%

33.4

29.9

29.9

27.9

34.3

62.1

63.3

Tintaya (b)

100%

22.1

20.7

15.3

17.3

18.1

35.4

36.7

Total

201.8

186.0

199.2

213.8

221.4

435.1

388.8

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

22.2

21.8

21.4

19.6

20.0

39.6

44.1

Cerro Colorado (c)

100%

30.4

29.8

24.6

14.5

21.5

36.0

58.7

Tintaya (b)

100%

9.1

9.6

6.4

9.7

9.9

19.5

18.4

Pinto Valley

100%

2.3

2.4

2.1

2.2

2.1

4.3

4.6

Olympic Dam (d)

100%

-

-

16.1

49.1

53.5

102.6

-

Total

64.0

63.6

70.6

95.1

107.0

202.0

125.7

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

71,509

80,899

64,652

64,873

77,187

142,061

136,419

Total

71,509

80,899

64,652

64,873

77,187

142,061

136,419

ZINC

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

13,956

15,241

12,676

14,188

18,780

32,968

24,924

Antamina

33.8%

6,962

17,147

15,528

14,959

5,148

20,107

19,845

Total

20,918

32,388

28,204

29,147

23,928

53,075

44,769

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

 

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

24,475

25,987

20,774

19,194

19,200

38,394

49,845

Tintaya (b)

100%

6,772

6,165

4,066

8,048

8,200

16,248

11,534

Olympic Dam (d) (refined gold)

100%

-

-

7,042

26,424

27,300

53,724

-

Total

31,247

32,152

31,882

53,666

54,700

108,366

61,379

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

639

650

658

795

945

1,740

1,243

Antamina

33.8%

503

830

749

642

859

1,501

1,195

Tintaya (b)

100%

186

181

129

167

168

335

320

Cannington

100%

11,025

12,383

10,283

9,579

11,672

21,250

21,364

Olympic Dam (d) (refined silver)

100%

-

-

62

179

222

401

-

Total

12,353

14,044

11,881

11,362

13,866

25,228

24,121

URANIUM OXIDE CONCENTRATE

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Olympic Dam (d)

100%

-

-

415

1,088

1,070

2,158

-

Total

-

-

415

1,088

1,070

2,158

-

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

560

431

492

573

772

1,345

883

Total

560

431

492

573

772

1,345

883

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

 

IRON ORE (e)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,611

6,475

6,493

6,234

6,166

12,400

12,768

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,037

1,017

1,593

1,393

1,669

3,062

2,075

Area C Joint Venture

85%

4,358

4,451

4,813

4,286

4,969

9,255

7,348

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

9,238

8,713

8,943

8,409

8,372

16,781

18,005

Jimblebar

100%

1,622

1,509

1,558

1,398

1,569

2,967

3,297

Samarco

50%

2,050

1,823

1,896

1,881

1,865

3,746

3,968

Total

24,916

23,988

25,296

23,601

24,610

48,211

47,461

METALLURGICAL COAL (f)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

6,184

5,959

7,021

6,693

6,441

13,134

12,415

BHP Mitsui Coal (g)

80%

1,822

1,205

882

726

710

1,436

3,570

Illawarra

100%

1,603

1,719

1,667

1,567

1,822

3,389

2,865

Total

9,609

8,883

9,570

8,986

8,973

17,959

18,850

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

639

606

631

566

529

1,095

1,271

Australia (h)

60%

722

691

787

821

749

1,570

1,469

Total

1,361

1,297

1,418

1,387

1,278

2,665

2,740

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

 

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

136

137

98

79

105

184

257

Australia (h)

60%

71

60

58

60

60

120

145

Total

207

197

156

139

165

304

402

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

 

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati(TM)

80%

872

802

957

852

614

1,466

1,858

FERTILISER

Production ('000 tonnes)

Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations (i)

100%

-

-

73.9

244.9

252.6

497.5

-

ENERGY COAL

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,745

12,769

13,548

14,549

12,940

27,489

28,333

USA

100%

3,731

3,169

4,128

4,561

4,065

8,626

7,630

Australia

100%

2,189

2,258

2,823

2,568

2,045

4,613

4,784

Colombia

33%

1,724

1,883

2,204

2,332

2,237

4,569

3,887

Total

21,389

20,079

22,703

24,010

21,287

45,297

44,634

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

 

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

12.4

13.3

13.7

12.8

13.0

25.8

24.3

Yabulu

100%

7.3

7.5

8.9

6.1

5.9

12.0

15.0

Nickel West (j)

100%

-

-

9.2

25.2

30.1

55.3

-

Total

19.7

20.8

31.8

44.1

49.0

93.1

39.3

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h) (k)

60%

271

240

178

-

-

-

536

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

(b) Production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended on May 25, 2005 following civil unrest in the Espinar region.

Production recommenced on June 20, 2005.

(c) Production at Cerro Colorado was temporarily suspended on June 14, 2005 following an earthquake. Production

recommenced on June 30, 2005.

(d) BHP Billiton acquired Olympic Dam with the acquisition of WMC. Production data is shown from June 1, 2005.

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

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

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

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

(i) BHP Billiton acquired Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations (formerly Queensland Fertilizer Operations) with the acquisition of WMC.

Production data is shown from June 1, 2005.

(j) BHP Billiton acquired Nickel West with the acquisition of WMC. Production data is shown from June 1, 2005.

(k) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Samancor Chrome with effect from June 1, 2005.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

PETROLEUM

 

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

4,226

3,754

3,921

3,720

3,584

7,304

9,061

Minerva (a)

-

21

33

34

26

60

-

North West Shelf - condensate

1,274

1,305

1,431

1,370

1,405

2,775

2,604

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,272

1,535

1,571

1,149

979

2,128

2,747

Laminaria (b)

472

84

-

-

-

-

1,069

Griffin

473

403

453

436

344

780

887

Pakistan

54

58

49

49

54

103

104

Typhoon/Boris (c)

1,290

907

672

306

21

327

2,751

Mad Dog (a)

-

251

562

440

604

1,044

-

Other Americas

180

160

145

123

161

284

361

Angostura (a)

-

799

997

998

1,018

2,016

-

Liverpool Bay

1,858

1,289

1,625

1,160

1,161

2,321

3,202

Bruce/Keith

321

290

279

254

256

510

442

Ohanet

432

589

461

483

353

836

990

ROD (d)

338

900

1,740

1,712

1,234

2,946

338

Total

12,190

12,345

13,939

12,234

11,200

23,431

24,218

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

27.44

20.71

31.98

35.93

21.12

57.05

63.05

Minerva (a)

-

6.63

9.79

10.30

8.14

18.44

-

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.51

3.64

3.98

3.97

3.81

7.78

7.01

North West Shelf - LNG

22.36

20.81

22.14

21.19

23.16

44.35

40.14

Griffin

0.71

0.54

0.70

0.56

0.41

0.97

1.39

Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (e)

0.53

1.07

1.64

1.65

1.73

3.38

0.53

Illawarra Coal Bed Methane (f)

1.65

1.39

1.10

1.12

1.60

2.72

2.99

Pakistan

7.87

8.88

7.25

7.32

8.40

15.72

15.56

Typhoon/Boris (c)

2.53

1.32

0.95

0.46

0.01

0.47

4.85

Mad Dog (a)

-

0.03

0.18

0.08

0.12

0.21

-

Other Americas

2.05

1.76

1.88

1.89

1.00

2.89

4.04

Bruce/Keith

7.39

7.22

6.90

5.81

6.28

12.10

9.65

Liverpool Bay

11.31

8.35

10.30

7.37

10.57

17.94

15.33

Total

87.35

82.35

98.79

97.65

86.35

184.00

164.54

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

127.70

108.56

128.50

143.55

108.47

252.02

273.55

North West Shelf

29.43

32.28

33.15

39.64

40.05

79.69

64.09

Bruce/Keith

18.65

17.85

16.53

13.73

15.21

28.94

25.58

Ohanet

40.29

40.60

35.53

37.32

26.86

64.18

83.88

Total

216.07

199.29

213.71

234.24

190.59

424.83

447.10

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

27.20

23.61

22.97

28.02

24.72

52.74

54.95

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

29.38

28.49

33.13

31.38

27.93

59.31

57.41

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (g)

(a) Minerva, Mad Dog and Angostura commenced production in January 2005.

(b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Laminaria with effect from January 14, 2005.

(c) Typhoon/Boris production was suspended in September 2005 following severe hurricane damage sustained to the Typhoon

platform.

(d) ROD commenced production in October 2004.

(e) Moranbah Coal Bed Methane commenced production in September 2004 and was first reported in December 2004.

(f) Illawarra Coal Bed Methane production was first reported in December 2004.

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

6000 cf of natural gas equals 1 boe; 1 tonne of LPG equals 11.6 boe; 1 tonne of ethane equals 4.4667 boe.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

ALUMINIUM

 

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

686

746

718

689

663

1,352

1,349

Paranam, Suriname

222

220

209

227

219

445

445

Alumar, Brazil

128

126

127

112

130

242

242

Total

1,036

1,092

1,054

1,028

1,012

2,040

2,036

Sales

Worsley, Australia

681

734

774

584

710

1,294

1,348

Paranam, Suriname

221

210

221

203

249

452

460

Alumar, Brazil

131

118

146

107

121

228

260

Total (a)

1,033

1,062

1,141

894

1,080

1,974

2,068

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

171

169

172

172

177

349

344

Bayside, South Africa

46

45

29

41

46

87

92

Alumar, Brazil

45

43

44

45

45

90

89

Valesul, Brazil

11

10

11

11

10

21

22

Mozal, Mozambique

65

65

65

65

66

131

130

Total

338

332

321

334

344

678

677

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

189

153

185

168

175

343

344

Bayside, South Africa

41

39

45

34

43

77

86

Alumar, Brazil

44

43

46

42

44

86

87

Valesul, Brazil

11

11

10

11

12

23

23

Mozal, Mozambique

69

62

74

54

79

133

128

Total

354

308

360

309

353

662

668

Tolling Agreement (a)

22

24

25

23

22

44

45

376

332

385

332

375

706

713

(a) Equity Alumina is converted into Aluminium under a third party tolling agreement. These tonnages were previously reported under

third party trading and are now allocated to equity sales.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

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)

97,512

90,838

85,592

90,919

92,155

183,074

197,978

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

20,926

19,913

21,725

22,255

22,161

44,416

41,563

Average copper grade

(%)

1.47%

1.41%

1.51%

1.59%

1.59%

1.59%

1.47%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

265.1

241.1

277.8

304.4

304.0

608.4

521.9

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

146.3

135.4

154.0

168.6

169.0

337.6

288.8

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

24,475

25,987

20,774

19,194

19,200

38,393

49,845

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

22.2

21.8

21.4

19.6

20.0

39.6

44.1

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

639

650

658

795

945

1,740

1,243

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

148.3

137.1

145.9

169.4

160.7

330.1

288.3

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

25,462

27,882

19,816

19,294

18,145

37,438

50,194

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

22.7

18.6

26.8

19.3

19.4

38.7

45.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

690

712

631

803

892

1,694

1,272

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,486

17,575

12,385

17,228

17,107

34,335

36,162

Sulphide Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,564

1,560

1,086

1,546

1,734

3,280

3,185

Average copper grade

(%)

1.64%

1.56%

1.67%

1.33%

1.26%

1.29%

1.39%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

22.1

20.7

15.3

17.3

18.1

35.4

36.7

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

6,772

6,165

4,066

8,048

8,200

16,248

11,534

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

9.1

9.6

6.4

9.7

9.9

19.6

18.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

186

181

129

167

168

335

320

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

25.9

23.3

17.2

17.0

19.4

36.4

31.6

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

8,491

7,593

7,073

6,783

8,376

15,159

9,710

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

8.1

9.2

8.2

10.3

9.8

20.1

18.5

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

234

193

160

161

207

368

298

(a) Production at Tintaya was temporarily suspended on May 25, 2005 following civil unrest in the Espinar region.

Production recommenced on June 20, 2005.

Cerro Colorado, Chile (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

16,378

16,856

14,805

16,696

17,107

33,803

33,932

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,362

3,865

3,144

3,344

4,348

7,693

8,594

Average copper grade

(%)

0.91%

1.00%

0.83%

0.79%

0.90%

0.85%

0.89%

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

30.4

29.8

24.6

14.5

21.5

36.0

58.7

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

28.2

32.5

24.8

15.0

19.7

34.7

57.1

(a) Production at Cerro Colorado was temporarily suspended on June 14, 2005 following an earthquake.

Production recommenced on June 30, 2005.

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

33,201

30,808

31,802

32,839

32,598

65,437

66,378

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

8,027

7,072

7,557

7,367

8,349

15,716

16,096

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.45%

1.41%

1.35%

1.30%

1.36%

1.33%

1.36%

- Zinc

(%)

0.47%

1.16%

1.09%

1.04%

0.51%

0.76%

0.75%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

33.4

29.9

29.9

27.9

34.3

62.1

63.3

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

6,962

17,147

15,528

14,959

5,148

20,107

19,845

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

503

830

749

642

859

1,501

1,195

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

560

431

492

573

772

1,345

883

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

32.2

30.0

28.7

30.7

35.5

66.2

64.3

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

4,185

18,293

15,066

13,203

7,894

21,097

17,802

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

632

718

769

669

813

1,482

1,256

Payable molybdenum

(tonnes)

300

592

587

538

751

1,289

460

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

844

885

880

910

887

1,797

1,672

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

825

788

746

772

850

1,622

1,555

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

500

571

482

453

493

474

502

- Lead

(%)

10.0%

11.9%

9.8%

9.9%

9.7%

9.8%

10.1%

- Zinc

(%)

3.1%

3.5%

3.0%

3.3%

3.5%

3.4%

3.1%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

11,025

12,383

10,283

9,579

11,672

21,251

21,364

Payable lead

(tonnes)

71,509

80,899

64,652

64,873

77,187

142,060

136,419

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

13,956

15,241

12,676

14,188

18,780

32,968

24,924

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,006

13,514

12,265

9,078

11,972

21,050

18,272

Payable lead

(tonnes)

57,286

88,237

76,680

59,942

79,474

139,416

120,060

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

9,146

18,628

13,415

10,676

16,814

27,490

21,316

Olympic Dam, Australia (a)

Material mined (b)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

855

2,007

2,145

4,152

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

933

2,345

2,430

4,775

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

2.15%

2.26%

2.32%

2.29%

-

Average uranium grade

kg/t

-

-

0.60

0.64

0.65

0.65

-

Production

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

14.5

44.2

48.6

92.8

-

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

1.6

4.9

4.9

9.8

-

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

-

-

415

1,088

1,070

2,158

-

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

-

-

7,042

26,424

27,300

53,724

-

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

-

-

62

179

222

401

-

Sales

Copper cathode (ER)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

16.2

47.5

44.9

92.4

-

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

1.1

5.2

5.8

11.0

-

Uranium oxide concentrate

(tonnes)

-

-

391

879

1,287

2,165

-

Refined gold

(fine ounces)

-

-

10,555

21,192

26,369

47,562

-

Refined silver

('000 ounces)

-

-

68

144

254

398

-

(a) BHP Billiton acquired Olympic Dam with the acquisition of WMC. Production data was first reported from June 1, 2005.

(b) Material mined refers to run of mine ore mined and hoisted.

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

2.3

2.4

2.1

2.2

2.1

4.3

4.6

Sales

Copper cathode (EW)

('000 tonnes)

1.8

2.8

2.3

2.3

2.6

4.9

3.3

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

 

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

6,611

6,475

6,493

6,234

6,166

12,400

12,768

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

1,037

1,017

1,593

1,393

1,669

3,062

2,075

Area C Joint Venture

4,358

4,451

4,813

4,286

4,969

9,255

7,348

Yandi Joint Venture

9,238

8,713

8,943

8,409

8,372

16,781

18,005

Jimblebar

1,622

1,509

1,558

1,398

1,569

2,967

3,297

Total (BHP Billiton share)

22,866

22,165

23,400

21,720

22,745

44,465

43,493

Total production (100%)

26,615

25,810

27,254

25,306

26,760

52,066

50,586

Sales

Lump

5,944

5,757

6,849

5,879

6,483

12,362

11,477

Fines

16,096

15,909

17,052

15,702

16,357

32,059

30,620

Total (BHP Billiton share)

22,040

21,666

23,901

21,581

22,840

44,421

42,097

Total shipments (100%)

25,929

25,489

28,119

25,389

26,871

52,260

49,526

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

Samarco, Brazil

Production

2,050

1,823

1,896

1,881

1,865

3,746

3,968

Shipments

2,142

1,768

1,728

1,900

2,155

4,055

4,118

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,709

1,615

1,603

1,627

1,409

3,036

3,347

Goonyella

1,254

1,355

1,740

1,609

1,921

3,530

2,366

Peak Downs

1,164

842

1,322

1,250

1,186

2,436

2,362

Saraji

812

752

878

675

602

1,277

1,621

Norwich Park

680

664

836

759

678

1,437

1,380

Gregory Joint Venture

565

731

642

773

645

1,418

1,339

BMA total

6,184

5,959

7,021

6,693

6,441

13,134

12,415

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

951

480

43

-

-

-

1,861

South Walker Creek

871

725

839

726

710

1,436

1,709

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,822

1,205

882

726

710

1,436

3,570

Queensland total

8,006

7,164

7,903

7,419

7,151

14,570

15,985

Shipments

Coking coal

5,801

5,440

5,705

4,869

4,987

9,856

10,989

Weak coking coal

1,722

1,609

1,619

1,207

1,366

2,573

3,387

Thermal coal

527

632

815

579

403

982

1,270

Total

8,050

7,681

8,139

6,655

6,756

13,411

15,646

(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

1,603

1,719

1,667

1,567

1,822

3,389

2,865

Shipments

Coking coal

1,610

1,447

1,500

1,190

1,457

2,647

2,707

Thermal coal

144

93

27

383

103

486

226

Total

1,754

1,540

1,527

1,573

1,560

3,133

2,933

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

639

606

631

566

529

1,095

1,271

Australia

Saleable production (a)

722

691

787

821

749

1,570

1,469

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

136

137

98

79

105

184

257

Australia

Saleable production (a)

71

60

58

60

60

120

145

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

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

 

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati(TM), Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,094

1,101

1,216

1,158

962

2,120

2,278

Production

('000 carats)

872

802

957

852

614

1,466

1,858

FERTILISER

Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations, Australia (a)

Production (b)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

73.9

244.9

252.6

497.5

-

Sales (b)

('000 tonnes)

-

-

105.9

175.5

221.2

396.7

-

(a) BHP Billiton acquired Southern Cross Fertiliser Operations (formerly Queensland Fertilizer Operations) with the acquisition of WMC. Production data was first reported from June 1, 2005.

(b) Includes diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

 

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

ENERGY COAL

 

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,745

12,769

13,548

14,549

12,940

27,489

28,333

Sales

Export

4,750

5,082

5,094

5,436

6,273

11,709

10,301

Local utility

8,106

7,069

7,560

8,013

7,250

15,263

16,652

Inland

308

353

186

309

268

577

691

Total

13,164

12,504

12,840

13,758

13,791

27,549

27,644

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,765

2,008

2,389

2,238

2,252

4,490

3,848

San Juan Coal

1,966

1,161

1,739

2,323

1,813

4,136

3,782

Total

3,731

3,169

4,128

4,561

4,065

8,626

7,630

Sales - local utility

3,739

3,447

3,319

3,769

3,628

7,397

7,636

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

2,189

2,258

2,823

2,568

2,045

4,613

4,784

Sales

Export

1,201

1,866

1,746

1,570

1,312

2,882

2,641

Inland

595

872

1,186

983

793

1,776

1,815

Total

1,796

2,738

2,932

2,553

2,105

4,658

4,456

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

1,724

1,883

2,204

2,332

2,237

4,569

3,887

Sales - export

1,954

1,927

2,338

2,170

2,087

4,257

4,120

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2005

2004

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

 

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.4

13.3

13.7

12.8

13.0

25.8

24.3

Sales

13.3

13.4

12.8

11.1

14.2

25.3

23.9

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel metal

7.3

7.5

8.9

6.1

5.9

12.0

15.0

Cobalt

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.5

0.9

Sales

Nickel metal

7.8

7.7

8.3

6.3

6.6

12.9

15.5

Cobalt

0.5

0.3

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.7

0.9

Nickel West, Australia (a)

Production

Nickel contained in finished matte

-

-

3.3

9.7

13.9

23.6

-

Nickel metal

-

-

5.9

15.5

16.2

31.7

-

Nickel production

-

-

9.2

25.2

30.1

55.3

-

Sales

Nickel contained in finished matte

-

-

3.5

7.6

14.3

21.9

-

Nickel metal

-

-

4.7

15.9

15.5

31.4

-

Nickel sales

-

-

8.2

23.5

29.8

53.3

-

(a) BHP Billiton acquired Nickel West with the acquisition of WMC. Production data was first reported from June 1, 2005.

FERROCHROME

South Africa (a)

Saleable production (b)

271

240

178

-

-

-

536

(a) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Samancor Chrome with effect from June 1, 2005.

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

 

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

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

                                                                    The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
    BHP Billiton Limited
     
Date: 24 January 2006 By:

Karen Wood
  Name:  Karen Wood
  Title: Company Secretary