BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

__________________________________________________________________________________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

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

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 21 October 2004

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

180 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne Victoria 3000

Australia

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

 

Form 20-F X   Form 40-F  

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

 

Yes     No X

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


 

Date

21 October 2004

Number

32/04

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
 30 SEPTEMBER 2004


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

  • Record quarterly aluminium production of 339 thousand tonnes.

  • Record quarterly manganese ore production of 1.4 million tonnes (100% basis).

  • Continued ramp up of operating capacity at Western Australian Iron Ore operations, with record quarterly production of 23.5 million tonnes (100% basis).

  • First shipment of LNG from the newly commissioned North West Shelf (Australia) fourth train.

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION SUMMARY

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

% CHANGE

SEP Q04

SEP Q04

SEPT

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

vs

vs

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

SEP Q03

JUN Q04

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

15,512

13,297

12,366

12,366

15,512

-20%

-7%

Natural gas

(bcf)

85.19

85.11

75.85

75.85

85.19

-11%

-11%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

199.33

235.86

214.93

214.93

199.33

8%

-9%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

27.32

25.14

27.75

27.75

27.32

2%

10%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

32.13

30.32

27.63

27.63

32.13

-14%

-9%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,053

1,059

1,000

1,000

1,053

-5%

-6%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

282

333

339

339

282

20%

2%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

214.5

272.6

248.8

248.8

214.5

16%

-9%

Lead

(tonnes)

59,364

64,472

64,910

64,910

59,364

9%

1%

Zinc

(tonnes)

49,094

29,038

23,851

23,851

49,094

-51%

-18%

Gold

(ounces)

29,170

31,145

30,132

30,132

29,170

3%

-3%

Silver

('000 ounces)

10,596

11,053

11,769

11,769

10,596

11%

6%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

325

240

323

323

325

-1%

35%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

20,870

20,537

22,545

22,545

20,870

8%

10%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

9,099

9,284

9,277

9,277

9,099

2%

0%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,153

1,337

1,379

1,379

1,153

20%

3%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

147

203

195

195

147

33%

-4%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

496

294

-

-

496

-100%

-100%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

1,552

1,211

986

986

1,552

-36%

-19%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

21,134

21,494

23,245

23,245

21,134

10%

8%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

20.6

19.9

19.6

19.6

20.6

-5%

-2%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

227

264

265

265

227

17%

0%

 

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

BHP Billiton

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

Interest

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

15,512

14,877

14,341

13,297

12,366

12,366

15,512

Natural gas

(bcf)

85.19

77.57

76.47

85.11

75.85

75.85

85.19

LPG

('000 tonnes)

199.33

200.51

217.83

235.86

214.93

214.93

199.33

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

27.32

25.25

16.59

25.14

27.75

27.75

27.32

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

32.13

30.24

29.78

30.32

27.63

27.63

32.13

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

699

700

704

696

663

663

699

Suriname

45%

227

230

228

233

223

223

227

Alumar

36%

127

120

130

130

114

114

127

Total

1,053

1,050

1,062

1,059

1,000

1,000

1,053

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

135

151

169

167

173

173

135

Bayside

100%

47

46

45

46

46

46

47

Alumar

46.3%

31

36

44

45

44

44

31

Valesul

45.5%

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

Mozal

47%

58

64

64

64

65

65

58

Total

282

308

333

333

339

339

282

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

115.9

109.1

130.8

159.1

142.5

142.5

115.9

Tintaya (b)

100%

-

15.0

22.9

19.6

14.6

14.6

-

Antamina

33.8%

16.9

20.5

24.6

29.9

29.9

29.9

16.9

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

14.1

14.2

-

-

-

-

14.1

Selbaie (d)

100%

1.6

1.8

0.8

-

-

-

1.6

Total

148.5

160.6

179.1

208.6

187.0

187.0

148.5

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

21.4

21.8

21.7

21.8

21.9

21.9

21.4

Cerro Colorado

100%

33.1

33.0

28.1

31.3

28.3

28.3

33.1

Tintaya (b)

100%

9.0

9.0

9.3

8.7

9.3

9.3

9.0

Pinto Valley

100%

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.5

Total

66.0

66.2

61.5

64.0

61.8

61.8

66.0

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

59,364

55,211

70,838

64,472

64,910

64,910

59,364

Total

59,364

55,211

70,838

64,472

64,910

64,910

59,364

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

14,850

11,692

13,589

13,493

10,968

10,968

14,850

Antamina

33.8%

27,933

27,026

19,099

15,545

12,883

12,883

27,933

Selbaie (d)

100%

6,311

7,194

2,506

-

-

-

6,311

Total

49,094

45,912

35,194

29,038

23,851

23,851

49,094

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

25,016

24,833

27,492

26,044

25,370

25,370

25,016

Tintaya (b)

100%

-

2,658

4,009

5,101

4,762

4,762

-

Selbaie (d)

100%

3,129

3,428

1,413

-

-

-

3,129

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

1,025

1,166

-

-

-

-

1,025

Total

29,170

32,085

32,914

31,145

30,132

30,132

29,170

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

9,177

8,287

10,485

9,471

10,339

10,339

9,177

Escondida

57.5%

561

550

614

720

604

604

561

Antamina

33.8%

435

494

588

662

692

692

435

Tintaya (b)

100.0%

-

170

239

200

134

134

-

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

160

163

-

-

-

-

160

Selbaie (d)

100%

263

316

138

-

-

-

263

Total

10,596

9,980

12,064

11,053

11,769

11,769

10,596

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

25

20

81

240

323

323

25

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

300

270

-

-

-

-

300

Total

325

290

81

240

323

323

325

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (e)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,639

6,707

6,031

5,084

6,157

6,157

6,639

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,633

1,477

1,348

1,386

1,038

1,038

1,633

Area C Joint Venture (f)

85%

341

1,048

1,768

2,519

2,990

2,990

341

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

8,679

9,005

8,429

8,046

8,767

8,767

8,679

Jimblebar

100%

1,622

1,520

1,647

1,566

1,675

1,675

1,622

Samarco

50%

1,956

1,971

1,862

1,936

1,918

1,918

1,956

Total

20,870

21,728

21,085

20,537

22,545

22,545

20,870

METALLURGICAL COAL (g)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,591

5,395

5,263

6,285

6,231

6,231

5,591

BHP Mitsui Coal (h)

80%

1,926

1,591

1,811

1,653

1,748

1,748

1,926

Illawarra

100%

1,582

1,459

1,458

1,346

1,298

1,298

1,582

Total

9,099

8,445

8,532

9,284

9,277

9,277

9,099

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

600

651

604

647

632

632

600

Australia (i)

60%

553

548

660

690

747

747

553

Total

1,153

1,199

1,264

1,337

1,379

1,379

1,153

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

93

122

116

131

121

121

93

Australia (i)

60%

54

61

63

72

74

74

54

Total

147

183

179

203

195

195

147

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie(TM) Iron (j)

100%

496

527

399

294

-

-

496

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati(TM)

80%

1,552

1,704

1,015

1,211

986

986

1,552

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,782

13,472

13,231

13,768

14,588

14,588

13,782

USA

100%

3,560

2,829

3,687

3,154

3,899

3,899

3,560

Australia

100%

1,756

2,054

2,318

2,590

2,595

2,595

1,756

Colombia

33%

2,036

1,623

2,043

1,982

2,163

2,163

2,036

Total

21,134

19,978

21,279

21,494

23,245

23,245

21,134

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

12.4

12.2

12.5

12.0

11.9

11.9

12.4

Yabulu

100%

8.2

7.8

8.7

7.9

7.7

7.7

8.2

Total

20.6

20.0

21.2

19.9

19.6

19.6

20.6

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

227

269

266

264

265

265

227

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

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

and recommenced during August 2003.

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

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

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

(f) Production commenced in May 2003.

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

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

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

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

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

5,872

5,333

5,174

4,641

4,835

4,835

5,872

North West Shelf - condensate

1,491

1,204

1,352

1,367

1,330

1,330

1,491

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,604

1,675

1,519

1,357

1,475

1,475

1,604

Laminaria

1,151

966

928

803

597

597

1,151

Griffin

742

563

380

585

414

414

742

Pakistan

53

53

50

49

50

50

53

Typhoon/Boris (a)

1,214

1,605

1,457

1,462

1,461

1,461

1,214

Americas

608

586

332

213

181

181

608

Liverpool Bay

2,324

2,061

1,926

1,788

1,344

1,344

2,324

Bruce/Keith

453

387

423

388

121

121

453

Algeria (b)

-

444

800

644

558

558

-

Total

15,512

14,877

14,341

13,297

12,366

12,366

15,512

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

33.04

23.86

24.95

34.62

35.61

35.61

33.04

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.99

3.95

3.91

3.76

3.50

3.50

3.99

North West Shelf - LNG

16.74

14.93

13.74

15.43

17.78

17.78

16.74

Griffin

0.96

0.90

0.44

0.67

0.68

0.68

0.96

Pakistan

7.86

7.83

7.51

7.10

7.69

7.69

7.86

Typhoon/Boris (a)

1.58

2.41

2.14

2.13

2.32

2.32

1.58

Americas

3.25

3.73

2.60

2.75

1.99

1.99

3.25

Bruce

8.77

8.52

9.27

8.29

2.23

2.23

8.77

Keith

0.11

0.08

0.17

0.20

0.03

0.03

0.11

Liverpool Bay

8.89

11.36

11.74

10.16

4.02

4.02

8.89

Total

85.19

77.57

76.47

85.11

75.85

75.85

85.19

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

150.19

130.02

111.26

136.52

145.85

145.85

150.19

North West Shelf

34.21

28.11

29.59

32.95

34.66

34.66

34.21

Bruce

14.12

17.71

18.40

18.64

6.63

6.63

14.12

Keith

0.81

0.31

0.82

0.63

0.30

0.30

0.81

Algeria (b)

-

24.36

57.76

47.12

27.49

27.49

-

Total

199.33

200.51

217.83

235.86

214.93

214.93

199.33

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

27.32

25.25

16.59

25.14

27.75

27.75

27.32

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

32.13

30.24

29.78

30.32

27.63

27.63

32.13

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (c)

(a) Boris commenced production in February 2003.

(b) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003.

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

     6000 scf of natural gas equals 1 boe

     1 tonne of LPG equals 11.6 boe

     1 tonne of ethane equals 4.4667 boe

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

699

700

704

696

663

663

699

Paranam, Suriname

227

230

228

233

223

223

227

Alumar, Brazil

127

120

130

130

114

114

127

Total

1,053

1,050

1,062

1,059

1,000

1,000

1,053

Sales

Worsley, Australia

697

740

652

732

667

667

697

Paranam, Suriname

221

250

233

214

239

239

221

Alumar, Brazil

120

128

144

111

129

129

120

Total

1,038

1,118

1,029

1,057

1,035

1,035

1,038

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

135

151

169

167

173

173

135

Bayside, South Africa

47

46

45

46

46

46

47

Alumar, Brazil

31

36

44

45

44

44

31

Valesul, Brazil

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

Mozal, Mozambique

58

64

64

64

65

65

58

Total

282

308

333

333

339

339

282

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

134

145

176

171

155

155

134

Bayside, South Africa

54

35

49

45

45

45

54

Alumar, Brazil

38

25

39

55

43

43

38

Valesul, Brazil

11

12

11

12

12

12

11

Mozal, Mozambique

61

40

78

56

59

59

61

Total

298

257

353

339

314

314

298

 

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

BASE METALS

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

Escondida, Chile

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

69,342

82,909

83,640

95,757

100,466

100,466

69,342

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

18,888

18,299

19,620

21,197

20,637

20,637

18,888

Average copper grade

(%)

1.33%

1.31%

1.48%

1.61%

1.47%

1.47%

1.33%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

208.2

197.1

239.6

284.2

256.8

256.8

208.2

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

115.9

109.1

130.8

159.1

142.5

142.5

115.9

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

25,016

24,833

27,492

26,044

25,370

25,370

25,016

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

21.4

21.8

21.7

21.8

21.9

21.9

21.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

561

550

614

720

604

604

561

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

116.2

114.8

127.3

150.4

140.0

140.0

116.2

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

25,335

26,984

28,545

24,874

24,732

24,732

25,335

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

18.1

23.8

26.2

21.3

22.7

22.7

18.1

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

574

634

612

683

582

582

574

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

4,151

17,450

17,206

17,944

18,676

18,676

4,151

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

1,408

1,609

1,616

1,621

1,621

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

1.38%

1.61%

1.45%

1.14%

1.14%

-

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

15.0

22.9

19.6

14.6

14.6

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

2,658

4,009

5,101

4,762

4,762

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

9.0

9.0

9.3

8.7

9.3

9.3

9.0

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

170

239

200

134

134

-

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

10.6

23.1

20.6

5.7

5.7

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

3,086

4,372

4,100

1,219

1,219

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.9

8.7

8.2

8.4

10.4

10.4

8.9

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

-

100.0

240.1

226.4

64.0

64.0

-

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

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

20,332

19,855

16,199

16,697

17,554

17,554

20,332

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,346

4,405

3,700

4,330

4,232

4,232

4,346

Average copper grade

(%)

0.99%

1.00%

0.92%

0.90%

0.87%

0.87%

0.99%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

33.1

33.0

28.1

31.3

28.3

28.3

33.1

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

28.9

35.2

27.8

35.5

28.9

28.9

28.9

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

30,174

28,474

28,588

36,035

33,177

33,177

30,174

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,018

7,273

6,954

8,205

8,069

8,069

6,018

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.17%

1.17%

1.26%

1.37%

1.26%

1.26%

1.17%

- Zinc

(%)

2.17%

1.77%

1.48%

0.97%

1.02%

1.02%

2.17%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

16.9

20.5

24.6

29.9

29.9

29.9

16.9

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

27,933

27,026

19,099

15,545

12,883

12,883

27,933

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

435

494

588

662

692

692

435

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.03

0.02

0.08

0.24

0.32

0.32

0.03

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

18.6

22.6

20.2

26.4

32.1

32.1

18.6

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

26,781

26,928

14,219

19,931

13,617

13,617

26,781

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

420

491

423

655

624

624

420

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.01

0.03

0.04

0.11

0.16

0.16

0.01

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

637

699

729

681

828

828

637

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

589

598

698

724

730

730

589

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

564

497

539

486

504

504

564

- Lead

(%)

11.5%

10.5%

11.4%

10.8%

10.3%

10.3%

11.5%

- Zinc

(%)

4.0%

3.4%

3.5%

3.4%

3.1%

3.1%

4.0%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,177

8,287

10,485

9,471

10,339

10,339

9,177

Payable lead

(tonnes)

59,364

55,211

70,838

64,472

64,910

64,910

59,364

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

14,850

11,692

13,589

13,493

10,968

10,968

14,850

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

6,765

10,716

8,569

12,583

9,266

9,266

6,765

Payable lead

(tonnes)

43,953

69,447

56,259

84,315

62,774

62,774

43,953

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

16,223

15,443

12,790

13,410

12,170

12,170

16,223

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.5

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.3

2.5

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.5

2.4

2.3

2.3

1.5

1.5

2.5

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

6,639

6,707

6,031

5,084

6,157

6,157

6,639

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

1,633

1,477

1,348

1,386

1,038

1,038

1,633

Area C Joint Venture (b)

341

1,048

1,768

2,519

2,990

2,990

341

Yandi Joint Venture

8,679

9,005

8,429

8,046

8,767

8,767

8,679

Jimblebar

1,622

1,520

1,647

1,566

1,675

1,675

1,622

Total (BHP Billiton share)

18,914

19,757

19,223

18,601

20,627

20,627

18,914

Total production (100%)

21,965

22,975

22,326

21,608

23,517

23,517

21,965

Shipments

Lump

4,898

5,169

5,402

5,064

5,532

5,532

4,898

Fines

13,334

13,968

13,181

14,067

14,457

14,457

13,334

Total (BHP Billiton share)

18,232

19,137

18,583

19,131

19,989

19,989

18,232

Total shipments (100%)

21,450

22,515

21,862

22,507

23,971

23,971

21,450

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

(b) Production commenced in May 2003.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,956

1,971

1,862

1,936

1,918

1,918

1,956

Shipments

2,013

1,886

1,918

1,994

1,976

1,976

2,013

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,578

1,581

1,508

1,864

1,638

1,638

1,578

Goonyella

994

829

1,019

935

1,112

1,112

994

Peak Downs

1,004

1,004

881

1,223

1,198

1,198

1,004

Saraji

747

655

703

806

809

809

747

Norwich Park

524

582

556

682

700

700

524

Gregory Joint Venture

744

744

596

775

774

774

744

BMA total

5,591

5,395

5,263

6,285

6,231

6,231

5,591

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

969

812

967

575

910

910

969

South Walker Creek

957

779

844

1,078

838

838

957

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,926

1,591

1,811

1,653

1,748

1,748

1,926

Queensland total

7,517

6,986

7,074

7,938

7,979

7,979

7,517

Shipments

Coking coal

4,838

5,258

5,116

4,777

5,188

5,188

4,838

Weak coking coal

1,617

1,649

1,585

1,569

1,665

1,665

1,617

Thermal coal

801

987

803

756

743

743

801

Total

7,256

7,894

7,504

7,102

7,596

7,596

7,256

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

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

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,582

1,459

1,458

1,346

1,298

1,298

1,582

Shipments

Coking coal

1,513

1,293

1,359

1,215

1,097

1,097

1,513

Thermal coal

91

47

134

114

82

82

91

Total

1,604

1,340

1,493

1,329

1,179

1,179

1,604

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

600

651

604

647

632

632

600

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

553

548

660

690

747

747

553

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

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

93

122

116

131

121

121

93

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

54

61

63

72

74

74

54

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

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie(TM) Iron, Australia

Production (a)

496

527

399

294

-

-

496

Shipments

435

570

436

318

-

-

435

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

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati(TM), Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

1,064

1,123

1,052

1,207

1,184

1,184

1,064

Production

('000 carats)

1,552

1,704

1,015

1,211

986

986

1,552

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,782

13,472

13,231

13,768

14,588

14,588

13,782

Sales

Export

5,274

5,500

5,354

4,830

5,551

5,551

5,274

Local utility

8,215

7,701

7,579

8,426

8,546

8,546

8,215

Inland

338

326

330

361

383

383

338

Total

13,827

13,527

13,263

13,617

14,480

14,480

13,827

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

2,240

1,553

1,709

1,714

2,083

2,083

2,240

San Juan Coal

1,320

1,276

1,978

1,440

1,816

1,816

1,320

Total

3,560

2,829

3,687

3,154

3,899

3,899

3,560

Sales - local utility

3,713

3,327

3,213

3,353

3,897

3,897

3,713

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

1,756

2,054

2,318

2,590

2,595

2,595

1,756

Sales

Export

952

861

1,729

1,734

1,440

1,440

952

Inland

873

633

1,044

958

1,220

1,220

873

Total

1,825

1,494

2,773

2,692

2,660

2,660

1,825

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

2,036

1,623

2,043

1,982

2,163

2,163

2,036

Sales - export

1,966

1,999

1,828

2,283

2,166

2,166

1,966

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2003

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.4

12.2

12.5

12.0

11.9

11.9

12.4

Sales

11.1

13.1

11.2

12.8

10.6

10.6

11.1

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

8.2

7.8

8.7

7.9

7.7

7.7

8.2

Cobalt

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

Sales

Nickel

7.8

8.4

8.0

7.9

7.7

7.7

7.8

Cobalt

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

227

269

266

264

265

265

227

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

 

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

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

                                                                    The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURES

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

BHP BILLITON LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________

Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date:
21 October 2004