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  23 April 2003

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

600 Bourke 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):


 

23 April 2003
Number: 13/03

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2003

 

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 March 2003.

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

Australia
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259
email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com

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

Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com

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

9 MONTHS ENDED

% CHANGE

MAR Q03

MAR Q03

YTD 03

MARCH

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

vs

vs

vs

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

MAR Q02

DEC Q02

YTD 02

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

19,644

16,398

15,310

50,258

58,787

-22%

-7%

-15%

Natural gas

(bcf)

66.30

69.41

66.99

208.26

212.82

1%

-3%

-2%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

161.20

167.97

160.62

537.55

517.13

0%

-4%

4%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

18.87

19.91

22.35

69.93

61.51

18%

12%

14%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

996

998

1,003

3,032

2,925

1%

1%

4%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

250

266

267

801

729

7%

0%

10%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

187.6

225.6

231.3

641.4

610.8

23%

3%

5%

Lead

(tonnes)

64,064

58,345

59,065

180,653

171,298

-8%

1%

5%

Zinc

(tonnes)

47,147

44,115

46,755

139,412

123,551

-1%

6%

13%

Gold

(ounces)

68,216

69,175

57,802

182,130

214,973

-15%

-16%

-15%

Silver

('000 ounces)

11,604

9,870

10,355

31,485

30,074

-11%

5%

5%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

121

250

260

730

426

115%

4%

71%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

16,464

18,447

17,237

54,312

50,827

5%

-7%

7%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,989

8,390

8,556

25,596

26,173

-5%

2%

-2%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

891

1,059

890

3,044

2,751

0%

-16%

11%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

166

190

177

542

449

7%

-7%

21%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

277

414

465

1,212

1,047

68%

12%

16%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

932

1,071

1,015

3,040

2,627

9%

-5%

16%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

19,236

20,648

19,707

59,684

62,264

2%

-5%

-4%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

17.8

19.4

18.6

57.1

51.2

4%

-4%

12%

Chrome ores

('000 tonnes)

549

714

679

2,106

1,787

24%

-5%

18%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

201

230

263

731

614

31%

14%

19%

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

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

BHP Billiton

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

Interest

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

19,644

19,732

18,550

16,398

15,310

50,258

58,787

Natural gas

(bcf)

66.30

70.66

71.86

69.41

66.99

208.26

212.82

LPG

('000 tonnes)

161.20

180.43

208.96

167.97

160.62

537.55

517.13

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

18.87

25.62

27.67

19.91

22.35

69.93

61.51

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

677

686

698

662

658

2,018

2,010

Suriname

45%

208

215

221

213

222

656

636

Alumar

36%

111

117

112

123

123

358

279

Total

996

1,018

1,031

998

1,003

3,032

2,925

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

127

132

135

134

133

402

369

Bayside

100%

43

43

46

45

48

139

132

Alumar

46.3%

40

46

44

44

45

133

107

Valesul

45.5%

9

11

11

11

10

32

26

Mozal

47.1%

31

31

32

32

31

95

95

Total

250

263

268

266

267

801

729

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

75.3

94.4

68.4

105.6

118.5

292.5

244.7

Tintaya (b)

100%

0.8

0.2

-

-

-

-

44.7

Antamina (c)

33.8%

25.1

30.5

25.7

26.4

23.6

75.7

51.3

Alumbrera

25%

12.3

12.8

11.1

13.4

9.9

34.4

35.7

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

14.2

16.1

14.9

14.3

13.2

42.4

46.0

Selbaie

100%

2.5

2.6

2.8

2.1

1.7

6.6

7.5

Total

130.3

156.6

122.9

161.8

166.9

451.6

430.0

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

21.2

21.5

17.9

19.1

20.4

57.4

65.0

Cerro Colorado

100%

31.3

31.3

32.5

33.1

32.5

98.1

99.5

Tintaya (b)

100%

-

1.3

8.4

8.9

9.0

26.3

-

San Manuel

100%

1.8

-

-

-

-

-

6.3

Pinto Valley

100%

3.1

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.5

8.0

10.0

Total

57.4

56.9

61.6

63.8

64.4

189.8

180.8

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

63,172

63,799

61,676

57,651

58,711

178,038

167,965

Pering (d)

100%

892

969

1,567

694

354

2,615

3,333

Total

64,064

64,768

63,243

58,345

59,065

180,653

171,298

Refer footnotes on page 5.

BASE METALS (continued)

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

15,002

12,511

15,182

14,721

15,480

45,383

46,346

Antamina (c)

33.8%

18,798

13,518

18,189

15,424

20,519

54,132

34,808

Selbaie

100%

8,495

8,121

9,840

6,540

6,421

22,801

26,075

Pering (d)

100%

4,851

4,793

5,331

7,430

4,335

17,096

16,322

Total

47,147

38,942

48,542

44,115

46,755

139,412

123,551

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

11,837

17,694

10,074

15,936

17,458

43,468

34,645

Tintaya (b)

100%

503

-

-

-

-

-

22,252

Alumbrera

25%

49,065

47,993

39,279

46,940

35,084

121,303

137,420

Selbaie

100%

5,685

5,117

4,486

5,069

4,146

13,701

17,118

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

1,126

1,268

1,314

1,230

1,114

3,658

3,539

Total

68,216

72,072

55,153

69,175

57,802

182,130

214,973

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

9,980

10,265

9,612

8,326

8,773

26,711

25,699

Escondida

57.5%

295

344

304

387

471

1,162

913

Antamina (c)

33.8%

590

461

536

557

617

1,710

1,207

Alumbrera

25.0%

68

56

53

72

75

200

181

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

168

183

162

159

140

461

526

Selbaie

100%

504

524

593

369

279

1,241

1,549

Total

11,604

11,833

11,260

9,870

10,355

31,485

30,074

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

121

232

220

250

260

730

426

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

5,565

5,413

5,486

5,287

4,964

15,737

17,961

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,434

1,690

1,891

1,808

1,497

5,196

4,757

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

6,614

6,663

7,796

8,187

7,452

23,435

20,593

Jimblebar

100%

1,211

1,476

1,433

1,186

1,371

3,990

3,725

Samarco

50%

1,640

1,838

2,022

1,979

1,953

5,954

3,791

Total

16,464

17,080

18,628

18,447

17,237

54,312

50,827

METALLURGICAL COAL (e)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA (f)

50%

6,017

5,686

4,652

5,032

5,838

15,522

16,015

BHP Mitsui Coal (g)

80%

1,707

1,746

1,863

1,472

1,200

4,535

4,997

Illawarra

100%

1,265

1,927

2,135

1,886

1,518

5,539

5,161

Total

8,989

9,359

8,650

8,390

8,556

25,596

26,173

Refer footnotes on page 5.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

424

475

581

560

534

1,675

1,392

Australia (h)

60%

467

309

514

499

356

1,369

1,359

Total

891

784

1,095

1,059

890

3,044

2,751

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

115

121

124

125

117

366

285

Australia (h)

60%

51

48

51

65

60

176

164

Total

166

169

175

190

177

542

449

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron (i)

100%

277

-

333

414

465

1,212

1,047

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

932

1,023

954

1,071

1,015

3,040

2,627

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,633

13,815

13,838

13,333

13,256

40,427

41,895

USA

100%

3,266

3,703

2,800

4,339

3,147

10,286

9,542

Australia

100%

1,129

1,390

1,244

1,234

1,922

4,400

3,165

Indonesia (j)

80%

186

208

216

29

-

245

4,414

Colombia (k)

33%

1,022

1,455

1,231

1,713

1,382

4,326

3,248

Total

19,236

20,571

19,329

20,648

19,707

59,684

62,264

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

10.5

9.9

11.7

11.9

11.1

34.7

30.5

Yabulu

100%

7.3

7.8

7.4

7.5

7.5

22.4

20.7

Total

17.8

17.7

19.1

19.4

18.6

57.1

51.2

CHROME ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

549

664

713

714

679

2,106

1,787

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

201

223

238

230

263

731

614

Refer footnotes on page 5.

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

(b) Sulphide production at Escondida and Tintaya was temporarily reduced in November 2001 and January 2002 respectively due to

weak market conditions. Commercial production of copper cathode commenced at Tintaya in June 2002.

The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002.

(c) Antamina commenced commercial production in October 2001.

(d) Production ceased, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003.

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

(f) BHP Billiton acquired its share of South Blackwater in July 2001. South Blackwater is equally owned by BHP Billiton and

Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd. Effective January 2002, South Blackwater production is reported in BMA.

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

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

(i) Boodarie Iron recommenced production in July 2002 following the suspension of operations due to a tube failure in a gas

re-heating furnace.

(j) Production shown on 86.5% basis after allowing for Indonesian state owned corporation's 13.5% share of production.

BHP Billiton sold its interest in the Senakin and Satui mines effective 30 November 2001. Production ceased

at Petangis in October 2002.

(k) BHP Billiton increased its interest in Cerrejon Zona Norte to 33.3% from 16.7% effective Februrary 2002.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

6,593

6,786

6,799

5,799

5,391

17,989

21,190

North West Shelf - condensate

1,525

1,466

1,602

1,510

1,566

4,678

4,166

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,851

1,892

1,876

1,655

1,679

5,210

5,422

Laminaria

1,958

2,200

2,914

1,869

1,419

6,202

7,528

Griffin

1,971

1,587

1,281

1,089

831

3,201

3,871

Pakistan

20

18

18

17

16

51

56

Typhoon/Boris (a)

1,507

1,754

1,233

654

852

2,739

3,785

Americas

917

861

718

652

816

2,186

2,645

Liverpool Bay

2,770

2,574

1,838

2,463

2,174

6,475

8,468

Bruce/Keith

532

594

271

690

566

1,527

1,655

Total

19,644

19,732

18,550

16,398

15,310

50,258

58,787

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

17.18

26.77

33.07

21.07

17.51

71.65

70.08

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.45

2.86

3.62

3.82

3.81

11.25

10.86

North West Shelf - LNG

15.22

13.01

16.55

14.93

15.11

46.59

46.54

Griffin

0.92

0.34

0.95

1.03

0.81

2.79

3.62

Pakistan

2.94

3.02

2.83

2.76

2.57

8.16

8.43

Typhoon/Boris (a)

2.01

1.93

1.38

0.71

2.03

4.12

4.16

Americas

4.40

4.63

3.91

3.80

3.34

11.05

14.50

Bruce

8.44

7.92

4.59

10.55

10.04

25.18

22.36

Keith

0.11

0.16

0.07

0.15

0.15

0.37

0.57

Liverpool Bay

11.63

10.01

4.89

10.59

11.62

27.10

31.69

Total

66.30

70.66

71.86

69.41

66.99

208.26

212.82

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

108.47

126.70

149.66

115.23

111.74

376.63

345.00

North West Shelf

33.33

35.08

36.32

31.04

32.67

100.03

105.18

Bruce

18.73

17.49

22.45

20.47

15.10

58.02

63.74

Keith

0.67

1.17

0.53

1.23

1.11

2.87

3.21

Total

161.20

180.43

208.96

167.97

160.62

537.55

517.13

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

18.87

25.62

27.67

19.91

22.35

69.93

61.51

(a) Typhoon commenced production in July 2001. Boris commenced production in February 2003.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

677

686

698

662

658

2,018

2,010

Paranam, Suriname

208

215

221

213

222

656

636

Alumar, Brazil

111

117

112

123

123

358

279

Total

996

1,018

1,031

998

1,003

3,032

2,925

Sales

Worsley, Australia

656

690

758

606

751

2,115

1,986

Paranam, Suriname

205

197

253

201

243

697

650

Alumar, Brazil

101

106

130

125

124

379

268

Total

962

993

1,141

932

1,118

3,191

2,904

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

127

132

135

134

133

402

369

Bayside, South Africa

43

43

46

45

48

139

132

Alumar, Brazil

40

46

44

44

45

133

107

Valesul, Brazil

9

11

11

11

10

32

26

Mozal, Mozambique

31

31

32

32

31

95

95

Total

250

263

268

266

267

801

729

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

128

131

124

135

133

392

368

Bayside, South Africa

42

53

47

45

48

140

128

Alumar, Brazil

38

45

38

52

38

128

105

Valesul, Brazil

10

11

9

12

9

30

26

Mozal, Mozambique

31

34

27

35

33

95

95

Total

249

274

245

279

261

785

722

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

BASE METALS

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

Escondida, Chile (a) (b)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

80,401

77,244

74,671

74,303

73,466

222,440

250,565

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

10,452

11,311

10,142

14,632

16,744

41,518

31,717

Average copper grade

(%)

1.53%

1.74%

1.45%

1.59%

1.49%

1.52%

1.67%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

134.9

170.3

125.6

191.8

210.8

528.2

441.2

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

75.3

94.4

68.4

105.6

118.5

292.5

244.7

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

11,837

17,694

10,074

15,936

17,458

43,468

34,645

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

21.2

21.5

17.9

19.1

20.4

57.4

65.0

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

295

344

304

387

471

1,162

913

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

77.0

85.3

77.0

104.8

113.5

295.3

247.7

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

10,806

17,004

11,689

16,709

17,166

45,564

31,921

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

24.6

22.7

19.5

21.7

19.3

60.5

65.4

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

313

248

269

400

484

1,153

959

(a) Sulphide production at Escondida was temporarily reduced in November 2001 due to weak market conditions.

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

Tintaya, Peru (a) (b)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

396

-

-

-

-

-

32,111

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

71

-

-

-

-

-

3,280

Average copper grade

(%)

1.64%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

1.65%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

0.8

0.2

-

-

-

-

44.7

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

503

-

-

-

-

-

22,252

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

1.3

8.4

8.9

9.0

26.3

-

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

8.8

-

-

-

-

-

45.8

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

5,452

212

-

-

-

-

24,743

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

1.9

8.0

8.7

8.7

25.4

-

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

(b) Commercial production of copper cathode commenced in June 2002.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

15,760

18,628

17,963

15,027

16,564

49,554

46,032

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

3,698

3,581

3,759

3,942

3,916

11,617

11,078

Average copper grade

(%)

1.03%

1.00%

0.97%

1.03%

1.00%

1.00%

1.07%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

31.3

31.3

32.5

33.1

32.5

98.1

99.5

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

33.2

34.5

23.2

36.1

39.3

98.6

98.6

Antamina, Peru (a)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

20,548

28,990

30,235

25,797

25,290

81,322

40,518

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,309

7,250

6,794

6,395

6,424

19,613

12,627

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.31%

1.43%

1.33%

1.41%

1.32%

1.35%

1.37%

- Zinc

(%)

1.44%

0.93%

1.28%

1.15%

1.54%

1.32%

1.39%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

25.1

30.5

25.7

26.4

23.6

75.7

51.3

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

18,798

13,518

18,189

15,424

20,519

54,132

34,808

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

590

461

536

557

617

1,710

1,207

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

28.8

28.6

30.6

25.8

22.4

78.8

57.5

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

23,031

15,009

19,184

14,407

15,400

48,991

32,014

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

602

489

590

530

575

1,695

1,198

(a) Commercial production commenced in October 2001.

Alumbrera, Argentina

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

25,430

26,524

29,356

28,730

26,400

84,486

83,610

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

7,146

7,575

8,034

8,703

8,376

25,113

21,804

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

0.76%

0.73%

0.62%

0.69%

0.54%

0.62%

0.73%

- Gold

(g/t)

1.1

1.0

0.8

0.9

0.7

0.8

1.1

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

12.3

12.8

11.1

13.4

9.9

34.4

35.7

Payable gold

(fine ounces)

45,421

43,020

35,935

42,594

30,730

109,259

128,769

Payable gold - dore

(fine ounces)

3,644

4,973

3,344

4,346

4,354

12,044

8,651

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

68

56

53

72

75

200

181

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

12.7

11.6

10.3

13.3

10.8

34.4

35.6

Payable gold

(fine ounces)

47,261

36,874

33,957

42,381

33,438

109,776

129,945

Payable gold - dore

(fine ounces)

3,710

4,466

3,082

4,409

4,159

11,650

7,548

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

67

67

53

72

75

200

180

Highland Valley, Canada

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

18,322

18,522

20,455

18,682

16,642

55,779

59,115

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

11,778

12,224

12,941

12,924

11,602

37,467

37,531

Average copper grade

(%)

0.42%

0.43%

0.40%

0.39%

0.40%

0.40%

0.42%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

14.2

16.1

14.9

14.3

13.2

42.4

46.0

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.12

0.23

0.22

0.25

0.26

0.73

0.43

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

168

183

162

159

140

461

526

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

1,126

1,268

1,314

1,230

1,114

3,658

3,539

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

11.6

14.9

14.4

17.5

10.0

41.9

47.8

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.17

0.22

0.19

0.22

0.26

0.67

0.45

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

133

173

153

189

106

448

555

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

1,096

1,467

1,240

1,644

843

3,727

4,998

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

569

574

631

573

601

1,805

1,667

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

567

575

599

564

589

1,752

1,601

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

619

675

564

535

550

550

595

- Lead

(%)

12.7%

13.6%

11.7%

11.9%

11.8%

11.8%

12.7%

- Zinc

(%)

4.6%

3.9%

4.3%

4.3%

4.3%

4.3%

4.9%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,980

10,265

9,612

8,326

8,773

26,711

25,699

Payable lead

(tonnes)

63,172

63,799

61,676

57,651

58,711

178,038

167,965

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,002

12,511

15,182

14,721

15,480

45,383

46,346

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,383

10,788

9,401

9,027

8,717

27,145

24,659

Payable lead

(tonnes)

59,712

67,650

59,876

62,735

58,366

180,977

161,712

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

19,105

14,761

12,077

14,849

18,155

45,081

50,175

Selbaie, Canada

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,012

1,016

1,049

999

919

2,967

3,047

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

1.32%

1.26%

1.37%

1.09%

1.11%

1.20%

1.37%

- Copper

(%)

0.33%

0.34%

0.33%

0.28%

0.25%

0.29%

0.34%

- Gold

(g/t)

0.26

0.25

0.23

0.25

0.23

0.24

0.28

- Silver

(g/t)

29.10

28.99

35.10

22.75

22.15

26.93

30.49

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

8,495

8,121

9,840

6,540

6,421

22,801

26,075

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,452

2,642

2,789

2,111

1,654

6,554

7,544

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

5,685

5,117

4,486

5,069

4,146

13,701

17,118

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

504

524

593

369

279

1,241

1,549

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

8,400

7,877

9,861

7,245

6,636

23,742

26,291

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,605

2,459

2,823

2,107

2,751

7,681

8,416

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

5,048

5,142

5,932

3,082

5,508

14,522

21,162

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

605

573

527

478

444

1,449

1,210

Pering, South Africa (a)

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

330

338

320

288

151

759

1,011

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

1.73%

1.85%

2.21%

3.34%

3.47%

2.89%

1.88%

- Lead

(%)

0.42%

0.52%

0.66%

0.40%

0.33%

0.50%

0.48%

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

4,851

4,793

5,331

7,430

4,335

17,096

16,322

Payable lead

(tonnes)

892

969

1,567

694

354

2,615

3,333

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

4,745

3,667

3,701

6,179

5,343

15,223

14,536

Payable lead

(tonnes)

1,298

729

1,367

1,327

995

3,689

3,881

(a) Production ceased, ahead of mine closure, in February 2003.

San Manuel, USA (a)

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

1.8

-

-

-

-

-

6.3

(a) San Manuel SXEW operations closed in March 2002.

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

3.1

2.8

2.8

2.7

2.5

8.0

10.0

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

4.4

2.9

2.7

2.6

2.6

7.9

9.8

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

IRON ORE (a)

Pilbara, Australia

Production

Mt Newman Joint Venture

5,565

5,413

5,486

5,287

4,964

15,737

17,961

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b)

1,434

1,690

1,891

1,808

1,497

5,196

4,757

Yandi Joint Venture

6,614

6,663

7,796

8,187

7,452

23,435

20,593

Jimblebar

1,211

1,476

1,433

1,186

1,371

3,990

3,725

Total (BHP Billiton share)

14,824

15,242

16,606

16,468

15,284

48,358

47,037

Total production (100%)

17,226

17,671

19,284

19,165

17,739

56,188

54,679

Shipments

Lump

3,316

4,151

4,335

4,290

4,352

12,977

10,528

Fines

11,083

10,517

11,842

13,896

12,144

37,882

35,442

Total (BHP Billiton share)

14,399

14,668

16,177

18,186

16,496

50,859

45,970

Total shipments (100%)

16,940

17,256

19,033

21,396

19,407

59,836

54,082

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

(b) Includes bulk sample production from Mining Area C.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,640

1,838

2,022

1,979

1,953

5,954

3,791

Shipments

1,705

1,768

2,034

2,004

2,049

6,087

4,301

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,892

1,669

1,633

1,603

1,668

4,904

4,174

Goonyella

1,036

904

734

812

1,191

2,737

2,872

Peak Downs

1,028

1,185

789

757

1,009

2,555

2,643

Saraji

676

716

427

629

599

1,655

1,831

Norwich Park

524

527

573

451

610

1,634

1,546

South Blackwater (b)

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,194

Gregory

861

685

496

780

761

2,037

1,755

BMA total

6,017

5,686

4,652

5,032

5,838

15,522

16,015

BHP Mitsui Coal (c)

Riverside

907

928

927

400

300

1,627

2,474

South Walker Creek

800

818

936

1,072

900

2,908

2,523

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,707

1,746

1,863

1,472

1,200

4,535

4,997

Queensland total

7,724

7,432

6,515

6,504

7,038

20,057

21,012

Shipments

Coking coal

4,799

5,252

4,165

4,034

4,707

12,906

13,614

Weak coking coal

1,604

1,124

1,739

1,503

1,569

4,811

4,871

Thermal coal

764

734

1,022

800

852

2,674

2,099

Total

7,167

7,110

6,926

6,337

7,128

20,391

20,584

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

(b) BHP Billiton acquired its share of South Blackwater in July 2001. South Blackwater is equally owned by BHP Billiton and

Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd. Effective January 2002, South Blackwater production is included in Blackwater.

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

Illawarra, Australia

Production

1,265

1,927

2,135

1,886

1,518

5,539

5,161

Shipments

Coking coal

1,555

1,543

1,515

1,900

1,611

5,026

4,667

Thermal coal

49

268

134

95

242

471

279

Total

1,604

1,811

1,649

1,995

1,853

5,497

4,946

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

424

475

581

560

534

1,675

1,392

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

467

309

514

499

356

1,369

1,359

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

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

115

121

124

125

117

366

285

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

51

48

51

65

60

176

164

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

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie™ Iron, Australia (a)

Production

277

-

333

414

465

1,212

1,047

Shipments

391

93

202

464

416

1,082

1,051

(a) Boodarie Iron recommenced production in July 2002 following the suspension of operations due to a tube failure in a gas

re-heating furnace.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Production

('000 carats)

932

1,023

954

1,071

1,015

3,040

2,627

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,633

13,815

13,838

13,333

13,256

40,427

41,895

Sales

Export

5,605

5,744

5,648

6,609

5,696

17,953

17,977

Local utility

6,979

7,767

7,836

7,263

7,160

22,259

21,236

Inland

835

742

471

412

340

1,223

3,038

Total

13,418

14,253

13,955

14,284

13,196

41,435

42,250

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,801

2,030

1,602

2,154

1,797

5,553

5,177

San Juan Coal (a)

1,465

1,673

1,198

2,185

1,350

4,733

4,365

Total

3,266

3,703

2,800

4,339

3,147

10,286

9,542

Sales - local utility

2,882

3,469

3,546

3,348

3,316

10,210

9,778

(a) Includes production from longwall operations commenced at San Juan in October 2002.

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

1,129

1,390

1,244

1,234

1,922

4,400

3,165

Sales

Export

904

1,056

783

881

1,036

2,700

2,079

Inland

342

337

366

276

704

1,346

1,118

Total

1,246

1,393

1,149

1,157

1,740

4,046

3,197

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Production (a)

Senakin (b)

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,962

Satui (b)

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,845

Petangis (c)

186

208

216

29

-

245

608

Total

186

208

216

29

-

245

4,414

Sales - export

242

243

189

49

56

294

4,238

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

(b) BHP Billiton sold its interest in Senakin and Satui effective 30 November 2001.

(c) Production ceased at Petangis in October 2002.

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia (a)

Production

1,022

1,455

1,231

1,713

1,382

4,326

3,248

Sales - export

971

1,144

1,246

1,851

1,971

5,068

2,757

(a) BHP Billiton increased its interest in CZN from 16.7% to 33.3% effective February 2002.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

9 MONTHS ENDED

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

2002

2002

2002

2002

2003

2003

2002

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

10.5

9.9

11.7

11.9

11.1

34.7

30.5

Sales

10.5

11.6

10.5

12.8

10.3

33.6

30.0

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

7.3

7.8

7.4

7.5

7.5

22.4

20.7

Cobalt

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.4

1.4

1.3

Sales

Nickel

7.3

7.1

7.1

8.3

8.1

23.5

21.9

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

1.5

1.4

CHROME ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

549

664

713

714

679

2,106

1,787

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

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

201

223

238

230

263

731

614

(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: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 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: 23 April 2003