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 27 January 2005

BHP Billiton Plc

Registration Number 3196209

Neathouse Place

London SW1V 1BH

United Kingdom

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

27 January 2005

Number

02/05


BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2004

 

BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 31 December 2004. Unless otherwise stated, production volumes refer to BHP Billiton share.
  • Record quarterly iron ore, metallurgical coal and manganese alloy production underpinned by continuing strong customer demand.

  • Record quarterly natural gas production of 87.4 billion cubic feet following the commissioning of North West Shelf (Australia) fourth train in September 2004.

  • Record quarterly silver production of 12.4 million ounces reflecting the benefits of a continuing debottlenecking program at Cannington (Australia).

  • First oil production from the newly commissioned ROD (Algeria) field.
  • Alumina - Production for the December 2004 quarter of 1.0 million tonnes was in line with the December 2003 quarter. Production was four per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter reflecting improving calciner performance at Worsley (Australia) and scheduled maintenance undertaken at Alumar (Brazil) in the previous quarter.

  • Aluminium - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 338,000 tonnes, 10 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects the ramp up of production from Hillside 3 (South Africa) which reached full commissioning in December 2003. December 2003 quarter production was also impacted by an electrical outage at Alumar. Production was in line with the September 2004 quarter.

  • Copper - Production for the December 2004 quarter was 265,800 tonnes, 17 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This mainly reflects restoration of full capacity and higher head grades at Escondida (Chile) and Tintaya (Peru), along with record production at Antamina (Peru) following the return to their normal mine plan after the removal of lakebed sediments. These increases were partly offset by the sale of the Group's interest in Highland Valley Copper (Canada) in January 2004. Production was seven per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter due to higher head grades at Tintaya, Antamina and Cerro Colorado and higher mill throughput at Escondida.
  • Silver - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 12.4 million ounces, 24 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter and five per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. This mainly reflects record quarterly mill throughput at Cannington (Australia) resulting from a continuing debottlenecking program.

  • Iron Ore - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 24.9 million tonnes, 15 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter and 11 per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. The increase reflects additional capacity following the completion of several expansion projects at Western Australian Iron Ore (Australia) and record production at Samarco (Brazil), underpinned by continuing strong customer demand. Western Australian Iron Ore shipments were a record 22.1 million tonnes in the December 2004 quarter.

  • Metallurgical Coal - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 9.6 million tonnes, 14 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This reflects record quarterly production at Queensland Coal (Australia) underpinned by strong customer demand and improved operating performance at Illawarra Coal (Australia). Production was four per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter. This primarily reflects higher production at Illawarra Coal following longwall changeouts at Appin and Elouera and industrial activity at Elouera in the September 2004 quarter.

  • Manganese ore - Ore production for the December 2004 quarter was 1.4 million tonnes, 14 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. Production increased to meet strong customer demand in all markets, particularly China, Japan and Europe. Production was in line with the September 2004 quarter.

  • Manganese alloys - Production for the December 2004 quarter was a record 207,000 tonnes, 13 per cent higher than the December 2003 quarter. This primarily reflects improved operating performance at Metalloys (South Africa) and increased production at TEMCO (Australia) in response to strong customer demand. Production was six per cent higher than the September 2004 quarter, reflecting improved operating performance at Metalloys.

  • Diamonds - Production of 872,000 carats at Ekati (Canada) was 49 per cent lower than the December 2003 quarter. This decrease primarily reflects processing of lower grade ore in the December 2004 quarter after mining of a high grade zone in the Koala pipe was completed in the June 2004 quarter. Production was 12 per cent lower than the September 2004 quarter, primarily due to processing of lower grade ore in the current quarter.

****

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

HALF YEAR ENDED

% CHANGE

DEC Q04

DEC Q04

YTD 04

DEC

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

vs

vs

vs

2003

2004

2004

2004

2003

DEC Q03

SEP Q04

YTD 03

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

14,877

12,366

12,190

24,556

30,389

-18%

-1%

-19%

Natural gas

(bcf)

77.57

77.19

87.35

164.54

162.76

13%

13%

1%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

200.51

231.03

216.07

447.10

399.84

8%

-6%

12%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

25.25

27.75

27.20

54.95

52.57

8%

-2%

5%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

30.24

28.03

29.38

57.41

62.37

-3%

5%

-8%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,050

1,000

1,036

2,036

2,103

-1%

4%

-3%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

308

339

338

677

590

10%

0%

15%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

226.8

248.8

265.8

514.6

441.3

17%

7%

17%

Lead

(tonnes)

55,211

64,910

71,509

136,419

114,575

30%

10%

19%

Zinc

(tonnes)

45,912

23,851

20,918

44,769

95,006

-54%

-12%

-53%

Gold

(ounces)

32,085

30,132

31,247

61,379

61,255

-3%

4%

0%

Silver

('000 ounces)

9,980

11,769

12,353

24,121

20,576

24%

5%

17%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

290

323

560

883

615

93%

73%

44%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

21,728

22,545

24,916

47,461

42,598

15%

11%

11%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,445

9,277

9,629

18,906

17,544

14%

4%

8%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,199

1,379

1,361

2,740

2,352

14%

-1%

16%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

183

195

207

402

330

13%

6%

22%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

527

-

-

-

1,023

-100%

0%

-100%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

1,704

986

872

1,858

3,256

-49%

-12%

-43%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

19,978

23,245

21,389

44,634

41,112

7%

-8%

9%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

20.0

19.6

19.7

39.3

40.6

-2%

1%

-3%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

269

265

271

536

496

1%

2%

8%

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

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

BHP Billiton

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

Interest

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

14,877

14,341

13,297

12,366

12,190

24,556

30,389

Natural gas

(bcf)

77.57

76.47

85.11

77.19

87.35

164.54

162.76

LPG

('000 tonnes)

200.51

217.83

235.86

231.03

216.07

447.10

399.84

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

25.25

16.59

25.14

27.75

27.20

54.95

52.57

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

30.24

29.78

30.32

28.03

29.38

57.41

62.37

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

700

704

696

663

686

1,349

1,399

Suriname

45%

230

228

233

223

222

445

457

Alumar

36%

120

130

130

114

128

242

247

Total

1,050

1,062

1,059

1,000

1,036

2,036

2,103

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

151

169

167

173

171

344

286

Bayside

100%

46

45

46

46

46

92

93

Alumar

46.3%

36

44

45

44

45

89

67

Valesul

45.5%

11

11

11

11

11

22

22

Mozal

47%

64

64

64

65

65

130

122

Total

308

333

333

339

338

677

590

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

109.1

130.8

159.1

142.5

146.3

288.8

225.0

Tintaya (b)

100%

15.0

22.9

19.6

14.6

22.1

36.7

15.0

Antamina

33.8%

20.5

24.6

29.9

29.9

33.4

63.3

37.4

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

14.2

-

-

-

-

-

28.3

Selbaie (d)

100%

1.8

0.8

-

-

-

-

3.4

Total

160.6

179.1

208.6

187.0

201.8

388.8

309.1

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

21.8

21.7

21.8

21.9

22.2

44.1

43.2

Cerro Colorado

100%

33.0

28.1

31.3

28.3

30.4

58.7

66.1

Tintaya (b)

100%

9.0

9.3

8.7

9.3

9.1

18.4

18.0

Pinto Valley

100%

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.3

4.6

4.9

Total

66.2

61.5

64.0

61.8

64.0

125.8

132.2

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

55,211

70,838

64,472

64,910

71,509

136,419

114,575

Total

55,211

70,838

64,472

64,910

71,509

136,419

114,575

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

11,692

13,589

13,493

10,968

13,956

24,924

26,542

Antamina

33.8%

27,026

19,099

15,545

12,883

6,962

19,845

54,959

Selbaie (d)

100%

7,194

2,506

-

-

-

-

13,505

Total

45,912

35,194

29,038

23,851

20,918

44,769

95,006

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida

57.5%

24,833

27,492

26,044

25,370

24,475

49,845

49,849

Tintaya (b)

100%

2,658

4,009

5,101

4,762

6,772

11,534

2,658

Selbaie (d)

100%

3,428

1,413

-

-

-

-

6,557

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

1,166

-

-

-

-

-

2,191

Total

32,085

32,914

31,145

30,132

31,247

61,379

61,255

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

8,287

10,485

9,471

10,339

11,025

21,364

17,464

Escondida

57.5%

550

614

720

604

639

1,243

1,111

Antamina

33.8%

494

588

662

692

503

1,195

929

Tintaya (b)

100.0%

170

239

200

134

186

319

170

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

163

-

-

-

-

-

323

Selbaie (d)

100%

316

138

-

-

-

-

579

Total

9,980

12,064

11,053

11,769

12,353

24,121

20,576

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

20

81

240

323

560

883

45

Highland Valley Copper (c)

33.6%

270

-

-

-

-

-

570

Total

290

81

240

323

560

883

615

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE (e)

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

6,707

6,031

5,084

6,157

6,611

12,768

13,346

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

85%

1,477

1,348

1,386

1,038

1,037

2,075

3,110

Area C Joint Venture

85%

1,048

1,768

2,519

2,990

4,358

7,348

1,389

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

9,005

8,429

8,046

8,767

9,238

18,005

17,684

Jimblebar

100%

1,520

1,647

1,566

1,675

1,622

3,297

3,142

Samarco

50%

1,971

1,862

1,936

1,918

2,050

3,968

3,927

Total

21,728

21,085

20,537

22,545

24,916

47,461

42,598

METALLURGICAL COAL (f)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

5,395

5,263

6,285

6,231

6,184

12,415

10,986

BHP Mitsui Coal (g)

80%

1,591

1,811

1,653

1,748

1,822

3,570

3,517

Illawarra

100%

1,459

1,458

1,346

1,298

1,623

2,921

3,041

Total

8,445

8,532

9,284

9,277

9,629

18,906

17,544

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

651

604

647

632

639

1,271

1,251

Australia (h)

60%

548

660

690

747

722

1,469

1,101

Total

1,199

1,264

1,337

1,379

1,361

2,740

2,352

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

122

116

131

121

136

257

215

Australia (h)

60%

61

63

72

74

71

145

115

Total

183

179

203

195

207

402

330

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron (i)

100%

527

399

294

-

-

-

1,023

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

1,704

1,015

1,211

986

872

1,858

3,256

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,472

13,231

13,768

14,588

13,745

28,333

27,254

USA

100%

2,829

3,687

3,154

3,899

3,731

7,630

6,389

Australia

100%

2,054

2,318

2,590

2,595

2,189

4,784

3,810

Colombia

33%

1,623

2,043

1,982

2,163

1,724

3,887

3,659

Total

19,978

21,279

21,494

23,245

21,389

44,634

41,112

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

12.2

12.5

12.0

11.9

12.4

24.3

24.6

Yabulu

100%

7.8

8.7

7.9

7.7

7.3

15.0

16.0

Total

20.0

21.2

19.9

19.6

19.7

39.3

40.6

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (h)

60%

269

266

264

265

271

536

496

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

(b) Sulphide production at Tintaya was suspended 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) 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) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following an incident in May 2004 and the plant was placed

on care and maintenance in November 2004.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

5,333

5,174

4,641

4,835

4,226

9,061

11,205

North West Shelf - condensate

1,204

1,352

1,367

1,330

1,274

2,604

2,695

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,675

1,519

1,357

1,475

1,272

2,747

3,279

Laminaria

966

928

803

597

472

1,069

2,117

Griffin

563

380

585

414

473

887

1,305

Pakistan

53

50

49

50

54

104

106

Typhoon/Boris

1,605

1,457

1,462

1,461

1,290

2,751

2,819

Americas

586

332

213

181

180

361

1,194

Liverpool Bay

2,061

1,926

1,788

1,344

1,858

3,202

4,385

Bruce/Keith

387

423

388

121

321

442

840

Ohanet (a)

444

800

644

558

432

990

444

ROD (b)

-

-

-

-

338

338

-

Total

14,877

14,341

13,297

12,366

12,190

24,556

30,389

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

23.86

24.95

34.62

35.61

27.44

63.05

56.90

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.95

3.91

3.76

3.50

3.51

7.01

7.94

North West Shelf - LNG

14.93

13.74

15.43

17.78

22.36

40.14

31.67

Griffin

0.90

0.44

0.67

0.68

0.71

1.39

1.86

Moranbah Coal Bed Methane (c)

-

-

-

-

0.53

0.53

-

Illawarra Coal Bed Methane (d)

-

-

-

1.34

1.65

2.99

-

Pakistan

7.83

7.51

7.10

7.69

7.87

15.56

15.69

Typhoon/Boris

2.41

2.14

2.13

2.32

2.53

4.85

3.99

Americas

3.73

2.60

2.75

1.99

2.05

4.04

6.98

Bruce

8.52

9.27

8.29

2.23

7.25

9.48

17.29

Keith

0.08

0.17

0.20

0.03

0.14

0.17

0.19

Liverpool Bay

11.36

11.74

10.16

4.02

11.31

15.33

20.25

Total

77.57

76.47

85.11

77.19

87.35

164.54

162.76

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

130.02

111.26

136.52

145.85

127.70

273.55

280.21

North West Shelf

28.11

29.59

32.95

34.66

29.43

64.09

62.32

Bruce

17.71

18.40

18.64

6.63

18.03

24.66

31.83

Keith

0.31

0.82

0.63

0.30

0.62

0.92

1.12

Ohanet (a)

24.36

57.76

47.12

43.59

40.29

83.88

24.36

Total

200.51

217.83

235.86

231.03

216.07

447.10

399.84

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

25.25

16.59

25.14

27.75

27.20

54.95

52.57

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

30.24

29.78

30.32

28.03

29.38

57.41

62.37

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (e)

(a) Ohanet commenced production in October 2003.

(b) ROD commenced production in October 2004.

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

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

(e) Total barrels of oil equivalent (boe) conversions are 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

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

700

704

696

663

686

1,349

1,399

Paranam, Suriname

230

228

233

223

222

445

457

Alumar, Brazil

120

130

130

114

128

242

247

Total

1,050

1,062

1,059

1,000

1,036

2,036

2,103

Sales

Worsley, Australia

740

652

732

667

681

1,348

1,437

Paranam, Suriname

250

233

214

239

221

460

471

Alumar, Brazil

128

144

111

129

131

260

248

Total

1,118

1,029

1,057

1,035

1,033

2,068

2,156

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

151

169

167

173

171

344

286

Bayside, South Africa

46

45

46

46

46

92

93

Alumar, Brazil

36

44

45

44

45

89

67

Valesul, Brazil

11

11

11

11

11

22

22

Mozal, Mozambique

64

64

64

65

65

130

122

Total

308

333

333

339

338

677

590

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

145

176

171

155

189

344

279

Bayside, South Africa

35

49

45

45

41

86

89

Alumar, Brazil

25

39

55

43

44

87

63

Valesul, Brazil

12

11

12

12

11

23

23

Mozal, Mozambique

40

78

56

59

69

128

101

Total

257

353

339

314

354

668

555

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

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)

82,909

83,640

95,757

100,466

97,512

197,978

152,251

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

18,299

19,620

21,197

20,637

20,926

41,563

37,187

Average copper grade

(%)

1.31%

1.48%

1.61%

1.47%

1.47%

1.47%

1.32%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

197.1

239.6

284.2

256.8

265.1

521.9

405.3

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

109.1

130.8

159.1

142.5

146.3

288.8

225.0

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

24,833

27,492

26,044

25,370

24,475

49,845

49,849

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

21.8

21.7

21.8

21.9

22.2

44.1

43.2

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

550

614

720

604

639

1,243

1,111

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

114.8

127.3

150.4

140.0

148.3

288.3

231.0

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

26,984

28,545

24,874

24,732

25,462

50,194

52,319

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

23.8

26.2

21.3

22.7

22.7

45.4

41.9

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

634

612

683

582

690

1,272

1,208

Tintaya, Peru (a)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,450

17,206

17,944

18,676

17,486

36,162

21,601

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,408

1,609

1,616

1,621

1,564

3,185

1,408

Average copper grade

(%)

1.38%

1.61%

1.45%

1.14%

1.64%

1.39%

1.38%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

15.0

22.9

19.6

14.6

22.1

36.7

15.0

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

2,658

4,009

5,101

4,762

6,772

11,534

2,658

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

9.0

9.3

8.7

9.3

9.1

18.4

18.0

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

170

239

200

134

186

319

170

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

10.6

23.1

20.6

5.7

25.9

31.6

10.6

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

3,086

4,372

4,100

1,219

8,491

9,710

3,086

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.7

8.2

8.4

10.4

8.1

18.5

17.6

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

100

240

226

64

234

298

100

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

Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

19,855

16,199

16,697

17,554

16,378

33,932

40,187

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

4,405

3,700

4,330

4,232

4,362

8,594

8,751

Average copper grade

(%)

1.00%

0.92%

0.90%

0.87%

0.91%

0.89%

1.00%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

33.0

28.1

31.3

28.3

30.4

58.7

66.1

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

35.2

27.8

35.5

28.9

28.2

57.1

64.1

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

28,474

28,588

36,035

33,177

33,201

66,378

58,648

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

7,273

6,954

8,205

8,069

8,027

16,096

13,291

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.17%

1.26%

1.37%

1.26%

1.45%

1.35%

1.17%

- Zinc

(%)

1.77%

1.48%

0.97%

1.02%

0.47%

0.75%

1.95%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

20.5

24.6

29.9

29.9

33.4

63.3

37.4

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

27,026

19,099

15,545

12,883

6,962

19,845

54,959

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

494

588

662

692

503

1,195

929

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

20

81

240

323

560

883

45

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

22.6

20.2

26.4

32.1

32.2

64.3

41.2

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

26,928

14,219

19,931

13,617

4,185

17,802

53,709

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

491

423

655

624

632

1,256

911

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

30

43

110

160

300

460

44

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

699

729

681

828

844

1,672

1,336

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

598

698

724

730

825

1,555

1,187

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

497

539

486

504

500

502

530

- Lead

(%)

10.5%

11.4%

10.8%

10.3%

10.0%

10.1%

11.0%

- Zinc

(%)

3.4%

3.5%

3.4%

3.1%

3.0%

3.0%

3.7%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

8,287

10,485

9,471

10,339

11,025

21,364

17,464

Payable lead

(tonnes)

55,211

70,838

64,472

64,910

71,509

136,419

114,575

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

11,692

13,589

13,493

10,968

13,956

24,924

26,542

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

10,716

8,569

12,583

9,266

9,006

18,272

17,481

Payable lead

(tonnes)

69,447

56,259

84,315

62,774

57,286

120,060

113,400

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,443

12,790

13,410

12,170

9,146

21,316

31,666

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.4

2.4

2.2

2.3

2.3

4.6

4.9

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.4

2.3

2.3

1.5

1.8

3.3

4.9

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

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

6,707

6,031

5,084

6,157

6,611

12,768

13,346

Goldsworthy Joint Venture

1,477

1,348

1,386

1,038

1,037

2,075

3,110

Area C Joint Venture

1,048

1,768

2,519

2,990

4,358

7,348

1,389

Yandi Joint Venture

9,005

8,429

8,046

8,767

9,238

18,005

17,684

Jimblebar

1,520

1,647

1,566

1,675

1,622

3,297

3,142

Total (BHP Billiton share)

19,757

19,223

18,601

20,627

22,866

43,493

38,671

Total production (100%)

22,975

22,326

21,608

23,971

26,615

50,586

44,940

Shipments

Lump

5,169

5,402

5,064

5,530

6,084

11,614

10,067

Fines

13,968

13,181

14,067

14,544

16,052

30,596

27,302

Total (BHP Billiton share)

19,137

18,583

19,131

20,074

22,136

42,210

37,369

Total shipments (100%)

22,515

21,862

22,507

23,617

26,042

49,659

43,965

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

Samarco, Brazil

Production

1,971

1,862

1,936

1,918

2,050

3,968

3,927

Shipments

1,886

1,918

1,994

1,976

2,142

4,118

3,899

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,581

1,508

1,864

1,638

1,709

3,347

3,159

Goonyella

829

1,019

935

1,112

1,254

2,366

1,823

Peak Downs

1,004

881

1,223

1,198

1,164

2,362

2,008

Saraji

655

703

806

809

812

1,621

1,402

Norwich Park

582

556

682

700

680

1,380

1,106

Gregory Joint Venture

744

596

775

774

565

1,339

1,488

BMA total

5,395

5,263

6,285

6,231

6,184

12,415

10,986

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

812

967

575

910

951

1,861

1,781

South Walker Creek

779

844

1,078

838

871

1,709

1,736

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,591

1,811

1,653

1,748

1,822

3,570

3,517

Queensland total

6,986

7,074

7,938

7,979

8,006

15,985

14,503

Shipments

Coking coal

5,258

5,116

4,777

5,188

5,801

10,989

10,096

Weak coking coal

1,649

1,585

1,569

1,665

1,722

3,387

3,266

Thermal coal

987

803

756

743

527

1,270

1,788

Total

7,894

7,504

7,102

7,596

8,050

15,646

15,150

(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

1,459

1,458

1,346

1,298

1,623

2,921

3,041

Shipments

Coking coal

1,293

1,359

1,215

1,097

1,610

2,707

2,806

Thermal coal

47

134

114

82

144

226

138

Total

1,340

1,493

1,329

1,179

1,754

2,933

2,944

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

651

604

647

632

639

1,271

1,251

Australia

Saleable production (a)

548

660

690

747

722

1,469

1,101

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

122

116

131

121

136

257

215

Australia

Saleable production (a)

61

63

72

74

71

145

115

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie(TM) Iron, Australia

Production (b)

527

399

294

-

-

-

1,023

Shipments

570

436

318

-

-

-

1,005

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

(b) Production was suspended at Boodarie Iron following an incident in May 2004 and the plant was

placed on care and maintenance in November 2004.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

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)

1,123

1,052

1,207

1,184

1,094

2,278

2,187

Production

('000 carats)

1,704

1,015

1,211

986

872

1,858

3,256

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,472

13,231

13,768

14,588

13,745

28,333

27,254

Sales

Export

5,500

5,354

4,830

5,551

4,750

10,301

10,774

Local utility

7,701

7,579

8,426

8,546

8,106

16,652

15,916

Inland

326

330

361

383

308

691

664

Total

13,527

13,263

13,617

14,480

13,164

27,644

27,354

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,553

1,709

1,714

2,083

1,765

3,848

3,793

San Juan Coal

1,276

1,978

1,440

1,816

1,966

3,782

2,596

Total

2,829

3,687

3,154

3,899

3,731

7,630

6,389

Sales - local utility

3,327

3,213

3,353

3,897

3,739

7,636

7,040

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

2,054

2,318

2,590

2,595

2,189

4,784

3,810

Sales

Export

861

1,729

1,734

1,440

1,201

2,641

1,813

Inland

633

1,044

958

1,220

595

1,815

1,506

Total

1,494

2,773

2,692

2,660

1,796

4,456

3,319

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

1,623

2,043

1,982

2,163

1,724

3,887

3,659

Sales - export

1,999

1,828

2,283

2,166

1,954

4,120

3,965

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

HALF YEAR ENDED

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

DEC

DEC

DEC

2003

2004

2004

2004

2004

2004

2003

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

12.2

12.5

12.0

11.9

12.4

24.3

24.6

Sales

13.1

11.2

12.8

10.6

13.3

23.9

24.2

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

7.8

8.7

7.9

7.7

7.3

15.0

16.0

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.9

0.9

Sales

Nickel

8.4

8.0

7.9

7.7

7.8

15.5

16.2

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.5

0.9

0.9

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

269

266

264

265

271

536

496

(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 Plc
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________

Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 27 January 2005