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 October 2003

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

Level 27, 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

23 October 2003

Number

31/03

BHP BILLITON PRODUCTION REPORT
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2003



BHP Billiton today released its production report for the quarter ended 30 September 2003.

  • Record quarterly Western Australian Iron Ore production of 22.0 million tonnes and record quarterly despatches of 21.5 million tonnes (100 per cent basis).

  • Record quarterly Aluminium production resulting from early commissioning of the Mozal 2 expansion in Mozambique.

  • Copper production lower than June 2003 quarter due to processing of higher grade ore during the June 2003 quarter at Escondida (Chile) and a lower quantity of ore milled at Antamina (Peru).

  • Escondida to return to its normal mine plan and production profile commencing January 2004.

  • Richards Bay Minerals (South Africa) sales volumes materially lower than the June 2003 quarter due to significantly weaker market conditions.

****

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

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
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 Q03

SEP Q03

SEPT

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

vs

vs

2002

2003

2003

2003

2002

SEP Q02

JUN Q03

PETROLEUM

Crude oil & condensate

('000 bbl)

18,550

15,635

15,512

15,512

18,550

-16%

-1%

Natural gas

(bcf)

71.86

72.91

85.19

85.19

71.86

19%

17%

LPG

('000 tonnes)

208.96

205.57

199.33

199.33

208.96

-5%

-3%

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

27.67

24.97

27.32

27.32

27.67

-1%

9%

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

33

30

32

32

33

-3%

6%

ALUMINIUM

Alumina

('000 tonnes)

1,031

1,060

1,053

1,053

1,031

2%

-1%

Aluminium

('000 tonnes)

268

273

282

282

268

5%

3%

BASE METALS

Copper

('000 tonnes)

184.5

229.2

214.5

214.5

184.5

16%

-6%

Lead

(tonnes)

63,243

59,389

59,364

59,364

63,243

-6%

0%

Zinc

(tonnes)

48,542

54,396

49,094

49,094

48,542

1%

-10%

Gold

(ounces)

55,153

25,752

29,170

29,170

55,153

-47%

13%

Silver

('000 ounces)

11,260

9,643

10,596

10,596

11,260

-6%

10%

Molybdenum

(tonnes)

314

301

325

325

314

4%

8%

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

Iron ore

('000 tonnes)

18,628

19,420

20,922

20,922

18,628

12%

8%

Metallurgical coal

('000 tonnes)

8,650

9,026

9,099

9,099

8,650

5%

1%

Manganese ores

('000 tonnes)

1,095

1,058

1,153

1,153

1,095

5%

9%

Manganese alloys

('000 tonnes)

175

195

147

147

175

-16%

-25%

Hot briquetted iron

('000 tonnes)

333

458

496

496

333

49%

8%

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

Diamonds

('000 carats)

954

1,300

1,552

1,552

954

63%

19%

ENERGY COAL

Energy coal

('000 tonnes)

19,329

21,991

21,156

21,156

19,329

9%

-4%

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Nickel

('000 tonnes)

19.1

21.0

20.6

20.6

19.1

8%

-2%

Ferrochrome

('000 tonnes)

238

259

227

227

238

-5%

-12%

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

BHP BILLITON ATTRIBUTABLE PRODUCTION

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

BHP Billiton

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

Interest

2002

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

PETROLEUM

Production

Crude oil & condensate

(000 bbl)

18,550

16,398

15,310

15,635

15,512

15,512

18,550

Natural gas

(bcf)

71.86

69.41

66.99

72.91

85.19

85.19

71.86

LPG

('000 tonnes)

208.96

167.97

160.62

205.57

199.33

199.33

208.96

Ethane

('000 tonnes)

27.67

19.91

22.35

24.97

27.32

27.32

27.67

Total Petroleum Products

(million boe)

33

30

28

30

32

32

33

ALUMINIUM

ALUMINA

Production ('000 tonnes)

Worsley

86%

698

662

658

724

699

699

698

Suriname

45%

221

213

222

223

227

227

221

Alumar

36%

112

123

123

113

127

127

112

Total

1,031

998

1,003

1,060

1,053

1,053

1,031

ALUMINIUM

Production ('000 tonnes)

Hillside

100%

135

134

133

132

135

135

135

Bayside

100%

46

45

48

46

47

47

46

Alumar

46.3%

44

44

45

45

31

31

44

Valesul

45.5%

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

Mozal

47%

32

32

31

39

58

58

32

Total

268

266

267

273

282

282

268

BASE METALS (a)

COPPER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 tonnes)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

68.4

105.6

118.5

126.6

115.9

115.9

68.4

Tintaya (b)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Antamina

33.8%

25.7

26.4

23.6

21.2

16.9

16.9

25.7

Alumbrera (c)

25%

11.1

13.4

9.9

-

-

-

11.1

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

14.9

14.3

13.2

13.8

14.1

14.1

14.9

Selbaie

100%

2.8

2.1

1.7

1.8

1.6

1.6

2.8

Total

122.9

161.8

166.9

163.4

148.5

148.5

122.9

Cathode ('000 tonnes)

Escondida

57.5%

17.9

19.1

20.4

21.1

21.4

21.4

17.9

Cerro Colorado

100%

32.5

33.1

32.5

33.0

33.1

33.1

32.5

Tintaya (b)

100%

8.4

8.9

9.0

9.1

9.0

9.0

8.4

Pinto Valley

100%

2.8

2.7

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.8

Total

61.6

63.8

64.4

65.8

66.0

66.0

61.6

LEAD

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

61,676

57,651

58,711

59,389

59,364

59,364

61,676

Pering (d)

100%

1,567

694

354

-

-

-

1,567

Total

63,243

58,345

59,065

59,389

59,364

59,364

63,243

Refer footnotes on page 4.

BASE METALS (continued)

ZINC

Payable metal in concentate (tonnes)

Cannington

100%

15,182

14,721

15,480

18,479

14,850

14,850

15,182

Antamina

33.8%

18,189

15,424

20,519

28,553

27,933

27,933

18,189

Selbaie

100%

9,840

6,540

6,421

7,364

6,311

6,311

9,840

Pering (d)

100%

5,331

7,430

4,335

-

-

-

5,331

Total

48,542

44,115

46,755

54,396

49,094

49,094

48,542

GOLD

Payable metal in concentrate (ounces)

Escondida (b)

57.5%

10,074

15,936

17,458

20,664

25,016

25,016

10,074

Tintaya (b)

100%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Alumbrera (c)

25%

39,279

46,940

35,084

-

-

-

39,279

Selbaie

100%

4,486

5,069

4,146

4,081

3,129

3,129

4,486

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

1,314

1,230

1,114

1,007

1,025

1,025

1,314

Total

55,153

69,175

57,802

25,752

29,170

29,170

55,153

SILVER

Payable metal in concentrate ('000 ounces)

Cannington

100%

9,612

8,326

8,773

8,161

9,177

9,177

9,612

Escondida

57.5%

304

387

471

538

561

561

304

Antamina

33.8%

536

557

617

517

435

435

536

Alumbrera (c)

25.0%

53

72

75

-

-

-

53

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

162

159

140

143

160

160

162

Selbaie

100%

593

369

279

284

263

263

593

Total

11,260

9,870

10,355

9,643

10,596

10,596

11,260

MOLYBDENUM

Payable metal in concentrate (tonnes)

Antamina

33.8%

94

115

113

21

25

25

94

Highland Valley Copper

33.6%

220

250

260

280

300

300

220

Total

314

365

373

301

325

325

314

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS

IRON ORE

Production ('000 tonnes)

Mt Newman Joint Venture

85%

5,486

5,287

4,964

6,221

6,639

6,639

5,486

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (e)

85%

1,891

1,808

1,497

1,497

1,633

1,633

1,891

Area C Joint Venture (f)

85%

-

-

-

19

341

341

-

Yandi Joint Venture

85%

7,796

8,187

7,452

8,353

8,679

8,679

7,796

Jimblebar

100%

1,433

1,186

1,371

1,428

1,622

1,622

1,433

Samarco

50%

2,022

1,979

1,953

1,902

2,008

2,008

2,022

Total

18,628

18,447

17,237

19,420

20,922

20,922

18,628

METALLURGICAL COAL (g)

Production ('000 tonnes)

BMA

50%

4,652

5,032

5,838

5,769

5,591

5,591

4,652

BHP Mitsui Coal (h)

80%

1,863

1,472

1,200

2,033

1,926

1,926

1,863

Illawarra

100%

2,135

1,886

1,518

1,224

1,582

1,582

2,135

Total

8,650

8,390

8,556

9,026

9,099

9,099

8,650

Refer footnotes on page 4.

CARBON STEEL MATERIALS (cont'd)

MANGANESE ORES

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

581

560

534

574

600

600

581

Australia (i)

60%

514

499

356

484

553

553

514

Total

1,095

1,059

890

1,058

1,153

1,153

1,095

MANGANESE ALLOYS

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

124

125

117

137

93

93

124

Australia (i)

60%

51

65

60

58

54

54

51

Total

175

190

177

195

147

147

175

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Production ('000 tonnes)

Boodarie™ Iron

100%

333

414

465

458

496

496

333

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

DIAMONDS

Production ('000 carats)

Ekati™

80%

954

1,071

1,015

1,300

1,552

1,552

954

ENERGY COAL

Production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa

100%

13,838

13,333

13,256

13,812

13,782

13,782

13,838

USA

100%

2,800

4,339

3,147

3,877

3,582

3,582

2,800

Australia

100%

1,244

1,234

1,922

2,041

1,756

1,756

1,244

Indonesia (j)

80%

216

29

28

-

-

-

216

Colombia

33%

1,231

1,713

1,382

2,261

2,036

2,036

1,231

Total

19,329

20,648

19,735

21,991

21,156

21,156

19,329

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

NICKEL

Production ('000 tonnes)

CMSA

99.8%

11.7

11.9

11.1

12.2

12.4

12.4

11.7

Yabulu

100%

7.4

7.5

7.5

8.8

8.2

8.2

7.4

Total

19.1

19.4

18.6

21.0

20.6

20.6

19.1

FERROCHROME

Saleable production ('000 tonnes)

South Africa (i)

60%

238

230

263

259

227

227

238

(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. Sulphide mining operations recommenced at Tintaya during August 2003.

     The Escondida Phase IV expansion was commissioned in October 2002.

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

(c) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March 2003. The sale transaction reached closure in June 2003.

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

(e) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003.

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

   Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2002

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

PETROLEUM

BHP Billiton attributable production unless otherwise stated.

CRUDE OIL & CONDENSATE ('000 barrels)

Bass Strait

6,799

5,799

5,391

5,643

5,872

5,872

6,799

North West Shelf - condensate

1,602

1,510

1,566

1,560

1,491

1,491

1,602

North West Shelf - Wanaea/Cossack

1,876

1,655

1,679

1,606

1,604

1,604

1,876

Laminaria

2,914

1,869

1,419

1,161

1,151

1,151

2,914

Griffin

1,281

1,089

831

708

742

742

1,281

Pakistan

18

17

16

14

53

53

18

Typhoon/Boris (a)

1,233

654

852

1,430

1,214

1,214

1,233

Americas

718

652

816

715

608

608

718

Liverpool Bay

1,838

2,463

2,174

2,344

2,324

2,324

1,838

Bruce/Keith

271

690

566

454

453

453

271

Total

18,550

16,398

15,310

15,635

15,512

15,512

18,550

NATURAL GAS (billion cubic feet)

Bass Strait

33.07

21.07

17.51

25.37

33.04

33.04

33.07

North West Shelf - Domestic

3.62

3.82

3.81

4.07

3.99

3.99

3.62

North West Shelf - LNG

16.55

14.93

15.11

15.41

16.74

16.74

16.55

Griffin

0.95

1.03

0.81

0.81

0.96

0.96

0.95

Pakistan

2.83

2.76

2.57

2.33

7.86

7.86

2.83

Typhoon/Boris (a)

1.38

0.71

2.03

2.03

1.58

1.58

1.38

Americas

3.91

3.80

3.34

3.42

3.25

3.25

3.91

Bruce

4.59

10.55

10.04

8.17

8.77

8.77

4.59

Keith

0.07

0.15

0.15

0.14

0.11

0.11

0.07

Liverpool Bay

4.89

10.59

11.62

11.16

8.89

8.89

4.89

Total

71.86

69.41

66.99

72.91

85.19

85.19

71.86

LPG ('000 tonnes)

Bass Strait

149.66

115.23

111.74

135.18

150.19

150.19

149.66

North West Shelf

36.32

31.04

32.67

32.39

34.21

34.21

36.32

Bruce

22.45

20.47

15.10

37.24

14.12

14.12

22.45

Keith

0.53

1.23

1.11

0.76

0.81

0.81

0.53

Total

208.96

167.97

160.62

205.57

199.33

199.33

208.96

ETHANE ('000 tonnes)

27.67

19.91

22.35

24.97

27.32

27.32

27.67

TOTAL PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

33.1

30.0

28.4

30.3

32.1

32.1

33.1

(million barrels of oil equivalent) (b)

(a) Boris commenced production in February 2003.

(b) 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

2002

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

ALUMINIUM

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

ALUMINA

Production

Worsley, Australia

698

662

658

724

699

699

698

Paranam, Suriname

221

213

222

223

227

227

221

Alumar, Brazil

112

123

123

113

127

127

112

Total

1,031

998

1,003

1,060

1,053

1,053

1,031

Sales

Worsley, Australia

758

606

751

636

697

697

758

Paranam, Suriname

253

201

243

228

221

221

253

Alumar, Brazil

130

125

124

107

120

120

130

Total

1,141

932

1,118

971

1,038

1,038

1,141

ALUMINIUM

Production

Hillside, South Africa

135

134

133

132

135

135

135

Bayside, South Africa

46

45

48

46

47

47

46

Alumar, Brazil

44

44

45

45

31

31

44

Valesul, Brazil

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

Mozal, Mozambique

32

32

31

39

58

58

32

Total

268

266

267

273

282

282

268

Sales

Hillside, South Africa

124

135

133

143

134

134

124

Bayside, South Africa

47

45

48

48

54

54

47

Alumar, Brazil

38

52

38

51

38

38

38

Valesul, Brazil

9

12

9

10

11

11

9

Mozal, Mozambique

27

35

33

41

61

61

27

Total

245

279

261

293

298

298

245

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2002

2002

2003

2003

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)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

74,671

74,303

73,466

74,665

69,342

69,342

74,671

Sulphide ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

10,142

14,632

16,744

16,416

18,888

18,888

10,142

Average copper grade

(%)

1.45%

1.59%

1.49%

1.62%

1.33%

1.33%

1.45%

Production ex Mill (100%)

('000 tonnes)

125.6

191.8

210.8

230.9

208.2

208.2

125.6

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

68.4

105.6

118.5

126.6

115.9

115.9

68.4

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

10,074

15,936

17,458

20,664

25,016

25,016

10,074

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

17.9

19.1

20.4

21.1

21.4

21.4

17.9

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

304

387

471

538

561

561

304

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

77.0

104.8

113.5

128.9

116.2

116.2

77.0

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

11,689

16,709

17,166

20,138

25,335

25,335

11,689

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

18.1

19.5

19.3

20.3

18.1

18.1

18.1

Payable silver concentrate

('000 ounces)

269

400

484

584

574

574

269

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

Tintaya, Peru (a) (b)

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

4,151

4,151

-

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Average copper grade

(%)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.4

8.9

9.0

9.1

9.0

9.0

8.4

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

8.0

8.7

8.7

9.5

8.9

8.9

8.0

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

     Sulphide mining operations recommenced during August 2003.

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

Cerro Colorado, Chile

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

17,963

15,027

16,564

16,458

20,332

20,332

17,963

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

3,759

3,942

3,916

4,130

4,346

4,346

3,759

Average copper grade

(%)

0.97%

1.03%

1.00%

0.96%

0.99%

0.99%

0.97%

Production

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

32.5

33.1

32.5

33.0

33.1

33.1

32.5

Sales

Copper cathode

('000 tonnes)

27.2

29.1

39.3

31.5

28.9

28.9

27.2

Antamina, Peru

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

30,235

25,797

25,290

28,353

30,174

30,174

30,235

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

6,794

6,395

6,424

6,697

6,018

6,018

6,794

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

1.33%

1.41%

1.32%

1.09%

1.17%

1.17%

1.33%

- Zinc

(%)

1.28%

1.15%

1.54%

1.97%

2.17%

2.17%

1.28%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

25.7

26.4

23.6

21.2

16.9

16.9

25.7

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

18,189

15,424

20,519

28,553

27,933

27,933

18,189

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

536

557

617

517

435

435

536

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.09

0.11

0.11

0.02

0.03

0.03

0.09

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

30.6

25.8

22.4

21.2

18.6

18.6

30.6

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

19,184

14,407

15,400

31,034

26,781

26,781

19,184

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

590

530

575

435

420

420

590

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.02

0.17

0.10

0.10

0.01

0.01

0.02

Alumbrera, Argentina (a)

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

29,356

28,730

26,400

-

-

-

29,356

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

8,034

8,703

8,376

-

-

-

8,034

Average head grades

- Copper

(%)

0.62%

0.69%

0.54%

-

-

-

0.62%

- Gold

(g/t)

0.8

0.9

0.7

-

-

-

0.8

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

11.1

13.4

9.9

-

-

-

11.1

Payable gold

(fine ounces)

35,935

42,594

30,730

-

-

-

35,935

Payable gold - dore

(fine ounces)

3,344

4,346

4,354

-

-

-

3,344

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

53

72

75

-

-

-

53

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

10.3

13.3

10.8

-

-

-

10.3

Payable gold

(fine ounces)

33,957

42,381

33,438

-

-

-

33,957

Payable gold - dore

(fine ounces)

3,082

4,409

4,159

-

-

-

3,082

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

53

72

75

-

-

-

53

(a) BHP Billiton announced the sale of its interest in Alumbrera in March 2003.

     Participation in the joint venture ceased on 2nd April 2003.

Highland Valley, Canada

Material mined (100%)

('000 tonnes)

20,455

18,682

16,642

18,186

16,892

16,892

20,455

Ore milled (100%)

('000 tonnes)

12,941

12,924

11,602

12,565

12,261

12,261

12,941

Average copper grade

(%)

0.40%

0.39%

0.40%

0.39%

0.40%

0.40%

0.40%

Production

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

14.9

14.3

13.2

13.8

14.1

14.1

14.9

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.22

0.25

0.26

0.28

0.30

0.30

0.22

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

162

159

140

143

160

160

162

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

1,314

1,230

1,114

1,007

1,025

1,025

1,314

Sales

Payable copper

('000 tonnes)

14.4

17.5

10.0

10.7

16.7

16.7

14.4

Payable molybdenum

('000 tonnes)

0.19

0.22

0.26

0.23

0.28

0.28

0.19

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

153

189

106

116

177

177

153

Payable gold concentrate

(fine ounces)

1,240

1,644

843

793

1,505

1,505

1,240

Cannington, Australia

Material mined

('000 tonnes)

631

573

601

588

637

637

631

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

599

564

589

560

589

589

599

Average head grades

- Silver

(g/t)

564

535

550

525

564

564

564

- Lead

(%)

11.7%

11.9%

11.8%

12.1%

11.5%

11.5%

11.7%

- Zinc

(%)

4.3%

4.3%

4.3%

5.3%

4.0%

4.0%

4.3%

Production

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,612

8,326

8,773

8,161

9,177

9,177

9,612

Payable lead

(tonnes)

61,676

57,651

58,711

59,389

59,364

59,364

61,676

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

15,182

14,721

15,480

18,479

14,850

14,850

15,182

Sales

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

9,401

9,081

8,956

8,412

6,765

6,765

9,401

Payable lead

(tonnes)

59,856

62,735

57,961

58,742

43,953

43,953

59,856

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

12,077

14,849

18,056

13,288

16,223

16,223

12,077

Selbaie, Canada

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

1,049

999

919

982

858

858

1,049

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

1.37%

1.09%

1.11%

1.18%

1.13%

1.13%

1.37%

- Copper

(%)

0.33%

0.28%

0.25%

0.24%

0.25%

0.25%

0.33%

- Gold

(g/t)

0.23

0.25

0.23

0.23

0.22

0.22

0.23

- Silver

(g/t)

35.10

22.75

22.15

20.62

22.38

22.38

35.10

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

9,840

6,540

6,421

7,364

6,311

6,311

9,840

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,789

2,111

1,654

1,768

1,606

1,606

2,789

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

4,486

5,069

4,146

4,081

3,129

3,129

4,486

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

593

369

279

284

263

263

593

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

9,861

7,245

6,649

6,812

6,209

6,209

9,861

Payable copper

(tonnes)

2,823

2,107

2,751

1,612

1,918

1,918

2,823

Payable gold concentrate

(ounces)

5,932

3,082

5,508

4,280

4,384

4,384

5,932

Payable silver

('000 ounces)

527

478

444

355

292

292

527

Pering, South Africa (a)

Ore milled

('000 tonnes)

320

288

151

-

-

-

320

Average head grades

- Zinc

(%)

2.21%

3.34%

3.47%

-

-

-

2.21%

- Lead

(%)

0.66%

0.40%

0.33%

-

-

-

0.66%

Production

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

5,331

7,430

4,335

-

-

-

5,331

Payable lead

(tonnes)

1,567

694

354

-

-

-

1,567

Sales

Payable zinc

(tonnes)

3,701

6,179

5,343

4,466

-

-

3,701

Payable lead

(tonnes)

1,367

1,327

995

117

-

-

1,367

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

Pinto Valley, USA

Production

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.8

2.7

2.5

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.8

Sales

Copper cathode (SXEW)

('000 tonnes)

2.7

2.6

2.6

2.6

2.5

2.5

2.7

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2002

2002

2003

2003

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

5,486

5,287

4,964

6,221

6,639

6,639

5,486

Goldsworthy Joint Venture (b)

1,891

1,808

1,497

1,497

1,633

1,633

1,891

Area C Joint Venture (c)

-

-

-

19

341

341

-

Yandi Joint Venture

7,796

8,187

7,452

8,353

8,679

8,679

7,796

Jimblebar

1,433

1,186

1,371

1,428

1,622

1,622

1,433

Total (BHP Billiton share)

16,606

16,468

15,284

17,518

18,914

18,914

16,606

Total production (100%)

19,284

19,165

17,739

20,359

21,965

21,965

19,284

Shipments

Lump

4,335

4,290

4,352

4,193

4,898

4,898

4,335

Fines

11,842

13,896

12,144

13,187

13,334

13,334

11,842

Total (BHP Billiton share)

16,177

18,186

16,496

17,380

18,232

18,232

16,177

Total shipments (100%)

19,033

21,396

19,407

20,448

21,450

21,450

19,033

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

(b) Includes bulk sample production from Area C prior to May 2003.

(c) Mining commenced in May 2003.

Samarco, Brazil

Production

2,022

1,979

1,953

1,902

2,008

2,008

2,022

Shipments

2,034

2,004

2,049

2,153

2,013

2,013

2,034

METALLURGICAL COAL (a)

Queensland, Australia

Production

BMA

Blackwater

1,633

1,603

1,668

1,937

1,578

1,578

1,633

Goonyella

734

812

1,191

1,075

994

994

734

Peak Downs

789

757

1,009

1,076

1,004

1,004

789

Saraji

427

629

599

666

747

747

427

Norwich Park

573

451

610

527

524

524

573

South Blackwater

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gregory Joint Venture

496

780

761

488

744

744

496

BMA total

4,652

5,032

5,838

5,769

5,591

5,591

4,652

BHP Mitsui Coal (b)

Riverside

927

400

300

1,014

969

969

927

South Walker Creek

936

1,072

900

1,019

957

957

936

BHP Mitsui Coal total

1,863

1,472

1,200

2,033

1,926

1,926

1,863

Queensland total

6,515

6,504

7,038

7,802

7,517

7,517

6,515

Shipments

Coking coal

4,165

4,034

4,707

4,395

4,838

4,838

4,165

Weak coking coal

1,739

1,503

1,569

1,525

1,617

1,617

1,739

Thermal coal

1,022

800

852

943

801

801

1,022

Total

6,926

6,337

7,128

6,863

7,256

7,256

6,926

(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

2,135

1,886

1,518

1,224

1,582

1,582

2,135

Shipments

Coking coal

1,515

1,900

1,611

1,571

1,513

1,513

1,515

Thermal coal

134

95

242

179

91

91

134

Total

1,649

1,995

1,853

1,750

1,604

1,604

1,649

MANGANESE ORES

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

581

560

534

574

600

600

581

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

514

499

356

484

553

553

514

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

MANGANESE ALLOYS

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

124

125

117

137

93

93

124

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

Australia

Saleable production (a)

51

65

60

58

54

54

51

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

HOT BRIQUETTED IRON

Boodarie™ Iron, Australia

Production

333

414

465

458

496

496

333

Shipments

202

464

416

487

435

435

202

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2002

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

DIAMONDS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

DIAMONDS

Ekati™, Canada

Ore Processed (100%)

('000 tonnes)

996

1,045

1,087

1,182

1,064

1,064

996

Production

('000 carats)

954

1,071

1,015

1,300

1,552

1,552

954

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2002

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

ENERGY COAL

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

Ingwe, South Africa

Production

13,838

13,333

13,256

13,812

13,782

13,782

13,838

Sales

Export

5,648

6,609

5,696

6,339

5,274

5,274

5,648

Local utility

7,836

7,263

7,160

7,926

8,215

8,215

7,836

Inland

471

412

340

337

338

338

471

Total

13,955

14,284

13,196

14,602

13,827

13,827

13,955

New Mexico, USA

Production

Navajo Coal

1,602

2,154

1,797

2,497

2,262

2,262

1,602

San Juan Coal (a)

1,198

2,185

1,350

1,380

1,320

1,320

1,198

Total

2,800

4,339

3,147

3,877

3,582

3,582

2,800

Sales - local utility

3,546

3,348

3,316

3,643

3,713

3,713

3,546

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

Hunter Valley, Australia

Production

1,244

1,234

1,922

2,041

1,756

1,756

1,244

Sales

Export

783

881

1,036

1,301

952

952

783

Inland

366

276

704

1,285

873

873

366

Total

1,149

1,157

1,740

2,586

1,825

1,825

1,149

Kalimantan, Indonesia

Production (a)

Petangis (b)

216

29

28

-

-

-

216

Total

216

29

28

-

-

-

216

Sales - export

189

49

56

-

-

-

189

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

(b) Mining operations at Petangis ceased in October 2002.

Cerrejon Coal, Colombia

Production

1,231

1,713

1,382

2,261

2,036

2,036

1,231

Sales - export

1,246

1,851

1,971

2,247

1,966

1,966

1,246

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENT REPORT

QUARTER ENDED

QUARTER ENDED

SEPT

DEC

MARCH

JUNE

SEPT

SEPT

SEPT

2002

2002

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

BHP Billiton attributable production and sales unless otherwise stated.

('000 tonnes)

NICKEL

CMSA, Colombia

Production

11.7

11.9

11.1

12.2

12.4

12.4

11.7

Sales

10.5

12.8

10.3

13.5

11.1

11.1

10.5

Yabulu, Australia

Production

Nickel

7.4

7.5

7.5

8.8

8.2

8.2

7.4

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.5

Sales

Nickel

7.1

8.3

8.1

9.5

7.8

7.8

7.1

Cobalt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.5

FERROCHROME

South Africa

Saleable production (a)

238

230

263

259

227

227

238

(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:
23 October 2003