Global resources group BHP Billiton on Thursday reported increases in the production of iron ore, metallurgical coal, manganese ore, manganese alloys, natural gas, aluminium, copper, silver, lead, energy coal and ferrochrome for the nine months to March this year, compared with the nine months ended March last year.
During the March quarter, the ramp-up of BHP Billiton’s Western Australia iron-ore operations continued on schedule, with production of 25,8-million tonnes (100% basis) for the quarter.
However, the group reported lower oil and condensate production during the March quarter.
During the quarter, BHP Billiton saw its first gas production from the newly commissioned Minerva field in Australia.
BHP Billiton saw record quarterly alumina production of 1,1-million tonnes and record quarterly silver and lead production, reflecting higher head grades at Cannington in Australia.
After the end of the March quarter, BHP Billiton saw the commissioning of the Dendrobium project in Australia in April 2005, eight weeks ahead of schedule.
Total petroleum production for the March 2005 quarter was 28,5-million barrels of oil equivalent, 4% lower than the March 2004 quarter and 3% lower than the December 2004 quarter.
Aluminium production for the March 2005 quarter was 332 000 tonnes, in line with both the March 2004 and December 2004 quarters.
Copper output for the March 2005 quarter was 249 600 tonnes, 4% higher than the March 2004 quarter but 6% lower than the December 2004 quarter.
Silver production for the March 2005 quarter was a record 14-million ounces, 16% higher than the March 2004 quarter and 14% higher than the December 2004 quarter, reflecting higher head grades at Cannington.
Lead output for the March 2005 quarter was a record 80 899 tonnes, 14% higher than the March 2004 quarter and 13% higher than the December 2004 quarter, reflecting higher head grades at Cannington.
Metallurgical coal production for the March 2005 quarter was 8,9-million tonnes, 5% higher than the March 2004 quarter and 7% lower than the December 2004 quarter.
Manganese ore production for the March 2005 quarter was 1,3-million tonnes, in line with the March 2004 quarter and production was 5% lower than the December 2004.
Manganese alloys output for the March 2005 quarter was 197 000 tonnes, 10% higher than the March 2004 quarter and 5% lower than the December 2004 quarter.
Diamond output of 802 000 carats at the Ekati mine in Canada was 21% lower than the March 2004 quarter and 8% lower than the December 2004 quarter.
Energy coal production for the March 2005 quarter of 20,1-million tonnes was 6% lower than both the March 2004 and December 2004 quarters.
Nickel output for the March 2005 quarter was 20 800 tonnes, in line with the March 2004 quarter and 6% higher than the December 2004 quarter.
Ferrochrome production for the March 2005 quarter was 240 000 tonnes, 10% lower than the March 2004 quarter and 11% lower than the December 2004 quarter. — I-Net Bridge