BHP Billiton’s investment in growth projects, coupled with China’s sustained demand for raw materials, higher commodity prices and the performance of emerging economies, has delivered record profits for the world’s largest diversified miner.
BHP Billiton announced an attributable profit excluding exceptional items this week of $6,5-billion, up 85,5% from last year’s $3,5-billion and a record available cash flow of $8,7-billion.
Basic earning per share excluding exceptional items increased by 88,7% from 56,4 US cents last year to 106,4 US cents, while the final dividend per share of 14,5 US cents increases the 2005 total dividend to 28 US cents.
The Australian-based giant is an important player in the South African economy, following Anglo American as the second-largest company listed on the JSE Securities Exchange and making up 11,09% of the JSE All Share Index. Anglo American constitutes 11,25% of the bourse.
On a global ranking, BHP and Anglo are the two largest miners, followed by Rio Tinto and Brazil’s CVRD. Billiton’s market cap on Wednesday afternoon stood at R232-billion, down 4% on the JSE as results were in line with expectations.
During the year to June, eight new growth projects were brought into production, bringing the total to 24 major growth projects delivered over the past four years with a current project pipeline of $11,9-billion of new growth-related investment.
The first year of production for new operations ROD and Ohanet in Algeria and the start of oil production from Mad Dog in the United States increased earnings before interest and tax by $140-million.
These new growth projects contributed to record production in 11 commodities including iron ore, aluminum, nickel, manganese ore and silver, which showed a growth in volume between 40% and 60% at a time of increased commodity prices.
High commodity prices were primarily responsible for the 27,5% increase in turnover, up to $31,8-billion with base metals, carbon, steel materials, petroleum and energy coal prices contributing significantly.
The acquisition of WMC Resources for $7,2-billion introduced uranium to the group’s suite of energy products as well as adding assets to the group’s existing nickel and copper business.