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BHP Billiton plc 20-F 2007 Documents found in this filing:Table of ContentsSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. FORM 20-F
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act.
* Evidenced by American Depositary Receipts. Each American Depositary Receipt represents two ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Limited or BHP Billiton Plc, as the case may be. ** Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of the applicable American Depositary Shares. Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. None Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicated by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ¨ No x
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Table of ContentsIndicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨ Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ¨ Item 18 x If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨
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Table of ContentsForm 20-F Cross Reference Table
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Table of Contents1.1 Our business We are the world’s largest global diversified natural resources company, listed on the Australian, London and New York stock exchanges. Our Corporate Objective is to create long-term value through the discovery, development and conversion of natural resources, and the provision of innovative customer and market-focused solutions. Our businesses maintain a significant presence in eight major commodity markets: oil and gas, aluminium, copper, nickel, iron ore, manganese, metallurgical coal and energy coal, with additional exposures to uranium, gold, zinc, lead and silver. We have approximately 34,000 employees, or 38,540 employees including the employees of our jointly controlled entities working in more than 100 operations in approximately 25 countries. Our market capitalisation at 30 June 2007 was in excess of US$165 billion. In FY2007, we generated revenue together with our share of jointly controlled entities’ revenue of US$47.5 billion and profit attributable to shareholders of US$13.4 billion. We divide our Group into business units or Customer Sector Groups (CSGs), aligned with the commodities we extract and market. Our nine CSGs are:
Due to recent growth, and a change in internal reporting structure, Iron Ore, Manganese and Metallurgical Coal, which were previously reported as the Carbon Steel Materials CSG are now reported as separate CSGs. For a description of activities of each of these CSGs refer to section 2.2. Sections 1.2 and 1.3 have been omitted intentionally 1.4.1 Financial information Our selected financial information reflects the operations of the BHP Billiton Group, and should be read in conjunction with the 2007 financial statements, together with the accompanying notes. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as outlined in note 1 ‘Accounting Policies’ to the financial statements. We publish our consolidated financial statements in US dollars.
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Details of the principal differences between IFRS and US GAAP are set out in note 38 “US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles disclosures” in the financial statements.
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1.4.2 Operational information Our Board and Executive Committee monitor a range of financial and operational performance indicators, reported on a monthly basis, to measure performance over time. We also monitor a comprehensive set of health, safety, environment and community contribution indicators
1.5 Risk factors We believe that, because of the international scope of our operations and the industries in which we are engaged, numerous factors have an effect on our results and operations. The following describes the material risks that could affect the BHP Billiton Group. Fluctuations in commodity prices may negatively impact our results The prices we obtain for our oil, gas, minerals and other commodities are determined by, or linked to, prices in world markets, which have historically been subject to substantial variations. Our usual policy is to sell our products at the prevailing market prices. The diversity provided by the Group’s broad portfolio of commodities may not fully insulate the effects of price changes. Fluctuations in commodity prices can occur due to sustained price shifts reflecting underlying global economic and geopolitical factors, industry demand and supply balances, product substitution and national tariffs. Additionally, volatility in prices for most of our commodities will occur. The synchronisation of global commodity markets and influence of demand from China has impacted, and may continue to impact, price volatility. The influence of hedge and other financial investment funds participating in commodity markets has increased in recent years, contributing to higher levels of price volatility. The impact of potential longer-term sustained price shifts and shorter-term price volatility creates the risk that our financial and operating results and asset values will be materially and adversely affected by unforeseen declines in the prevailing prices of our products. Our profits may be negatively affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations Our assets, earnings and cash flows are influenced by a wide variety of currencies due to the geographic diversity of the countries in which we operate. Fluctuations in the exchange rates of those currencies may have a significant impact on our financial results. The US dollar is the currency in which the majority of our sales are denominated. Operating costs are influenced by the currencies of those countries where our mines and processing plants are located and also by those currencies in which the costs of imported equipment and services are determined. The Australian dollar, South African rand, Chilean peso,
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Table of ContentsBrazilian real and US dollar are the most important currencies influencing our operating costs. Given the dominant role of the US currency in our affairs, the US dollar is the currency in which we measure our financial performance. It is also the natural currency for borrowing and holding surplus cash. We do not generally believe that active currency hedging provides long-term benefits to our shareholders. We may consider currency protection measures appropriate in specific commercial circumstances, subject to strict limits established by our Board. Therefore, in any particular year, currency fluctuations may have a significant impact on our financial results. Failure to discover new reserves, enhance existing reserves or develop new operations may negatively affect our future results and financial condition The increased demand for commodities in recent years has resulted in existing reserves being depleted at an accelerated rate. Because most of our revenues and profits are related to our oil and gas and minerals operations, our results and financial conditions are directly related to the success of our exploration and acquisition efforts and our ability to replace existing reserves. The rapid growth in demand for mining and petroleum industry-related technical skills, supplies and critical equipment has led to shortages and delays in these areas. The depletion of reserves has necessitated exploration and development of new operations in less-developed countries, which may increase land tenure and related political risks. A failure in our ability to discover new reserves, enhance existing reserves or develop new operations in sufficient quantities to maintain or grow the current level of our reserves could negatively affect our results, financial condition and prospects. The influence of China may negatively impact our results in the event of a slowdown in consumption The Chinese market has become a significant source of global demand for commodities. China now represents in excess of 45 per cent of global seaborne iron ore demand, 22 per cent of copper, 25 per cent of aluminium and 17 per cent of nickel demand. China’s demand for these commodities has more than doubled in the last five years. Whilst this increase represents a significant business opportunity, our exposure to China’s economic fortunes and economic policies has increased. Sales into China generated US$9.3 billion, or 19.6 per cent of revenue including our share of jointly controlled entities’ revenue in the year ended 30 June 2007. In recent times, we have seen a synchronised global recovery, resulting in upward movement in commodity prices driven partly by China’s demand. This synchronised demand has introduced increased volatility in the Group’s commodity portfolio. Whilst this synchronised demand has, in recent periods, resulted in higher prices for the commodities we produce, a slowing in China’s economic growth could result in lower prices for our products and therefore reduce our revenues. In response to its increased demand for commodities, China is increasingly seeking self-sufficiency in key commodities, including investments in additional developments in other countries. These investments may impact future demand and supply balances and prices. Actions by governments or political events in the countries in which we operate could have a negative impact on our business We have operations in many countries around the globe, some of which have varying degrees of political and commercial stability. We operate in emerging markets, which may involve additional risks that could have an adverse impact upon the profitability of an operation. These risks could include terrorism, civil unrest, nationalisation, renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts, leases, permits or other agreements, and changes in laws and policy, as well as other unforeseeable risks. Risks relating to bribery and corruption may be prevalent in some of the countries in which we operate. If one or more of these risks occurs at one of our major projects, it could have a negative effect on the operations in those countries, as well as our overall operating results and financial condition. Our business could be adversely affected by new government regulation such as controls on imports, exports and prices, new forms or rates of taxation and royalties. Increasing requirements relating to regulatory, environmental and social approvals can potentially result in significant delays in construction, and may adversely impact upon the economics of new mining and oil and gas properties, the expansion of existing operations and our results of operations. In South Africa, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (2002) (MPRDA) came into effect on 1 May 2004. The law provides for the conversion of existing mining rights (so called ‘Old Order Rights’) to rights under the new regime (‘New Order Rights’), subject to certain undertakings to be made by the company applying for such conversion. The Broad Based Socio Economic Empowerment Charter (Mining Charter), published under the MPRDA, requires that mining companies achieve
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Table of Contents15 per cent ownership by historically disadvantaged South Africans of South African mining assets within five years, and 26 per cent ownership within 10 years. If we are unable to convert our South African mining rights in accordance with the MPRDA and the Mining Charter, we could lose some of those rights. We operate in several countries where ownership of land is uncertain and where disputes may arise in relation to ownership. In Australia, the Native Title Act (1993) provides for the establishment and recognition of native title under certain circumstances. In South Africa, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (1997) and the Restitution of Land Rights Act (1994) provide for various landholding rights. These Acts could negatively affect new or existing projects. We may not be able to successfully integrate our acquired businesses We have grown our business in part through acquisitions. We expect that some of our future growth will stem from acquisitions. There are numerous risks encountered in business combinations, and we may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses or generate the cost savings and synergies anticipated, which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. We may not recover our investments in mining and oil and gas projects Our operations may be impacted by changed market or industry structures, commodity prices, technical operating difficulties, inability to recover our mineral, oil or gas reserves and increased operating cost levels. These may impact the ability for assets to recover their historical investment and may require financial write-downs adversely impacting our financial results. Our non-controlled assets may not comply with our standards Some of our assets are controlled and managed by joint venture partners or by other companies. Some joint venture partners may have divergent business objectives that may impact business and financial results. Management of our non-controlled assets may not comply with our health, safety, environment, and other standards, controls and procedures. Failure to adopt equivalent standards, controls and procedures at these assets could lead to higher costs and reduced production and adversely impact our results and reputation. Operating cost pressures and shortages could negatively impact our operations and expansion plans The strong commodity cycle and large numbers of projects being developed in the resources industry has led to increased demand for, and shortages in, skilled personnel, contractors, materials and supplies that are required as critical inputs to our existing operations and planned developments. Labour unions may seek to secure an increased share of the economic rent in the current environment. A number of key cost inputs consumed in our operations are commodity price-linked and have consequently been impacted by the higher commodity price environment. These factors have led, and could continue to lead to, increased capital and operating costs at existing operations, as well as impacting the cost and schedule of projects under development. Industrial action may impact our operations resulting in lost production and revenues. We have undertaken, and may continue to undertake, activities to improve the cost and operating performance of our operations via our business excellence initiatives. These initiatives may not be successfully implemented, and potential operating cost and production benefits may not be fully realised. Health, safety and environmental exposures and related regulations may impact our operations and reputation negatively The nature of the industries in which we operate means our activities are highly regulated by health, safety and environmental laws. As regulatory standards and expectations are constantly developing, we may be exposed to increased litigation, compliance costs and unforeseen environmental remediation expenses. Potential health, safety and environmental events that may materially impact our operations include fall of ground incidents in underground mining operations, aircraft incidents, explosions or gas leaks, incidents involving mobile equipment, uncontrolled tailings breaches or escape of polluting substances. Longer-term health impacts may arise due to unanticipated workplace exposures by employees or site contractors. These effects may create future financial compensation obligations. We provide for mine and site remediation. Changes in regulatory or community expectations may result in the relevant plans not being adequate. This may impact financial provisioning and costs at the affected operations.
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Table of ContentsWe contribute to the communities in which we operate by providing skilled employment opportunities, salaries and wages, taxes and royalties and community development programs. Notwithstanding these actions, local communities may become dissatisfied with the impact of our operations, potentially affecting costs and production, and in extreme cases viability. Legislation (such as REACH) requiring manufacturers, importers and downstream users of chemical substances, including metals and minerals, to establish that the substances can be used without negatively affecting health or the environment may impact our operations and markets. These potential compliance costs, litigation expenses, regulatory delays, remediation expenses and operational costs could negatively affect our financial results. We may continue to be exposed to increased operational costs due to the costs and lost time associated with the HIV/AIDS and malaria infection rate of our African workforce. Because we operate globally, we may be affected by potential avian flu outbreaks in any of the regions in which we operate. The effects of avian flu may manifest themselves directly on employees, offices and operations, or indirectly on customers and markets. Despite our best efforts and best intentions, there remains a risk that health, safety and/or environmental incidents or accidents may occur that may negatively impact our reputation or licence to operate. Unexpected natural and operational catastrophes may impact our operations We operate extractive, processing and logistical operations in many geographic locations, both onshore and offshore. Our operational processes and geographic locations may be subject to operational accidents such as port and shipping incidents, fire and explosion, pitwall failures, loss of power supply, railroad incidents and mechanical failures. Our operations may also be subject to unexpected natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, flood, hurricanes and tsunamis. Existing insurance arrangements may not provide protection for all of the costs that may arise from such events. The impact of these events could lead to disruptions in production and loss of facilities adversely affecting our financial results. Climate change and greenhouse effects may adversely impact our operations and markets We are a major producer of energy-related products such as energy coal, oil, gas, liquefied natural gas and uranium. Energy is also a significant input in a number of our mining and processing operations. There is growing recognition that energy consumption is a contributor to global warming, greenhouse effects and potentially climate change. A number of governments or governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating regulatory change in response to the potential impacts of climate change. The December 1997 Kyoto Protocol established a set of greenhouse gas emission targets for developed countries that have ratified the Protocol. The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which came into effect on 1 January 2005, has had an impact on greenhouse gas and energy-intensive businesses based in the EU. Our petroleum assets in the UK are currently subject to the EU ETS, as are our EU based customers. Elsewhere, there is current and emerging regulation, such as the mandatory renewable energy target in Australia or potential carbon trading regimes that will affect energy prices. From a medium and long-term perspective, we are likely to see changes in the margins of our greenhouse gas-intensive assets and energy-intensive assets as a result of regulatory impacts in the countries in which we operate. These regulatory mechanisms may be either voluntary or legislated and may impact our operations directly or indirectly through our customers. Inconsistency of regulations may also change the attractiveness of the locations of some of our assets. Assessments of the potential impact of future climate change regulation are uncertain, given the wide scope of potential regulatory change in the 25 or more countries in which we operate. The potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain, and will be particular to the geographic circumstances. These may include changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing sea levels, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperature levels. These effects may adversely impact the cost, production and financial performance of our operations. Our human resource talent pool may not be adequate to support the Group’s growth The current strong commodity cycle and our pipeline of development projects have increased demand for highly skilled executives and staff with relevant industry and technical experience. The inability of the Group and industry to attract and retain such people may adversely impact our ability to adequately resource development projects and fill roles and vacancies in existing operations. Similar shortages have also impacted, and may continue to affect, key engineering, technical service, construction and maintenance contractors utilised by us in development projects and existing operations. These shortages may adversely impact the cost and schedule of development projects and the cost and efficiency of existing operations.
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Table of ContentsBreaches in our information technology (IT) security processes may adversely impact the conduct of our business activities We maintain global IT and communication networks and applications to support our business activities. IT security processes protecting these systems are in place and subject to assessment as part of the review of internal control over financial reporting. These processes may not prevent future malicious action or fraud by individuals or groups, resulting in the corruption of operating systems, theft of sensitive data, misappropriation of funds and disruptions to our business operations. A breach in our governance processes may lead to regulatory penalties and loss of reputation We operate in a global environment straddling multiple jurisdictions and complex regulatory frameworks. Our governance and compliance processes, which include the review of internal control over financial reporting, may not prevent future potential breaches of law, accounting or governance practice. Our Guide to Business Conduct and Anti-trust Protocols may not prevent non-adherence to business conduct protocols or instances of fraudulent behaviour and dishonesty. These may lead to regulatory fines, loss of operating licences and loss of reputation.
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Table of Contents1.6 Forward looking statements This Annual Report contains forward looking statements, including statements regarding:
Forward looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as ‘intend’, ‘aim’, ‘project’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘plan’, ‘believe’, ‘expect’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘will’, ‘continue’ or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations concerning the results of operations or financial condition, or provide other forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are not guarantees or predictions of future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained in this Annual Report. For example, our future revenues from our operations, projects or mines described in this Annual Report will be based, in part, upon the market price of the minerals, metals or petroleum produced, which may vary significantly from current levels. These variations, if materially adverse, may affect the timing or the feasibility of the development of a particular project or the expansion of certain facilities or mines. Other factors that may affect the actual construction or production commencement dates, costs or production output and anticipated lives of operations, mines or facilities include our ability to profitably produce and transport the minerals, petroleum and/or metals extracted to applicable markets; the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on the market prices of the minerals, petroleum or metals we produce; activities of government authorities in some of the countries where we are exploring or developing these projects, facilities or mines, including increases in taxes, changes in environmental and other regulations and political uncertainty; and other factors identified in the description of the risk factors above. We cannot assure you that our estimated economically recoverable reserve figures, closure or divestment of such operations or facilities, including associated costs, actual production or commencement dates, cost or production output or anticipated lives of the projects, mines and facilities discussed in this Annual Report, will not differ materially from the statements contained in this Annual Report. Except as required by applicable regulations or by law, the Group does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events.
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Table of Contents2.0 INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 2.1 BHP Billiton locations We generally extract and process minerals, oil and gas in the southern hemisphere from our major production operations in Australia, Latin America and southern Africa. Our sales are geographically diversified, but strongly concentrated in the northern hemisphere. Sales and marketing take place through our principal hubs of The Hague and Singapore.
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Table of Contents2.2.1 History and development Since June 2001, we have operated under a Dual Listed Companies (DLC) structure. Under the DLC structure, the two parent companies, BHP Billiton Limited (formerly BHP Limited and before that The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited) and BHP Billiton Plc (formerly Billiton Plc) operate as a single economic entity, run by a unified Board and management team. More details of the DLC structure are located under section 2.10 ‘Organisational structure’ of this Annual Report. BHP Billiton Limited was incorporated in 1885 and is registered in Australia with ABN 49 004 028 077. BHP Billiton Plc was incorporated in 1996 and is registered in England and Wales with registration number 3196209. The registered office of BHP Billiton Limited is 180 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia, and its telephone number is +61 3 9609 3333. The registered office of BHP Billiton Plc is Neathouse Place, London SW1V1BH, UK, and its telephone number is +44 20 7802 4000. 2.2.2 Petroleum Customer Sector Group Our Petroleum Customer Sector Group’s principal activities are oil and gas exploration, production, development and marketing in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Algeria, Trinidad and Tobago, and Pakistan. We also have exploration interests in Malaysia, Colombia and southern Africa. We previously operated on a geographic basis, with regions undertaking all aspects of exploration, development and production. From July 2006, we have reorganised on a functional basis, whereby dedicated exploration, development, production and marketing teams operate on a global basis with support groups enabling execution with common world-wide systems. For 2007 reporting purposes, we have grouped our assets into the following regions: Australia/Asia, Americas, and Europe/Africa/Middle East. We produce and market crude oil and condensates, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and ethane. Total production in FY2007 was 116.2 million barrels of oil equivalent, compared with total production in FY2006 of 117.4 million barrels of oil equivalent. Australia/Asia In Australia, we produce oil and gas from Bass Strait, the North West Shelf, the Griffin field and the Minerva gas field, with Bass Strait and North West Shelf being the major fields. In Asia, we produce gas and a small volume of condensate from the Zamzama gas field in Pakistan. The majority of our Bass Strait crude oil and condensate production is dispatched from the Bass Strait fields to refineries along the east coast of Australia. A significant proportion of the natural gas produced was sold to GASCOR, under a long-term Consumer Price Index (CPI) linked contract with periodic price reviews, for on-sale to retailers to meet local residential, commercial and industrial requirements. The GASCOR contract is due to expire on 31 December 2009 or upon depletion of the outstanding contractual volume, whichever is the earlier. We have entered into similar long-term contracts with AGL and TRUenergy that will extend gas supply to these two retailers until 2017. Other long-term contracts are also in place to supply gas to customers in New South Wales (Australia) and Tasmania (Australia). The domestic gas phase of the North West Shelf (NWS) Project delivers gas via pipeline to the Western Australian domestic market under long-term contracts. LNG from the NWS Project is sold under long-term contracts that expire at various periods from two to 27 years time to buyers in Japan, China and Korea that expire at various periods from two to 27 years time. The NWS LNG Project is currently undergoing an expansion, with Train 5 expected to be completed in late 2008. Capacity from this train has been sold under term contracts to existing buyers in Japan and Korea from 2009. Any spare capacity arising in the system from time to time is sold to existing buyers or into short-term markets. Americas Our operations in the Americas consist of interests in five producing assets in the Gulf of Mexico operations and the Angostura project off Trinidad and Tobago. Our operating fields in the Gulf of Mexico are Mad Dog, West Cameron 76, Mustang, Genesis and Starlifter. We also own 25 per cent and 22 per cent respectively in the companies that own and operate the Caesar oil pipeline and the Cleopatra gas pipeline, which transport oil and gas from the Green Canyon area to connecting pipelines that transport product to the US mainland. In October 2006, the sale of our working interest in the Typhoon, Boris and Little Burn oil fields was completed following regulatory approval.
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Table of ContentsOn 1 February 2007, we completed the purchase of an interest in the Genghis Khan oil and gas development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The transaction, which was announced in November 2006, closed for US$1.326 billion, with net share to BHP Billiton of US$583 million. Europe/Africa/Middle East Our Europe/Africa/Middle East producing assets include our fields off the UK coast and two operations in Algeria. In the UK, we produce oil and gas from Liverpool Bay and Bruce/Keith fields. In Algeria, we produce wet gas from Ohanet and oil from ROD Integrated Development. Information on Petroleum operations Significant oil and gas assets Production and reserves information for our most significant oil and gas assets are listed in the table below:
Detailed descriptions of our producing assets by geographical region are listed in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables.
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Development projects Australia/Asia Stybarrow In November 2005, our Board approved the development of the Stybarrow oil field in the Exmouth Sub-basin, off the northwest coast of Western Australia. At a water depth of approximately 825 metres, Stybarrow will be Australia’s deepest oil field development. The Stybarrow project consists of a development and a floating production, storage and offshore loading facility, which will be used to process, store and offload oil to export tankers. The vessel will be disconnectable, double-hulled and able to process approximately 80,000 barrels of liquids a day. We own a 50 per cent operated working interest in this permit, with the remaining interest held by Woodside Energy. Due to cost pressures, project costs were revised to approximately US$760 million (US$380 million (FY2006: US$300 million) our share), whilst first production is still expected during or ahead of third quarter FY2008. North West Shelf Train 5 expansion The expansion of the existing LNG processing facilities located on the Burrup Peninsula continues with the construction of the fifth LNG train. In June 2005, our Board approved our 16.67 per cent share of investment in a fifth LNG train expansion of the existing LNG processing facilities located on the Burrup Peninsula, which will increase total LNG production capacity to 43,500 tonnes per day. The project is currently progressing behind schedule due to the shortage of labour caused by accommodation constraints in Karratha. Measures to provide relief on this constraint took effect in third quarter FY2007. Our share of development costs, based on the operator’s (Woodside Energy) estimate, was revised to approximately US$300 million (FY2006: US$250 million), with first production expected by late second quarter FY2008.
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Table of ContentsNorth West Shelf Angel development Development of the Angel gas and condensate field, approved in December 2005 is currently underway. The development will include the installation of the venture’s third major offshore production platform, which will have a capacity to produce 800 MMcf/d of gas from the North West Shelf and associated infrastructure, including a new subsea 50 kilometre pipeline, which will be tied in to the first trunk line at the North Rankin platform. Our 16.67 per cent share of development costs, based on the operator’s (Woodside Energy) estimate, is approximately US$200 million. The project is currently on schedule and budget with first production scheduled for the end of second quarter FY2009. Pyrenees – WA-12-R/WA-155-P In July 2007, our Board approved the Pyrennes project to develop the WA-12-R permit portion of the Crosby, Stickle and Ravensworth oil fields in the Exmouth Sub-basin, off the northwest coast of Western Australia. Project costs for the Pyrenees development are approximately US$1.7 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion our share). The development consists of subsea production and injection wells tied back to a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility with an oil processing capacity of 96,000 barrels per day. First production is expected during the second half of FY2010. We own a 71.43 per cent operated working interest in the WA-12-R permit, with Apache Energy Ltd owning the remaining 28.57 per cent. The Ravensworth field straddles the WA-12-R and WA-155-P permits. We own a 40 per cent operated working interest in the WA-155-P permit, with Apache Energy Ltd owning 31.5 per cent and Inpex owning 28.5 per cent. Zamzama – Phase 2 Phase 2 of the Zamzama gas field development is currently under construction after being sanctioned in November 2005. Capacity is expected to increase by approximately 150 MMcf/d of gas and 800 bbl/d of condensate in September 2007 at a cost of US$120 million (US$46 million our share). We signed a gas sales and purchase agreement in November 2005 with the Government of Pakistan and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited. Americas Atlantis South We have a 44 per cent working interest in Atlantis South in the deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico. The facility will be a moored, semi-submersible platform with a capacity of 200 Mbbl/d of oil and 180 MMcf/d of gas. The expected cost has increased to US$1.63 billion (FY2006: US$1.1 billion) (our share) for the installation of the infrastructure and associated wells required to achieve plateau production from this facility. First oil is expected by the first half of FY2008. BP owns the other 56 per cent and operates the project. Neptune We have a 35 per cent interest and will operate the Neptune oil and gas project in the deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico. Other members of the joint venture are Marathon Oil (30 per cent), Woodside (20 per cent) and Repsol (15 per cent). The project will construct a stand-alone tension-leg platform with a nameplate capacity of 50 Mbbl/d and 50 MMcf/d of gas. The expected cost has increased to US$405 million (FY2006: US$300 million) (our share). First oil is expected by the end of the first half of FY2008. Shenzi/Genghis Khan We have a 44 per cent interest, and will operate the Shenzi oil and gas project in the deepwater fields of Gulf of Mexico. Other owners of the project are Repsol (28 per cent) and Hess Corporation (28 per cent). The project is constructing a stand-alone tension-leg platform (TLP) with a design capacity of 100 Mbbl/d and 50 MMcf/d of gas. First oil for the Shenzi development through the TLP is expected by the end of FY2009. On 1 February 2007, we completed the purchase of the Genghis Khan oil and gas development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The transaction, which was first announced in November 2006, closed for US$1.326 billion, with our net share of US$583 million. The field is part of the same geological structure as the Shenzi project. We are the operator of Genghis Khan and hold a 44 per
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Table of Contentscent interest. Co-venturers are Hess Corporation and Repsol YPF, each with 28 per cent. The Genghis Khan development consists of a 12,600 feet tieback to the existing Marco Polo TLP which is owned in a 50-50 per cent joint venture by Enterprise and Helix, and is operated by Anadarko. First oil through Marco Polo is expected in the first half of FY2008. Gross costs for the Shenzi/Genghis Khan field development (net of acquisition costs) is US$4.9 billion (US$2.2 billion) (our share). Other developments Cabrillo Port During the year, we continued to seek the Federal and State permits needed to construct and operate Cabrillo Port, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 22 kilometres offshore from Ventura County, California. On 18th May 2007, the Governor of California vetoed the project’s application for a federal deepwater port licence. Work on this project has now ceased. Exploration and appraisal We are focused on finding significant discoveries through wildcat drilling. We have exploration interests throughout the world, particularly the Gulf of Mexico, Western Australia and Malaysia. During the year, our gross expenditure on exploration was US$395 million. Our major exploration interests are as follows: Australia/Asia Scarborough We have a 50 per cent non-operated interest in the Scarborough gas field in WA-1-R (ExxonMobil holds the remaining 50 per cent and is the operator) which covers the northern extension of the mapped gas reservoir. The project is still examining a number of concepts for field development. Thebe The Thebe-1 exploration well was recently drilled offshore Western Australia. The well and subsequent evaluation confirmed a gas column encountered in the Exmouth Plateau of the Carnarvon Basin. The well was drilled in July 2007 and is located approximately 300 kilometres off the northwest coast of Western Australia in water depths of 3,848 feet (1,173 metres) and approximately 50 kilometres north of the Scarborough gas field. The well has now been abandoned after reservoir core was collected. BHP Billiton is the operator at Thebe-1 and holds a 100 per cent interest in the field. Browse The Browse basin is comprised of the Torosa, Brecknock and Calliance fields and is operated by Woodside Petroleum. It is divided into two joint ventures: East Browse and West Browse. We have an 8.33 per cent non-operated interest in East Browse and a 20 per cent non-operated interest in West Browse. An appraisal program is in progress and concurrently the operator is conducting concept selection studies. Malaysia In March 2007, we were awarded two offshore blocks in Malaysia. We are the operator of the blocks under two separate Production Sharing Contracts. The minimum exploration program includes the acquisition and processing of seismic data for approximately 2,300 square kilometres across the 2 blocks, and the drilling of 4 exploration wells within the first 7 years of the contracts. Americas – Gulf of Mexico Puma – Green Canyon/Western Atwater Foldbelt exploration The Puma-1 exploration well was drilled in January 2004. The well was drilled in 4,130 feet of water and encountered hydrocarbons in both the original hole and in two subsequent sidetrack bores. The first appraisal well was re-entered in January 2007 but did not encounter any commercial reserves and has been temporarily abandoned. A second appraisal well was drilled with additional wells planned in FY2008 to further evaluate the results of the prospect. Following an interim equity agreement, we hold a 29.805 per cent working interest in Puma. The other 70.195 per cent is held by BP (46.195 per cent), Chevron (21.75 per cent) and Statoil (2.25 per cent), subject to future redetermination.
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Table of ContentsKnotty Head – Green Canyon/Wester Atwater Foldbelt exploration We currently own a 25 per cent working interest in an exploration well on the Knotty Head Prospect, located in the Green Canyon area. Partners in the well are Nexen (25 per cent owner and operator), Anadarko (25 per cent) and Unocal (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron) (25 per cent). Unocal spudded the exploration well in March 2005. The initial well was completed in mid December 2005 followed by a sidetrack operation that was completed in early March 2006 to further evaluate the results of the discovery well. The well was drilled in 3,570 feet of water to a total depth of 34,189 feet and encountered hydrocarbons in both the original hole and the subsequent sidetrack. Additional appraisal work will be required to further evaluate the economic potential of the prospect. Cascade/Chinook – Walker Ridge exploration On 9 August 2006, Petrobras and Devon purchased our 50 per cent working interest in the Cascade blocks. Petrobras and Total E&P USA, Inc acquired our 40 per cent working interest in Chinook. We received cash and a right to future contingent consideration, as well as maintaining an overriding interest in these blocks. Americas - Colombia In June 2007, we signed a Joint Operating Agreement with Ecopetrol for the Fuerte Norte and Fuerte Sur blocks, located offshore in Colombia. We hold 75 per cent operated interest in each block with Ecopetrol holding the remaining 25 per cent. Europe/Africa/Middle East Namibia We hold interests in two blocks located offshore in Namibia, which we acquired in 2005. These are known as the Northern and Southern Block. In November 2006, we farmed out 25 per cent of its interest in these two blocks. Mitsui & Co. Ltd. acquired 15 per cent and the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (Pty) Ltd acquired 10 per cent with an option to consider additional equity. We remain the operator and hold the remaining 75 per cent interest. 2.2.3 Aluminium Customer Sector Group Through operations in Australia, Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa and Suriname, our Aluminium CSG mines bauxite, refines bauxite into alumina and smelts alumina into aluminium metal. The principal raw materials required for aluminium production are alumina, electricity, liquid pitch and petroleum coke. Alumina production requires bauxite, caustic soda and electricity. Most of the alumina we use to produce aluminium metal is sourced from our own operations. We buy caustic soda, liquid pitch and petroleum coke from a number of producers around the world. We sell part of our bauxite and alumina production to other refiners and smelters, and sell aluminium in the following forms: primary aluminium, foundry alloy, extrusion billet, rolling slab and wire rod. We are the world’s sixth largest producer of primary aluminium, with a total production capacity of approximately 1.3 mtpa of aluminium. We also have a total operating capacity of approximately 15.6 mtpa of bauxite and 4.5 mtpa of alumina. We sell aluminium metal to customers around the world, generally at prices linked to the London Metal Exchange (LME) price. Our alumina and bauxite sales are governed by a mixture of contract and spot sales. The Aluminium CSG’s operations comprise the following:
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In August 2006, we completed the sale of our 45.5 per cent interest in the Valesul Aluminio SA joint venture to our joint venture partner, Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) for US$27.5 million. Information on the Aluminium CSG’s bauxite mining operations Detailed descriptions of our assets are listed in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables.
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Information on the Aluminium CSG’s aluminium smelters and alumina refineries
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Development projects Worsley The Worsley Alumina Development Capital Project (DCP), which commenced in 2004, was completed in 2007 at a cost of US$235 million (US$188 million our share), resulting in a 0.25 mtpa increase in alumina production (0.215 mtpa our share) to 3.5 mtpa. The Efficiency and Growth Project at Worsley Alumina to lift production by 1.1mtpa (0.946 mtpa our share) to 4.6 mtpa is currently in definition phase. Alumar In December 2005, we approved a project to expand the refinery, which will increase annual alumina production capacity by 2.0 mtpa (0.7 mtpa our share) to 3.5 mtpa (1.3 mtpa our share). We have estimated that our share of this investment will total US$725 million. During the year, budgeted project costs have increased by approximately 40 per cent from US$518 million due to rises in construction, electrical, instrumentation, labour and general overhead costs. Guinea Alumina Project In April 2007, we announced the acquisition of a 33.3 per cent interest in the Guinea Alumina Project in Guinea, West Africa. The project comprises the design construction and operation of a 3 mtpa (1 mtpa our share) alumina refinery and a 9 mtpa (3 mtpa our share) bauxite mine and associated infrastructure. The Guinea Alumina Project is a joint venture between BHP Billiton (33.3 per cent), Global Alumina (33.3 per cent), Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (25 per cent) and Mubadala Development Company (8.3 per cent). We will appoint the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the joint venture company. We will provide a range of services to the joint venture under a formal services agreement, including assistance with the development, construction and management of the project, which will be operated in accordance
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Table of Contentswith our policies, procedures and standards. A preliminary estimate of total capital cost is approximately US$3 billion (US$1 billion our share), with first production in 2010. The feasibility study, which is currently under way, will refine this estimate over the course of FY2008. Exploration In Suriname, BHP Billiton and Suralco jointly hold the exploration licence over the Bakhuis region in western Suriname. The rights over this 2,780 square kilometre terrain were granted in November 2003 for a period of 25 months, with options for extension. The exploration phase was finalised in November 2005, and BHP Billiton and Suralco are currently entering the negotiations with the Government of Suriname in order to obtain the exploitation rights for the Bakhuis area. In the interim, the feasibility study of the future Bakhuis mine is in full progress. 2.2.4 Base Metals Customer Sector Group Through operations in Chile, Australia and Peru, our Base Metals CSG mines copper, silver, lead, zinc, molybdenum, uranium and gold. We have five primary products:
Some of the ores we mine contain significant quantities of silver and gold, which remain in the base metal concentrates we sell. We receive payment credits for silver and gold recovered by our customers in the smelting and refining process. In addition, we produce gold and silver bullion at our Olympic Dam smelting and refining operation. Our portfolio of large, low-cost mining operations includes the Escondida mine in Chile, which is the world’s largest producer of copper, and Olympic Dam in Australia, a world-class uranium/copper deposit. We are also developing a number of copper mining projects. In addition to conventional mine development, we are also pursuing advanced bio-leaching technology, which we believe has the potential to achieve significant reductions in the cost of producing base metals. Copper Our majority-owned Escondida copper mine in northern Chile has separate processing streams producing high-quality copper concentrate and pure copper cathode. Our other key copper assets are the Cerro Colorado and Spence copper mines in northern Chile, the Antamina copper and zinc operations in Peru, and the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in Australia. In FY2007, our share of total production was 1.25 mtpa of payable copper in cathode and concentrate. We provide base metals concentrates to smelters and copper cathode to rod and brass mills and casting plants around the world. We sell the majority of our copper cathode production on annual contracts with a fixed premium and the majority of our copper concentrate production to smelters under long-term contracts, with treatment and refining charges negotiated mainly on an annual or bi-annual basis. The price of contained copper is determined by the prevailing LME market price generally for cathodes in the month after shipment and for concentrate three months after shipment. The remainder is sold on a spot basis. In December 2006, the Spence open-cut copper mine, produced its first copper cathode. Production is currently in ramp up mode, with a nominal annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes of copper cathode. The project was completed within the budget of US$990 million, excluding foreign exchange impacts of the stronger Chilean peso. Including foreign exchange impacts, the project cost was US$1.1 billion. Copper zinc Our Antamina mine located in the Ancash province in Peru produces four types of mineral concentrates: copper, zinc, molybdenum and lead/bismuth. Copper and zinc concentrates, which represent the majority of Antamina’s revenues, are mainly sold to third party smelters. The remainder of our production is sold to third party roasters and merchants. Copper uranium Our Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine in South Australia is our only asset producing uranium oxide. The bulk of uranium production is sold under long-term, fixed price sales contracts with overseas electricity generating utilities. Gold and silver produced are sold to the Perth Mint, Australia. We acquired Olympic Dam as part of our acquisition of WMC in June 2005.
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Table of ContentsSilver, lead and zinc Cannington is the world’s largest single mine producer of both silver and lead and a significant producer of zinc. All of Cannington’s lead and zinc concentrate production for FY2007 was committed under frame contracts with smelters in Australia, Korea, Japan and Europe at prices linked to the relevant LME prices. The price is determined by the prevailing LME market price for concentrate, generally three months after shipment. Following an assessment of ground conditions in May 2006, we accelerated the program of decline and stope access rehabilitation to improve safety conditions. This program was completed in January 2007 at a cost of approximately US$30 million. Mine production rates have returned to expected levels. Information on the Base Metals CSG’s mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets are listed in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables.
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Development projects Olympic Dam Due to the size of the Olympic Dam orebody, there is potential to further increase the size of the operation over and above the current capacity. A pre-feasibility study is currently being undertaken to examine capacity expansion options. The scope of the pre-feasibility study will address operational capacity, mining methods, processing and smelter options, and the infrastructure, health, safety and environmental practices required to support the expansion options. A substantial expansion of Olympic Dam will require completion of feasibility study and subsequent Board approval, as well as various regulatory and governmental approvals covering a range of operational matters.
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Table of ContentsPinto Valley Pinto Valley, an open-cut copper mine in Arizona, USA, ceased operations in 1998 due to uneconomic conditions. Cathode production continued through residual heap leach operations, utilising existing ore stockpiles. During FY2007, the restart of the concentrate facilities at Pinto Valley was approved. The restart project began in January 2007 and concentrate production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of FY2008, with an estimated annual average copper in concentrate production of 70 ktpa.
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Table of Contents2.2.5 Diamonds and Specialty Products Customer Sector Group The Diamonds and Specialty Products CSG encompasses our diamonds and titanium minerals businesses and included the fertilisers business until its sale in August 2006. Our principal operations are located in Canada, South Africa and Mozambique. Diamonds The cornerstone of our diamonds business is the EKATI Diamond Mine. EKATI has produced an average of approximately 3.5 million carats of rough diamonds annually over the last two years. Due to changes in available ore sources, future rough diamond production may vary from historical levels. Annual sales from EKATI (including minority shares) represent around three per cent of current world rough diamond supply by weight and six per cent by value. We sell most of our rough diamonds to international diamond buyers through our Antwerp sales office. We also sell a smaller amount of our diamond production to two Canadian manufacturers based in the Northwest Territories. We sell polished diamonds, manufactured through contract polishing arrangements, through our CanadaMark™ and AURIASTM brands. Titanium minerals Our interest in titanium minerals consists of our 50 per cent effective interest in Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa, and the Corridor Sands and TiGen minerals sands projects in Mozambique. RBM is a leading producer of titania slag, high-purity pig iron, rutile and zircon from mineral sands. The zircon, rutile and pig iron are sold as end-products both internationally and locally. Ninety five per cent of the total capacity is exported, yielding a world market share of approximately 15 per cent for titanium feedstocks and 20 per cent for zircon. Approximately 90 per cent of the titanium dioxide slag produced by RBM is suitable for the chloride process of titanium dioxide pigment manufacture and is sold internationally under a variety of short, medium and long-term contracts. In June 2007, RBM announced that the preferred members of a Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) consortium have been identified to acquire a shareholding in the joint venture. The BBBEE consortium will acquire 24 per cent of both the mining and smelting operations at RBM. It is envisaged that RBM employees will become shareholders though an employee share ownership plan (ESOP) which will own a further two per cent of RBM. The next step in the process will be to finalise negotiations with the selected parties and to agree on the terms of the transaction. Corridor Sands is currently in the pre-feasibility phase. We are in the process of divesting TiGen. Fertilisers Southern Cross Fertilisers was acquired as part of WMC. On 1 August 2006, we completed the sale of Southern Cross Fertilisers to Incitec Pivot Limited for US$98 million. Information on Diamonds and Specialty Products mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets are listed in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables.
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Table of ContentsDevelopment projects Koala Underground In June 2006, we approved the development of the second commercial underground mine at the EKATI Diamond Mine in Canada. In addition to the mine development, the investment provides for mine ventilation systems, an underground conveyor connecting to the existing Panda Underground conveyor, and minor surface infrastructure and mobile equipment. The project is designed to deliver a total of 7.1 million dry tonnes of ore to the process plant and recover 6.5 million carats of high-quality Koala diamonds. Total project life is expected to be 11 years. Total development costs are estimated at US$250 million (our share US$200 million). First production is expected in the second quarter of FY2008. Corridor Sands We own 90 per cent of Corridor Sands Ltd, the joint venture company that holds the Corridor Sands mineral tenement. The other 10 per cent equity is owned by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Ltd. Currently, the project is in the pre-feasibility phase to study the options to exploit undeveloped ilmenite deposits near the town of Chibuto, 190 kilometres north of Maputo and 50 kilometres inland from Xa Xai in the Gaza Province, Southern Mozambique. A world-scale integrated open-cut mining, concentration and smelting operation is envisaged to produce titania slag and high-purity iron, as well as the minerals rutile and zircon. We have a Prospecting and Research Licence (Mineral Tenement) on land that incorporates the Corridor Sands mineral sands project, which we can convert to a mining title upon committing to a development plan. TiGen We own a 100 per cent interest in TiGen, another significant ilmenite orebody, located at Moebase in northern Mozambique. We are in the process of divesting TiGen. Potash We have acquired access to substantial acreage in the world’s largest mineable potash basin in Canada. We plan to progress the concept study in 2008.
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Table of Contents2.2.6 Stainless Steel Materials Customer Sector Group Our Stainless Steel Materials CSG is the world’s third largest nickel producer. Stainless Steel Materials primarily services the stainless steel industry through its wide range of high-quality nickel products. We produce the following products:
In addition, we supply nickel and cobalt to other markets, including the specialty alloy, foundry, chemicals and refractory material industries and also the intermediate nickel market. Our products are sold under a mix of long-term, medium-term and spot contracts, with nickel prices linked to the London Metal Exchange. We acquired Nickel West as part of the WMC acquisition in June 2005. Nickel West is the world’s third largest producer of nickel in concentrate. It is a fully integrated nickel business comprising mines, concentrators, a smelter and a refinery in Western Australia. We mine nickel ore at Leinster and Mt Keith and concentrate the ore on-site. The combined concentrate product is transported by rail and mixed with concentrate from our Kambalda concentrator at our Kalgoorlie smelter. The Kalgoorlie smelter produces nickel matte and sulphuric acid. During FY2007, approximately 55 per cent of the matte was sent by rail to our Kwinana refinery, while the rest was exported. The Kwinana refinery produces nickel metal (LME briquettes and nickel powder), ammonium sulphate, copper sulphide and mixed sulphides (mainly nickel and cobalt), which are exported (excluding ammonium sulphate). Ammonium sulphate is sold locally, with any excess exported. Nickel West will include the nickel operation at Ravensthorpe, Western Australia (refer to ‘Development projects’ below) upon completion. Cerro Matoso is an integrated nickel mining, smelting and refining operation located in northern Colombia. Cerro Matoso is the world’s second largest producer of ferronickel and a nickel industry leader in unit cost of production. Cerro Matoso combines a high-grade lateritic nickel deposit with large-scale rotary kiln/electric furnace production facilities to produce ferronickel for export. The Yabulu refinery is a nickel and cobalt processing plant. We purchase approximately 3.5 wet mtpa of nickel and cobalt-bearing laterite and some saprolitic ores from third party mines in New Caledonia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The purchases are made under short and medium-term supply agreements. The refinery produces high-purity nickel and cobalt products that are used in the manufacture of stainless steel, specialty steels, alloys and chemicals. The price of the ore we purchase is linked to the nickel and cobalt metal content and current LME metal prices. We sell the nickel products with varying metal content in the range 32 per cent to 99 per cent nickel. We sell the cobalt in oxide-hydroxide form. Information on Stainless Steel Materials mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets are listed in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables.
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Development projects Yabulu In March 2004, we approved the expansion of the Yabulu refinery (in conjunction with the development of the Ravensthorpe Nickel Project described below). The expansion will increase nickel production capacity of the existing plant to an estimated 76,000 tonnes per annum and extend the life of the refinery by approximately 25 years. In November 2006, the approved budget for the project was revised to US$556 million. First nickel metal production is expected from the expanded refinery in 2008. Ravensthorpe The Ravensthorpe Nickel Project was approved in March 2004. In November 2006 the Board approved a revised budget of US$2.2 billion. The first shipment of MHP was also revised from the fourth quarter of calendar year 2006 to fourth quarter of calendar year 2007. The project includes the development of a mine, treatment plant and associated infrastructure near Ravensthorpe in Western Australia. The Ravensthorpe processing plant will produce a mixed nickel cobalt hydroxide intermediate product, which will feed the expansion of the Yabulu refinery. Cliffs The Cliffs Nickel Project was approved in July 2007 with an approved budget of US$139 million. The Cliffs project is a new development of an underground, narrow-vein nickel mine located in the Northern Goldfields of Western Australia. The project will supplement ore supply to the existing concentrator at Leinster Nickel Operations. It is expected to generate an estimated 8,500 tonnes per annum of nickel in ore over 10 years, commencing in October 2008.
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Table of Contents2.2.7 Iron Ore Customer Sector Group Due to recent growth, and a change in internal reporting structure, Iron Ore, Manganese and Metallurgical Coal, which were previously reported as Carbon Steel Materials CSG, are now reported as separate CSGs. Our principal iron ore operations are based in the Pilbara region of northwestern Australia. Through a series majority-owned joint ventures we mine iron ore from a number of open-cut mines and transport it by our own rail network to our port facilities at Port Hedland. We also hold a 50 per cent interest in Samarco, with mining operations and associated transport infrastructure located in Brazil. We sell lump and fine product from Australia, while Samarco sells pellets from Brazil, to steel producers, principally located in China, other countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe and the United States. Sales are generally under long-term contracts, with prices set annually. Iron ore mined from Yandi, Jimblebar and Mt Goldsworthy Area C deposits is sold under marketing arrangements that are detailed in the footnotes to the production and reserves tables in sections 2.4.2 (footnotes 16, 17 and 19) and 2.14.2 of this Annual Report. On 24 August 2005, we announced the permanent closure of the hot briquetted iron production facilities at our wholly-owned Boodarie Iron plant in Western Australia. Demolition of the lower level structures surrounding the main furnace and briquetting building began in February 2007, with the aim of completing the demolition in first half of FY2009. We intend to retain the Boodarie Iron beneficiation plant to complete feasibility studies into longer-term options for our lower-grade iron ore. Information on Iron Ore mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets by are listed in the table below. This table should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables.
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Development projects Western Australia Iron Ore We have undertaken a series of development projects referred to as Rapid Growth Projects (RGP). In February 2004, we completed an expansion of our Port Hedland facilities, which increased capacity to 100 mtpa. In October 2004, our Board approved Rapid Growth Project 2 (RGP2), which comprised mine, rail and port capacity increases through the development of orebody 18, purchase of additional rolling stock, and a new car dumper at our Finucane Island facility at Port Hedland. RGP2 project work was completed in June 2006 increasing system capacity to 118 mtpa by the end of the second quarter of FY2007. However, the closure of Boodarie Iron in 2005 reduced system capacity by 1 mtpa. There has been an 8 mtpa reduction in capacity since September 2006 owing to the suspension of ship loading from the old Goldsworthy operations at Finucane Island, which is being replaced as part of RGP3 (approved by our Board in October 2005). Work continues on RGP3’s mine rail and port expansions with a budgeted cost of US$1,300 million. The related installed capacity at the Area C mine will increase by 20 mtpa by the second quarter of FY2008. The total system capacity at the conclusion of RGP3 in the first half of FY2008 will be 129 mtpa. In March 2007, BHP Billiton announced approval for the Rapid Growth Project 4 (RGP4), which will increase system capacity across our Western Australian iron ore operations to 155 mtpa at a budgeted cost of US$1,850 million. Samarco In October 2005, our Board approved construction of a third pellet plant at Ponta Ubu, together with a mine expansion, a new concentrator at Germano, port enhancements and a second slurry pipeline. The project will increase iron ore pellet capacity by 7.6 million tonnes at a cost of US$1.18 billion (US$590 million our share). Production is scheduled to commence during the second half of FY2008.
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Table of Contents2.2.8 Manganese Customer Sector Group Due to recent growth, and a change in internal reporting structure, Iron Ore, Manganese and Metallurgical Coal, which were previously reported as Carbon Steel Materials CSG, are now reported as separate CSGs. We hold our South African manganese interests through a 60 per cent holding in Samancor Manganese (Pty) Ltd. The remaining 40 per cent is held by Anglo American. In South Africa, Samancor Manganese produces manganese ore from two mines at Hotazel in the Northern Cape Province, produces manganese alloy at a plant (Metalloys) in Gauteng Province and has a 51 per cent interest in Manganese Metal Company, a producer of electrolytic manganese metal. In July 2006, we purchased Mitsui’s 50 per cent shareholding in Advalloy (Pty) Ltd, which produces refined manganese alloys at the Metalloys site, making Samancor Manganese the 100 per cent owner of Advalloy. In Australia, we produce ore at Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory (GEMCO) and manganese alloys in northern Tasmania (TEMCO). We have a 60 per cent effective ownership of both GEMCO and TEMCO. We are the managers of all the above operations. We sell manganese ore to alloyers, principally in Asia, Europe, Australia and South Africa. Of our external sales, approximately 50 per cent are priced annually. The rest are priced quarterly or occasionally on a spot basis. We sell manganese metal and alloys, principally to steelmakers under long-term contracts that usually provide for quarterly adjustment of prices, either by negotiation or reference to published market prices. Information on Manganese mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets are listed in the table below. These tables should be read in conjunction with the production and reserve tables below.
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Information on Manganese smelters, refineries and processing plants
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Table of Contents2.2.9 Metallurgical Coal Customer Sector Group Due to recent growth, and a change in internal reporting structure, Iron Ore, Manganese and Metallurgical Coal, which were previously reported as Carbon Steel Materials CSG, are now reported as separate CSGs. Our Metallurgical Coal CSG is the world’s largest supplier of seaborne metallurgical coal. We mine metallurgical coal in Australia and sell it to steel producers in Japan, Europe, Korea, India, Taiwan, Brazil, China and Australia, generally under annual contracts. Together with Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd, we own six open-cut coal mines, two underground coal mines and a port in the Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia. These coal mining operations are managed through BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd (BMA), a jointly owned entity, and we market the coal produced. These mines are separated into two joint venture structures in which we have a 50 per cent interest, namely the Central Queensland Coal Associates (CQCA) joint venture and the Gregory joint venture. Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd has the remaining 50 per cent interest in these two joint ventures. In addition, BMA operates two other Bowen Basin mines for BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd, in which we have an 80 per cent interest. The majority of the coal production is high-quality metallurgical coal used for steelmaking. The CQCA joint venture owns and operates the Hay Point coal terminal in Mackay, Queensland, through which most of the venture’s coal is shipped. Hay Point has throughput capacity of 40 mtpa and can accommodate bulk carriers of up to 230,000 deadweight tonnes. We also own and operate three underground coal mines in the Illawarra region of New South Wales (Australia). Coal from these mines is either sold to BlueScope Steel’s Port Kembla steelworks or shipped to domestic and international customers. Information on Metallurgical Coal mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets are listed in the tables below. The tables should be read in conjunction with the production and reserves tables.
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Development projects Maruwai (Lampunut) We are conducting exploration activities and feasibility studies into the development of coking coal operations in the Maruwai Basin under various Coal Contract of Work (CCOW) agreements with the Indonesian Government. If approved, the first stage of the development will see the development and operation of a 1 mtpa facility in the Lahai CCOW by the end of calendar year 2008 with subsequent development of a 3 to 5 mtpa facility in the Maruwai CCOW.
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Table of Contents2.2.10 Energy Coal Customer Sector Group Our Energy Coal CSG is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of export thermal (energy) coal. We mine energy coal in South Africa, Australia, Colombia and the United States. Most of our domestic energy coal sales are under medium and long-term fixed-price contracts with power generation companies and utilities in Australia, South Africa and the US. Most of our export sales are made under short and medium-term contracts in Europe, Asia and the US. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa Limited (BECSA), previously Ingwe Collieries Limited, we operate six coal mines in the Witbank region of Mpumalanga province of South Africa. In FY2007, we supplied 30 million tonnes of energy coal to Eskom, a public electricity service company in South Africa, and exported the bulk of the remaining 22 million tonnes. In November 2006, we announced our intention to sell the Optimum mine. A binding bid received during January 2007, following a proposal, is currently going through the formal BHP Billiton review process. We announced on 2 July 2007 that we had reached closure on the sale of Koornfontein Mine together with 1.5 mtpa of Richards Bay Coal Terminal entitlement to an entity controlled by a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) consortium. The BEE consortium, which holds 50 per cent plus one share in the new entity, is led by Siyanda Resources (Pty) Limited and AKA Resources Holdings (Pty) Limited, and includes various broad based groups as well as a Koornfontein employee trust. Coronation Capital Limited and Investec Bank Limited will together hold 50 per cent less one share in the new entity. The conclusion of the sale was effective 30 June 2007. BECSA currently owns 33.96 per cent of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), which has a capacity of 72 mtpa, through which exports are shipped. This reduction from FY2006 relates to the completion of the sale of Koornfontein and the sale of shares to Exxaro. The sale of Optimum will see BECSA relinquish an additional 6.5 mtpa of this entitlement to the new owner reducing our holding of RBCT to 24.9 per cent. In Australia, we mine energy coal at Mt Arthur mine. We are currently undertaking underground feasibility work on the adjacent Bayswater mining area. We deliver approximately one third of Mt Arthur’s production to local power stations via a 10 kilometre overland conveyor. The remainder is transported by rail approximately 100 kilometres to the port of Newcastle. In New Mexico (USA), we own and operate the Navajo open-cut and San Juan underground mines. Navajo’s production is sold to the Four Corners Power Plant under long-term contracts. San Juan’s production is sold to the nearby San Juan Generating Station under long-term contracts. The Cerrejon Coal Company operates open-cut mines in La Guajira province in northeastern Colombia. Production is mainly for export. Information on Energy Coal mining operations Detailed descriptions of our producing assets are listed in the tables below. The tables should be read in conjunction with the production and reserves tables
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Development Projects We currently have a number of projects in feasibility phase namely Douglas Middelburg optimisation and Klipspruit in South Africa, Mount Arthur underground and Newcastle third port in Australia and Navajo mine extension in the USA.
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Table of Contents2.3.1 Petroleum The table below details our Petroleum CSG’s historical net crude oil and condensate, natural gas, LNG, LPG and ethane production by region for the three years ended 30 June 2007, 2006 and 2005. We have shown volumes and tonnages of marketable production after deduction of applicable royalties, fuel and flare. We have included in the table average production costs per unit of production and average sales prices for oil and condensate and natural gas for each of those periods.
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Table of Contents2.3.2 Minerals The table below details our mineral and derivative product production for all CSGs except Petroleum for the three years ended 30 June 2007, 2006 and 2005. Production shows our share unless otherwise stated.
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