BHP Billiton updates on aluminium, manganese and nickel production

Production;
Alumina – Alumina production increased by 6% in the 2014 financial year to a record 5.2 MT. The Efficiency and Growth project at Worsley reached nameplate capacity during the year and annual production records were achieved at both the Worsley and Alumar refineries.

Aluminium – Aluminium production in the 2014 financial year was unchanged at 1.2 MT. Production records at both Hillside and Mozal were offset by lower volumes at Alumar following the phased suspension of 103 kt (BHP Billiton share) of annualised capacity during the 2014 financial year. The final potline at Bayside was closed in June 2014, although the cast house will be supplied by our Hillside smelter as we continue to assess its future.

Manganese ores – Despite achieving record production in the June 2014 quarter, manganese ore volumes declined by three per cent in the 2014 financial year as GEMCO was affected by higher than usual rainfall during the wet season.

Manganese alloys – Manganese alloy production increased by 6% from the 2013 financial year which was affected by the temporary suspension of operations at TEMCO.

Nickel – Nickel production declined by seven per cent in the 2014 financial year to 143 kilo tonne as production at Cerro Matoso was affected by kiln and furnace outages and lower nickel grades. Nickel West production declined by 4% following the closure of the Perseverance underground mine in November 2013.

Saleable nickel production at Nickel West is expected to decline by four per cent in the 2015 financial year to 95 kilo tonne. Ferro nickel production at Cerro Matoso is expected to decline by 3% to 43 kilo tonne as a result of lower grades and recoveries.

On 14 May 2014, BHP Billiton announced a review of the Nickel West business, comprising the Mt Keith, Cliffs and Leinster mines, its concentrators, the Kalgoorlie smelter and the Kwinana refinery. The review is considering all options for the long-term future of Nickel West, including the potential sale of all or part of the busines

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