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Production Of Manganese Ore By BHP Billiton In CY 2006 Came To Highest In Its History
= Contributed By Increase Of Production From 2nd Half, Nickel Output Also Recorded Its Highest
The quantities of ferro-alloys and nickel produced by BHP Billiton ( BHPB ) in October - December quarter of 2006 were released on the 25th of January. Therefore, the total quantities of these materials produced by BHPB in the calendar year ( January - December ) of 2006 were known and the contents were as per the table attached hereto.

Namely, BHPB produced 5,653,000 tons of manganese ore in the full year of 2006, which increased by 5.1% compared with that in the preceding year of 2005 and recorded the highest quantity in the history of BHPB. The output of manganese ore by BHPB in 2005 remained as unchanged from that in 2004 but an increase of the production from the second half of 2006 contributed to the total quantity of manganese ore produced by BHPB in the calendar year of 2006. This substantial increase on production of manganese ore in 2006 was based on a remarkable expansion of crude steel production in the world but China, where once adjusted to purchase manganese ore during the second half of 2005 to the first half of 2006, has recovered their purchase of manganese ore from the second half of 2006, resulting in a firm tone of the demand for manganese ore.

BHPB produced 693,000 tons of manganese ferro-alloys in the calendar year of 2006, which increased by 5.5% compared to that in the preceding year of 2005 but were unable to exceed that ( 784,000 tons ) produced in 2004. However, BHPB produced 192,000 tons of manganese ferro-alloys in the fourth quarter ( October - December ) of 2006, having increased by 24.2% compared with that in the third quarter ( July - September ) and indicated a basic tone to recover the production.

Also, BHPB produced 174,600 tons of nickel in the calendar year of 2006, which recorded the highest quantity in its history. BHPB has taken over WMC Resources of Australia in June of 2005 and the Nickel Division of WMC Resources ( BHPB Nickel West Division at present ) has been operating actively their nickel production, causing to contribute to the total quantity of nickel produced by BHPB Group. However, on the other hand, the Yabulu refinery of QNI in Australia implemented the work to expand their capacity and, consequently, produced 26,100 tons of nickel in the calendar year of 2006 as decreased by 8% from that in 2005. QNI is also scheduled to perform its maintenance for 3 weeks during January - March quarter of 2007. The Nickel West Division increased the production of nickel in October - December quarter of 2006 to 28,000 tons, showing a favorable tone of their operation, but, because of an unusual climate ( a heavy rainfall ) occurred during December of 2006 to January of 2007, the production activities at nickel mine and the Kwinana refinery have been restricted.

For a reference, the Antamina Complex Mine of Copper, Zinc and Molybdenum in Peru, in which BHPB has invested 33.8% of the capital, recovered 2,657 tons of molybdenum in molybdenum concentrates as by-product in the calendar year of 2006, which received by BHPB on ratio of capital investment and increased by 17.2% compared to that in 2005.
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last modified : Thu 01 Feb, 2007 [10:53]
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