BHP Billiton records outstanding half year result for period ending 31 December 2006

摘要

BHP Billiton has achieved record first half results. On the coal front metallurgical coal earnings were affected by lower prices with the underlying EBIT at 659 million US dollars, a decrease of 288 million US dollars or 30.4 per cent from the same period last year. This was attributable mostly to lower prices for all products at Queensland Coal where benchmark prices will again decrease for the 12 months commencing April 2007. Operating costs rose due to theiirst longwall change out at the Broadmeadow mine, which was commissioned during 2006 and higher strip ratios at open cut mines. A stronger Australia dollars/US dollars exchange rate had an unfavourable impact as did Australian inflationary pressures. This was offset partially by increased production and sales at both Queensland Coal and Illawarra Coal. The ramp up of expanded capacity supported by increased throughput at our Hay Point Coal Terminal contributed to the higher sales at Queensland Coal.