In '000 tonnes

Contained nickel production at Cerro Matoso (Colombia) increased from the prior quarter following the successful early completion of the planned furnace replacement during the September 2011 quarter.

Metal production from the Nickel West Kvvinana refinery (Australia) was stronger than the June 2011 quarter as the availability of third party hydrogen supply improved in the period. This was, however, offset by lower matte production following a planned outage at the Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter (Australia).

Higher matte sales are anticipated in the December 2011 quarter as a planned outage at a third party hydrogen supplier will see production shift back towards the Nickel West Kalgoorlie smelter. BHP Billiton expects the construction of its wholly owned hydrogen plant to be completed before the end of the March 2012 quarter.