Slide 1: Australian Site Tour - Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation
For personal use only Australian Site Tour Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation Isak Buitendag General Manager 29 October 2008
Slide 2: Important notices
Important notices Reliance on third party information The views expressed here contain infor mation that have been derived from publicly For personal use only available sources that have not been independently verified. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy, completeness or reliab
Slide 3: Agenda
For personal use only Agenda Key Messages Sustainability Business Overview Successes and Overcoming Challenges Operational Performance Slide 3
Slide 4: Key messages
For personal use only Key messages • First major nickel laterite project in production in a decade • Now ramping up to reach full nameplate capacity • The process plant technology works • Enhanced HPAL technology will help BHP Billiton to take advantage of laterite growth opportunities Slide 4
Slide 5: Agenda
For personal use only Agenda Key Messages Sustainability Business Overview Successes and Overcoming Challenges Operational Performance Slide 5
Slide 6: Safety performance
For personal use only Safety performance Actions and priorities • Increasing compliance with BHP Billiton Fatal Risk Control Protocols • Leading by example in the field • Simple, integrated systems • Improving the working environment • Creating positive attitudes • Ensuring that team members (both e
Slide 7: Workforce
Workforce • A hybrid residential and fly-in fly-out For personal use only strategy – Residential - Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe – Bus-in, bus-out, Esperance – Fly-in, fly-out, Perth • A diverse group of 650 employees – 6% indigenous – 16% female – 7% international • Operation a part of the local commun
Slide 8: Agenda
For personal use only Agenda Key Messages Sustainability Business Overview Successes and Overcoming Challenges Operational Performance Slide 8
Slide 9: Overview statistics
For personal use only Overview statistics Location: Ravensthorpe, Western Australia BHP Billiton 100% Ownership: Reserves: 235 mt at 0.67% Ni¹ Resources: 386 mt at 0.62% Ni¹ Production 50,000 tpa contained nickel Capacity: 1,400 tpa cobalt Expected mine life 21 years Overview: • Open cut mine and hy
Slide 10: Mining overview
For personal use only Mining overview • Open cut operation • Three ore bodies • Two ore types – Limonite, Saprolite • BHP Billiton employee operated • Two Liebherr 994 excavators • Ten Caterpillar 785 trucks • Five Atlas Copco L8 drill rigs • Ancillary mining fleet Slide 10
Slide 11: Processing overview – ore handling and beneficiation
For personal use only Processing overview – ore handling and beneficiation Slide 11
Slide 12: Processing overview - leach
For personal use only Processing overview - leach Slide 12
Slide 13: Processing overview – hydro-metallurgy
For personal use only Processing overview – hydro-metallurgy Slide 13
Slide 14: Processing overview - utilities
For personal use only Processing overview - utilities Slide 14
Slide 15: Ramp-up production
For personal use only Ramp-up production Nickel in MHP (kt) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 H1 FY08 H2 FY08 Q1 FY09 times 2 Slide 15
Slide 16: Indicative operating cost structure at full capacity
For personal use only Indicative operating cost structure at full capacity Cash operating cost (%) Royalties Travel 3% 3% Diesel • AUD spend is approx 85% 7% Consumables / Other Reagents 13% 32% Maintenance 18% Labour 24% Slide 16
Slide 17: Agenda
For personal use only Agenda Key Messages Sustainability Business Overview Successes and Overcoming Challenges Operational Performance Slide 17
Slide 18: Key milestones
For personal use only Key milestones • Operations workforce successfully recruited and prepared • Mining operations performing well • First production H1 FY2008 • First 5000t of MHP H1 FY2008 • Ramp up toward nameplate capacity • Process plant technology proved and performing to expectation. Slide 1
Slide 19: Ramp-up – key issues summary
Ramp-up – key issues summary Issue Remedy For personal use only Materials handling Support and equipment deployed Component redesign underway Beneficiation dewatering Work around successfully installed Successful pilot Long term dewatering solution in design Tank failures Technology sound Repairs su
Slide 20: Key messages
For personal use only Key messages • First major nickel laterite project in production in a decade • Now ramping up to reach full nameplate capacity • The process plant technology works • Enhanced HPAL technology will help BHP Billiton to take advantage of laterite growth opportunities Slide 20
Slide 21: For personal use only
édl bhpbilliton ircing the future