Financial Statements

__________________________________________________________________________________

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Date of 30 September 2003

BHP Billiton Limited

ABN 49 004 028 077

180 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne Victoria 3000

Australia

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F X   Form 40-F  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Yes     No X

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):


BHP Billiton Limited 2003 Financial Statements (part 2 of 3)

 

Notes to Financial Statements continued

 

The table below shows the extent to which the BHP Billiton Group has monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than their functional currencies, after taking into account the effect of any forward foreign currency contracts entered into to manage these risks, excluding any exposures in relation to borrowings which are hedged by investments in net foreign currency assets (as discussed above), and excluding provisions for site restoration.

 

Net foreign currency monetary assets/(liabilities)

 
 

US$

A$

C$

SA rand

Other

Total

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

 

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Functional currency of Group operation

           

US $

-

(1 399)

(203)

(1 089)

(261)

(2 952)

Australian $

21

-

-

-

-

21

Canadian $

30

-

-

-

-

30

UK pounds sterling

(23)

(1)

-

-

-

(24)

Other

-

-

-

6

-

6

 

28

(1 400)

(203)

(1 083)

(261)

(2 919)

 

Net foreign currency monetary assets/(liabilities)

 
 

US$

A$

C$

SA rand

Other

Total

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

 

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Functional currency of Group operation

           

US $

-

(1 413)

(376)

(892)

(278)

(2 959)

Australian $

7

-

-

-

(17)

(10)

Canadian $

-

-

-

-

-

-

UK pounds sterling

(103)

-

-

-

-

(103)

Other

11

-

-

1

-

12

 

(85)

(1 413)

(376)

(891)

(295)

(3 060)

The SA rand monetary liabilities include borrowings raised in a variety of currencies, including US dollars and Euros, which, as a result of South African exchange control regulations, were subsequently swapped into SA rand.

Substantial portions of the non-functional currency liabilities of US dollar functional currency operations relate to provisions for deferred taxation and employee benefits.

Commodity price risk

The BHP Billiton Group is exposed to movements in the prices of the products it produces and sources from third parties which are generally sold as commodities on the world market.

Commodity price risk is managed pursuant to the Portfolio Risk Management strategy and within the overall CFaR limit. Strategic price hedges are taken out from time to time.

The following table provides information about the BHP Billiton Group's material cash settled commodity contracts, which have not been recognised in the accounts.

 

Contract amounts are used to calculate the volume and average price to be exchanged under the contracts.

 

Volume

Units

Average price

Term to

Notional amount(a)

 

2003

2002

 

2003

2002

maturity

2003

2002

BHP Billiton Group

     

US$

US$

(months)

US$M

US$M

Aluminium

               

Forwards (buy)

792

412

000 tonnes

1 397

1 416

0-12

1 106

583

 

112

104

000 tonnes

1 435

1 487

13-24

161

155

 

50

46

000 tonnes

1 420

1 489

25-48

71

68

 

1

-

000 tonnes

1 420

-

49-72

1

-

Forwards (buy) floating(b)

826

447

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

127

127

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

 

35

46

000 tonnes

-

-

25-48

-

-

 

1

-

000 tonnes

-

-

49-72

-

-

Forwards (sell)

826

447

000 tonnes

1 393

1 411

0-12

1 151

631

 

127

127

000 tonnes

1 421

1 475

13-24

180

187

 

35

46

000 tonnes

1 416

1 473

25-48

50

68

 

1

-

000 tonnes

1 393

-

49-72

1

-

Forwards (sell) floating(b)

792

412

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

112

104

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

 

50

46

000 tonnes

-

-

25-48

-

-

 

1

-

000 tonnes

-

-

49-72

-

-

Copper

               

Forwards (buy)

37

15

000 tonnes

1 675

1 629

0-12

62

25

Forwards (buy) floating(b)

52

20

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

Forwards (sell)

52

20

000 tonnes

1 661

1 648

0-12

87

33

Forwards (sell) floating(b)

37

15

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

Zinc

               

Forwards (buy)

10

-

000 tonnes

794

-

0-12

8

-

Forwards (buy) floating(b)

17

-

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

Forwards (sell)

17

-

000 tonnes

804

-

0-12

14

-

Forwards (sell) floating(b)

10

-

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

Lead

               

Forwards (buy)

25

-

000 tonnes

466

-

0-12

11

-

Forwards (buy) floating(b)

65

-

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

8

-

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

Forwards (sell)

65

-

000 tonnes

470

-

0-12

31

-

 

8

-

000 tonnes

488

-

13-24

4

-

Forwards (sell) floating(b)

25

-

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

Silver

               

Forwards (buy)

1 650

-

000 ounces

4.73

-

0-12

8

-

Forwards (buy) floating(b)

7 475

-

000 ounces

-

-

0-12

-

-

Forwards (sell)

7 475

-

000 ounces

4.70

-

0-12

35

-

Forwards (sell) floating(b)

1 650

-

000 ounces

-

-

0-12

-

-

Petroleum

               

Forwards (buy)

8 668

-

000 barrels

25.45

-

0-12

221

-

Forwards (buy) floating (b)

8 690

-

000 barrels

-

-

0-12

-

-

Forwards (sell)

8 690

-

000 barrels

25.49

-

0-12

221

-

Forwards (sell) floating (b)

8 668

-

000 barrels

-

-

0-12

-

-

Energy Coal

               

Forwards (buy)

20 451

4 405

000 tonnes

34.49

30.58

0-12

705

135

 

5 820

1 290

000 tonnes

36.32

31.20

13-24

211

40

 

870

-

000 tonnes

35.88

-

25-48

31

-

Forwards (buy) floating (b)

23 515

8 630

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

7 035

3 480

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

 

735

150

000 tonnes

-

-

25-48

-

-

Forwards (sell)

23 515

8 630

000 tonnes

34.39

31.35

0-12

809

271

 

7 035

3 480

000 tonnes

34.81

33.06

13-24

245

115

 

735

150

000 tonnes

31.99

35.45

25-48

24

5

Forwards (sell) floating (b)

20 451

4 405

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

5 820

1 290

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

 

870

-

000 tonnes

-

-

25-48

-

-

Purchased calls

105

270

000 tonnes

33.71

34.00

0-12

4

9

 

-

210

000 tonnes

-

33.71

13-24

-

7

Sold puts

270

150

000 tonnes

32.11

32.60

0-12

9

5

 

-

150

000 tonnes

-

32.60

13-24

-

5

Sold calls

645

1 500

000 tonnes

33.83

34.01

0-12

22

51

 

-

1 290

000 tonnes

-

34.05

13-24

-

44

 

 

Volume

Units

Average price

Term to

Notional amount(a)

 

2003

2002

 

2003

2002

maturity

2003

2002

BHP Billiton Group

     

US$

US$

(months)

US$M

US$M

Freight Transport

               

and Logistics

               

Forwards (buy)

3 550

50

days

12 256

12 600

0-12

44

1

 

1 104

100

days

10 417

12 600

13-24

12

1

Forwards (buy) floating (b)

3 499

-

days

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

920

-

days

-

-

13-24

-

-

Forwards (sell)

3 499

-

days

11 791

-

0-12

41

-

 

920

-

days

10 680

-

13-24

10

-

Forwards (sell) floating (b)

3 550

50

days

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

1 104

100

days

-

-

13-24

-

-

Forwards (buy)

5 874

450

000 tonnes

8.77

7.12

0-12

52

3

 

1 275

600

000 tonnes

6.63

7.34

13-24

8

4

 

-

150

000 tonnes

-

8.00

25-48

-

1

Forwards (buy) floating (b)

4 974

450

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

1 200

450

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

Forwards (sell)

4 974

450

000 tonnes

8.82

7.60

0-12

44

3

 

1 200

450

000 tonnes

6.84

7.60

13-24

8

3

Forwards (sell) floating (b)

5 874

450

000 tonnes

-

-

0-12

-

-

 

1 275

600

000 tonnes

-

-

13-24

-

-

 

-

150

000 tonnes

-

-

25-48

-

-

(a) The notional amount represents the face value of each transaction and accordingly expresses the volume of these transactions, but is not a measure of exposure.

(b) Floating commodity prices in future periods will be based on the benchmarks applicable at the time of the price reset.

Hedging of financial risks

Cumulative unrecognised gains and losses on the instruments used for hedging foreign currency transaction exposures and commodity price risks and the movements therein are as follows:

     

Net gains/

   

Net gains/

 

Gains

Losses

(losses)

Gains

Losses

(losses)

 

2003

2003

2003

2002

2002

2002

 

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Opening balance unrecognised gains/(losses)

-

(175)

(175)

10

(615)

(605)

(Gains)/losses arising in previous years

           

recognised in the year

-

139

139

(9)

327

318

Gains/(losses) arising in prior years and not

           

recognised

-

(36)

(36)

1

(288)

(287)

Gains/(losses) arising in the year and

           

not recognised

104

19

123

(1)

113

112

Closing balance unrecognised gains/(losses) (a)

104

(17)

87

-

(175)

(175)

of which:

           

Gains/(losses) expected to be recognised

           

within one year

94

(16)

78

-

(139)

(139)

Gains/(losses) expected to be recognised

           

after one year

10

(1)

9

-

(36)

(36)

 

104

(17)

87

-

(175)

(175)

(a) Full recognition will not appear in the Statement of Financial Performance as US$56 million (2002: US$nil) will be capitalised into property, plant and equipment.

Cumulative unrecognised gains and losses on instruments used to manage interest rate risk and exposures in relation to investments in overseas operations, and the movements therein are as follows:

 

Forward

CCIRS

Interest

Finance

Forward

CCIRS

Interest

Finance

currency

interest

rate

lease

currency

interest

rate

lease

 

swaps

component

swaps

swap(a)

swaps

component

swaps

swap(a)

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

2002

2002

2002

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Opening balance unrecognised gains

31

26

10

2

13

32

9

8

(Gains)/losses arising in previous years

               

recognised in the year

(13)

(20)

-

1

(3)

(5)

-

(2)

Gains arising in prior years and not recognised

18

6

10

3

10

27

9

6

Gains/(losses) arising in the year and

               

not recognised

(7)

30

31

(1)

21

(1)

1

(4)

Closing balance unrecognised gains

11

36

41

2

31

26

10

2

of which:

               

Gains expected to be recognised within one year

7

-

-

1

13

20

-

(1)

Gains expected to be recognised after one year

4

36

41

1

18

6

10

3

 

11

36

41

2

31

26

10

2

(a) Included within the book value of short-term and long-term liabilities are finance leases which have been swapped from a fixed interest rate to a floating interest rate and from a ten-year term to a five-year term. The book value of these leases is US$15 million (2002: US$26 million). The effect of the swap is to match the initial lease obligation by receiving payments over a ten-year period at a fixed rate and making payments on a floating rate over five years. For the purpose of the disclosures, the book value of the finance leases is shown as it would be excluding the effect of the finance lease swap. The fair value disclosures relate only to the swapped components and reflect the fact that the swap receivable is subject to a fixed rate.

Financial liabilities - interest rate and currency profile

Current payables and provisions (other than current loans and derivative financial instruments) are excluded from the disclosures below.

The currency and interest rate profile of the financial liabilities of the BHP Billiton Group as shown in the table below take into account interest rate and currency swaps:

 

Fixed

Floating

Interest

 

Fixed

Floating

Interest

 
 

rate

rate(a)

free

Total

rate

rate(a)

free

Total

 

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

2002

2002

2002

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Currency

               

US $

3 349

3 278

100

6 727

1 771

4 078

7

5 856

SA rand

146

456

38

640

136

219

23

378

Australian $

16

25

10

51

817

376

10

1 203

Canadian $

-

-

-

-

235

-

-

235

Other

15

8

-

23

454

71

-

525

 

3 526

3 767

148

7 441

3 413

4 744

40

8 197

(a) The floating rate financial liabilities bear interest at various rates set with reference to the prevailing LIBOR or equivalent for that time period and country.

The weighted average interest rate of fixed rate liabilities and the weighted average maturity period of fixed rate and interest free liabilities respectively which are shown in the table below take into account interest rate and currency swaps used to manage the interest rate and currency profile of financial liabilities.

     

Weighted

   

Weighted

   

Weighted

average period

 

Weighted

average period

 

Weighted

average period

to maturity

Weighted

average period

to maturity

 

average fixed

for which

of the interest

average fixed

for which

of the interest

 

interest rate

rate is fixed

free liabilities

interest rate

rate is fixed

free liabilities

 

%

Years

Years

%

Years

Years

 

2003

2003

2003

2002

2002

2002

Currency

           

US $

6.56

7

1

7.66

13

1

SA rand

12.39

5

13

12.52

6

13

Australian $

7.88

6

1

7.34

1

2

Canadian $

-

-

-

5.50

1

-

Other

7.43

9

-

7.47

3

-

 

6.81

7

3

7.55

8

8

Financial assets - interest rate and currency profile

Current receivables which are not deemed financial instruments are excluded from the disclosures below.

The currency and interest rate profile of the BHP Billiton Group's financial assets is as follows:

     

Non-

     

Non-

 
 

Fixed

Floating

interest

 

Fixed

Floating

interest

 
 

rate

rate (a)

bearing (b)

Total

rate

rate (a)

bearing(b)

Total

 

2003

2003

2003

2003

2002

2002

2002

2002

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Currency

               

US $

27

1 578

400

2 005

20

1 713

587

2 320

SA rand

5

193

25

223

5

99

31

135

Australian $

23

14

283

320

44

66

138

248

Canadian $

2

144

-

146

-

1

-

1

Other

22

74

101

197

-

192

101

293

 

79

2 003

809

2 891

69

2 071

857

2 997

(a) The floating rate financial assets earn interest at various rates set with reference to the prevailing LIBOR or equivalent.

(b) Included within the non-interest bearing category are other non-current financial assets of US$123 million (2002: US$474 million), receivables deemed to be financial instruments of US$544 million (2002: US$379 million), loans to joint venture and associated entities of US$24 million (2002: US$nil), recognised gains of US$95 million (2002: US$nil) on forward foreign currency contracts and other current financial assets of US$23 million (2002: US$4 million). Items included within this category, except for current asset investments and forward foreign currency contracts, are generally intended to be held for periods greater than five years.

Liquidity exposures

The maturity profile of the Group's financial liabilities is as follows:

 

Bank loans,

Obligations

Subsidiary

   

debentures and

under

preference

Other

 

other loans

finance leases

shares

creditors

Total

2003

2003

2003

2003

2003

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

In one year or less or on demand

894

4

-

-

898

In more than one year but not more than two years

663

49

-

106

818

In more than two years but not more than five years

2 280

-

450

4

2 734

In more than five years

2 984

-

-

7

2 991

 

6 821

53

450

117

7 441

 

Bank loans,

Obligations

Subsidiary

   

debentures and

under

preference

Other

 
 

other loans

finance leases

shares

creditors

Total

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

In one year or less or on demand

1 795

2

-

-

1 797

In more than one year but not more than two years

126

33

150

14

323

In more than two years but not more than five years

3 850

-

300

3

4 153

In more than five years

1 924

-

-

-

1 924

 

7 695

35

450

17

8 197

Refer to note 37, 'Standby arrangements, unused credit facilities' for details of the BHP Billiton Group's undrawn committed facilities.

Fair value of financial instruments

The following table presents the book values and fair values of the BHP Billiton Group's financial instruments. Fair value is the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in an arm's length transaction between informed and willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidated sale. Where available, market values have been used to determine fair values. When market values are not available, fair values have been calculated by discounting expected cash flows at prevailing interest and exchange rates. The estimated fair values have been determined using market information and appropriate valuation methodologies, but are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the BHP Billiton Group could realise in the normal course of business.

The fair value of the BHP Billiton Group's financial instruments is as follows:

 

Book value

Fair value

Book value

Fair value

2003

2003

2002

2002

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

Primary and derivative financial instruments held or issued to finance the BHP Billiton Group's operations

       

Current interest bearing liabilities

(898)

(898)

(1 904)

(1 924)

Non-current interest bearing liabilities and other non-current creditors

(6 872)

(7 429)

(6 508)

(6 828)

Cross currency contracts

       

Principal

314

314

189

189

Interest rate

30

77

-

57

Finance lease swap

15

17

26

28

Interest rate swaps

7

48

-

10

Cash and money market deposits

1 552

1 552

1 499

1 499

Loans to equity accounted joint venture and associated entities

293

293

454

454

Other financial assets (current)

143

143

117

117

Other financial assets (non-current) (excluding investment in own shares)

148

153

492

512

Investment in exploration companies (refer note 19)

-

11

-

11

Non-current receivables

604

604

435

413

Forward foreign currency contracts

19

19

-

-

Derivative financial instruments held to hedge the BHP Billiton Group's

       

exposure on expected future sales and capital and operating purchases

       

Forward commodity contracts

-

(8)

-

(2)

Forward foreign currency contracts

95

95

-

(173)

 

(4 550)

(5 009)

(5 200)

(5 637)

For the purposes of the disclosures in the table above, the book value of the foreign currency assets and liabilities is shown excluding the effect of foreign currency hedges.

 

 

39 Contingent liabilities

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Contingent liabilities at balance date, not otherwise provided for in these accounts, are categorised as arising from:

   

Joint venture and associated entities and joint venture operations (unsecured)

   

Other (b)

174

165

 

174

165

Subsidiary undertakings (unsecured, including guarantees)

   

Group guarantees of borrowings of joint venture and associated entities

398

429

Bank guarantees (a)

-

-

Performance guarantees (a)

70

72

Letter of credit

2

3

Other (b)

131

138

 

601

642

Total contingent liabilities

775

807

(a) The BHP Billiton Group has entered into various counter-indemnities of bank and performance guarantees related to its own future performance in the normal course of business.

(b) Other contingent liabilities relate predominantly to actual or potential litigation of the Group for which amounts are reasonably estimable but the liability is not probable and therefore the Group has not provided for such amounts in these accounts. The amounts relate to a number of actions against the Group, none of which are individually significant. Additionally, there are a number of legal claims or potential claims against the Group, the outcome of which cannot be foreseen at present, and for which no amounts have been included in the table above. Details of the principal legal claims are set out below.

Current litigation

Ok Tedi Mining Limited

On 7 June 1996, Rex Dagi, Alex Maun and the remaining plaintiffs to Victorian Supreme Court proceedings against BHP Billiton Limited and Ok Tedi Mining Limited ('OTML') entered into a Settlement Agreement.

The principal terms of the agreement included the following:

On 11 April 2000, two legal actions were commenced in the Victorian Supreme Court against OTML and BHP Billiton Limited. Rex Dagi is plaintiff in the first action, Gabia Gagarimabu is plaintiff in the second action on his own behalf and on behalf of the remaining parties to the Settlement Agreement. Both actions seek specific performance of the Settlement Agreement and/or an injunction to require the implementation by BHP Billiton Limited and OTML of a tailings pipeline and storage system and damages. BHP Billiton and OTML deny that there has been any recommendation regarding a tailings option by an independent inquiry conducted by the State. OTML and BHP Billiton Limited also assert that there has been no breach of the Settlement Agreement and are defending the claims.

BHP Billiton Limited transferred its entire shareholding in OTML to PNG Sustainable Development Program Limited ('Program Company') in February 2002, completing BHP Billiton Limited's withdrawal from the Ok Tedi copper mine. The Program Company operates for the benefit of the Papua New Guinean people.

Legal arrangements for the withdrawal encompass a series of legal releases, indemnities and warranties that safeguard BHP Billiton's interests following its exit from OTML.

The Victorian Supreme Court litigation continues, with substantially amended pleadings. The Court has set out a detailed timetable for further steps, including witness statements, leading to compulsory mediation and, if necessary, trial in mid-2004.

No amounts have been included in contingent liabilities in respect of this item of litigation.

Bass Strait - Longford

Following the 25 September 1998 explosion and fire at Longford, a class action was commenced in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of Victorian gas consumers and employees stood down by employers during the shortage of gas following those events (together the 'Applicants'). On 12 April 2001 the action was transferred to the Supreme Court of Victoria. The action is against Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd ('Esso'). Esso has joined the State of Victoria and various entities associated with the State (together the 'State Entities' ) as cross respondents alleging certain failures and contributory negligence on the part of the State Entities. In turn, following hearing of the claim against Esso the State Entities may join BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd ('BHPBP') as a further cross respondent, with the effect that if any sums are recovered against the State Entities they will seek contribution from BHPBP.

In addition to BHPBP's potential liability to the State Entities under the cross claims, in certain circumstances Esso, as operator, is entitled to be indemnified by BHPBP as a 50 per cent joint venturer for certain categories of legal costs incurred by Esso and payments made in satisfaction of claims.

In turn, BHPBP may have rights against Esso as operator in relation to losses and costs BHPBP has incurred in relation to the incident, including under the cross claim by the State Entities.

On 20 February 2003 the Victorian Supreme Court found that Esso is not liable for economic loss. The court further found that Esso is liable to business users for property damage and any economic loss consequential upon property damage. The quantum of these losses is unknown. The Court set a date of 1 September 2003 for lodgement of particulars of all claims. Resolution of claims is likely to continue into 2004.

Over the next few months the Court will also consider questions of appeal, and whether claims against the State and BHPBP should proceed.

No amounts have been included in contingent liabilities in respect of this item of litigation.

40 Commitments

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Capital expenditure commitments not provided for in the accounts

   

Due not later than one year

1 184

1 348

Due later than one year and not later than five years

423

271

Total capital expenditure commitments

1 607

1 619

Lease expenditure commitments

   

Finance leases (a)

   

Due not later than one year

7

6

Due later than one year and not later than five years

34

20

Due later than five years

26

30

Total commitments under finance leases

67

56

deduct Future financing charges

14

21

Finance lease liability

53

35

Operating leases (b)

   

Due not later than one year (c)

138

169

Due later than one year and not later than five years

348

375

Due later than five years

256

274

Total commitments under operating leases

742

818

Other commitments (d)

   

Due not later than one year

   

Supply of goods and services

199

181

Royalties

29

27

Exploration expenditure

104

13

Chartering costs

100

55

 

432

276

Due later than one year and not later than five years

   

Supply of goods and services

547

579

Royalties

39

82

Exploration expenditure

53

28

Chartering costs

127

164

 

766

853

Due later than five years

   

Supply of goods and services

721

650

Royalties

49

150

Chartering costs

33

154

 

803

954

Total other commitments

2 001

2 083

(a) Finance leases are predominantly related to leases of the dry bulk carrier Iron Yandi and other mobile equipment and vehicles. Refer notes 25 and 28.

(b) Operating leases are entered into as a means of acquiring access to property, plant and equipment. Rental payments are generally fixed, but with inflation escalation clauses on which contingent rentals are determined. Certain leases contain extension and renewal options. Amounts represent minimum lease payments.

(c) The BHP Billiton Group has commitments under operating leases to make payments totalling US$138 million in the next year as follows:

 

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Land and buildings

   

Leases which expire:

   

Within one year

7

15

Between two and five years

17

6

Over five years

14

13

 

38

34

Other operating leases

   

Leases which expire:

   

Within one year

22

80

Between two and five years

43

20

Over five years

35

35

 

100

135

(d) Included in other commitments is an amount of US$738 million (2002: US$684 million) representing Boodarie Iron's continuing operating commitments under a number of take or pay contracts for supply of products/services.

 

41 Superannuation, pensions and post-retirement benefits

The BHP Billiton Group contributes to a number of superannuation schemes and pension schemes which exist to provide benefits for employees and their dependants on retirement, disability or death. The schemes include Company sponsored funds, multi-employer industry schemes and statutory retirement schemes and are either defined benefit or defined contribution arrangements. The BHP Billiton Group and employee members make contributions as specified in the rules of the respective schemes.

 

Financial statement impacts and disclosures

The total amount of BHP Billiton Group contributions to all schemes was US$102 million and US$147 million for 2003 and 2002 respectively. The decrease in contributions is mainly due to the demerger of BHP Steel in July 2002.

Expenses for defined benefit pension schemes are recognised so as to allocate the cost systematically over the employees' service lives on the basis of independent actuarial advice. In addition, provision is made in the accounts for retirement benefits payable to non-executive Directors who were Directors of BHP Billiton Limited prior to the DLC merger on 29 June 2001. Formal independent actuarial reviews of BHP Billiton Group sponsored defined benefit funds are undertaken at least every three years, but annually for accounting purposes.

The following table outlines the annual pension charge.

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

The pension charge for the year is as follows:

   

Defined contribution schemes

41

61

Industry-wide schemes

23

18

Defined benefit schemes (a)

   

Regular cost

46

59

Variation cost

39

14

Interest cost

(20)

(18)

 

129

134

(a) Excludes net exchange gains/losses on net monetary pension assets in 2003 of US$39 million gain (2002: US$24 million gain).

To the extent that there is a difference between pension cost and contributions paid, an asset and/or liability arises. The accumulated difference recorded in the Statement of Financial Position at 30 June 2003 gives rise to an asset of US$270 million (2002: US$224 million) and a liability of US$65 million (2002: US$31 million).

The assets of the defined contribution schemes and the industry-wide schemes are held separately in independently administered funds. The charge in respect of these schemes is calculated on the basis of contributions due in the financial year.

The remaining pension schemes are defined benefit schemes. Some of the defined benefit schemes have their assets held separately in independently administered funds and others are unfunded. The pension costs and funding for these schemes are assessed in accordance with the advice of professionally qualified actuaries based on the most recent actuarial valuations available.

The pension charge for the year for defined benefit schemes has increased from US$55 million to US$65 million largely due to negative investment returns of plans in the US, Canada and Europe causing a deterioration of the funded status for these plans and leading to increased variation costs. In addition, new legislation in South Africa regarding the apportionment of surpluses, which will most likely eliminate the Group's entitlements to any fund surpluses in South Africa, has also led to increased variation costs in relation to prior years.

For accounting purposes, the actuarial valuations have determined pension costs for most schemes using the projected unit method. There are exceptions for some schemes that are closed to new members where the attained age method was used. The assumptions used varied by scheme. For the purposes of calculating the accounting charge, surpluses or deficiencies are recognised through the variation cost component in future accounting periods as a constant percentage of estimated future payroll, over the remaining service life of the employees.

The BHP Billiton Group provides medical benefits, which are not pre-funded, for retired employees and their dependants in South Africa, the US, Canada and Suriname. The post-retirement benefit charge, net of employees' and retirees' contributions paid, in respect of these benefits was US$26 million (2002: US$16 million) excluding an exchange loss of US$22 million (2002: gain US$14 million).

Where there is a surplus or deficiency between the accrued liability and the provision recorded, the resulting amount is spread forward over future working lifetimes through the variation cost component. The main actuarial assumptions used in the most recent actuarial valuations of these benefits are as follows:

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

Ultimate healthcare inflation rate

9.0%

5.5%

3.0%

5.0%

Discount rate

11.75%

7.5%

6.5%

6.5%

The following is a summary of the most recent financial position of the major schemes in which the BHP Billiton Group participates in accordance with AASB 1028 'Employee Benefits' based on values of assets and liabilities as at 30 June 2003:

     

Accrued

Plan

Net surplus/

Vested

     

benefits(a)(b)

assets(a)

(deficit)(a)

benefits(a)(b)

   

Last reporting

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

2003

2002

Name of fund

Fund type

date

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

US$M

BHP Billiton

Defined benefit/

                 

Superannuation Fund(b)(c)

Defined contribution

30 June 2003

877

1 345

878

1 434

1

89

925

1 452

Other plans(e)(f)

Defined benefit

30 June 2003

816

795

717

710

(99)

(85)

803

751

Total for BHP Billiton

                   

Group sponsored plans(d)

   

1 693

2 140

1 595

2 144

(98)

4

1 728

2 203

(a) In respect of the year ended 30 June 2003, accrued benefits plan assets and vested benefits are measured at 30 June 2003. In respect of prior years, these amounts were measured at the last reporting date of each fund.

(b) Vested benefits are benefits which are not conditional upon continued membership of the respective fund or any other factor other than resignation from the fund. Accrued benefits are calculated by the actuary as the present value of future benefit payments in relation to membership and compensation up to the relevant reporting date.

(c) Obligation on the BHP Billiton Group to contribute under Superannuation Guarantee levy requirements. Contributions are made by the member and the BHP Billiton Group and are based on a percentage of a member's base salary or wage.

(d) This does not include multi-employer sponsored plans for which the information relating to BHP Billiton employees is not available.

(e) Non-Australian plans are not required to report under AAS 25 'Financial Reporting by Superannuation Plans', and hence do not produce results for reporting under AASB 1028. Accrued liabilities and asset values for other plans have generally been taken from FRS 17 disclosures as at 30 June 2003 (refer below), amended to comply with the principles of AASB 1028 if required. For other plans, the value of vested benefits have generally been taken as the value of accrued benefits.

(f) Net surplus/(deficit) in respect of other plans does not include surpluses in respect of certain plans in South Africa, Suriname and Canada. This is to reflect legislative restrictions on access to any surplus amounts by the BHP Billiton Group. Liability values have been increased to achieve this.

Other methods

Various accounting standards relating to accounting for pension arrangements are in use, or available for use, in jurisdictions throughout the world. While Australian GAAP has no specific standard dealing with accounting for pension arrangements by employers, disclosure requirements are included in AASB 1028 'Employee Benefits'. UK GAAP allows the application of either SSAP 24 'Accounting for Pension Costs' or FRS 17 'Retirement Benefits', US GAAP requires application of FAS 87 'Employers' Accounting for Pensions' and International Financial Reporting Standards requires the existing IAS 19 'Employee Benefits' to be applied.The International Accounting Standards Board has indicated it expects to amend IAS 19, but not in time to form part of the initial suite of IASB mandated standards to be applied for reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2005. The outcome of the IASB's review is not yet known.

The accounting policy adopted by the BHP Billiton Group is consistent with the requirements of SSAP 24 and has been consistently applied in these financial statements.

SSAP 24, FAS 87, FRS 17 and the existing IAS 19 are similar in that they all include mechanisms which defer or spread the recognition of actuarial gains and losses and therefore mitigate the volatility in net profit this may create from reporting period to reporting period. SSAP 24, FAS 87 and IAS 19 achieve this through the recognition of actuarial gains and losses over the remaining expected employees' service lives. In addition FAS 87 and FRS 17 achieve this by taking some (FAS 87) or all (FRS 17) actuarial gains and losses directly to reserves through Other Comprehensive Income (FAS 87) or the Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses (FRS 17) reserve accounts.

The AASB has recently released ED 115 'Request for Comment on IAS 19 Employee Benefits'. ED 115 is based on the existing IAS 19, however ED 115 proposes the removal of the ability to recognise actuarial gains and losses over the remaining expected employees' service lives, proposing instead the recognition of actuarial gains and losses directly in the Statement of Financial Performance in the reporting period in which they occur.

ED 115 is similar to FRS 17 in many respects, with the notable exception that Australian GAAP does not have a Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses reserve account in which actuarial gains and losses can be directly recognised.

The following disclosures are required under UK GAAP (under FRS 17 based on values of assets and liabilities as at 30 June 2003), but not under Australian GAAP. However, the Directors are of the opinion that this information may be of interest to all shareholders of the BHP Billiton Group.

Pension schemes - FRS 17 disclosures

The BHP Billiton Group operates a number of defined benefit schemes in Australia, Canada, the US, Europe, South Africa and South America. For accounting disclosure purposes, full actuarial valuations for most schemes were carried out as at 30 June 2003 by local actuaries. For a minority of plans it has been necessary to roll forward liabilities calculated using earlier data.

The major assumptions used by the actuaries ranged from:

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

Salary increases

4% to 4.5%

3.5% to 4.5%

4.5%

3% to 4.5%

7% to 8%

3.5% to 5.57%

Pension increases

n/a

0%

0% to 3%

2% to 2.5%

3.5% to 5.25%

1.5% to 3.5%

Discount rate

4.75% to 5%

6% to 6.5%

6%

5%

7.5% to 8.7%

5.5% to 9.71%

Inflation

3%

2.5% to 3%

3%

2% to 2.5%

6%

2.5% to 3.5%

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

Salary increases

3% to 4.5%

3.5% to 4.5%

3.5% to 4.5%

3% to 4.75%

7.75% to 9%

2% to 5.57%

Pension increases

0%

0%

0% to 3%

2.5% to 5%

3.75% to 5.5%

2% to 3.5%

Discount rate

4.75% to 6%

6.5% to 7%

6.5% to 7%

5.5% to 6%

8.75% to 9.25%

6% to 9.71%

Inflation

2% to 3%

2% to 3%

2% to 3%

2.5% to 2.75%

7%

2% to 3.5%

Year ended 30 June 2001

           

Salary increases

4%

3.5% to 4.5%

3.5% to 5%

2% to 6%

7%

2% to 5.8%

Pension increases

0%

0%

0% to 3%

2% to 2.75%

3.25% to 3.5%

2% to 3.5%

Discount rate

5.5%

6.5% to 7%

6.5% to 7.75%

6% to 6.2%

8.25% to 8.5%

6% to 9.7%

Inflation

3%

2% to 3%

2% to 4%

2% to 2.75%

6%

2% to 3.5%

The fair market value of the assets and the surplus/(deficit) of the defined benefit schemes were (US$ million):

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

             

Bonds

68

60

58

64

23

46

319

Equities

147

28

187

64

69

1

496

Property

19

-

-

-

-

-

19

Cash and net current assets

-

13

5

23

17

-

58

Insured annuities

-

-

-

20

-

-

20

Total assets

234

101

250

171

109

47

912

Actuarial liabilities

(286)

(96)

(439)

(247)

(83)

(40)

(1 191)

Unrecognised surplus

-

(19)

-

-

(28)

(10)

(57)

Surplus/(deficit)

(52)

(14)

(189)

(76)

(2)

(3)

(336)

Related deferred tax (liability)/

             

asset

16

4

17

12

-

-

49

Net pension asset/(liability)

(36)

(10)

(172)

(64)

(2)

(3)

(287)

Year ended 30 June 2002

             

Bonds

163

52

29

51

19

41

355

Equities

307

27

256

63

59

2

714

Property

64

-

-

-

-

-

64

Cash and net current assets

17

13

3

16

12

1

62

Insured annuities

-

-

-

16

-

-

16

Total assets

551

92

288

146

90

44

1 211

Actuarial liabilities

(634)

(81)

(400)

(179)

(62)

(31)

(1 387)

Unrecognised surplus

-

(21)

-

-

(29)

-

(50)

Surplus/(deficit)

(83)

(10)

(112)

(33)

(1)

13

(226)

Related deferred tax (liability)/

             

asset

13

4

10

3

-

(4)

26

Net pension asset/(liability)

(70)

(6)

(102)

(30)

(1)

9

(200)

 

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Total

Year ended 30 June 2001

             

Bonds

182

60

66

42

26

33

409

Equities

372

53

373

56

72

2

928

Property

74

-

-

-

-

-

74

Cash and net current assets

13

17

6

20

15

1

72

Total assets

641

130

445

118

113

36

1 483

Actuarial liabilities

(673)

(108)

(450)

(139)

(71)

(27)

(1 468)

Unrecognised surplus

-

(12)

(6)

-

-

-

(18)

Surplus/(deficit)

(32)

10

(11)

(21)

42

9

(3)

Related deferred tax

             

(liability)/asset

(1)

-

1

1

(13)

(3)

(15)

Net pension asset/(liability)

(33)

10

(10)

(20)

29

6

(18)

The expected rates of return on these asset categories were:

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

Bonds

5% to 6%

5.5% to 6.5%

7%

4.3% to 4.6%

7.5% to 9.04%

6% to 9.71%

Equities

8% to 9%

7.25% to 9%

9%

7.25% to 8.25%

12%

9.71%

Property

7% to 8%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Cash and net current

           

assets

5%

1% to 3.75%

3.5%

3.75% to 4.25%

7% to 7.75%

9.71%

Insured annuities

n/a

n/a

n/a

5%

n/a

n/a

Total assets

7.5%

3.75% to 7.5%

8.5%

4.8% to 7.2%

9.9% to 10.55%

6% to 9.71%

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

Bonds

5% to 6.5%

6% to 6.5%

7%

5% to 5.75%

8.75% to 9.25%

6% to 9.71%

Equities

7% to 9%

7.5% to 9.5%

8.7%

7.5% to 8%

13% to 13.5%

9.71%

Property

6% to 8%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Cash and net current

           

assets

7.27%

1% to 4%

7%

3% to 4%

6.5% to 10%

9.71%

Insured annuities

n/a

n/a

n/a

6%

n/a

n/a

Total assets

6% to 8%

4% to 6.9%

8.5%

4.5% to 7.2%

10.45% to 11.75%

6% to 9.71%

Analysis of the operating costs (US$ million):

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

             

Current service cost

19

2

10

9

3

-

43

Curtailment losses/(gains)

(21)

2

-

-

-

-

(19)

Previously unrecognised

             

surplus deducted from

             

curtailment losses

-

(2)

-

-

-

-

(2)

Total operating charge

(2)

2

10

9

3

-

22

Year ended 30 June 2002

             

Current service cost

42

3

10

7

3

2

67

Past service cost/(credit)

-

-

2

(1)

-

-

1

Previously unrecognised

             

surplus deducted from

             

curtailment losses

-

(1)

-

-

-

-

(1)

Total operating charge

42

2

12

6

3

2

67

 

Analysis of the financing credits/(costs) (US$ million):

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

             

Expected return on

             

pension scheme assets

19

4

24

10

8

2

67

Interest on pension scheme

             

liabilities

(13)

(5)

(27)

(11)

(6)

(2)

(64)

Net return/(cost)

6

(1)

(3)

(1)

2

-

3

Year ended 30 June 2002

             

Expected return on

             

pension scheme assets

53

4

28

8

9

2

104

Interest on pension scheme

             

liabilities

(37)

(5)

(27)

(9)

(5)

(2)

(85)

Net return/(cost)

16

(1)

1

(1)

4

-

19

Analysis of gains and losses recognised in the Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses (STRGL) (US$ million):

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

             

Actual return less expected

             

return on pension scheme assets

(24)

(1)

(24)

(11)

(11)

10

(61)

Experience gains/(losses)

             

arising on scheme liabilities

17

(2)

6

(7)

(1)

(9)

4

Changes in assumptions

             

underlying the present

             

value of scheme liabilities

(16)

(4)

(47)

(26)

1

(3)

(95)

Other gains/(losses)

-

2

-

-

-

(13)

(11)

Loss pursuant to legislative

             

change with regard to

             

South African surpluses

-

-

-

-

9

-

9

Total actuarial (loss)/gain

             

recognised in STRGL

(23)

(5)

(65)

(44)

(2)

(15)

(154)

Difference between the

             

expected and actual outcomes:

             

Asset gain/(loss) as a

             

percentage of scheme assets

(10.3%)

(1.0%)

(9.6%)

(6.4%)

(10.1%)

21.3%

(6.7%)

Experience gains/(losses) on

             

scheme liabilities as a

             

percentage of the present

             

value of scheme liabilities

5.9%

(2.1%)

1.4%

(2.8%)

(1.2%)

(22.5%)

0.3%

Total actuarial gain/(loss)

             

recognised in STRGL as a

             

percentage of the present

             

value of scheme liabilities

(8.0%)

(5.2%)

(14.8%)

(17.8%)

(2.4%)

(37.5%)

(12.9%)

Year ended 30 June 2002

             

Actual return less expected

             

return on pension scheme assets

(82)

(3)

(78)

(18)

(1)

31

(151)

Experience gains/(losses)

             

arising on scheme liabilities

33

-

-

8

(7)

(18)

16

Changes in assumptions

             

underlying the present value

             

of scheme liabilities

-

-

(23)

(15)

(2)

-

(40)

Other gains/(losses)

-

(1)

6

-

-

-

5

Loss pursuant to legislative

             

change with regard to

             

South African surpluses

-

-

-

-

(29)

-

(29)

Total actuarial gain/(loss)

             

recognised in STRGL

(49)

(4)

(95)

(25)

(39)

13

(199)

Difference between the

             

expected and actual outcomes:

             

Asset gain/(loss) as a

             

percentage of scheme assets

(14.9%)

(3.3%)

(27.1%)

(12.3%)

(1.1%)

70.5%

(12.5%)

Experience gains/(losses) on

             

scheme liabilities as a

             

percentage of the present

             

value of scheme liabilities

5.2%

0%

0%

4.5%

(11.3%)

(58.1%)

1.2%

Total actuarial gain/(loss)

             

recognised in STRGL as a

             

percentage of the present value

             

of scheme liabilities

(7.7%)

(4.9%)

(23.8%)

(14.0%)

(62.9%)

41.9%

(14.3%)

In the year ended 30 June 2002, the Pension Funds Second Amendment Act, 2001, was passed in South Africa. Under this Act, surpluses in pension funds have to be used in a manner specified under Regulations to the Act, to improve current and former members' benefits prior to the employer obtaining any benefit from the surpluses. Consequently, it is considered unlikely that any BHP Billiton Group company will obtain any benefit from the surpluses in the South African schemes. Therefore the reduction in the recognised surpluses in South Africa is recognised as an actuarial loss in the STRGL.

Analysis of the movement in surplus/(deficit) (US$ million):

 

Australia & NZ

Canada

US

Europe

South Africa

South America

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

             

Surplus/(deficit) in schemes at

             

30 June 2002

(83)

(10)

(112)

(33)

(1)

13

(226)

Movement in year:

             

Adjustment to surplus/(deficit)

             

at 1 July 2002 in respect of

             

companies no longer

             

consolidated

38

2

-

-

-

-

40

Current service cost

(19)

(2)

(10)

(9)

(3)

-

(43)

Contributions

16

4

1

15

2

-

38

Other finance income/(costs)

6

(1)

(3)

(1)

2

-

3

Actuarial gains/(losses)

(23)

(5)

(65)

(44)

(2)

(15)

(154)

Curtailment gains/(losses)

21

-

-

-

-

-

21

Exchange gains/(losses)

(8)

(2)

-

(4)

-

(1)

(15)

Surplus/(deficit) in schemes

             

at 30 June 2003

(52)

(14)

(189)

(76)

(2)

(3)

(336)

Year ended 30 June 2002

             

Surplus/(deficit) in schemes

             

at 30 June 2001

(32)

10

(11)

(21)

42

9

(3)

Movement in year:

             

Adjustment to surplus/(deficit)

             

at 30 June 2001

-

(8)

-

1

-

-

(7)

Adjustment to surplus/(deficit)

             

at 1 July 2001 in respect of

             

companies no longer

             

consolidated

(1)

(8)

4

-

-

-

(5)

Current service cost

(42)

(3)

(10)

(7)

(3)

(2)

(67)

Contributions

35

4

1

23

4

1

68

Past service costs

-

-

(2)

1

-

-

(1)

Other finance income/(costs)

16

(1)

1

(1)

4

-

19

Actuarial gains/(losses)

(49)

(4)

(95)

(25)

(39)

13

(199)

Exchange gains/(losses)

(10)

-

-

(4)

(9)

(8)

(31)

Surplus/(deficit) in schemes

             

at 30 June 2002

(83)

(10)

(112)

(33)

(1)

13

(226)

Post-retirement medical benefits - FRS 17 disclosures

The BHP Billiton Group also operates a number of post-retirement medical benefit arrangements in South Africa, the US, Canada and Suriname. Full actuarial valuations were carried out as at 30 June 2003, many of them by local actuaries. For a minority of plans, it has been necessary to roll forward liabilities calculated using earlier data. The major assumptions used by the actuaries ranged from:

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

UK

Year ended 30 June 2003

         

Ultimate healthcare inflation rate

7%

5.5%

5%

3.5%

n/a

Discount rate

9.75%

6.25%

6%

5.5%

n/a

Year ended 30 June 2002

         

Ultimate healthcare inflation rate

9%

5%

3%

5%

4.5%

Discount rate

11.75%

7%

6.5%

5.5% to 6.5%

6%

Year ended 30 June 2001

         

Ultimate healthcare inflation rate

8%

5.5%

3%

5%

n/a

Discount rate

12%

7.5%

6.5% to 7%

6.5%

n/a

 

The actuarial liabilities of the post-retirement schemes (US$ million) were:

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

UK

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

Present value of scheme liabilities

(133)

(137)

(26)

(19)

-

(315)

Past service credit

(20)

-

-

-

-

(20)

Deficit

(153)

(137)

(26)

(19)

-

(335)

Related deferred tax asset

34

22

-

6

-

62

Net post-retirement liability

(119)

(115)

(26)

(13)

-

(273)

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

Present value of scheme liabilities

(54)

(127)

(18)

(19)

(1)

(219)

Past service credit

(18)

-

-

-

-

(18)

Deficit

(72)

(127)

(18)

(19)

(1)

(237)

Related deferred tax asset

16

19

-

6

-

41

Net post-retirement liability

(56)

(108)

(18)

(13)

(1)

(196)

Analysis of the operating costs/(credits) (US$ million):

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

UK

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

Current service cost

2

4

-

-

-

6

Past service cost/(credit)

1

7

-

-

-

8

Total operating charge

3

11

-

-

-

14

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

Current service cost

1

2

-

-

-

3

Past service cost/(credit)

(1)

-

-

-

-

(1)

Curtailment losses/(gains)

(7)

-

(1)

-

-

(8)

Total operating charge

(7)

2

(1)

-

-

(6)

Analysis of the financing credit/(costs) (US$ million):

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

UK

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

Interest on post-retirement liabilities

(11)

(8)

(1)

(1)

-

(21)

Net return/(cost)

(11)

(8)

(1)

(1)

-

(21)

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

Interest on post-retirement liabilities

(7)

(8)

(1)

(1)

-

(17)

Net return/(cost)

(7)

(8)

(1)

(1)

-

(17)

Analysis of gains and losses recognised in STRGL (US$ million):

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

UK

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

Experience gains/(losses) arising on

           

scheme liabilities

(27)

15

1

-

-

(11)

Changes in assumptions underlying the

           

present value of scheme liabilities

(9)

(16)

(7)

-

-

(32)

Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in STRGL

(36)

(1)

(6)

-

-

(43)

Difference between the expected and

           

actual outcomes:

           

Experience gains/(losses) on scheme liabilities

           

as a percentage of the present

           

value of scheme liabilities

(20.3%)

10.9%

3.8%

0%

0%

(3.5%)

Total gain/(loss) recognised in STRGL as

           

a percentage of the present value of

           

scheme liabilities

(27.1%)

(0.7%)

(23.1%)

0%

0%

(13.7%)

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

Experience gains/(losses) arising on

           

scheme liabilities

8

(6)

-

-

-

2

Changes in assumptions underlying the

           

present value of scheme liabilities

(10)

-

-

(1)

-

(11)

Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in STRGL

(2)

(6)

-

(1)

-

(9)

Difference between the expected and

           

actual outcomes:

           

Experience gains/(losses) on scheme liabilities

           

as a percentage of the present value of

           

scheme liabilities

14.8%

(4.7%)

0%

0%

0%

0.9%

Total gain/(loss) recognised in STRGL as a

           

percentage of the present value of scheme

           

liabilities

(3.7%)

(4.7%)

0%

(5.3%)

0%

(4.1%)

Analysis of the movement in surplus/(deficit) (US$ million):

 

South Africa

US

Canada

Suriname

UK

Total

Year ended 30 June 2003

           

(Deficit) in schemes at 30 June 2002

(72)

(127)

(18)

(19)

(1)

(237)

Movement in year:

           

Adjustment at 1 July 2002 in respect of

           

changes in joint venture arrangements and

           

other plan changes

-

-

-

-

1

1

Current service cost

(2)

(4)

-

-

-

(6)

Contributions

5

10

2

1

-

18

Past service costs

(1)

(7)

-

-

-

(8)

Other finance income/(costs)

(11)

(8)

(1)

(1)

-

(21)

Actuarial gains/(losses)

(36)

(1)

(6)

-

-

(43)

Exchange gains/(losses)

(36)

-

(3)

-

-

(39)

(Deficit) in schemes at 30 June 2003

(153)

(137)

(26)

(19)

-

(335)

Year ended 30 June 2002

           

(Deficit) in schemes at 30 June 2001

(94)

(142)

(27)

(18)

(1)

(282)

Movement in year:

           

Adjustment to surplus/(deficit) at 1 July 2001

           

in respect of companies no longer consolidated

-

23

8

-

-

31

Current service cost

(1)

(2)

-

-

-

(3)

Contributions

3

8

1

1

-

13

Past service costs

1

-

-

-

-

1

Other finance income/(costs)

(7)

(8)

(1)

(1)

-

(17)

Actuarial gains/(losses)

(2)

(6)

-

(1)

-

(9)

Curtailment gains/(losses)

7

-

1

-

-

8

Exchange gains/(losses)

21

-

-

-

-

21

(Deficit) in schemes at 30 June 2002

(72)

(127)

(18)

(19)

(1)

(237)

If the measurement principles of FRS 17 had been applied to the pension schemes and post-retirement medical benefit schemes of the Group's joint venture and associated entities at 30 June 2003, a deficit of approximately US$50 million (2002: US$7 million) would have been recognised in the Group Statement of Financial Performance and actuarial losses of approximately US$35 million (2002: US$12 million) would have been recognised.

 

42 Remuneration of Directors and executive officers and retirement payments approved in general meeting

Directors

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Amounts received or due and receivable by Directors of BHP Billiton Limited (a)(b)(c)

21.343(d)

14.824

 

2003

2002

Directors whose total income was between (US$)

Number

Number

0 - 9 999

2

-

40 000 - 49 999

1

-

50 000 - 59 999

1

-

60 000 - 69 999

-

1

70 000 - 79 999

1

9

80 000 - 89 999

3

2

90 000 - 99 999

2

-

100 000 - 109 999

1

-

150 000 - 159 999

-

1

200 000 - 209 999

1

-

260 000 - 269 999

1

1

1 480 000 - 1 489 999

-

1

2 020 000 - 2 029 999

-

1

2 940 000 - 2 949 999

1

-

3 540 000 - 3 549 999

1

-

4 940 000 - 4 949 999

-

1

5 060 000 - 5 069 999

-

1

5 140 000 - 5 149 999

1

-

8 510 000 - 8 519 999

1

-

In 2003, amounts received or due and receivable by Directors of BHP Billiton Group controlled entities were US$93.209 million (2002: US$100.242 million). Refer (a), (b) and (c).

Executive officers

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Amounts received or due and receivable by executive officers (including executive Directors)

   

of the BHP Billiton Group whose total income equals or exceeds US$100 000 (a)(b)(c)(e)

37.528

29.610

Executive officers whose total

2003

2002

Executive officers whose total

2003

2002

income was between (US$)

Number

Number

income was between (US$)

Number

Number

1 070 000 - 1 079 999

-

1

1 760 000 - 1 769 999

1

-

1 100 000 - 1 109 999

-

1

1 860 000 - 1 869 999

-

1

1 150 000 - 1 159 999

1

-

1 890 000 - 1 899 999

1

1

1 160 000 - 1 169 999

1

-

2 100 000 - 2 109 999

-

1

1 250 000 - 1 259 999

-

1

2 280 000 - 2 289 999

1

-

1 300 000 - 1 309 999

1

-

2 540 000 - 2 549 999

-

1

1 310 000 - 1 319 999

-

1

2 940 000 - 2 949 999

1

-

1 450 000 - 1 459 999

1

1

3 420 000 - 3 429 999

-

1

1 490 000 - 1 499 999

1

-

3 540 000 - 3 549 999

1

-

1 540 000 - 1 549 999

1

-

4 940 000 - 4 949 999

-

1

1 550 000 - 1 559 999

-

1

5 060 000 - 5 069 999

-

1

1 570 000 - 1 579 999

1

-

5 140 000 - 5 149 999

1

-

1 720 000 - 1 729 999

1

-

8 510 000 - 8 519 999

1

-

       

15

13

(a) The BHP Billiton Group granted various equity instruments to executive Directors and executive officers during the years ended 30 June 2003 and 30 June 2002, in accordance with the share ownership plans in existence in both the BHP Billiton Limited Group and the BHP Billiton Plc Group. The value of each instrument granted during the year ended 30 June 2003 has been determined by an independent actuary using modified Black-Scholes option pricing techniques. Instruments granted by the BHP Billiton Limited Group during the year ended 30 June 2002 were also valued by an independent actuary using modified Black-Scholes option pricing techniques. Remuneration for the years ended 30 June 2003 and 2002 includes amounts in relation to equity instruments, spread over the relevant vesting periods. The different nature of the instruments which have been issued year on year, with respect to the performance hurdles which have been established and the qualifying periods before the instruments vest, results in variations to the respective valuations. Refer to note 31 for details of all instruments granted and valuations. Refer to the Remuneration Report for details regarding various equity instruments in respect of the Directors of BHP Billiton Group.

(b) For some executive Directors and executive officers, remuneration includes BHP Billiton Group contributions to superannuation funds and an imputed notional contribution calculated at the determined actuarial rate. Where executive Directors and executive officers have Employee Share Plan loans, an imputed interest component is included in remuneration.

(c) Remuneration for 2003 includes incentives payable to executive Directors and executive officers based on the achievement of business performance targets and individual performance for the year ended 30 June 2003. Remuneration for 2002 includes incentives paid to executive Directors and executive officers for the year ended 30 June 2002. Non-executive Directors are not entitled to any form of performance-related remuneration.

(d) Amounts received or due and receivable by Directors of BHP Billiton Limited include retirement benefits of US$178 043 paid during the current year in the banding US$200 000 to US$209 999, which had been accrued for in prior years. Not included are retirement benefits of US$281 316, which had been accrued for in prior years, but which were paid during the current year, for Directors of BHP Billiton Limited who did not hold office during the year.

(e) An executive officer is a person directly accountable and responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of the BHP Billiton Group. Executive officers include members of the Executive Committee, some of whom are not domiciled in Australia.

Retirement payments approved in the annual general meeting

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Prescribed benefits in connection with the retirement of Directors as at retirement date approved in general meeting

   

of BHP Billiton Limited

   

J T Ralph

0.166

-

J C Conde

-

0.186

B C Alberts

-

0.103

 

0.166

0.289

 

 

43 Major interests in joint venture operations

     

BHP Billiton Group's

effective interest

     
     

30 June

30 June

 

Country of

 

2003

2002

Name

operation

Principal activity

%

%

Atlantis

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

44

44

Bass Strait

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

50

50

Boris

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

50

50

Bruce

UK

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

16

16

Griffin

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

45

45

Gulf of Mexico

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

5-100

5-100

Keith

UK

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

32

32

Laminaria

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

25-33

25-33

Liverpool Bay

UK

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

46

46

Mad Dog

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

23.9

23.9

Mamore

Bolivia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

50

50

North West Shelf

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

8-17

8-17

Ohanet

Algeria

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

45

45

ROD Integrated Development

Algeria

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

36.04

38.75

Trinidad 2c - Angostura

Trinidad

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

45

45

Typhoon

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

50

50

Zamzama

Pakistan

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

38.5

38.5

Alumar

Brazil

- Alumina refining

36

36

   

- Aluminium smelting

46

46

Billiton Suriname

Suriname

- Bauxite mining

76

76

   

- Alumina refining

45

45

Mozal

Mozambique

Aluminium smelting

47.1

47.1

Valesul Aluminio

Brazil

Aluminium smelting

45.5

45.5

Worsley

Australia

Bauxite mining and alumina refining

86

86

Escondida

Chile

Copper mining

57.5

57.5

Central Queensland Coal Associates

Australia

Coal mining

50

50

Gregory

Australia

Coal mining

50

50

Mt Goldsworthy

Australia

Iron ore mining

85

85

Mt Newman

Australia

Iron ore mining

85

85

Yandi

Australia

Iron ore mining

85

85

Ekati

Canada

Diamond mining

80

80

Douglas Colliery

South Africa

Coal mining

84

84

Middelburg Mine

South Africa

Coal mining

84

84

Richards Bay Coal Terminal

South Africa

Coal exporting

37

37

Rietspruit Mine

South Africa

Coal mining

50

50

 

44 Elements relating to all joint venture operations

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Current assets

   

Cash assets

193

295

Receivables

432

539

Inventories

539

482

Other

18

34

Non-current assets

   

Receivables

190

159

Other financial assets

26

24

Inventories

61

46

Property, plant and equipment

11 692

11 069

Other

382

428

BHP Billiton Limited Group share of assets employed in joint venture operations

13 533

13 076

Contingent liabilities - unsecured (a)

46

54

Contracts for capital expenditure commitments not completed (b)

1 362

1 358

(a) Included in contingent liabilities arising from joint venture operations. Refer note 39.

(b) Included in capital expenditure commitments. Refer note 40.

 

 

45 Major controlled entities

The principal controlled entities of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc are as follows:

     

BHP Billiton Group's

effective interest

     
     

30 June

30 June

 

Country of

 

2003

2002

Name

operation

Principal activity

%

%

Beswick Pty Ltd

Australia

Investment

100

100

BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc

Canada

Diamond mining

100

100

BHP Billiton Finance BV

Netherlands

Finance

100

100

BHP Billiton Finance Ltd

Australia

Finance

100

100

BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd

Australia

Finance

100

100

BHP Billiton Group Operations Pty Ltd

Australia

Administrative services

100

100

BHP Billiton Investments (Jersey) Ltd

Jersey

Holding company

100

100

BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd

Australia

Management company and iron ore marketing

100

100

BHP Billiton Marketing AG

Switzerland

Marketing and trading

100

100

BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd

Australia

Iron ore, silver, lead and zinc mining

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Americas) Inc

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Australia) Pty Ltd

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (GOM) Inc

US

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (NWS) Pty Ltd

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum Great Britain Ltd

UK

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum

       

(International Exploration) Pty Ltd

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton Petroleum (Victoria) Pty Ltd

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton SA Ltd

South Africa

Holding and service company

100

100

BHP Billiton Services Jersey Ltd

Jersey

Service company

100

100

BHP Billiton Shared Business Services Pty Ltd

Australia

Administrative services

100

100

BHP Billiton Tintaya SA

Peru

Copper mining

99.95

99.95

BHP Billiton Transport and Logistics Pty Ltd

Australia

Transport services

100

100

BHP Billiton (Trinidad - 2c) Ltd

Canada

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Billiton World Exploration Inc

Canada

Exploration

100

100

BHP Coal Holding Pty Ltd

Australia

Holding company

100

100

BHP Coal Pty Ltd

Australia

Holding company and coal mining

100

100

BHP Copper Inc

US

Holding company and copper mining

100

100

BHP Development Finance Pty Ltd

Australia

Finance

100

100

BHP Holdings (USA) Inc

US

Holding company

100

100

BHP International Finance Corporation

US

Finance

100

100

BHP Minerals Exploration Inc

US

Holding company

100

100

BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd

Australia

Holding company and coal mining

80

80

BHP Navajo Coal Company

US

Coal mining

100

100

BHP Nominees Pty Ltd

Australia

Holding company

100

100

BHP Operations Inc

US

Finance

100

100

BHP Petroleum (Pakistan) Pty Ltd

Australia

Hydrocarbons exploration and production

100

100

BHP Queensland Coal Investments Pty Ltd

Australia

Holding company and coal mining

100

100

BHP Queensland Coal Ltd

US

Coal mining

100

100

BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd

Australia

Iron and steel production and coal mining

-

100

BHP Steel Investments Inc

US

Steel production

-

100

 

     

BHP Billiton Group's

effective interest

     
     

30 June

30 June

 

Country of

 

2003

2002

Name

operation

Principal activity

%

%

BHP Steel Ltd

Australia

Rollforming and coating of sheet steel

-

100

BHP Steel Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Malaysia

Steel coating

-

60

BHP Steel Thailand Ltd

Thailand

Steel coating

-

87.5

BHP (USA) Investments Inc

US

Investment

100

100

Billiton Aluminium Australia Pty Ltd

Australia

Bauxite mining and alumina refining

100

100

Billiton Aluminium South Africa Ltd

South Africa

Aluminium smelting

100

100

Billiton Coal Australia Pty Ltd

Australia

Coal mining

100

100

Billiton Development BV

Netherlands

Exploration

100

100

Billiton Marketing Holding BV

Netherlands

Marketing and trading

100

100

Billiton Metais SA

Brazil

Alumina refining and aluminium smelting

100

100

Broken Hill Proprietary (USA) Inc

US

Service company

100

100

Cerro Matoso SA

Colombia

Nickel mining and ferro-nickel smelting

99.8

99.8

Compania Minera Cerro Colorado Limitada

Chile

Copper mining

100

100

Compania Minera Riochilex SA

Chile

Copper exploration

100

100

Dia Met Minerals Ltd

Canada

Diamond mining

100

100

Endeavour Coal Pty Ltd

Australia

Coal mining

100

100

Gengro Limited

South Africa

Investment holding company

100

100

Groote Eylandt Mining Co Pty Limited

Australia

Manganese mining

60

60

Illawarra Coal Holdings Pty Ltd

Australia

Coal mining

100

100

Ingwe Coal Corporation Limited

South Africa

Coal mining

100

100

PT BHP Steel Indonesia

Indonesia

Steel coating

-

74

QNI Pty Ltd

Australia

Holding company

100

100

QNI Resources Pty Ltd

Australia

Nickel refining

100

100

QNI Metals Pty Ltd

Australia

Nickel refining

100

100

Rio Algom Limited

Canada

Holding company

100

100

Samancor Limited

South Africa

Chrome and manganese mining and production

60

60

Samancor AG

Switzerland

Marketing and trading

60

60

San Juan Coal Company

US

Coal mining

100

100

San Juan Transportation Company

US

Coal transportation

100

100

Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Co Pty Ltd

Australia

Manganese alloys

60

60

Tasman Steel Holdings Limited

New Zealand

Iron and steel production

-

100

The list above includes only those companies which principally affect the profit or net assets of the BHP Billiton Group.

 

46 Related parties

Directors of BHP Billiton Limited who held office during the year were:

D R Argus AO                 D A Crawford             J M Schubert

P M Anderson (a)            B P Gilbertson (b)      J T Ralph AC (d)

C W Goodyear                C A Herkstroter         J B Jackson (d)

Lord Renwick of Clifton     D C Brink                 M A Chaney

D A Jenkins                    Dr J Buchanan (c)      M Salamon (e)

(a) Resigned on 1 July 2002.

(b) Resigned on 5 January 2003.

(c) Appointed on 1 February 2003.

(d) Resigned on 4 November 2002.

(e) Appointed on 24 February 2003.

Share transactions with Directors and Director-related entities

The current Chief Executive Officer, C W Goodyear, was conditionally awarded 180 154 ordinary shares in BHP Billiton Limited under the Group Incentive Scheme during the year ended 30 June 2003 (2002: nil).

On 23 May 2003, agreement was reached with former Chief Executive B P Gilbertson regarding the terms of termination of his employment with the Group, some two and a half years earlier than the date provided under his contracts. Mr Gilbertson was a participant in the Group's employee share plans. None of the entitlements under those plans that had been granted to him but that had not vested at the date of his termination were transferred. Rather, the entitlements were scaled back to reflect the period of his employment. Mr Gilbertson continues to hold the scaled-back entitlements but they remain subject to the same conditions that applied on grant, where pre-determined performance hurdles must be satisfied. Those hurdles will be measured at the same time and in the same manner as for other participants. The number of shares Mr Gilbertson has retained an entitlement to is 228 675 (comprising 63 159 Performance Shares under the Group Incentive Scheme, 123 218 shares under the Restricted Share Scheme and 42 298 shares under the Co-Investment Plan). The number, if any, that might ultimately vest will remain dependent on satisfaction of the performance hurdles.

The former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, P M Anderson received 374 693 ordinary shares in BHP Billiton Limited during the year ended 30 June 2002 on exercise of Performance Rights.

Shares, Options and Performance Rights held by Directors and Director-related entities at balance date

The aggregate number of shares, options and Performance Rights held in the BHP Billiton Group by Directors of BHP Billiton and their Director-related entities at balance date were:

 

Shares/Options/Performance Rights

in BHP Billiton Limited

Shares/Options in

BHP Billiton Plc

 
 

2003

2002

2003

2002

Fully paid ordinary shares

522 754

1 240 374

1 030 772

1 048 752

Employee Share Plan Options

1 280 361

3 510 670

   

Exercisable Rights

-

57 383

   

Performance Rights

321 056

1 296 559

   

Restricted Share Scheme

   

198 163

292 576

Co-Investment Plan - committed shares

   

26 471

24 925

Co-Investment Plan - matching award

   

80 735

76 021

Group Incentive Scheme

180 154

-

193 706

-

The interests of the Directors who held office at 30 June 2003 in the fully paid ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc are set out in the table below:

 

As at

As at

 

As at

As at

BHP Billiton shares(1)

30 June 2003

30 June 2002

BHP Billiton shares(1)

30 June 2003

30 June 2002

Don Argus (4)

193 495

193 495

David Crawford (4)

29 127

16 127

Charles Goodyear

247 813(2)

82 604(3)

Cornelius Herkströter (4)

10 642

10 000

David Brink (4)

39 377

37 000

David Jenkins

10 326

10 326

John Buchanan (5)

1 000

-

Miklos Salamon (6)

977 282

-

Michael Chaney (4)

12 338

4 338

John Schubert

23 675

23 675

Lord Renwick of Clifton

8 451

8 066

     

(1) Shares in BHP Billiton Limited shown in italics. All interests are beneficial.

(2) 82 604 held in the form of 41 302 American Depositary Shares.

(3) Held in the form of 41 302 American Depositary Shares.

(4) Includes shares held in name of spouse and/or nominee.

(5) Appointed 1 February 2003, at which date he held no shares.

(6) Appointed 24 February 2003, at which date he held 977 282 shares.

In addition, relatives of M A Chaney own 3 914 (2002: 3 914) fully paid ordinary shares and relatives of the current Chief Executive Officer C W Goodyear own 3 671 (2002: 3 671) American Depositary Shares (ADS). Each ADS represents two fully paid ordinary shares.

Directors and their Director-related entities receive the same dividends and bonus share entitlements as those available to other holders of the same class of shares. Partly paid shares did not participate in dividends.

Refer to note 31 for details of the employee ownership plans referred to above.

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Loans made to Directors

   

Aggregate amount of loans made during the financial year to Directors, not being Directors of BHP Billiton Limited

   

or BHP Billiton Plc

   

Directors of controlled entities

0.004

0.004

(all loans were concessional)

   

Loan repayments from Directors

   

Aggregate amount of repayments received during the financial year from Directors, not being Directors of

   

BHP Billiton Limited or BHP Billiton Plc

   

Employee Share Plan loans

   

Directors of controlled entities

0.109

0.736

Other loans

   

Directors of controlled entities

0.002

0.006

(all loans were concessional)

   

 

The following were executive Directors of controlled entities during the year, and received loans and/or made loan repayments. (There are no loans to non-executive Directors.)

Amundsen M*

Ellefson C S*

Kellow G L*

Schulz D*

Ashby I R*

Excell J D*

Keogh S M*

Sherlock G T*

Baxendale D R*

Ford S L*

Kirkby R W*

Stockden J M*

Bond G*

Gill B J*

Kirke A W*

Todorcevski Z*

Cameron J K*

Giorgini S*

Lie E #

Twine D J*

Carroll D A*

Grubb J W*

Lyons J S*

Vanselow A*

Carroll R A*

Grubbs R K*

Massey J C*

Vine J A*

Coghlan M M*

Harvey R /#

Matthys J L*

Watts R*

Croker N*

Heath G J*

Murphy D F*

White T A*

Crossley T E S*

Henson W*

Netterfield D J*

Whiting T H*

Dalgleish I W*

Heycox I R*

Nicol B A*

Wills D J*

Danks P*

Howell A F*

Offen A J*

Williams M L*

De Verteuil D N*

Hunt G P*

Oppenheimer M C*

Wirth B A*

Dines C J*

Hunter K C*

Pickering K W*

Worner M C H*

Dynon J N*

Jones E Y*

Quinn G W*

Worthington P A*

Edney I C*

Jones J H*

Reynolds A E*

 

* Employee Share Plan loan repayments.

/ Other loans received.

# Other loan repayments.

Related party transactions and balances included throughout the financial statements are as follows:

 

2003

2002

 

US$M

US$M

Interest received or due and receivable from related parties

   

Associated entities

14.579

17.482

 

14.579

17.482

Dividends received or due and receivable from related parties

   

Associated entities

213.123

187.390

 

213.123

187.390

Borrowing costs paid or due and payable to related parties

   

Associated entities

-

0.171

 

-

0.171

Current trade receivables due from related parties

   

Associated entities

3.131

1.099

 

3.131

1.099

Current sundry receivables due from related parties

   

Associated entities

6.668

3.343

Directors of controlled entities (a)

0.034

0.924

 

6.702

4.267

Non-current sundry receivables due from related parties

   

Associated entities

292.859

455.822

Directors of controlled entities (a)

1.484

1.745

 

294.343

457.567

Current trade creditors due to related parties

   

Director-related entities

0.166

0.195

 

0.166

0.195

Current sundry creditors due to related parties

   

Associated entities

60.391

1.635

Other related entities

2.879

1.889

 

63.270

3.524

Non-current sundry creditors due to related parties

   

Associated entities

4.682

4.433

 

4.682

4.433

(a) Current and non-current sundry receivables due from Directors of controlled entities represent the appropriate portion of loans to Directors engaged in full-time employment within the BHP Billiton Group, mainly for acquisition of shares in BHP Billiton Limited. The loans reduced during the year as a consequence of the demerger of BHP Steel.

(b) Associated entities includes all joint venture and associated entities.

Investments in joint venture and associated entities are shown in note 18.

Directors' remuneration is shown in note 42.

Major interests in joint venture operations are shown in note 43.

Details of major controlled entities are shown in note 45.

 

 

Transactions with Director-related entities

A number of Directors or former Directors of BHP Billiton Limited hold or have held positions in other companies, where it may be said they control or significantly influence the financial or operating policies of these entities. Accordingly, the following entities are considered to be Director-related entities for the purpose of the disclosure requirements of Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1017 'Related Party Disclosures':

Director of BHP Billiton Limited

Director-related entity

Position held in Director-related entity

M A Chaney

Wesfarmers (Group) Limited

Managing Director

D A Jenkins

Chartwood Resources Ltd

Chairman and Managing Director

B D Romeril (a)

Xerox Corporation

Chief Financial Officer

(a) Resigned as Director of BHP Billiton Group on 30 June 2002.

Transactions between the BHP Billiton Group and these Director-related entities are detailed below:

Other Director transactions with BHP Billiton Group entities

Where the Director was an employee of the BHP Billiton Group, transactions include:

All these transactions (which were trivial in amount) were conducted on conditions no more beneficial than those available to other employees.

Following the termination of his employment on 1 July 2002, Mr Anderson entered into a consultancy arrangement with the BHP Billiton Group under which he agreed to act as a consultant to the Group for two years commencing at the time he ceased to be a Director. Mr Anderson received a total fee of US$104 739 for the period under this arrangement.

Transactions with associated entities

The following material transactions with related parties of the BHP Billiton Group occurred during the year ended 30 June 2003 and were conducted in the normal course of business and under normal commercial terms and conditions:

 

 

47 Statement of Financial Position - Australian dollars

For the convenience of the reader, an Australian dollar Statement of Financial Position of the BHP Billiton Group is detailed below. A convenience translation of amounts from US dollars into Australian dollars has been made at an exchange rate of US$0.6667 = A$1 at 30 June 2003 and US$0.5664 = A$1 at 30 June 2002. The rate of exchange for 30 June 2003 is based on the market foreign exchange rate sourced from Reuters at 12.00pm (AEST) on the last day of the financial period.

 

30 June 2003

30 June 2002

 

A$M

A$M

Current assets

   

Cash assets

2 328

2 646

Receivables

3 266

4 050

Other financial assets

214

207

Inventories

1 992

2 505

Other assets

194

175

Total current assets

7 994

9 583

Non-current assets

   

Receivables

1 345

1 570

Investments accounted for using the equity method

2 104

2 657

Other financial assets

225

1 026

Inventories

77

67

Property, plant and equipment

29 668

35 569

Intangible assets

699

905

Deferred tax assets

671

847

Other assets

531

498

Total non-current assets

35 320

43 139

Total assets

43 314

52 722

Current liabilities

   

Payables

3 544

4 300

Interest bearing liabilities

1 347

3 172

Tax liabilities

464

870

Other provisions and liabilities

1 711

1 970

Total current liabilities

7 066

10 312

Non-current liabilities

   

Payables

292

214

Interest bearing liabilities

9 639

11 269

Deferred tax liabilities

2 151

2 825

Other provisions and liabilities

5 026

4 880

Total non-current liabilities

17 108

19 188

Total liabilities

24 174

29 500

Net assets

19 140

23 222

Contributed equity - BHP Billiton Limited

2 677

5 549

Called up share capital - BHP Billiton Plc

2 598

3 093

Reserves

543

832

Retained profits

12 836

13 162

Total BHP Billiton interest

18 654

22 636

Outside equity interest

486

586

Total equity

19 140

23 222

End of part 2 of 3

__________________________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BHP BILLITON LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________

Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 30 September 2003