BHP Billiton Limited has appointed Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) litigator Geoff Healy as its new chief legal counsel, succeeding incumbent David Williamson who is returning to Ashurst Australia after three years at the mining company. Healy has been and legacy Freehills' client relationship partner for BHP Billiton for some years and regularly advises the mining company on corporate governance issues and disputes. His appointment with BHP Billiton will take effect on 3 June 2013. BHP Billiton's incumbent legal counsel David Williamson will return to Australia at the end of the Australian financial year, 30 June 2013. He left legacy Blake Dawson in April 2010 to join BHP Billiton, succeeding Ferraro as chief legal counsel. He has also served as the company's chief compliance officer for the past 22 months. Prior to his move, Williamson spent 28 years with legacy Blake Dawson, including 21 years as a partner. He worked in the firm's Melbourne, Sydney and London offices holding a number of leadership positions in each.

BHP Billiton Limited announced following the appointment of Andrew Mackenzie as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President, Petroleum and Potash, Tim Cutt, from 2 July 2013, and Chief Legal Counsel, Geoff Healy, from 3 June 2013. The company announced its new senior management team which will take effect from 10 May 2013. Mike Yeager will retire from the GMC and the company on 1 July 2013. Tim Cutt will join the GMC as President, Petroleum and Potash on 2 July 2013. He will retain responsibility for the Potash development option. Mike Henry, Graham Kerr and Karen Wood remain as GMC members ensuring a strong balance of existing and new membership of the team. Both Mike and Graham will assume enhanced responsibilities. Alberto Calderon, previously Chief Executive, Aluminium, Nickel and Corporate Development will leave the GMC but remain as an advisor to the CEO. Marcus Randolph, previously Chief Executive Ferrous and Coal, is currently on a period of sick leave and is not expected to return to the Company until the middle of this calendar year. He will leave the GMC on 10 May 2013. Jimmy Wilson will retain his responsibilities for the Iron Ore business. Peter Beaven's role as President, Copper, will include all of his current responsibilities for the assets under the former Base Metals business. Dean Dalla Valle, formerly President, Energy Coal, will assume responsibility for the whole of the company's coal assets with the consolidation of the Metallurgical and Energy Coal businesses. Daniel Malchuk, formerly President, Minerals Exploration, will assume responsibility for the assets that form part of the Aluminum, Manganese and Nickel businesses. Tim Cutt, currently President, Diamonds and Specialty Products will re-join the Petroleum business as President following Mike Yeager's retirement from the company on 1 July 2013. Geoff Healy, currently a Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, will join the GMC as Chief Legal Counsel and Jane McAloon will join the GMC as President, Governance and will retain her responsibilities as Group Company Secretary. The announcement of the new structure has resulted in other changes at the President level. Tom Schutte, currently President, Manganese and Glenn Kellow, currently President, Aluminium and Nickel will work with Daniel Malchuk on the consolidation of these businesses. Hubie van Dalsen currently President, Metallurgical Coal will retire from the company.

BHP Billiton Limited announced production results for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported total petroleum products production was 55.42 million boe compared to 56.60 million boe for the same period in 2012. Total alumina saleable production was 1,213,000 tonnes compared to 1,052,000 tonnes for the same period in 2012. Total aluminium production was 304,000 tonnes compared to 277,000 tonnes for the same period in 2012. Total nickel production was 42,100 tonnes compared to 41,700 tonnes for the same period in 2012. For the nine months, the company reported total petroleum products production was 176.57 million boe compared to 165.98 million boe for the same period in 2012. Total alumina saleable production was 3,615,000 tonnes compared to 3,113,000 tonnes for the same period in 2012. Total aluminium production was 871,000 tonnes compared to 905,000 tonnes for the same period in 2012. Total nickel production was 113,800 tonnes compared to 115,200 tonnes for the same period in 2012. The company also reported that full year production guidance is retained for major businesses following another quarter of robust operating performance. Production guidance of 183 million tonnes (100% basis) for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged, despite cyclone related downtime during the period in Western Australia Iron Ore. An annualised production rate approaching 200 million tonnes (100% basis) is anticipated for the June 2013 quarter. Petroleum production guidance for the 2013 financial year remains unchanged at approximately 240 million barrels of oil equivalent. Copper in concentrate production at Escondida increased by 61% during the nine month period ended March 2013. Total Escondida copper production remains on track to increase by at least 20% in the 2013 financial year.