Energy

Reported energy usage increased during 2004, to approximately 19,200 Terajoules. This represents an increase of over 13 per cent compared with the 16,900 Terajoules of energy use reported by our operations during 2003.

The main increases in total reported energy use were attributed to a 68 per cent increase in reported energy consumption at Queensland Fertilizers' operations at Phosphate Hill, a 17 per cent increase in energy use at Olympic Dam, and a 6 per cent increase in energy use at Mount Keith for the period.

The substantial increase in reported energy use at Phosphate Hill is primarily due to a change in reporting of the energy used for electricity generation by the gas turbine. The reported energy use in 2004 now includes energy conversion losses in generating electricity from natural gas. In the years up to and including 2003, only the electrical energy purchased from the contractor-operated facility was included in the total energy consumption.

The increase in energy use at Olympic Dam reflects the increased tonnages of ore treated and copper produced during the reporting period.

• Read about Our Approach to Energy.