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BIL
BIBLT
Plc - BHP Billiton Approves Worsley Alumina Efficiency & Growth Project
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
BHP BILLITON APPROVES WORSLEY ALUMINA EFFICIENCY & GROWTH PROJECT
BHP Billiton today announced approval for the Efficiency & Growth expansion
project at Worsley Alumina in Western Australia for an estimated capital
investment of US$1.9 billion (BHP Billiton`s 86 per cent share). This
includes approximately US$70 million of sustaining capital.
The expansion project will lift capacity of the Worsley refinery from 3.5
million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of alumina to 4.6 Mtpa (100 per cent
capacity) through expanded mining operations, additional refinery capacity
and upgraded port facilities.
The construction phase will start immediately and first production is
expected in the first half of calendar year 2011.
BHP Billiton Aluminium President Jon Dudas said, "Worsley is one of the
largest, lowest cost and most efficient alumina refineries in the world. This
decision to invest in further production capacity underlines our confidence
in the future of the alumina market. It also reflects our confidence in
Worsley Alumina`s ability to continue its excellent track record of
production growth".
Worsley Alumina is a Joint Venture partnership between BHP Billiton (86 per
cent), Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) (10 per cent) and Sojitz Alumina
(4 per cent).
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom & South Africa
Samantha Evans, Media Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Relations
Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131
Email: Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com Email:
Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Leng Lau, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
Mobile: +61 403 533 706 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
Email: Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com Email:
Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or
UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
Email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 05/05/2008 07:45:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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