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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Treasurer`s Decision On Third Party Rail Access
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
27 October 2008
Number 36/08
TREASURER`S DECISION ON THIRD PARTY RAIL ACCESS
BHP Billiton expressed its disappointment in the decision announced today by the
Federal Treasurer to `declare` BHP Billiton`s West Australian Goldsworthy rail
line.
Ian Ashby, President of Iron Ore, said: "Providing third party access to the
company`s rail operations would compromise the efficiency of BHP Billiton`s
integrated mine, port and rail operations. In the current fiscal year alone,
these operations are expected to deliver more than 137 million tonnes of iron
ore to customers all over the world and are already running at full capacity.
"Our view is unchanged. The efficient delivery of iron ore to our customers
should not be compromised through allowing other companies to put their rail
cars on our tracks, creating potential delays or disruption to our operations."
Mr Ashby said that BHP Billiton had been working with the West Australian
Government to develop a rail haulage regime and that this would be a preferable
mechanism. "An access regime for providing rail haulage services is a more
practical solution that would be less disruptive to the efficiency of the
existing operations."
BHP Billiton is entitled to seek a reconsideration of the Treasurer`s decision
by the Australian Competition Tribunal. The Company is currently involved in a
similar reconsideration by the Tribunal in relation to the decision not to
declare the Mt Newman line.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom & South Africa
Samantha Evans, Media Andre Liebenberg, Investor
Relations Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4131
+61 400 693 915 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: email:
Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.co Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.
m com
Peter Ogden, Media Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2812 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
+61 428 599 190 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
Email: email:
Peter.Ogden@bhpbilliton.com Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
Leng Lau, Investor Relations United States
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: Scott Espenshade, Investor
+61 403 533 706 Relations
email: Tel: +1 713 599 6431
Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email:
Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.
com
Ruban Yogarajah, Media
Relations
Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK
+44 20 7802 4033
Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022
email:
Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.c
om
100% terms. BHP Billiton`s attributable share of iron ore production at WAIO is
approximately 85%
Date: 27/10/2008 10:45:13 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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