|
BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - BHP Billiton approves Major Capacity Expansion at
Western Australia Iron Ore
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
25 November 2008
Number 39/08
BHP BILLITON APPROVES MAJOR CAPACITY EXPANSION AT WESTERN AUSTRALIA IRON ORE
BHP Billiton today announced approval of the Rapid Growth Project 5 (RGP5) with
a total capital investment of US$4.8 billion (BHP Billiton share). This
includes previously approved capital of US$930 million.
RGP5 will increase installed capacity across our Western Australia Iron Ore
operations by 50 million tonnes to 205 million tonnes per annum* (100 per cent
basis). RGP5 is expected to deliver first production in the second half of the
2011 calendar year.
The majority of production growth will come from the Yandi and Mining Area C
operations. RGP5 will also deliver significant infrastructure upgrades
including additional shipping berths at the Port Hedland inner harbour (Finucane
Island), substantial double tracking of the company`s rail system and additional
crushing, screening and stockpiling facilities at Yandi.
BHP Billiton Chief Executive of Ferrous and Coal, Marcus Randolph, said that
"while there is substantial uncertainty in the short term outlook, this
investment decision highlights BHP Billiton`s confidence that the long term
outlook remains positive. The expansion also underscores our belief that high-
quality West Australian iron ore with close proximity to China and the Asian
markets, is an important source of supply. With our strong balance sheet, we
are well positioned to invest in hiqh-quality and low-risk projects such as
RGP5".
BHP Billiton`s partners in the Western Australia Iron Ore operations are Itochu
Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd and Mitsui
Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd.
*BHP Billiton attributable share is approximately 85%.
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
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 BHP Billiton Plc Registration
004 028 077 number 3196209
Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 180 Registered Office: Neathouse
Lonsdale Street Melbourne Place London SW1V 1BH United
Victoria 3000 Kingdom
Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000
Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111
The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
Date: 25/11/2008 10:36:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS. |
|
