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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Further growth at Western Australia Iron Ore
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
24 March 2011
FURTHER GROWTH AT WESTERN AUSTRALIA IRON ORE
BHP Billiton today announced approval of US$7.4 billion (BHP Billiton share
US$6.6 billion) of capital investment to continue production growth in the
company`s Western Australia Iron Ore operations. It will deliver an integrated
operation with capacity in excess of 220 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), on a
100% basis, with first production expected from the new Jimblebar mine in
early calendar year 2014.
The investment includes:
US$3.4 billion (BHP Billiton share US$3.3 billion) for the development of
Jimblebar mine and rail links, and the procurement of mining equipment and
rolling stock that will deliver initial capacity of 35 mtpa, with embedded
options for expansion to 55 mtpa for incremental capital investment;
US$2.3 billion (BHP Billiton share US$1.9 billion) to further develop Port
Hedland, including two additional berths and shiploaders, a car dumper,
connecting conveyor routes and associated rail works and rolling stock; and
US$1.7 billion (BHP Billiton share US$1.4 billion) for port blending
facilities and rail yards to enable ore blending, the expansion of resource
life and to prepare for the future growth of the business beyond the inner
harbour.
BHP Billiton President Iron Ore, Ian Ashby said "Our intent with these
projects is to develop port capacity that, with subsequent debottlenecking,
will allow us to fill our 240 mtpa allocation in the Port Hedland inner
harbour. We have intentionally overbuilt the ore handling facilities at
Jimblebar and expect to incrementally grow mine production to ensure that our
port and rail systems are operated at full capacity during this
debottlenecking program."
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom & South Africa
Brendan Harris, Investor Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4323 Mobile: +61 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44
437 134 814 7920 236 974
email: email:
Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Amanda Buckley, Media Relations United Kingdom & Americas
Tel: +61 3 9609 2209 Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations
Mobile: +61 419 801 349 Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or
email: Amanda.Buckley@bhpbilliton.com UK +44 20 7802 4033
Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022
Kelly Quirke, Media Relations email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896
Mobile: +61 429 966 312 Americas
email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 599 6431
Samantha Stevens, Media Relations Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com
Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number
077 3196209
Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Registered Office: Neathouse Place
Street London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel +44 20 7802 4000
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +44 20 7802 4111
Fax +61 3 9609 3015
Members of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia
Date: 25/03/2011 07:05:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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