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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Initial work approved for Port Hedland Outer Harbour
Development
31 December 2011
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
NEWS RELEASE
Release IMMEDIATE
Time
Date 2 February 2012
Number 04/12
INITIAL WORK APPROVED FOR PORT HEDLAND OUTER HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT
BHP Billiton today announced approval of US$917 million (BHP Billiton share
US$779 million)(1) in pre-commitment funding for the construction of a 100
million tonne per year outer harbour facility associated with its Western
Australia Iron Ore operations.
The project, which is expected to be reviewed for full approval in the fourth
quarter of calendar year 2012, has an embedded option to expand by a further 100
million tonnes per year.
The funds approved today will enable the Company to progress feasibility studies
and the procurement of long lead time items. It will also allow for dredging to
begin, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals. In parallel with this
work, engineering studies are underway to match mine and rail expansions to the
expanded port capacity.
The first phase of the Outer Harbour Development would include the proposed
construction of a four kilometre jetty, a four-berth wharf, 32 kilometres of
dredged departure channel and landside infrastructure, including stockyards and
a rail spur. Start-up would be in the first half of calendar year 2016.
BHP Billiton President Iron Ore, Ian Ashby, said: "This investment is an
important first step in providing the infrastructure to allow us to fully
develop our world class resource base in the Pilbara. The development of the
outer harbour is pivotal for our longer term growth objectives and this initial
funding is rapidly turning those plans into a reality."
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com.
Sponsor: Absa Capital (the investment banking division of Absa Bank Limited,
affiliated with Barclays Capital)
(1) BHP Billiton`s partners in its Pilbara iron ore operations are: Itochu
Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd and Mitsui
Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd.
Media Relations Investor Relations
Australia Australia
Samantha Stevens James Agar
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Tel: +61 3 9609 2222
Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Mobile: +61 467 807 064
email: email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com
Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com
Andrew Gunn
Kelly Quirke Tel: +61 3 9609 3575
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 439 558 454
Mobile: +61 429 966 312 email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com
email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom and South Africa
Fiona Martin
Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Brendan Harris
Mobile: +61 427 777 908 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131
email: Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +44 7990 527 726
United Kingdom and Americas email:
Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com
Ruban Yogarajah
Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or Tara Dines
UK +44 20 7802 4033 Tel : +44 20 7802 7113
Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022 Mobile : +44 7825 342 232
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com Email : Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com
Americas
Scott Espenshade
Tel: +1 713 599 6431
Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email:
Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration
Registered in Australia number 3196209
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street Registered in England and Wales
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Registered Office: Neathouse Place
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Fax +61 3 9609 3015 Tel +44 20 7802 4000
Fax +44 20 7802 4111
Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia
Date: 02/02/2012 07:05:37 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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