BHP BILLITON DECLARES FORCE MAJEURE AT BOODARIE IRON
BHP Billiton today advised that it had declared `force majeure' on sales
contracts and some supply contracts at the Boodarie Iron Plant in north
Western Australia.
Production at the plant has been suspended since 12 March 2002 following a
tube failure in a gas re-heating furnace. Nobody was injured in the incident
(which occurred on only one production train) and all four trains were shut
down pending an investigation into the cause of the failure.
Safety of personnel is the paramount consideration at all BHP Billiton
operations and for this reason production will not resume until the detailed
investigation and necessary rectification work is completed. Declaration of
`force majeure' will minimise cash flow losses during this period.
BHP Billiton is working with customers, suppliers and contractors to
minimise disruptions and will provide further information when it becomes
available. Plans to demobilise a large portion of the casual contractor
workforce following the completion of technical modifications have also been
brought forward and will be implemented immediately.
Recent performance of the Boodarie Iron plant had been within the forecast
band for ramp-up.
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Further BHP Billiton information can be found on our Internet site:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia                          United Kingdom/South Africa
Dr. Robert Porter, Investor        Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
Relations                          Relations
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540              Tel: +27 11 376 3360
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email:                             email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com
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email:
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