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BHP Billiton Base Metals today announced that the Pering Mine in South
Africa will cease operations at the end of 2002. The mine was originally
expected to close in early 2004, however, recent market conditions have
necessitated that this be accelerated.
Brad Mills, President, BHP Billiton Base Metals commented, "The Pering Mine
has been in operation for 16 years but the ore reserve is now nearly
depleted. Pering will continue to operate at maximum plant capacity until
the economically mineable reserve is depleted, which it is estimated will be
by December 2002. Thereafter full scale closure and reclamation activities
will commence."
Over the life of the mine, Pering produced approximately 39 000 tonnes of
zinc concentrate and 6 000 tonnes of lead concentrate per annum.
The social and environmental impact of the mine's closure has been and will
continue to be a focal point of the closure plan. Together with the trade
unions, a significant effort is being placed on the development of a social
plan aimed at reducing the economic impact on Pering's 193 employees. The
social plan focuses on non-mining related job creation projects to assist in
the sustainability of the Reivilo town and the local community.
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Further news and information can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor and Media
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3952 Relations
Mobile: +61 408 313 259 Tel: +44 207 747 3956
email: email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Mandy Frostick, Media Relations Francis McAllister, Investor
Tel: +61 3 9609 4157 Relations
Mobile: +61 419 546 245 Tel: +1 713 961 8625
email: Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com email:
Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360
Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email:
Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 25/06/2002 09:12:26 AM Produced by the SENS Department
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