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BHP Billiton - Confirmation Of Preliminary Discussions
BHP Billiton Plc
Jse Share Code: BIL
Isin: GB0000566504
Date 20 August 2004
CONFIRMATION OF PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS
BHP Billiton confirms that it has held preliminary discussions with
representatives of the state government of Orissa in India about options for its
iron ore business. Those discussions were held jointly with the Korean steel-
maker POSCO.
While the proposal is in the very early stages of development, concepts
presented to the government included the construction of a steel plant and port
facility and the development of an iron ore mine.
While any joint proposal, were it to proceed to the next stage, might involve
all of these components, BHP Billiton`s interest would be limited to the supply
of steel-making raw materials and associated materials-handling facilities and
infrastructure to the steel industry in Orissa. BHP Billiton emphasises that
the discussions have been preliminary only. The proposal has received
considerable attention in Orissa because of the impact any development would
have on the local economy.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 Relations
417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
Tania Price, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Mobile: +61 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
419 152 780 email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
United States Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Relations Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 458 2587
713 480 3699 email:
email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.co
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Date: 20/08/2004 09:47:54 AM
Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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