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BHP Billiton - Bhp Billiton Approves Samarco Expansion
BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Share Code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
Neathouse Place
London SW1V 1BH
United Kingdom
Mailto Sarah.Mills@bhpbilliton.com
Internet http://www.bhpbilliton.com
Phone +44 20 7802 4194
Fax +44 20 7802 3177
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Date 20 October 2005
BHP BILLITON APPROVES SAMARCO EXPANSION
BHP Billiton today announced approval of the Samarco Third Pellet Plant project
in Brazil. The project will increase annual iron ore pellet production capacity
by 7.6 million tonnes to 21.6 million tonnes per annum (100% basis), at a cost
of US$590 million (BHP Billiton share). First pellet production is expected in
the first half of calendar year 2008.
BHP Billiton"s President Iron Ore, Graeme Hunt, said: "This expansion is
consistent with our strategy of maintaining our position in growing iron ore
markets. Samarco is a low cost supplier of seaborne pellets with a strong
customer base. Investment in a third pellet plant will consolidate its strong
market position and will enhance BHP Billiton"s exposure to the important iron
ore pellet market."
Construction on the Third Pellet Plant project will commence immediately and
will include:
- Additional mining capacity and a new concentrator at the Germano mine site;
- A second slurry pipeline of approximately 400 kms in length from Germano to
Ponta Ubu; and
- A third pellet plant, additional stockyard capacity and enhanced ship
loading capacity at the Ponta Ubu site.
BHP Billiton has a 50% interest in Samarco, with the remaining 50% being held by
Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD).
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 Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Tania Price, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
Mobile: +61 419 152 780 Mobile: +44 7881 518 715
email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
United States South Africa
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
Relations Relations
Tel: +1 713 599 6100 or +44 20 7802 Tel: +27 11 376 3360
4031 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com
email:
Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 21/10/2005 08:47:26 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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