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BIL
BIBLT
BHP Billiton announces temporary decline to Cannington production
BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Share Code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
26 April 2006
BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY DECLINE TO CANNINGTON PRODUCTION
Following an assessment of ground conditions, BHP Billiton will accelerate a
programme of decline and stope access rehabilitation at the Cannington silver-
lead-zinc mine in Australia from May to November 2006. This will impact
production in the southern zone of the mine.
The northern zone mining activities will remain unaffected.
The primary reason for the programme is to ensure the safety of employees and
contractors and is aligned with BHP Billiton"s commitment to Zero Harm. In
addition, this programme will reduce ground stresses that have the potential to
limit long term production and should enable higher production levels than would
otherwise be the case.
Production is expected to return to normal levels by early 2007.
The overall impact is expected to see a reduction in ore milled of approximately
20% over the remainder of FY2006 and FY2007. This will predominantly impact
sales in the first half of FY2007.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952
Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898
Mobile: 61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 26/04/2006 07:26:25 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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