BIL
 BIBLT                                                                           
Bhp Billiton Purchases 2,000,000 Shares Of Skye Resources Inc                   
BHP Billiton Plc                                                                
Share Code: BIL                                                                 
ISIN: GB0000566504                                                              
BHP BILLITON PURCHASES 2,000,000 SHARES OF SKYE RESOURCES INC                   
On 22nd June 2006, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton, Billiton          
Development B.V., purchased 2,000,000 common shares of Skye Resources Inc.      
("Skye Resources") (TSX:SKR), representing approximately 6.8% of the issued and 
outstanding common shares of Skye Resources.  Before the acquisition, BHP       
Billiton held 2,846,400 shares of Skye Resources, representing 9.7% of the      
issued and outstanding common shares of Skye Resources.  This acquisition brings
the total number of Skye Resources shares owned by BHP Billiton to 4,846,400    
common shares, representing 16.5% of the issued and outstanding common shares of
Skye Resources.  The acquisition is being funded using cash and existing        
facilities.                                                                     
BHP Billiton purchased the shares on the TSX for investment purposes and to     
further BHP Billiton"s ongoing interest in mining opportunities in Guatemala.   
BHP Billiton is continuing to review its investment alternatives and may acquire
additional common shares or may sell the shares it now holds in the open market 
or in privately negotiated transactions to one or more persons.                 
No other corporation within the BHP Billiton group of companies holds any direct
or indirect interest in any securities in the capital of Skye Resources.        
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or 
accuracy of the contents of this news release.                                  
For further information please contact:                                         
Tracey Whitehead                                                                
BHP Billiton                                                                    
Tel: UK +44 (0)20 7802 4031 or US +1 713 599 6100                               
http://www.bhpbilliton.com                                                      
   BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004   BHP Billiton Plc Registration number       
   028 077                           3196209                                    
Registered in Australia           Registered in England and Wales            
   Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale   Registered Office: Neathouse Place,        
   Street Melbourne Victoria 3000    London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom             
   Telephone +61 1300 55 4757        Telephone +44 20 7802 4000                 
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   The BHP Billiton Group is                                                    
   headquartered in Australia                                                   
Date: 23/06/2006 08:35:09 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department