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BIL
BIBLT
BHP - BHP Billiton Plc - Approves major capacity expansion at Western Australian
Iron Ore
BHP Billiton Plc
Share Code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
Approves major capacity expansion at Western Australian Iron Ore
BHP Billiton today announced approval for the Rapid Growth Project 4 (RGP4)
which will increase system capacity across its Western Australian iron ore
operations to 155 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Initial production is
expected to commence in the first half of CY2010.
BHP Billiton has approved capital expenditure of US$1.85 billion for its share
of the project, which includes development of a new crushing and screening
plant, as well as additional stockyards, car dumping and train loading
facilities at Mt Whaleback. Infrastructure upgrades will also be implemented at
satellite orebodies and the rail and port operations.
President BHP Billiton Iron Ore Ian Ashby said RGP4 would deliver large-scale
benefits to the Company, its customers, employees and local communities.
"Our high quality asset base in the Pilbara and series of staged growth projects
have helped ensure the continued delivery of outstanding returns to BHP Billiton
shareholders," he said.
"The RGP4 project will further increase the efficiency of our integrated mine,
port and rail operations and represents a key investment in our ongoing strategy
to be more responsive to customer needs.
"The project will also have substantial flow-on benefits to Pilbara communities
through the creation of employment and business opportunities, improved
management of valuable water resources and significantly reduced dust
emissions."
Mr Ashby said that a range of options to expand capacity beyond RGP4 are also
being evaluated, subject to customer demand.
"We are committed to creating further value-adding options for the business and
providing the next phase of growth opportunities beyond our recent expansion
projects," he said.
By the end of CY2007 BHP Billiton will have increased the capacity of its
Western Australian iron ore operations by 60Mtpa over the past four years. This
growth will have been achieved through a series of sequential projects,
delivered on time and within budget.
BHP Billiton`s partners in the Pilbara iron ore operations are: Itochu Minerals
& Energy of Australia, Mitsui-Itochu Iron and Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation.
23 March 2007
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Samantha Evans, Media Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Relations
email:Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
United States South Africa
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Alison GIlbert, Investor Relations
Relations Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email:Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 23/03/2007 07:35:03 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. |
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