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BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Further growth at Western Australia Iron Ore

Release Date: 25/03/2011 07:05
Code(s): BIL
Wrap Text

BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Further growth at Western Australia Iron Ore BHP Billiton Plc Share code: BIL ISIN: GB0000566504 24 March 2011 FURTHER GROWTH AT WESTERN AUSTRALIA IRON ORE BHP Billiton today announced approval of US$7.4 billion (BHP Billiton share US$6.6 billion) of capital investment to continue production growth in the company`s Western Australia Iron Ore operations. It will deliver an integrated operation with capacity in excess of 220 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), on a 100% basis, with first production expected from the new Jimblebar mine in early calendar year 2014. The investment includes: US$3.4 billion (BHP Billiton share US$3.3 billion) for the development of Jimblebar mine and rail links, and the procurement of mining equipment and rolling stock that will deliver initial capacity of 35 mtpa, with embedded options for expansion to 55 mtpa for incremental capital investment; US$2.3 billion (BHP Billiton share US$1.9 billion) to further develop Port Hedland, including two additional berths and shiploaders, a car dumper, connecting conveyor routes and associated rail works and rolling stock; and US$1.7 billion (BHP Billiton share US$1.4 billion) for port blending facilities and rail yards to enable ore blending, the expansion of resource life and to prepare for the future growth of the business beyond the inner harbour. BHP Billiton President Iron Ore, Ian Ashby said "Our intent with these projects is to develop port capacity that, with subsequent debottlenecking, will allow us to fill our 240 mtpa allocation in the Port Hedland inner harbour. We have intentionally overbuilt the ore handling facilities at Jimblebar and expect to incrementally grow mine production to ensure that our port and rail systems are operated at full capacity during this debottlenecking program." Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United Kingdom & South Africa Brendan Harris, Investor Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4323 Mobile: +61 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 437 134 814 7920 236 974 email: email: Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Amanda Buckley, Media Relations United Kingdom & Americas Tel: +61 3 9609 2209 Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations Mobile: +61 419 801 349 Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or email: Amanda.Buckley@bhpbilliton.com UK +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022 Kelly Quirke, Media Relations email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312 Americas email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Samantha Stevens, Media Relations Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 077 3196209 Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Registered Office: Neathouse Place Street London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +44 20 7802 4111 Fax +61 3 9609 3015
Members of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia Date: 25/03/2011 07:05:01 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.

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