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BIL - Billiton Plc - Bowenbhp Basin Metallurgical Coal Expansions Billiton Plc Share code: BIL ISIN: GB0000566504 BOWENBHP BASIN METALLURGICAL COAL EXPANSIONS BHP Billiton today approved three key metallurgical coal projects located in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland, Australia. The projects will add 4.9 million tonnes of annual mine capacity (100% basis) through development of the Daunia operation and a new mining area at Broadmeadow. In addition, 11 million tonnes of annual port capacity (100% basis) will be developed at the Hay Point Coal Terminal. The total investment is US$5 billion, of which BHP Billiton`s share is US$2.5 billion. The investment includes: * US$1.6 billion (BHP Billiton share US$800 million) for development of the new Daunia mine, adjacent to Poitrel. The mine will have the capacity to produce 4.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of export metallurgical coal through a new processing facility. First coal is expected in 2013. * US$900 million (BHP Billiton share US$450 million) to extend the life of the Broadmeadow mine by a further 21 years. The investment will also increase productive capacity by 0.4 mtpa, to a new total capacity of 4.8 mtpa. The project is due for completion in 2013. * US$2.5 billion (BHP Billiton share US$1.25 billion) for the Stage Three expansion of the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance`s wholly owned Hay Point Coal Terminal, which will increase capacity from 44 mtpa to 55 mtpa. This investment also includes the replacement of the existing jetty to increase its ability to withstand high seas and winds. The expansion will include a new third berth, trestle, surge bins and out- loading conveyors. First shipments from the expanded terminal are expected in 2014. BHP Billiton Metallurgical Coal President, Hubie van Dalsen said, "The company has a deep pipeline of expansion projects to further develop its large reserves of high quality metallurgical coal. "Our strategy is to rapidly progress development of these projects to capture the increasing demand we see for hard coking coal. "Subject to further approvals, this initial investment will be followed in the near term by the construction of the Caval Ridge mine, which will utilise expanded Hay Point port capacity created from this investment." 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 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +61 437 134 814 Mobile: +44 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 07:16:16 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.
