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BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Expansion of Hunter Valley Energy Coal

Release Date: 25/03/2011 07:21
Code(s): BIL
Wrap Text

BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Expansion of Hunter Valley Energy Coal BHP BILLITON PLC SHARE CODE: BIL ISIN: GB0000566504 24 MARCH 2011 EXPANSION OF HUNTER VALLEY ENERGY COAL BHP Billiton today announced approval of a US$400 million investment to expand Hunter Valley Energy Coal in New South Wales, Australia. The expansion, known as the RX1 Project (RX1), will enable Mt Arthur Coal`s run-of-mine thermal coal production to increase by 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), to approximately 24 mtpa. RX1 is substantially a mine only expansion without an associated increase in coal preparation plant capacity. RX1 is expected to deliver first production in the second half of the 2013 calendar year. In addition to the employment generated by the project during construction, the RX1 expansion is expected to generate approximately 300 new, full time jobs. BHP Billiton Energy Coal President, Jimmy Wilson, said "The emergence of demand for coal in the key growth markets allows us to get product to market quickly, ahead of further coal preparation plant expansions. Importantly, the RX1 Project will take advantage of existing port capacity and future expansion options will be supported by Mt Arthur Coal`s large, lowcost resource and the ability to expand the coal processing facilities." BHP Billiton owns 100 percent of Mt Arthur Coal through Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd. 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: UK +44 20 7802 4033 Amanda.Buckley@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022 email: Kelly Quirke, Media Relations Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312 Americas email: Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 Samantha Stevens, Media Relations email: Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registered in Australia Registration number 3196209 Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street Registered in England and Wales Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Registered Office: Neathouse Place Tel +61 1300 55 4757 London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Fax +61 3 9609 3015 Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111 Members of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia Date: 25/03/2011 07:21:01 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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