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BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Worsley Efficiency and Growth Project BHP Billiton Plc Share code: BIL ISIN: GB0000566504 NEWS RELEASE Release IMMEDIATE Time Date 23 June 2011 Number 17/11 WORSLEY EFFICIENCY AND GROWTH PROJECT BHP Billiton announced today the completion of the budget and schedule review for the Worsley Efficiency and Growth (E&G) project. The capital cost estimate for the project, encompassing the development of the Marradong mine, refinery expansion and connection to a multi-fuel cogeneration unit, has increased to US$2,995 million (BHP Billiton share). First production is now scheduled for the first quarter of calendar year 2012. (1) Worsley Alumina is a joint venture between BHP Billiton (86 per cent), Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd (10 per cent) and Sojitz Alumina Pty Ltd (four per cent). BHP Billiton Chief Executive Non-Ferrous, Andrew Mackenzie, said "The US$2,860 million (100% basis), 1.1 million tonne per annum (mtpa) refinery expansion is being executed within the existing footprint of the facility, making it one of the most complex brownfield projects undertaken. Such complexity has resulted in significantly lower levels of construction progress than previously anticipated, while broader inflationary pressures and the strengthening of the Australian dollar have also contributed to the cost increase. "Upon completion of the Worsley E&G project, the refinery will have the capacity to produce 4.6 mtpa of smelter grade alumina, confirming Worsley as one of the world`s leading alumina refineries. We remain confident that the project will add value to the business over the medium to long term as it delivers low cost production into a fundamentally strong market." Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com Australia: Investor Relations 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: Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com Andrew Gunn, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 United Kingdom & Americas Mobile: +61 439 558 454 Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033
Australia: Media Relations Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022 Samantha Stevens, Media Relations email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Americas email: Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 Kelly Quirke, Media Relations email: Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +61 429 966 312 email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com Fiona Martin, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908 email: Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com BHP Billiton Limited BHP Billiton Plc Registration number ABN 49 004 028 077 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: 23/06/2011 17:40:01 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.
