Update on continuing regulatory investigations BHP Billiton NEWS RELEASE Release Time IMMEDIATE Date 16 August 2013 Number 18/13 UPDATE ON CONTINUING REGULATORY INVESTIGATIONS As previously disclosed BHP Billiton received a request for information in August 2009 from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As a result the Group commenced an internal investigation and disclosed to relevant authorities including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) evidence that it uncovered regarding possible violations of applicable anti- corruption laws involving interactions with foreign government officials. As has been publicly reported, the Australian Federal Police has indicated that it has commenced an investigation. The Group is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities as it has since the US investigations commenced. As a part of the US process, the SEC and DOJ have recently notified the Group of the issues they consider could form the basis of enforcement actions and discussions are continuing. The issues relate primarily to matters in connection with previously terminated exploration and development efforts, as well as hospitality provided as part of the Company’s sponsorship of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In light of the continuing nature of the investigations it is not appropriate at this stage for BHP Billiton to comment further or to predict outcomes. BHP Billiton is fully committed to operating with integrity and the Group’s policies specifically prohibit engaging in unethical conduct. BHP Billiton has what it considers to be a world class anti-corruption compliance program. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com. Sponsor: Absa Capital (the investment banking division of Absa Bank Limited, affiliated with Barclays) Media Relations Investor Relations Australia Australia Emily Perry James Agar Tel: +61 3 9609 2800 Mobile: +61 477 325 803 Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 467 807 064 email: Emily.Perry@bhpbilliton.com email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com Fiona Hadley Andrew Gunn Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908 Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 402 087 354 email: Fiona.Hadley@bhpbilliton.com email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com Eleanor Nichols United Kingdom and South Africa Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748 email: Eleanor.Nichols@bhpbilliton.com Tara Dines Tel : +44 20 7802 7113 Mobile : +44 7825 342 232 United Kingdom Email : Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com Ruban Yogarajah Americas Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com James Agar Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 467 807 064 Jennifer White email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +44 20 7802 7462 Mobile: +44 7827 253 764 email: Jennifer.White@bhpbilliton.com Matt Chism Tel: +1 71 359 96158 Mobile: +1 281 782 2238 email: Matt.E.Chism@bhpbilliton.com Americas Jaryl Strong Tel: +1 713 499 5548 Mobile: +1 281 222 6627 email: Jaryl.Strong@bhpbilliton.com BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street Registered Office: Neathouse Place Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Tel +61 1300 55 4757 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: 16/08/2013 07:05:00 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.