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Update on Portfolio Simplification
BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
NEWS RELEASE
Release Time IMMEDIATE
Date 15 August 2014
Number 12/14
UPDATE ON PORTFOLIO SIMPLIFICATION
BHP Billiton has been simplifying its portfolio for over a decade and is pursuing options to
make the Company simpler and more productive.
As we announced on 1 April 2014, we are actively studying the next phase of simplification,
including structural options. We believe that a portfolio focused on our major iron ore,
copper, coal and petroleum assets would retain the benefits of diversification, generate
stronger growth in cash flow and a superior return on investment.
By increasing our focus on these four pillars, with potash as a potential fifth, we will be able
to more quickly improve the productivity and performance of our largest businesses.
Since then, the Board has continued to study various structural alternatives including at its
meeting this week. A demerger of a selection of assets is our preferred option.
The Board expects to consider this, and other matters, when it reconvenes next week. If any
material decisions are made, they will be announced immediately.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com.
Media Relations Investor Relations
Australia Australia
Emily Perry Tara Dines
Tel: +61 3 9609 2800 Mobile: +61 477 325 803 Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 499 249 005
email: Emily.Perry@bhpbilliton.com email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com
Paul Hitchins Jodie Phillips
Tel: + 61 3 9609 2592 Mobile: + 61 419 315 001 Tel: +61 3 9609 2069 Mobile: +61 418 710 516
email: Paul.Hitchins@bhpbilliton.com email: Jodie.Phillips@bhpbilliton.com
Eleanor Nichols United Kingdom and South Africa
Tel: +61 3 9609 2360 Mobile: +61 407 064 748
email: Eleanor.Nichols@bhpbilliton.com Jonathan Price
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726
United Kingdom email: Jonathan.H.Price@bhpbilliton.com
Ruban Yogarajah Dean Simon
Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 Tel: +44 20 7802 7461 Mobile: +44 7717 511 193
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com email: Dean.Simon@bhpbilliton.com
Jennifer White Americas
Tel: +44 20 7802 7462 Mobile: +44 7827 253 764
email: Jennifer.White@bhpbilliton.com James Agar
Tel: +1 212 310 1421 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011
Americas email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com
Ruban Yogarajah Joseph Suarez
Tel: +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: +44 7827 082 022 Tel: +1 212 310 1422 Mobile: +1 646 400 3803
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com email: Joseph.Suarez@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: Level 16, 171 Collins Street Registered Office: Neathouse Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia London SW1V 1LH 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
Sponsor: Merrill Lynch South Africa Proprietary Limited
Date: 15/08/2014 07:05:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
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