BHP BILLITON PLC - Samarco Funding

BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209
Registered in England and Wales
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504




NEWS RELEASE

Release Time       IMMEDIATE
Date               25 November 2016
Release Number     26/16



SAMARCO FUNDING


BHP Billiton has approved further financial support for Samarco.


The amount of US$181 million has been approved to fund the remediation and
compensation programs identified under the Framework Agreement (Agreement)
which the Renova Foundation governs and oversees. This amount of US$181 million
will be offset against the Group's provision of US$1.2 billion, recognised as at 30
June 2016.


In addition, a short-term facility of up to US$115 million will be made available to
Samarco to carry out remediation and stabilisation work and to support Samarco's
operations. Funds will be released to Samarco only as required and subject to the
achievement of key milestones. The short-term facility allows BHP Billiton Brasil to
preserve the value of its investment as options for restart continue to be assessed.


A restart of Samarco operations is important for Samarco, BHP Billiton Brasil, Vale,
the local communities and for the Brazilian economy. Restart will occur only if it is
safe and economic to do so and the necessary approvals have been obtained from
Brazilian authorities. BHP Billiton Brasil continues to work through options for restart
with Vale and Samarco.

Note:

Samarco Minerac'o S.A. is jointly owned by BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda and Vale S.A.
Our 50 per cent interest is accounted for as an equity accounted investment.

Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Limited


Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: bhpbilliton.com



Media Relations                                   Investor Relations


Australia and Asia                                Australia and Asia


Matthew Martyn-Jones                              Tara Dines

Tel: +61 7 3227 5816 Mobile +61 419 418 394       Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 499 249 005
Email: Matthew.Martyn-Jones@bhpbilliton.com       Email: Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com


Paul Hitchins                                     Andrew Gunn

Tel: +61 3 9609 2592 Mobile +61 419 315 001       Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 402 087 354
Email: Paul.Hitchins@bhpbilliton.com              Email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com


Fiona Hadley                                      United Kingdom and South Africa
Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile +61 427 777 908

Email: Fiona.Hadley@bhpbilliton.com               Rob Clifford

                                                  Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7788 308 844
Amanda Saunders                                   Email: Rob.Clifford@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 3935 Mobile +61 417 487 973

Email: Amanda.Saunders@bhpbilliton.com            Elisa Morniroli

                                                  Tel: +44 20 7802 7611 Mobile: +44 7825 926 646
United Kingdom and South Africa                   Email: Elisa.Morniroli@bhpbilliton.com


Ruban Yogarajah                                   Americas
Tel: +44 207 802 4033 Mobile +44 7827 082 022

Email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com            James Wear

                                                  Tel: +1 713 993 3737 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011
North America                                     Email: James.Wear@bhpbilliton.com

Bronwyn Wilkinson
Mobile: +1 604 340 8753
Email: Bronwyn.Wilkinson@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 18, 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




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headquartered in Australia

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Date: 25/11/2016 07:05:00 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
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