Ann US$7.3 Billion for WMC

BHP Billiton Limited
08 March 2005


     BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
  obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

    The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                    earlier.


Date: 8 March 2005

Number: 10/05


              BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES US$7.3 BILLION CASH OFFER FOR
                                 WMC RESOURCES



BHP Billiton today announced a cash offer of A$7.85 per share for the entire
issued capital of WMC Resources Limited ('WMC Resources'), valuing WMC Resources
equity at A$9.2 billion (US$7.3 billion).

The Board of WMC Resources has unanimously recommended that WMC Resources
shareholders accept the BHP Billiton offer in the absence of a superior proposal
and has indicated that the directors will be accepting this offer for their own
holdings of WMC Resources shares on that basis.

The offer is A$0.85 per share higher than Xstrata's cash bid of A$7.00 per share
and in the top half of the valuation range provided by Grant Samuel, WMC
Resources' independent expert, in its Target Statement.

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Chip Goodyear said: 'The acquisition of
WMC Resources is a further step in BHP Billiton's strategy of developing,
operating and maximising the performance of large scale, long-life, low-cost
assets. It is an excellent opportunity to build on our existing nickel and
copper businesses and bring uranium into our suite of energy products.
Furthermore, the acquisition provides additional premium long-term options to
satisfy continuing demand growth in China and other high-growth economies.

'BHP Billiton is best placed to maximise the value of WMC Resources' assets.
No other potential purchaser brings to this transaction the experience and
synergy benefits of already operating in both nickel and copper and the track
record of consistent on-time, on-budget major project delivery.

'Our offer price is based on our normal valuation methodology using our standard
pricing protocols and reflects WMC Resources' considerable expansion potential.
We expect the acquisition to add material value to BHP Billiton shareholders
over the medium to long term,' Mr Goodyear said.

Specific benefits to BHP Billiton from this transaction include:

  • WMC Resources' nickel business comprises an outstanding set of assets, in
    terms of operating capability, country risk, scale and environmental
    standards, which will complement BHP Billiton's existing nickel business.
    The combined business will have a range of operations, products and
    technologies that will provide a robust and flexible platform for further
    growth.

  • BHP Billiton will have operating control of two of the world's four
    largest copper deposits. BHP Billiton's track record in developing and
    operating Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, ideally equips it to
    maximise the value of the large, long-life Olympic Dam resource base.
    Olympic Dam is the world's fourth largest copper resource and one of the
    world's 10 largest gold deposits.

  • The acquisition of WMC Resources will establish BHP Billiton as a major
    producer of uranium with the largest resource base in the world. Uranium is
    an important energy source in an increasingly energy intensive world. Not
    only is this valuable on a stand-alone basis but it complements BHP
    Billiton's existing energy portfolio of oil, gas and coal.

  • The inclusion of WMC Resources' businesses and opportunities in BHP
    Billiton's portfolio enhances its options to develop the production
    necessary to supply raw materials to high growth markets in the decades
    ahead.

  • BHP Billiton is best placed to maximise synergies in the nickel and copper
    businesses, marketing and other corporate functions. BHP Billiton will
    eliminate duplicate functions by using the proven systems and processes that
    were successfully used following the BHP Billiton merger in 2001. The annual
    corporate cost efficiencies are estimated to total A$115 million
    (US$91 million), with a one-time cost of A$120 million (US$95 million).

Commenting on the attractiveness of the offer to WMC Resources' shareholders,
WMC Resources CEO Andrew Michelmore said: 'This offer supports the view of the
value of WMC Resources that the Board has consistently held. We will be working
with BHP Billiton to ensure that this recommended offer is put to shareholders
as soon as possible'.

The offer will be made through a subsidiary by way of an off-market takeover bid
under the Australian Corporations Act 2001 and will be funded from both new and
existing debt facilities. BHP Billiton remains committed to an A credit rating
and will retain financial flexibility following the acquisition. Following the
acquisition, on a pro forma basis, BHP Billiton's net debt, as at 30 June 2005
is estimated to total US$12.4 billion with corresponding net gearing of 42
percent2. The acquisition is expected to be earnings accretive in the financial
year ending 30 June 2006.

The offer is subject to a number of conditions including BHP Billiton receiving
necessary regulatory approvals and acquiring at least 90% of the number of WMC
Resources ordinary shares on issue. The conditions are outlined in full in
Appendix 1 to this release.

BHP Billiton holds economic exposure to 50.6 million WMC Resources shares (4.3%
of the issued share capital) through cash settled derivative contracts.

WMC Resources has entered into a Deed of Undertaking with BHP Billiton in
relation to BHP Billiton's offer. This includes a break-fee of A$92 million
(US$73 million) payable to BHP Billiton in certain circumstances, including a
successful competing takeover proposal. WMC Resources will provide full details
of the Deed.

BHP Billiton's Bidder's Statement is expected to be lodged shortly and to be
dispatched to WMC Resources shareholders in approximately three weeks.

Further information on WMC Resources can be found in Appendix 2 and on its
Internet site: www.wmc.com. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found in
Appendix 3 and on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com.

For further information please contact:

Australia                                              United Kingdom

Jane Belcher, Investor Relations                       Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]           Tel: [phone] Mobile: + 44 7769 934 942
email: [e-mail]                  email: [e-mail]
Tania Price, Media Relations                           Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]           Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
email: [e-mail]                     email: [e-mail]
United States                                          South Africa
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations                 Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]           Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
email: [e-mail]            email: [e-mail]


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 Melbourne       Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH
Victoria 3000
                                                       United Kingdom
Australia                                              Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]
Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]

              The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

Further Information

In connection with the planned public tender offer (the 'Tender Offer') by a
wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton (the 'Company'), for all of WMC
Resources' outstanding stock, BHP Billiton will file with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') an informational document under
cover of Form CB. Investors and holders of WMC Resources securities are strongly
advised to read the informational document (when available) and any other
relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments and supplements
to those documents, because they will contain important information. Investors
and holders of WMC Resources securities may obtain free copies of the
informational document (when available), as well as other relevant documents
filed with the SEC, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and will receive
information at an appropriate time on how to obtain transaction-related
documents for free from the Company or its duly designated agent.

This communication is for information purposes only. It shall not constitute an
offer to purchase, sell or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to purchase,
sell or exchange any securities of WMC Resources. The distribution of this
communication may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation.
Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform
themselves of and observe these restrictions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this communication may contain forward-looking
statements with respect to BHP Billiton's financial condition, results of
operations, business strategies, operating efficiencies, competitive position,
growth opportunities for existing services, plans and objectives of management,
markets for stock and other matters. Statements in these materials that are not
historical facts are 'forward-looking statements'.

These forward-looking statements, including, among others, those relating to the
future business prospects, revenues and income of BHP Billiton, wherever they
may occur in this communication are necessarily estimates reflecting the best
judgment of the senior management of BHP Billiton and involve a number of risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those suggested by the forward-looking statements. As a consequence, these
forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important
factors, including those set forth in this communication and BHP Billiton's
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended 30 June 2004.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include,
without limitation: the success of the proposed Tender Offer; estimated
reserves; plans, strategies and objectives of management; closure or divestment
of certain operations or facilities (including associated costs); anticipated
production or construction commencement dates; expected costs or production
output; the anticipated productive lives of projects, mines and facilities; and
provisions and contingent liabilities.

BHP Billiton undertakes no obligation to update publicly or release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of the materials in which such statements are contained or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.



                                   APPENDIX 1

                            CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER

The Offer is subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions:

(a)     Minimum acceptance condition


        During, or at the end of, the offer period the number of WMC Resources
        Shares in which BHP Billiton and its associates together have relevant
        interests (disregarding any relevant interest that BHP Billiton has
        merely because of the operation of section 608(3) of the Corporations
        Act) is at least 90% of all the WMC Resources Shares (even if that
        number later becomes less than 90% of all the WMC Resources Shares as a
        result of the issue of further WMC Resources Shares).

(b)     Foreign investment approval


        One of the following occurs before the end of the offer period:

                (i)     BHP Billiton receives written notice issued by or on
                behalf of the Treasurer stating that there are no objections
                under the Australian government's foreign investment policy to
                the acquisition by BHP Billiton of all of the WMC Resources
                Shares under the Offer, such notice being unconditional;

                (ii)     the expiry of the period provided under the Foreign
                Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) ('FATA') during which
                the Treasurer may make an order or an interim order under the
                FATA prohibiting the acquisition of WMC Resources Shares under
                the Offer, without such an order being made; or

                (iii)     if an interim order is made to prohibit the
                acquisition of WMC Resources Shares under the Offer, the
                subsequent period for making a final order has elapsed, without
                any such final order being made.

(c) Hart-Scott-Rodino


        Before the end of the offer period, all filings required under the U.S.
        Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended ('HSR
        Act') have been made and all applicable waiting periods under the HSR
        Act have expired or have been terminated.

(d) European Union merger control


        Before the end of the offer period:

                (i)     the European Commission has issued a decision under
                Article 6(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EC) 139/2004 (the 'Merger
                Regulation') that the acquisition of all or any of the WMC
                Resources Shares as a result of the Offer ('Acquisition') does
                not give rise to a concentration falling within the scope of the
                Merger Regulation;

                (ii)     the European Commission has issued a decision under
                Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation declaring the
                Acquisition compatible with the common market, or is deemed to
                have done so under Article 10(6) of the Merger Regulation;

                (iii)     in the event of the European Commission initiating
                proceedings under Article 6(1)(c) of the Merger Regulation and
                BHP Billiton waiving condition (d)(ii) above, the European
                Commission has issued a decision under Article 8(1) or 8(2) of
                the Merger Regulation declaring the Acquisition compatible with
                the common market, or is deemed to have done so under Article 10
                (6) of the Merger Regulation; or

                (iv)     in the event that the European Commission refers the
                whole or part of the Acquisition to the competent authorities of
                one or more Member States under Article 9(3) of the Merger
                Regulation,

                        (A)     each such authority has granted a clearance in
                        respect of all those parts of the Acquisition which were
                        referred to it, or is deemed to have granted such a
                        clearance; and

                        (B)     the requirements of sub-paragraphs (d)(ii) or
                        (d)(iii) are satisfied with respect to any part not
                        referred to the competent authority of any Member State.

(e) ACCC


        Before the end of the offer period, BHP Billiton receives written notice
        from the ACCC that the ACCC does not propose to intervene in the
        acquisition of WMC Resources Shares under the Offer or the completion of
        any transaction contemplated by the Bidder's Statement, such notice
        being unconditional.

(f) Approvals by Public Authorities


        Before the end of the offer period:

                (i)     BHP Billiton receives all licences, authorities,
                consents, approvals, orders, waivers, relief, rulings and
                decisions ('Approvals') (other than those referred to in
                paragraphs (b) to (e)) which are required by law or by any
                Public Authority to permit the Offers to be made to and accepted
                by WMC Resources shareholders in all applicable jurisdictions;
                and

                (ii)     BHP Billiton receives all Approvals (other than those
                referred to in paragraphs (b) to (e)) which are required by law
                or by any Public Authority as a result of the Offers or the
                successful acquisition of the WMC Resources Shares and which are
                necessary for the continued operation of the business of WMC
                Resources and its subsidiaries or of any member of the BHP
                Billiton Group,

        and, in each case, those Approvals are on an unconditional basis and
        remain in force in all respects and there is no notice, intimation or
        indication of intention to revoke, suspend, restrict, modify or not
        renew those Approvals.

        For the purpose of these conditions, 'Public Authority' means any
        government or any governmental, semi-governmental, administrative,
        statutory or judicial entity, authority or agency, whether in Australia
        or elsewhere, including the ACCC (but excluding the Takeovers Panel,
        ASIC and any court in respect of proceedings under section 657G or
        proceedings commenced by a person specified in section 659B(1) of the
        Corporations Act in relation to the Offer). It also includes any
        self-regulatory organisation established under statute or any stock
        exchange.

(g) No action by Public Authority adversely affecting the Offer


        During the period from and including the date of this announcement
        ('Announcement Date') to the end of the offer period:

                (i)     there is not in effect any preliminary or final
                decision, order or decree issued by a Public Authority;

                (ii)     no action or investigation is instituted, or threatened
                by any Public Authority; and

                (iii)     no application is made to any Public Authority (other
                than an application by BHP Billiton or any company within the
                BHP Billiton Group),

        in consequence of, or in connection with, the Offer, which restrains,
        prohibits or impedes, or threatens to restrain, prohibit or impede, or
        may otherwise materially adversely impact upon, the making of the Offer
        or the completion of any transaction contemplated by the Bidder's
        Statement or the rights of BHP Billiton in respect of WMC Resources and
        the WMC Resources Shares to be acquired under the Offer or otherwise, or
        seeks to require the divestiture by BHP Billiton of any WMC Resources
        Shares, or the divestiture of any assets by WMC Resources or by any
        subsidiary of WMC Resources or by any member of the BHP Billiton Group.

(h) No prescribed occurrences


        None of the following events happens during the period beginning on the
        date the Bidder's Statement is given to WMC Resources and ending at the
        end of the offer period:

                (i)     WMC Resources converts all or any of its shares into a
                larger or smaller number of shares;

                (ii)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources resolves
                to reduce its share capital in any way;

                (iii)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources:

                        (A)     enters into a buy-back agreement; or

                        (B)     resolves to approve the terms of a buy-back
                        agreement under section 257C(1) or 257D(1) of the
                        Corporations Act;

                (iv)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources issues
                shares (other than WMC Resources Shares issued as a result of
                exercise of WMC Resources Options) or grants an option over its
                shares, or agrees to make such an issue or grant such an option;

                (v)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources issues,
                or agrees to issue, convertible notes;

                (vi)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources
                disposes, or agrees to dispose, of the whole, or a substantial
                part, of its business or property;

                (vii)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources
                charges, or agrees to charge, the whole, or a substantial part,
                of its business or property;

                (viii)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources
                resolves to be wound up;

                (ix)     a liquidator or provisional liquidator of WMC Resources
                or of a subsidiary of WMC Resources is appointed;

                (x)     a court makes an order for the winding up of WMC
                Resources or of a subsidiary of WMC Resources;

                (xi)     an administrator of WMC Resources, or of a subsidiary
                of WMC Resources, is appointed under section 436A, 436B or 436C
                of the Corporations Act;

                (xii)     WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources
                executes a deed of company arrangement; or

                (xiii)     a receiver, or a receiver and manager, is appointed
                in relation to the whole, or a substantial part, of the property
                of WMC Resources or of a subsidiary of WMC Resources.

(i) No prescribed occurrences between the Announcement Date and service


        None of the events listed in sub-paragraphs (i) to (xiii) of paragraph
        (h) happens during the period beginning on the Announcement Date and
        ending at the end of the day before the Bidder's Statement is given to
        WMC Resources.

        (j) No material acquisitions, disposals or changes in the conduct of WMC
        Resources' business

        During the period from and including the Announcement Date to the end of
        the offer period, none of WMC Resources, or any subsidiary of WMC
        Resources:

                (i)     acquires, offers to acquire or agrees to acquire one or
                more shares, companies or assets (or an interest in one or more
                shares, companies or assets) for an amount in aggregate greater
                than A$300 million;

                (ii)     disposes, offers to dispose or agrees to dispose of its
                interest (in whole or in part and whether directly or
                indirectly) in the Olympic Dam operation, WMC Resources' nickel
                operation or the Corridor Sands mineral sands project (each a
                'Relevant Asset'). To avoid any doubt, a disposal of, an offer
                to dispose or an agreement to dispose of one or more shares or
                interests in a company or entity which owns an interest in a
                Relevant Asset is taken to be a disposal of, an offer to dispose
                or an agreement to dispose of (as the case may be) an interest
                in the Relevant Asset;

                (iii)     enters into or offers to enter into any joint venture,
                asset or profit sharing, partnership, merger of businesses
                (including through a dual listed companies structure) or of
                corporate entities, in respect of any Relevant Asset;

                (iv)     other than in the ordinary course of business, incurs,
                commits to or brings forward the time for incurring, or grants
                to another person a right the exercise of which would involve
                WMC Resources or any subsidiary of WMC Resources incurring or
                committing to, any capital expenditure or liability, or foregoes
                any revenue, for one or more related items or amounts of greater
                than A$50 million; or

                (v)     discloses (without having disclosed to ASX prior to the
                Announcement Date) the existence of any matter described in
                sub-paragraphs (i) to (iv) above, or announces an intention or
                proposal to do anything described in sub-paragraphs (i) to (iv)
                above.

        For the avoidance of doubt, a reference in this paragraph (j) to:

                (A)     the Olympic Dam operation is to the Olympic Dam minerals
                processing operation (which produces copper, uranium oxide, gold
                and silver), and the mine and assets used in connection with
                that operation (including all land holdings and assets in and
                around the township of Roxby Downs), of WMC Resources (or any
                subsidiary of it);

                (B)     WMC Resources' nickel operation is to the nickel
                business carried on by the WMC Resources Group including the:

                    (I)     mines and concentrators at Leinster and Mount Keith;

                    (II)     concentrator at Kambalda;

                    (III)     smelter at Kalgoorlie;

                    (IV)     refinery at Kwinana; and

                    (V)     other nickel related projects,

                    of WMC Resources (or any subsidiary of it).

(k)     Non-existence of certain rights


        No person (other than a member of the BHP Billiton Group) has or will
        have any right (whether subject to conditions or not) as a result of BHP
        Billiton acquiring WMC Resources Shares to:

                (i)     acquire, or require the disposal of, or require WMC
                Resources or a subsidiary of WMC Resources to offer to dispose
                of, any material asset of WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC
                Resources; or

                (ii)     terminate, or vary the terms or performance of, any
                material agreement with WMC Resources or a subsidiary of WMC
                Resources.

(l)     No material adverse change


        During the period from and including the Announcement Date to the end of
        the offer period:

        (i)     there is no occurrence or matter, including (without
        limitation):

                        (A)     any change in the status or terms of
                        arrangements entered into with WMC Resources or any of
                        its subsidiaries or the status or terms of any Approvals
                        which are applicable to WMC Resources or any of its
                        subsidiaries (whether or not wholly or partly
                        attributable to the making of the Offer, and/or the
                        acquisition of WMC Resources Shares under the Offer);

                        (B)     any change in the 30 day moving average spot
                        price for any commodity on any market, as expressed in
                        Australian dollars;

                        (C)     any liability for duty or tax;

                        (D)     any liability resulting from a change of control
                        of WMC Resources; or

                        (E)     any change in the law (whether retrospective or
                        not),

                that (individually or together with others) has or could
                reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on
                the assets, liabilities, financial or trading position,
                profitability, production or prospects of WMC Resources and its
                subsidiaries taken as a whole; and

                (ii)     no occurrence or matter, as described in sub-paragraph
                (l)(i), which occurred before the Announcement Date but was not
                apparent from publicly available information before then,
                becomes public.

(m) S&P/ASX 200 index


        During the period from and including the Announcement Date to the end of
        the offer period, the S&P/ASX 200 index does not fall below 3,500 on any
        trading day.


                                   APPENDIX 2


                             WMC RESOURCES OVERVIEW

WMC Resources is a major diversified Australian resources company involved in
the exploration and production of nickel, copper, uranium oxide and phosphate
fertilisers with operations in South Australia, Western Australia and
Queensland. The company is headquartered in Melbourne.

WMC Resources has its primary listing on the Australian Stock Exchange and ADRs
traded on the New York Stock Exchange

For the year ended 31 December 2004, WMC Resources reported a consolidated net
profit after tax of A$1,327m (US$1,035m1), generated on sales of A$3,777m
(US$2,946m1). As at 31 December 2004, consolidated net assets were A$5,109m
(US$3,985m1)

The principal operations of WMC Resources are:
Nickel
Mining operations are located at Leinster, Mount Keith, and Kambalda in Western
Australia. WMC Resources also operates a smelter at Kalgoorlie and refinery at
Kwinana, Western Australia
Copper/Uranium
Olympic Dam in South Australia produces refined copper, uranium oxide, gold and
silver. Olympic Dam, in addition to being a major copper and gold deposit, is
the world's largest known uranium deposit
Fertilisers
WMC Resources' operations at Phosphate Hill and Mt Isa in Queensland produce
mono- and di-ammonium phosphate for the domestic and export market
Mineral sands
Corridor Sands is a large undeveloped titanium dioxide-bearing mineral sands
deposit in southern Mozambique.


                                   APPENDIX 3


                             BHP BILLITON OVERVIEW

BHP Billiton is the world's largest diversified resources company. It has
approximately 35,000 employees working in more than 100 operations in
approximately 20 countries. BHP Billiton occupies industry leader or near
industry leader positions in major commodity businesses, including aluminium,
energy coal and metallurgical coal, copper, ferro-alloys, iron ore and titanium
minerals, and has substantial interests in oil, gas, liquefied natural gas,
nickel, diamonds and silver. The Company is headquartered in Melbourne,
Australia.

BHP Billiton is a Dual Listed Company (DLC) comprising BHP Billiton Limited and
BHP Billiton Plc. The two entities exist as separate companies, but operate as a
combined group. Both companies have identical Boards of Directors and are run by
a unified management team. BHP Billiton is listed on the Australian Stock
Exchange (through BHP Billiton Limited) and London Stock Exchange (through BHP
Billiton Plc), along with a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
(through BHP Billiton Plc) and  American Depositary Receipts listings on the New
York Stock Exchange.

For the six months ended 31 December 2004, BHP Billiton reported earnings before
interest, tax, depreciation, impairments and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$5.2
billion and had turnover (including the Group's share of joint ventures) of
US$15.5 billion. As of 7 March BHP Billiton's market capitalization was US$90.2
billion.

BHP Billiton has seven Customer Sector Groups:

Aluminium
BHP Billiton is one of the world's major producers of alumina and aluminium.

Its principal assets are located in South Africa, Brazil, Mozambique, Australia
and Suriname.

Base Metals
BHP Billiton is a leading supplier of lead, zinc and copper concentrates. BHP
Billiton produces high-quality copper cathode (metal) and is also a leading
producer of silver in concentrate. It has operations in Chile, Peru and
Australia.

Carbon Steel Materials
BHP Billiton is a leading supplier of iron ore, metallurgical coal and manganese
ore and alloys to the global steel industry. It has mining and processing
operations in Australia, South Africa and Brazil.

Diamonds and Specialty Products
This business produces diamonds, titanium slag, rutile and zircon and includes
BHP Billiton's minerals exploration and technology activities. The Ekati diamond
operation is in Canada and the titanium minerals operations are located in
Richards Bay, South Africa.

Energy Coal
BHP Billiton is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of export
thermal coal. It is also a major supplier to domestic markets. It has operations
in South Africa, United States, Colombia and Australia.

Petroleum
BHP Billiton is a significant oil and gas exploration and production business.
Principal activities are oil and natural gas production, exploration and
development in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Algeria,
Trinidad and Tobago and Pakistan.

Stainless Steel Materials
BHP Billiton is a market leading producer of primary nickel and ferrochrome. Its
key operations are located in Colombia, South Africa and Australia.


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 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne  Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United
Victoria 3000                                               Kingdom
Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]        Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]

                  The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange