BHP Approves Blackwater Exp

BHP Limited
9 February 2001

Number       17/01                                                            
                                     
BHP APPROVES BLACKWATER EXPANSION CAPITAL

BHP Limited (BHP) today announced it had approved the capital expenditure
required for expansion of the CQCA Blackwater coal mine.

The expansion follows the announcement of mine integration plans by BHP and
Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd (Mitsubishi), subsequent to their acquisition
of QCT Resources Limited (QCT) in November 2000.  

President BHP Coal Mike Oppenheimer said the integration would result in a
more competitive mining operation by combining the South Blackwater and
Blackwater open cut operations.

'Production at the Blackwater mine will be expanded by five million tonnes per
annum, which is currently being sourced from the higher cost South Blackwater
operation,' he said.

'It is expected that full production of 13.5 million tonnes of coking and
thermal coal a year will be achieved by the time the South Blackwater
underground closures are completed in December 2001.'

The expansion requires a capital investment of A$130 million (BHP share A$89
million) - a significant portion of which will be spent on haulage and
stripping equipment and industrial facilities.

'This investment will ensure that we are able to provide our current South
Blackwater customers with greater supply reliability. Both BHP and Mitsubishi
are now confident that we will retain the full extent of this market segment,'
Mr Oppenheimer said.

'This will have a favourable impact on the value of the synergy benefits
achieved through the acquisition.' 

The participants in the CQCA Blackwater coal mine are BHP Limited (68.3%) and
Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd (31.7%).

Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhp.com 

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