Closure of Rietspruit Coal

BHP Billiton Limited
7 November 2001



    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: 7 November 2001

Number: 30/01


CLOSURE OF RIETSPRUIT COAL MINE ANNOUNCED



Ingwe Coal Corporation Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Billiton,
together with its Joint Venture partner, Tavistock Collieries (Pty) Limited, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Duiker Mining, today announced that they will be
closing down the Rietspruit energy coal mine.

President of BHP Billiton Energy Coal Mike Oppenheimer said: 'Even though the
reserve base at Rietspruit is essentially depleted, the decision to expedite
the closure is related to the current softness in our main export energy coal
markets. Any future decision on the replacement of volumes produced at
Rietspruit will also depend on market conditions.'

'Rietspruit's volumes will reduce by approximately 40 per cent in December
2001 with the closure of the underground operations and the remaining opencast
production will cease during May 2002'.

Rietspruit currently produces some 4 million tonnes of energy coal per annum
for the export market.

The social and environmental impact of the mine's closure has been a focus
point for the Joint Venture partners, together with the trade unions, with
much effort placed on the development of a world class social plan aimed at
minimising the economic impact on  Rietspruit's 728 employees.  The social
plan focuses on non-mining related job creation to ensure the sustainability
of the Rietspruit Village and the community.

                                     ****

Further news and information can be found on our Internet site: 
www.bhpbilliton.com

Australia                                 United Kingdom
Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations     Ariane Gentil, Manager Communications
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Mandy Frostick, Media Relations           United States
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Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
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BACKGROUND

*        Rietspruit Coal Mine was established in 1976 and was planned for 20
         years at approximately 5 million tons per annum in 100 per cent terms.
         Through innovative mining plans the mine's life was extended by a      
         further five years;

*        Rietspruit is a 50 per cent Joint Venture, initially with Shell, now
         Duiker;

*        Rietspruit's production is all exported to power stations in Europe;

*        The mine will scale down from its current 728 employees to 434 in
         January 2002; and

*        The mine will scale down further in May 2002, whereafter 150 people
         will remain to undertake rehabilitation for about five years.



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