Organisational Enhancements

BHP Billiton Limited
21 January 2002


     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.



21 January 2002

Ref: 01/02



                BHP BILLITON DETAILS ORGANISATIONAL ENHANCEMENTS

BHP Billiton today detailed a series of enhancements to its senior management
organisation and the composition of the Group's Executive Committee.

The enhancements follow excellent progress in BHP Billiton's integration program
and will establish a more streamlined and efficient management structure. They
will also further balance the operational and functional representation on the
Group Executive Committee.

In addition, the changes provide an appropriate structure to facilitate the
transition from Paul Anderson's tenure as CEO and Managing Director, to that of
Brian Gilbertson by the end of the 2002 calendar year.

Major features of the changes are the formation of an Office of the Chief
Executive and the elimination of the role of President and CEO Minerals.

The purpose of the Office of the Chief Executive is to facilitate a seamless
transition between Paul Anderson and Brian Gilbertson as CEO and Managing
Director. Both will have common direct reports, with the exception of Steel,
until Mr Anderson's departure later this year.

Mr Anderson's main focus will relate to the delivery of the 2002 financial year
objectives; formulation of a strategic framework; a smooth leadership transition
and the effective delivery of major portfolio initiatives, including the planned
public listing of BHP Steel.

Mr Gilbertson will focus on effective delivery of the portfolio of growth
projects; improvements in the operational efficiency of the businesses and the
identification and development of new areas of business activity.

The changes to the BHP Billiton Executive Committee will be effective
immediately and include:

  • Mike Salamon, currently President and CEO Minerals, will continue as the
    Senior Minerals Executive on the Executive Committee, with overall
    responsibility for Operational Excellence and project development within the
    Minerals organisation.  In addition, Mr Salamon will act as President of
    Aluminium during a period of extended leave by Dave Munro (President,
    Aluminium).  Chris Pointon (President of Stainless Steel Materials), will
    continue to report directly to Mr Salamon in his ongoing role as Chairman of
    the Stainless Steel Materials Customer Sector Group;
  • The Presidents of Base Metals (Brad Mills), Carbon Steel Materials (Bob
    Kirkby) and Energy Coal (Mike Oppenheimer) will join the Executive Committee
    as will the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (Marius Kloppers) and
    the Vice President Group Human Resources (Ian Fraser);
  • In anticipation of the planned public listing of BHP Steel, the President
    of Steel (Kirby Adams) will no longer be a member of the Executive
    Committee.

BHP Billiton CEO and Managing Director Paul Anderson paid tribute to Mike
Salamon for the rapid integration of the minerals operations of the former BHP
and Billiton organisations.

'Mike's work has laid the foundation for this next step, the enhancement of the
Executive Committee structure, to deliver the Group's key business priorities
over coming years,' he said.

'The new Executive Committee will comprise those responsible for managing the
entire portfolio. It will facilitate enhanced decision-making related to major
project development, capital efficiency, financial performance and
organisational effectiveness.'

The structure will also allow regular detailed reviews of the Customer Sector
Groups' (CSG) strategic and operational performance, and will enable a direct
focus between the Executive Committee and the CSGs.

Corporate governance arrangements previously advised, including the
responsibilities of the Investment Review Committee and defined capital
deployment limits, will continue unchanged.

                                    * * * *

Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia                                   United Kingdom/South Africa
Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations       Michael Campbell, Investor 
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540                       & Media Relations
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Mandy Frostick, Media Relations             Ariane Gentil, Manager Communications
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email: [e-mail]     email: [e-mail]

United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028  077    BHP Billiton Plc 
Registered in Australia                     Registration number 3196209
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street        Registered in England and Wales                       
Melbourne Victoria 3000                     Registered Office: 1-3 Strand London 
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              The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia


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