Sale of Stake in Alumbrera

BHP Billiton Limited
26 March 2003

     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.





26 March 2003
Number: 10/03

               BHP Billiton Announces Sale of Stake in Alumbrera

BHP Billiton announced today that its fully owned subsidiary Rio Algom has
agreed to sell its 25% stake in the Alumbrera copper-gold mine in Argentina to
Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. for a purchase price of US$180 million. Not less
than US$130 million of the purchase price will be payable on closing. Payment of
up to US$50 million of the purchase price may be deferred by Wheaton until May
30, 2005. Any deferred payment will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2% and will be
secured by the interests in Alumbrera acquired by Wheaton. Closing is
anticipated in June, 2003.

BHP Billiton's share of Alumbrera production for fiscal year ended June 30,
2002, was 48,500 tonnes of copper contained in concentrate and 192,939 ounces of
gold.

The transaction is subject to the receipt of required regulatory and other
consents, approvals and releases, including from the lenders to the Alumbrera
Project.


Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: 
http://www.bhpbilliton.com


Australia                                                     United Kingdom
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations                              Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]                  Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone]
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Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations                             Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
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United States                                                 South Africa
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations                        Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
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email: [e-mail]                   email: [e-mail]


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