Court Allows Utah Tax Appeal

BHP Billiton Limited
15 February 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.



15th February 2002

Number: 10/02





                       HIGH COURT ALLOWS UTAH TAX APPEAL





BHP Billiton Limited today announced the Australian High Court has allowed by
consent its appeal against the majority decision of the Full Federal Court,
which was handed down in favour of the Australian Tax Office on 18 October 2000.



The dispute concerned the deductibility of financing costs paid to the General
Electric Company in connection with BHP Billiton Limited's acquisition of the
Utah Group in the early 1980's, and the validity of a related assessment.



As a result of the High Court order, an amount of US$85 million (A$166 million)
will be refunded to BHP Billiton Limited, together with associated interest.
This amount had previously been paid by BHP Billiton Limited and recorded as a
non-current asset, pending resolution of the dispute.



                                    * * * *

Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://
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Australia

Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations                     United Kingdom/South Africa
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540     Mobile: [phone]         Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
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Mandy Frostick, Media Relations
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United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
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