Sale of Mines

BHP Billiton Limited
03 December 2003

NEWS RELEASE

Release Time      IMMEDIATE
Date              3 December 2003
Number            37/03


    BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES SALE OF HIGHLAND VALLEY COPPER AND ROBINSON MINES

BHP Billiton announced today that it had entered into agreements to sell its
33.6% interest in Highland Valley Copper ('HVC') mine and 100% interest in
Robinson mine to Quadra Mining Ltd. ('Quadra') for an aggregate cash
consideration of US$91 million. The consideration is split US$73 million for HVC
and US$18 million for Robinson, payable in full upon completion, which is
targeted for February 2004.



Both transactions are subject to various conditions, including the settlement of
definitive documentations and the raising of the required funds by Quadra. The
HVC transaction is also subject to the existing majority partner, Teck Cominco
Limited and its affiliate, Highmont Mining Company, not exercising their right
of first refusal and in the event that they do, Quadra will be paid a fee.



The interest in HVC, located in British Columbia, Canada, was acquired by BHP
Billiton in October 2000 when the then Billiton Plc acquired Rio Algom. Teck
Cominco Limited and its affiliates own the remaining 66.4% interest. Robinson, a
copper/gold mine located in Nevada, USA, has been on care and maintenance since
mid-1999.



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
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Tania Price, 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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