Unification Regulatory and Competition Approvals

RNS Number : 3206W

BHP Group PLC

21 December 2021

 

NEWS RELEASE

Release Time	IMMEDIATE
Date	21 December 2021
Number	36/21

UNIFICATION REGULATORY AND COMPETITION APPROVALS OBTAINED

Regulatory and competition approvals obtained

On 2 December 2021, BHP announced a final Board decision to unify BHP's corporate structure under its existing Australian parent company, BHP Group Limited. On 8 December 2021, BHP announced the publication of the Shareholder Circular, Prospectus and Johannesburg Stock Exchange pre-listing announcement, and set out the expected timetable and outstanding approvals required for the implementation of unification.

BHP is pleased to confirm that all regulatory and competition approvals for unification have now been received, including approval from the National Treasury of South Africa[1].

Shareholder meetings of BHP Group Limited and BHP Group Plc will be held on Thursday 20 January 2022 to consider unification. Information on unification is available on BHP's website at www.bhp.com/unify.

If approved by shareholders and all other conditions are satisfied or waived (including the UK court's sanction of the scheme of arrangement and admission of Limited shares to the standard segment of the FCA official list and trading on LSE and listing on the JSE), unification is expected to complete on 31 January 2022. The last day of trading in BHP Group Plc shares (including BHP Group Plc shares in the form of ADSs on the NYSE) would be 28 January 2022 and the Limited shares that would be issued in connection with unification are expected to be admitted to trading on the ASX, LSE, JSE and Limited ADSs on the NYSE on 31 January 2022.

Media Relations Email: [e-mail]		Investor Relations Email: [e-mail]
Australia and Asia Gabrielle Notley Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone] Europe, Middle East and Africa Neil Burrows Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone] Americas Judy Dane Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone]		Australia and Asia Dinesh Bishop Mobile: [phone] Europe, Middle East and Africa James Bell Tel: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Americas Brian Massey Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone]
BHP Group Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 LEI WZE1WSENV6JSZFK0JC28 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 18, 171 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel [phone] Fax [phone]		BHP Group plc Registration number 3196209 LEI 549300C116EOWV835768 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Nova South, 160 Victoria Street London SW1E 5LB United Kingdom Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
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Disclaimer

BHP makes no representation or warranty as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information in this release.

This release is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or subscribe for or any invitation to purchase or subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any BHP securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to unification or otherwise, nor will there be any sale, issuance or transfer of any BHP securities pursuant to unification or otherwise in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This release does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

Prior to making any decision in relation to unification or as to whether to invest in the shares in Limited, investors should read the Shareholder Circular and the Prospectus in their entirety, including the information incorporated by reference. Investors must rely upon their own examination, analysis and enquiries of BHP and the terms of the Shareholder Circular and Prospectus, including the merits and risks involved.

Forward looking statements

This release contains forward looking statements, including statements regarding: plans, strategies and objectives of management; approval of certain projects and consummation of certain transactions; unification, including, but not limited to, the perceived benefits of unification and expectations around the financial impact of unification on the BHP Group; future performance and future opportunities. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology, including, but not limited to, 'intend', 'aim', 'project', 'see', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'plan', 'objective', 'believe', 'expect', 'commit', 'may', 'should', 'need', 'must', 'will', 'would', 'continue', 'forecast', 'guidance', 'trend' or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations concerning the results of assets or financial conditions, or provide other forward-looking information.

These forward looking statements are based on management's current expectations and reflect judgments, assumptions, estimates and other information available as at the date of this release. These statements do not represent guarantees or predictions of future financial or operational performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements contained in this release. The BHP Group cautions against reliance on any forward-looking statements or guidance, including in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, uncertainty and disruption arising in connection with Covid-19.

Forward-looking statements contained in this release apply only as at the date of this release. To the extent required by the FCA Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the Prospectus Regulation Rules, the ASX Listing Rules and other applicable regulations, BHP will update or revise the information in this release. Otherwise, BHP will have no obligation publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or future developments.

No profit forecasts or estimates

No statement in this release is intended as a profit forecast or estimate and no statement in this release should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share for the most recent, current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share.

Notice to overseas shareholders

The distribution of this release into a jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or Australia may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this release comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with any such restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No action has been or will be taken by the BHP to distribute this release in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose may be required or doing so is restricted by law. Accordingly, this release may not be distributed or published in any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Notice to US investors

The securities to be issued by Limited in connection with Unification have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. Any securities to be issued if Unification is completed are anticipated to be issued in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof on the basis of the approval of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales.

 

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[1] National Treasury of South Africa approval was obtained pursuant to an application that BHP made to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

 

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