22nd Jan 2008 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC22 January 2008 22 January 2008Number 01/08 BHP BILLITON APPROVES INVESTMENT IN NEWCASTLE THIRD EXPORT COAL TERMINAL BHP Billiton today announced approval of the Newcastle Third Port Project (theProject), with a capital investment of US$390 million (BHP Billiton's share asadvised by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd (NCIG)). The Project,managed by NCIG, involves the construction of a 30 million tonne per annum(Mtpa) export coal loading facility with a future option to expand to 66Mtpa. The port is located on Kooragang Island, in Newcastle (Australia), and willinclude a rail unloader, stockpile facilities, a ship loader and two berths inthe south arm of the Hunter River. BHP Billiton President Coal, Dave Murray,said "This Project is an important strategic investment. It underpins ourability to pursue growth options in our New South Wales Energy Coal business andenables us to meet strong demand from our customers." The first ship loading of coal is scheduled for late calendar year 2010. Shareholders in NCIG are BHP Billiton 35.5 per cent (through Hunter ValleyEnergy Coal Pty Ltd), Peabody Coal 17.7 per cent (through Excel Coal Limited),Felix NSW Pty Ltd 15.3 per cent, Donaldson Coal Pty Ltd 11.6 per cent,Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited 11.1 per cent and Centennial Coal InfrastructurePty Ltd 8.8 per cent. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomSamantha Evans, Media Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Don Carroll, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246email: [email protected] email: [email protected] United States South AfricaTracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Alison Gilbert, Investor RelationsTel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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