27th Oct 2008 08:07
27 October 2008 Number 36/08
TREASURER'S DECISION ON THIRD PARTY RAIL ACCESS
BHP Billiton expressed its disappointment in the decision announced today by the Federal Treasurer to 'declare' BHP Billiton's West Australian Goldsworthy rail line.
Ian Ashby, President of Iron Ore, said: "Providing third party access to the company's rail operations would compromise the efficiency of BHP Billiton's integrated mine, port and rail operations. In the current fiscal year alone, these operations are expected to deliver more than 137 million tonnes of iron ore to customers all over the world and are already running at full capacity.
"Our view is unchanged. The efficient delivery of iron ore to our customers should not be compromised through allowing other companies to put their rail cars on our tracks, creating potential delays or disruption to our operations."
Mr Ashby said that BHP Billiton had been working with the West Australian Government to develop a rail haulage regime and that this would be a preferable mechanism. "An access regime for providing rail haulage services is a more practical solution that would be less disruptive to the efficiency of the existing operations."
BHP Billiton is entitled to seek a reconsideration of the Treasurer's decision by the Australian Competition Tribunal. The Company is currently involved in a similar reconsideration by the Tribunal in relation to the decision not to declare the Mt Newman line.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Samantha Evans, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: [email protected] |
United Kingdom & South Africa Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 email: [email protected]
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Peter Ogden, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2812 Mobile: +61 428 599 190 Email: [email protected] |
Illtud Harri, Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 email: [email protected] |
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Leng Lau, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706 email: [email protected] |
United States Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565 email: [email protected]
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Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022 email: [email protected] |
| BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 | BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 | |
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