23rd Mar 2007 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC23 March 2007 23 March 2007Number 08/07 BHP BILLITON APPROVES MAJOR CAPACITY EXPANSION AT WESTERN AUSTRALIAN IRON ORE BHP Billiton today announced approval for the Rapid Growth Project 4 (RGP4)which will increase system capacity across its Western Australian iron oreoperations to 155 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). Initial production isexpected to commence in the first half of CY2010. BHP Billiton has approved capital expenditure of US$1.85 billion for its shareof the project, which includes development of a new crushing and screeningplant, as well as additional stockyards, car dumping and train loadingfacilities at Mt Whaleback. Infrastructure upgrades will also be implemented atsatellite orebodies and the rail and port operations. President BHP Billiton Iron Ore Ian Ashby said RGP4 would deliver large-scalebenefits to the Company, its customers, employees and local communities. "Our high quality asset base in the Pilbara and series of staged growth projectshave helped ensure the continued delivery of outstanding returns to BHP Billitonshareholders," he said. "The RGP4 project will further increase the efficiency of our integrated mine,port and rail operations and represents a key investment in our ongoing strategyto be more responsive to customer needs. "The project will also have substantial flow-on benefits to Pilbara communitiesthrough the creation of employment and business opportunities, improvedmanagement of valuable water resources and significantly reduced dustemissions." Mr Ashby said that a range of options to expand capacity beyond RGP4 are alsobeing evaluated, subject to customer demand. "We are committed to creating further value-adding options for the business andproviding the next phase of growth opportunities beyond our recent expansionprojects," he said. By the end of CY2007 BHP Billiton will have increased the capacity of itsWestern Australian iron ore operations by 60Mtpa over the past four years. Thisgrowth will have been achieved through a series of sequential projects,delivered on time and within budget. BHP Billiton's partners in the Pilbara iron ore operations are: Itochu Minerals& Energy of Australia, Mitsui-Itochu Iron and Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomSamantha Evans, Media Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 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 Email: [email protected]: [email protected] BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209Registered in Australia Registered in England and WalesRegistered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH UnitedVictoria 3000 KingdomTelephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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