3rd Jan 2008 10:49
BHP Billiton PLC03 January 2008 Issued by: BHP Billiton Plc BHP Billiton Limited To: London Stock Exchange Australian Securities Exchange Cc: New York Stock Exchange JSE Limited Swiss Stock Exchange Deutsche Bank UBS Zurich Date: 3 January 2008 For Release: Immediately BHP BILLITON PLC - RULE 2.10 ANNOUNCEMENT In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, BHPBilliton Plc and BHP Billiton Limited confirm that, as at 31 December 2007, BHPBilliton Plc had in issue 2,232,522,894 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each(including 25,515,350 shares held by BHP Billiton Limited) and BHP BillitonLimited had in issue 3,358,359,496 ordinary shares, excluding shares held astreasury shares. The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for the BHP BillitonPlc ordinary shares is GB0000566504 and for the ordinary shares represented bythe BHP Billiton Plc American Depository Receipts is US05545E209. Each BHPBilliton Plc American Depository Receipt represents two ordinary shares of BHPBilliton Plc. The ISIN for the BHP Billiton Limited ordinary shares isAU000000BHP4 and for the ordinary shares represented by the BHP Billiton LimitedAmerican Depository Receipts is US088606108. Each BHP Billiton Limited AmericanDepository Receipt represents two ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Limited. Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if anyperson is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more ofany class of "relevant securities" of any of BHP Billiton Plc, BHP BillitonLimited, Rio Tinto Plc or Rio Tinto Limited, all "dealings" in any "relevantsecurities" of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or aderivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publiclydisclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business dayfollowing the date of the relevant transaction. The relevant disclosure must also include details of all "interests" or "dealings" in any class of "relevant securities" of the other company which ispart of its DLC structure. Therefore, if, for example, a disclosure is beingmade in respect of a dealing in securities of BHP Billiton Plc, an accompanyingdisclosure must also be made of interests or short positions held in securitiesof BHP Billiton Limited, even if the person's interest or short position is lessthan 1% of the relevant class. The same approach should be adopted in respect ofsecurities of Rio Tinto Plc and Rio Tinto Limited. Therefore, each disclosureshould consist of two Rule 8.3 disclosure forms, one for the Plc arm of the DLCstructure and one for the Limited arm of the DLC structure, released as oneannouncement. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or isdeclared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn oron which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act togetherpursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, toacquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of BHP Billiton Plc, BHP BillitonLimited Rio Tinto Plc or Rio Tinto Limited, they will be deemed to be a singleperson for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevantsecurities" of either BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto by BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto, orby any of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of therelevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevantsecurities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities inissue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" byvirtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option inrespect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on thePanel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are requiredto disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United Kingdom Samantha Evans, Media Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Don Carroll, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] South AfricaUnited States Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Alison GIlbert, Investor Relations Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183 Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
BHP Group