26th Apr 2006 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC26 April 2006 26 April 2006Number 10/06 BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY DECLINE TO CANNINGTON PRODUCTION Following an assessment of ground conditions, BHP Billiton will accelerate aprogramme of decline and stope access rehabilitation at the Canningtonsilver-lead-zinc mine in Australia from May to November 2006. This will impactproduction in the southern zone of the mine. The northern zone mining activitieswill remain unaffected. The primary reason for the programme is to ensure the safety of employees andcontractors and is aligned with BHP Billiton's commitment to Zero Harm. Inaddition, this programme will reduce ground stresses that have the potential tolimit long term production and should enable higher production levels than wouldotherwise be the case. Production is expected to return to normal levels by early 2007. The overallimpact is expected to see a reduction in ore milled of approximately 20% overthe remainder of FY2006 and FY2007. This will predominantly impact sales in thefirst half of FY2007. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomJane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Samantha Evans, Media Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 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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