BHP Billiton Approves Klipspruit Project

BHP Billiton announced today the approval of the Klipspruit Project, part of its Energy Coal operations in South Africa.

The Klipspruit opencast mine (100% BHP Billiton owned) with a current run of mine (ROM) capacity of 4.8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) will be expanded to 8 Mtpa.

The Klipspruit Project, which involves an investment of approximately US$450 million, will include the development of a 16 Mtpa coal processing plant called the Phola Coal Processing Plant in a 50:50 joint venture with Anglo Coal. The plant, processing 8Mtpa of coal from each of the joint venture partners, will be located on the Klipspruit surface area and constructed by Anglo Coal.

The existing Rietspruit coal washing plant, located 32 kilometres from Klipspruit will be replaced by the new Phola Coal Processing Plant.

President BHP Billiton Coal, Dave Murray said: “The approval to expand our Klipspruit mine, which is a world class ore body, demonstrates our commitment to South Africa and the energy coal market. The new joint venture processing facility with Anglo Coal will be a value adding investment for both parties and will reduce the need to transport coal on public roads, thereby supporting our goal of Zero Harm”.

Increased production is due to commence in the second half of calendar year 2009. Utilising current reserves, the mine is expected to have a 20 year life, although this has the potential to be extended through the development of further resources. Approximately 4 Mtpa of coal will be exported through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal, using BHP Billiton’s existing allocation.

In the year ended 30 June 2007, Klipspruit produced a total of 3.4 million tonnes of energy coal which was sold through both the export market and to Eskom, the South African power utility.

For further information please contact:

Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

Don Carroll, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938
email: Don.A.Carroll@bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com

Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com