SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
February 02, 2012
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Commission File Number
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Translation of registrant's name into English; Address of principal executive offices
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BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077)
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA |
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BHP Billiton Plc (REG. NO. 3196209)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will
file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-.
NEWS RELEASE Release Time: Date: Number: INITIAL WORK APPROVED FOR PORT HEDLAND OUTER HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT BHP Billiton today announced approval of US$917 million (BHP Billiton share US$779 million)(1) in pre-commitment funding for the construction of a 100 million tonne per year outer harbour facility associated with its Western Australia Iron Ore operations. The funds approved today will enable the Company to progress feasibility studies and the procurement of long lead time items. It will also allow for dredging to begin, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals. In parallel with this work, engineering studies are underway to match mine and rail expansions to the expanded port capacity. The first phase of the Outer Harbour Development would include the proposed construction of a four kilometre jetty, a four-berth wharf, 32 kilometres of dredged departure channel and landside infrastructure, including stockyards and a rail spur. Start-up would be in the first half of calendar year 2016. BHP Billiton President Iron Ore, Ian Ashby, said: “This investment is an important first step in providing the infrastructure to allow us to fully develop our world class resource base in the Pilbara. The development of the outer harbour is pivotal for our longer term growth objectives and this initial funding is rapidly turning those plans into a reality.” Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at: www.bhpbilliton.com. (1) BHP Billiton’s partners in its Pilbara iron ore operations are: Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd and Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd. Media Relations Australia Samantha Stevens Kelly Quirke Fiona Martin United Kingdom and Americas Ruban Yogarajah Investor Relations Australia James Agar Andrew Gunn United Kingdom and South Africa Brendan Harris Tara Dines Americas Scott Espenshade BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Members of the BHP Billiton Group which is headquartered in Australia
IMMEDIATE
2 February 2012
04/12
The project, which is expected to be reviewed for full approval in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2012, has an embedded option to expand by a further 100 million tonnes per year.
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Stevens@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 2896 Mobile: +61 429 966 312
email: Kelly.Quirke@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: +61 427 777 908
email: Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033
Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 467 807 064
email: James.Agar@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +61 3 9609 3575 Mobile: +61 439 558 454
email: Andrew.Gunn@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7990 527 726
email: Brendan.Harris@bhpbilliton.com
Tel : +44 20 7802 7113 Mobile : +44 7825 342 232
Email : Tara.Dines@bhpbilliton.com
Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email: Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.com
Registered in Australia
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: Neathouse Place
London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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BHP Billiton Limited (ABN 49 004 028 077) BHP Billiton Plc (REG. NO. 3196209) | ||
| Date : February 02, 2012 | By: | /s/ Jane McAloon | |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | ||
| Title: | Group Company Secretary | ||