UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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BHP BILLITON LIMITED (ABN 49 004 028 077) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA (Address of principal executive offices) |
BHP BILLITON PLC (REG. NO. 3196209) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
ENGLAND AND WALES (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices) |
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| 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 [x] No |
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1 May 2008
Number 16/08
BHP BILLITON APPROVES WORSLEY ALUMINA
EFFICIENCY & GROWTH PROJECT
BHP Billiton today announced approval for the Efficiency & Growth expansion project at Worsley Alumina in Western Australia for an estimated capital investment of US$1.9 billion (BHP Billiton's 86 per cent share). This includes approximately US$70 million of sustaining capital.
The expansion project will lift capacity of the Worsley refinery from 3.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of alumina to 4.6 Mtpa (100 per cent capacity) through expanded mining operations, additional refinery capacity and upgraded port facilities.
The construction phase will start immediately and first production is expected in the first half of calendar year 2011.
BHP Billiton Aluminium President Jon Dudas said, "Worsley is one of the largest, lowest cost and most efficient alumina refineries in the world. This decision to invest in further production capacity underlines our confidence in the future of the alumina market. It also reflects our confidence in Worsley Alumina's ability to continue its excellent track record of production growth".
Worsley Alumina is a Joint Venture partnership between BHP Billiton (86 per cent), Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) (10 per cent) and Sojitz Alumina (4 per cent).
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Samantha Evans, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com |
United
Kingdom & South Africa Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 Email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com |
| Leng Lau,
Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706 Email: Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com United States Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com |
Illtud Harri,
Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 Email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
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| BHP Billiton Limited ABN
49 004 028 077 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 |
BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 |
The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
| 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. |
| BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc | ||
| Date: 1 May 2008 | By: |
Jane McAloon |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | |
| Title: | Group Company Secretary |