__________________________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Date of
4 December 2003BHP Billiton Limited
ABN 49 004 028 077
180 Lonsdale
Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Australia
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
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
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the
file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Form 20-F
X
Form 40-F
Yes
No
X
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Date |
4 December 2003 |
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Number |
37/03 |
BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES SALE OF HIGHLAND VALLEY COPPER AND ROBINSON MINES
BHP Billiton announced today that it had entered into agreements to sell its 33.6% interest in Highland Valley Copper ('HVC') mine and 100% interest in Robinson mine to Quadra Mining Ltd. ('Quadra') for an aggregate cash consideration of US$91 million. The consideration is split US$73 million for HVC and US$18 million for Robinson, payable in full upon completion, which is targeted for February 2004.
Both transactions are subject to various conditions, including the settlement of definitive documentations and the raising of the required funds by Quadra. The HVC transaction is also subject to the existing majority partner, Teck Cominco Limited and its affiliate, Highmont Mining Company, not exercising their right of first refusal and in the event that they do, Quadra will be paid a fee.
The interest in HVC, located in British Columbia, Canada, was acquired by BHP Billiton in October 2000 when the then Billiton Plc acquired Rio Algom. Teck Cominco Limited and its affiliates own the remaining 66.4% interest. Robinson, a copper/gold mine located in Nevada, USA, has been on care and maintenance since mid-1999.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259 email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com |
United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com |
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Tania Price, Media Relations United States Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com |
Ariane Gentil, Media Relations South Africa Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com |
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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.
BHP BILLITON LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
_____________________
Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: