UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
|
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) |
| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: [x] Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F |
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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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22 January 2008
Number 01/08
BHP BILLITON APPROVES INVESTMENT IN
NEWCASTLE THIRD EXPORT COAL TERMINAL
BHP Billiton today announced approval of the Newcastle Third Port Project (the Project), with a capital investment of US$390 million (BHP Billiton's share as advised by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd (NCIG)). The Project, managed by NCIG, involves the construction of a 30 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) export coal loading facility with a future option to expand to 66Mtpa.
The port is located on Kooragang Island, in Newcastle (Australia), and will include a rail unloader, stockpile facilities, a ship loader and two berths in the south arm of the Hunter River. BHP Billiton President Coal, Dave Murray, said "This Project is an important strategic investment. It underpins our ability to pursue growth options in our New South Wales Energy Coal business and enables us to meet strong demand from our customers."
The first ship loading of coal is scheduled for late calendar year 2010.
Shareholders in NCIG are BHP Billiton 35.5 per cent (through Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd), Peabody Coal 17.7 per cent (through Excel Coal Limited), Felix NSW Pty Ltd 15.3 per cent, Donaldson Coal Pty Ltd 11.6 per cent, Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited 11.1 per cent and Centennial Coal Infrastructure Pty Ltd 8.8 per cent.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
|
Australia |
United Kingdom Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com |
| Don Carroll, Investor
Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +61 417 591 938 email: Don.A.Carroll@bhpbilliton.com United States |
Illtud Harri, Media
Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com South Africa |
| 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: 22 January 2008 | By: |
Jane McAloon |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | |
| Title: | Group Company Secretary |