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) |
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11 March 2008
Number 10/08
SOUTH AFRICAN POWER REDUCTION IMPACT ON BHP BILLITON ALUMINIUM
Power reductions were initially achieved by reducing power by approximately 10 per cent at all three of our Southern Africa smelters. This operating methodology is unsustainable. As we understand that the power reductions are likely to last for a number of years, we have assessed our options to more effectively deal with a longer-term reduction in power.
As a result of this assessment we plan to take the bulk of the power reduction at Bayside (100 per cent owned by BHP Billiton) while Hillside and Mozal will continue at reduced operating levels to comply with the 10 per cent mandatory overall power demand reduction.
We have therefore commenced consultations with our employees about a possible closure of operations of the B and C potlines at Bayside. Total annual production loss will be just over 120,000 tonnes across all three smelters (100% basis), including approximately 92,000 tonnes from Bayside.
Also in South Africa, our 60 per cent owned manganese business, Samancor, is operating at 90 per cent of normal peak power demand although the impact on production is small and felt principally in the Metalloys alloy plant. Our coal operations have been minimally affected and have offered to help Eskom rebuild its coal stocks.
Notes:
BHP Billiton operates three aluminium smelters in southern Africa. Production statistics for these smelters are:
BHP Billiton Annual
Smelter
Location Ownership Production FY07
Bayside Richards Bay, South Africa
100 per cent 194,000 tonnes
Hillside Richards Bay, South Africa 100 per cent 704,000 tonnes
Mozal Maputo, Mozambique 47.1 per cent 265,000 tonnes (BHP Billiton share)
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
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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: 11 March 2008 | By: |
Jane McAloon |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | |
| Title: | Group Company Secretary |