UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C.
20549
Form
6-K
REPORT
OF FOREIGN PRIVATE
ISSUER
PURSUANT
TO RULE 13a-16 OR
15d-16
UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
November
8, 2007
_________________________________
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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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_________________________________
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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 if the
registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation
S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]
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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): [ ]
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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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If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below
the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule
12g3-2(b):
n/a
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|||
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NEWS
RELEASE
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Release
Time
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IMMEDIATE
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Date
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8
November 2007
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Number
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32/07
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MARKET
SPECULATION
BHP
Billiton notes the recent speculation in relation to a potential offer for
Rio
Tinto at a premium.
BHP
Billiton now confirms that it recently wrote to the Board of Rio Tinto outlining
a proposal in relation to a potential combination with Rio Tinto on terms
incorporating a premium, reflecting its confidence in the benefits for both
sets
of shareholders of such a transaction. In preparing its proposal, BHP
Billiton has examined in detail the regulatory issues and other practicalities
of a combination.
In
its letter, BHP Billiton sought to pursue discussions with Rio Tinto regarding
its proposal. Rio Tinto rejected the proposal.
BHP
Billiton has again written to Rio Tinto and intends to continue to seek an
opportunity to meet and discuss its proposal with Rio Tinto. There
can be no assurance that any transaction or offer will result from BHP
Billiton’s proposal.
Further
information on BHP Billiton can
be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
|
Australia
Samantha
Evans, Media Relations
Tel:
+61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email:
Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
Jane
Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel:
+61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email:
Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
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United
Kingdom
Andre
Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel:
+44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email:
Andre.Liebenberg@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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United
States
Tracey
Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel:
US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile:
+44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
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South
Africa
Alison
Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel:
SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
email:
Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
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BHP
Billiton Limited ABN 49 004
028 077
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BHP
Billiton Plc
Registration
number3196209
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||
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Registered
in
Australia
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Registered
in England and
Wales
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Registered
Office: 180 Lonsdale
Street
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Neathouse
Place
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Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
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London
SW1V 1BH United
Kingdom
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Tel
+61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3
9609 3015
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Tel
+44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20
7802 4111
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A
member of the BHP Billiton group
which is headquartered in Australia
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Dealing
Disclosure Requirements
Under
the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”), if any person is,
or becomes, “interested” (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of
“relevant securities” of BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto, all “dealings” in any
“relevant securities” of that company (including by means of an option in
respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such “relevant securities”) must
be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London
business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement
will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared,
unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which
the “offer period” otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant
to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an
“interest” in “relevant securities” of BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto, they will be
deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Under
the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all “dealings” in “relevant securities”
of either BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto by BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto, or by any
of
their respective “associates”, must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon
(London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant
transaction.
A
disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose “relevant securities”
“dealings” should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can
be found on the Takeover Panel’s website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
“Interests
in securities” arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure,
whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In
particular, a person will be treated as having an “interest” by virtue of the
ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of,
or
derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms
in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the
Panel’s website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required
to disclose a “dealing” under Rule 8, you should consult the
Panel.
SIGNATURES
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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 and BHP
Billiton Plc
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Date:
8 November
2007
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By:
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Jane
McAloon
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Name:
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Jane
McAloon
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Title:
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Group
Company
Secretary
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