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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7 December 2007
Number 36/07
BHP BILLITON APPROVES KLIPSPRUIT PROJECT
BHP Billiton announced today the approval of the Klipspruit Project, part of its Energy Coal operations in South Africa.
The Klipspruit opencast mine (100% BHP Billiton owned) with a current run of mine (ROM) capacity of 4.8 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) will be expanded to 8 Mtpa.
The Klipspruit Project, which involves an investment of approximately US$450 million, will include the development of a 16 Mtpa coal processing plant called the Phola Coal Processing Plant in a 50:50 joint venture with Anglo Coal. The plant, processing 8Mtpa of coal from each of the joint venture partners, will be located on the Klipspruit surface area and constructed by Anglo Coal.
The existing Rietspruit coal washing plant, located 32 kilometres from Klipspruit will be replaced by the new Phola Coal Processing Plant.
President BHP Billiton Coal, Dave Murray said: "The approval to expand our Klipspruit mine, which is a world class ore body, demonstrates our commitment to South Africa and the energy coal market. The new joint venture processing facility with Anglo Coal will be a value adding investment for both parties and will reduce the need to transport coal on public roads, thereby supporting our goal of Zero Harm".
Increased production is due to commence in the second half of calendar year 2009. Utilising current reserves, the mine is expected to have a 20 year life, although this has the potential to be extended through the development of further resources. Approximately 4 Mtpa of coal will be exported through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal, using BHP Billiton's existing allocation.
In the year ended 30 June 2007, Klipspruit produced a total of 3.4 million tonnes of energy coal which was sold through both the export market and to Eskom, the South African power utility.
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: 7 December 2007 | By: |
Jane McAloon |
| Name: | Jane McAloon | |
| Title: | Group Company Secretary |