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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27 April 2007
Number 14/07
BHP BILLITON SECURES INTEREST IN GUINEAN BAUXITE PROJECT
BHP Billiton today announced the acquisition of a 33.3 per cent interest in Global Alumina's Sangaredi Refinery Project in Guinea, West Africa, for a consideration of US$140 million.
The project comprises the design, construction and operation of a 3Mtpa alumina refinery, 9Mtpa bauxite mine, and associated infrastructure. A mining concession covering
690km(2) has been secured and a mineral resource of 233 million tonnes bauxite (@
39% Available Alumina and 1% Reactive Silica) has been reported. This is considered sufficient to support the development, but further exploration work is underway to increase the resource size. The proposed refinery site is approximately 100km inland from Kamsar and has the benefit of access to existing rail infrastructure linking it to the Port of Kamsar, where dedicated facilities are already under construction. "This project provides the Joint Venture partners with access to a long life, low cost, world class resource base and represents an excellent opportunity for BHP Billiton to continue to grow its business in a value accretive manner" commented Graeme Hunt, President Aluminium for BHP Billiton. "In view of BHP Billiton's other exploration interests in Guinea, this project also offers us valuable experience of operating in this first tier minerals province," he added. As part of the agreement, BHP Billiton will appoint the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Joint Venture Company (JVC) and will enter into a services agreement with the JVC for the development, construction and operation of the project, which will be operated in accordance with BHP Billiton standards. Global Alumina will now hold a 33.3 per cent equity interest in the Sangaredi Refinery Project, Dubai Aluminium Company Limited a 25 per cent interest and Mubadala Development Company PJSC 8.3 per cent. I, Dominique Louis Butty, a director of Butty Herinckx & Partners geological and mining consultants, am a member of the European Federation of Geologists and have sufficient experience which is relevant to the Sangaredi Refinery Project style of mineralisation and type of deposit and to the estimation of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. I, Dominique Louis Butty consent to the inclusion of the Sangaredi Refinery Project Mineral Resources in the BHP Billiton Global Alumina press release, in the form and context in which it appears.
Further information on BHP
Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia Jane Belcher, Investor Relations |
United Kingdom Illtud Harri, Media Relations |
United States |
South Africa |
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 |
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 |
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: 27 April 2007 | By: |
Karen Wood |
Name: | Karen Wood | |
Title: | Group Company Secretary |