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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Date of
5 February 2004BHP Billiton Plc
Registration Number 3196209
Neathouse Place
London SW1V 1BH
United Kingdom
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
| Form 20-F | X | Form 40-F |
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 | No | X |
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
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Date |
5 February 2004 |
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Number |
07/04 |
BHP BILLITON APPROVES IRON ORE CAPACITY
EXPANSION PROJECT
BHP Billiton today announced the approval of a significant brownfields expansion project in its Western Australian iron ore business.
Capacity at the Pilbara iron ore operations will be increased from 100 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 110Mtpa by the end of CY2004. The capital cost for the project is expected to be US$111 million (BHPB share US$94.5 million).
President Carbon Steel Materials Bob Kirkby said: "BHP Billiton is currently completing studies for further long term expansions of its Western Australian iron ore business.
"In the interim, this project will ensure that BHP Billiton continues to meet the unprecedented rate of growth in demand for iron ore through a timely and capital efficient expansion," he said.
The BHP Billiton Iron Ore Rapid Growth Project will be completed on the back of infrastructure and equipment installed as part of the Area C and PACE projects and includes increased Area C plant capacity to 23Mtpa plus additional rail and port capacity.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com |
United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com |
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Tania Price, Media Relations United States Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com |
Ariane Gentil, Media Relations South Africa Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com |
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 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 Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 |
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The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
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SIGNATURES
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
PlcKaren Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: