This report covers exploration and development activities for the quarter ended 31 March 2005. Unless otherwise stated, BHP Billiton's interest in the projects referred to in this report is 100 per cent, and references to quarters are based on calendar years.

The industry is currently operating in an environment where the services and supplies necessary to execute its projects are in great demand, and as a result, delivery of projects to budget and schedule is becoming more challenging. A weakening US dollar combined with the demand for raw materials and hence significant levels of project activity are leading to labour shortages and rising input costs (such as steel, heavy machinery, fuel and other commodities). BHP Billiton continues to work with its suppliers, contractors and other stakeholders to mitigate the effect of these cost pressures where possible. We have been successful to date. However, whilst all of our projects are currently tracking in line or ahead of schedule, some will run over original Board approved budgets.

In February 2005, BHP Billiton approved a revised budget of US$1.1 billion for the development of the Atlantis South oil and gas reserves. The Atlantis South development will have a gross nameplate daily capacity of 200,000 barrels of oil and 180 million cubic feet of natural gas. During the quarter the production platform's hull left the shipyard in South Korea and installation of suction piles has commenced on site. The project remains on schedule for first production in the third quarter of 2006.

The development of the Escondida Norte pit, located approximately 5 kilometres north of the existing Escondida mining operations, was approved in June 2003 as part of Escondida's operating strategy to maintain copper production capacity in future years. Pre-mine waste stripping continued during the quarter with total material movement to the end of March 2005 equalling 166 million tonnes. During the period, work on the crushing station and both silo structures continued and installation of the overland conveyor belt commenced. Commissioning of the electrical power distribution system is well advanced and control systems integration of the Escondida Norte ore into the existing mineral distribution system has commenced. Overall project progress is on schedule at approximately 79 per cent complete with pre-mine development, design and construction activities on track to meet first ore delivery to the crusher in the fourth quarter of 2005. Development costs are estimated at US$400 million (BHP Billiton share US$230 million).

The Escondida Sulphide Leach project was approved in April 2004. The project will produce 180,000 tonnes (103,500 tonnes BHP Billiton share) of copper cathode per annum, utilizing a bacterially assisted leaching process on low-grade run-of-mine ore from both the Escondida and Escondida Norte pits. The resulting solutions will then be treated in conventional solvent extraction and electrowinning plants. Detailed engineering and procurement activities are substantially complete. Construction underway includes the leach pad base preparation, the sea water desalination facilities and the solvent extraction and electrowinning civil foundations. Development costs are estimated at US$870 million (US$500 million BHP Billiton share) and production is scheduled to begin during the second half of 2006.

The Spence Project, approved in October 2004, will be a new open cut mine with associated plant facilities capable of producing 200,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode through a combination of chemical and bacterial leaching. All major equipment is being fabricated with some equipment now starting to arrive on site. The road relocation is complete and construction of initial camp and office facilities continues. The power line and main substation along with mine support facilities are also under construction. The major earthworks contracts have been awarded and hiring of personnel for mine operations is nearing completion. Development costs are estimated at US$990 million and production is scheduled to begin during the last quarter of 2006.

The Dendrobium Mine will be a low cost underground longwall operation capable of producing 5.2 million tonnes per annum of raw coal (3.6 million tonnes per annum of clean coal). Longwall production commenced on 3 April 2005, eight weeks ahead of schedule. Production commissioning was completed on 19 April 2005 and the ramp up of longwall operations is now underway. Outstanding project works include the completion of the coal fines dryer and installation of a sizer for run of mine coal. Development costs, revised in October 2004, are estimated at US$200 million. As the project has now been successfully commissioned, it will no longer be included in this report.

Rapid Growth Project 2, Australia (BHP Billiton 85%)

The Rapid Growth Project 2 (RGP2) was approved in October 2004. The project comprises increases in mine, rail and port capacity through the development of Ore Body 18, purchases of additional rolling stock and a new car dumper at Finucane Island. Engineering activities are well advanced, tendering procurement processes are underway and initial site activities have commenced. The project will increase installed capacity at Western Australian Iron Ore to 118 million tonnes per annum by the second half of 2006. Development costs are estimated at US$575 million (BHP Billiton share US$489 million).

Exploration and appraisal wells drilled during the quarter or in the process of drilling as at 31 March 2005.

The Minerals Exploration group of BHP Billiton continued to pursue global exploration opportunities for key commodities of interest utilising both in-house capabilities and the Junior Alliance Programme.

Exploration drilling continued on diamond targets in Botswana, Namibia and Angola; on porphyry copper targets in Chile and Peru; and on nickel targets in Canada. Exploration for iron ore, coal and bauxite was undertaken in a number of regions including Australia, India, Brazil and West Africa.

During the quarter, BHP Billiton spent US$31 million on minerals exploration, all of which was expensed (US$93 million gross and US$92 million expensed year to date), and US$106 million on petroleum exploration, of which US$77 million was expensed (US$243 million gross and US$132 million expensed year to date).

Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com

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BHP BILLITON Plc
/s/ KAREN WOOD
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Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 28 April 2005