Number 15/03

BHP Billiton today announced commercial terms have been settled for the majority of annually priced coking coal contracts for the year commencing 1 April 2003.

The pricing outcomes relate to the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and BHP Mitsui Coal operations in Queensland, and the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal operations in New South Wales.

FOB returns for all brands of metallurgical coals have decreased by an average of four per cent. The lower prices reflect market conditions prevailing across most coal types.

Volumes are expected to remain steady.


Australia
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952  Mobile: +61 408 313 259
email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com


Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202  Mobile: +61 419 404 978
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com


United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com


United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625  Mobile: +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com


South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 376 3360  Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com