Number 12/03

BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified natural resources company, announced today the successful launch of its 10 year Global Bond.  The proceeds from the issue, which was expanded from US$750 million to US$850 million due to strong demand, will be used to repay existing debt and for general corporate purposes.  

BHP Billiton’s Chief Financial Officer, Chris Lynch, commented, “The success of this issue in terms of the expanded size, the quality of the book and the pricing achieved again illustrates the strength of the BHP Billiton credit story.  This is the first issue in the US market for the combined BHP Billiton Group, and following on from the success of our inaugural Eurobond in October 2002, will further our objective of diversifying funding sources.”

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  A written prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 may be obtained from the joint book runners, Citigroup at 390 Greenwich Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013 or J.P. Morgan at 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

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

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