Number 17/03

BHP Billiton today confirmed that The European Commission (Competition Directorate-General) served notice on BHP Billiton to submit to an investigation in the copper concentrate market.

BHP Billiton understands that this is an industry-wide investigation and currently has no reason to believe that it is the focus of their investigation.

In the last 12 months, BHP Billiton produced approximately 608,000 tonnes of Copper contained in concentrate from its worldwide operations and in total produced approx. 854,000 tonnes of copper (in concentrate and cathode form).

BHP Billiton is co-operating fully with the ongoing investigations.

For further information contact:

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