Number 17/05

BHP Billiton advises that the Commission has issued a decision under Article 6(1)(b) of the EC Merger Regulation approving BHP Billiton's acquisition of WMC Resources Ltd.

Accordingly, the condition set out in clause 5.1(d) of the Bidder’s Statement has been fulfilled. This is the fourth condition of the offer that has been satisfied.

The offer is $7.85 for each WMC Resources Ltd share and the closing date* of the offer is 7.30 pm (Melbourne time) on 6 May 2005.

*This date is indicative only and may change as permitted by the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

Australia
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952  Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com

Tania Price, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815  Mobile: +61 419 152 780
email: Tania.Price@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
Tel: +1 713 599 6100 or +44 20 7802 4031
email: Mark.Lidiard@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

Further Information for U.S. holders

BHP Billiton has filed the Bidder’s Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under cover of Form CB.  Investors and holders of WMC Resources securities are strongly advised to read the Bidder’s Statement and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments and supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information.  Investors and holders of WMC Resources securities may obtain free copies of the informational document (when available), as well as other relevant documents filed with the SEC, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  WMC Resources has issued a target’s statement in connection with the offer which investors and holders of WMC Recourses securities are strongly advised to read.

This communication is for information purposes only.  It shall not constitute an offer to purchase, sell or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, sell or exchange any securities of WMC Resources.  The distribution of this communication may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation.  Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions.