As set out in the 2005 Notice of Annual General Meeting, BHP Billiton intends to continue its existing practice of setting the foreign currency conversion rates for dividends prior to the announcement of each dividend, and advising these rates when the dividend is announced.

If shareholders wish to alter the currency in which they receive a dividend, BHP Billiton now requires that they complete and return an appropriate election form no later than the close of business two days prior to the announcement of the dividend.  For the forthcoming dividend, which is due to be announced on 15 February 2006, this will be the close of business on 13 February 2006.  Election forms received after this time will not apply.

Election forms may be obtained from, and should be returned to, the appropriate office of BHP Billiton’s share registrar as follows:

BHP Billiton Plc
Computershare Investor Services PLC
Tel: (44 870) 889 3148
Fax: (44 870) 703 6103
web.queries@computershare.co.uk  

BHP Billiton Limited
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Tel: 1300 656 780 (within Australia)
(61 3) 9415 4020 (outside Australia)
Fax: (61 3) 9473 2460
web.queries@computershare.com.au

Any queries on this announcement should be directed to one of the Deputy Secretaries of BHP Billiton:

BHP Billiton Limited
Sam Butcher
Tel: (61 3) 9609 3323
Fax: (61 3) 9609 4372
sam.a.butcher@bhpbilliton.com

Ross Mallett
Tel: (61 3) 9609 3324
Fax: (61 3) 9609 4372
ross.e.mallett@bhpbilliton.com

BHP Billiton Plc
Elizabeth Hobley
Tel: (44 20) 7802 4054
Fax: (44 20) 7803 3054
elizabeth.hobley@bhpbilliton.com