BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified natural resources company, and MMC Norilsk Nickel, Russia’s largest mining and metals company, today announced the launch of an alliance to explore and develop mineral resources in the Russian Federation.

Yesterday the companies’ CEOs signed an agreement establishing the formal terms governing their cooperation. The agreement provides for joint identification of attractive mineral exploration and development prospects in Russia, to be followed by the establishment of joint local companies to pursue and develop specific projects. These exploration and development companies will be owned 50 per cent plus one share by MMC Norilsk Nickel and 50 per cent minus one share by BHP Billiton.

The companies will jointly pursue a range of commodities in certain targeted areas, initially concentrating on the North West of Russia as well as Western Siberia.

By working together, BHP Billiton and MMC Norilsk Nickel will look to maximise the benefits of their respective strengths. As Russia’s leading mining company, MMC Norilsk Nickel has the in-country knowledge and experience that is essential for success in Russia. BHP Billiton will complement this by applying global exploration and project development expertise and world-class technology.

BHP Billiton chief executive, Chip Goodyear, said: “This alliance with Norilsk Nickel is a win-win and provides significant growth opportunities for both companies. This is an important step for BHP Billiton and represents a diversification of our geographical base. We look forward to working with our new partner in Russia.”

MMC Norilsk Nickel chief executive, Mikhail Prokhorov, said: “We believe in the strong prospects for growth in new resource discovery in the Russian Federation and have taken another step in pursuing this growth. We are excited by the opportunity to work in close partnership with BHP Billiton to accelerate the development of Russia’s mineral resource potential.”

Background notes to editors

BHP Billiton

BHP Billiton is the world’s largest diversified natural resources company, with some 37,000 employees across 100 operations in approximately 25 countries.  Its operations encompass a broad range of commodities including aluminium, energy coal, metallurgical coal, copper, manganese, iron ore, uranium, nickel, diamonds, silver and titanium minerals, oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas.

In 2005, BHP Billiton generated turnover of US$31.8 billion, and attributable profit of US$6.5 billion. The current market capitalization of BHP Billiton is around US$130 billion.

BHP Billiton is dual listed on both the Australian and London stock exchanges, with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.

MMC Norilsk Nickel

MMC Norilsk Nickel is Russia’s largest mining company, the world’s largest producer of nickel and palladium, and a major producer of platinum, copper and cobalt.

In 2005, MMC Norilsk Nickel had sales of US$7.2 billion, earning net profit of US$2.4 billion. The company’s market capitalization is around US$25 billion.

MMC Norilsk Nickel is listed on several Russian exchanges (MICEX, RTS, GMKN), ADRs are traded over the counter in New York (NILSY US), London (MNOD LI) and Berlin (NNIA GR).

For further information please contact:

BHP Billiton

LONDON
Investor and Media Relations
Mark Lidiard
Office:   +44 20 7802 4156
Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
Email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com

Media Relations
Illtud Harri
Office:   +44 20 7802 4195
Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
Email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

AUSTRALIA
Investor Relations
Jane Belcher
Office:   +61 3 9609 3952
Mobile: +61 417 031 653
Email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com

Media Relations
Samantha Evans
Office:   +61 3 9609 2898
Mobile: +61 400 693 915
Email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

MOSCOW
President, BHP Billiton Eurasia
Glenn Waller
Office: +7 495 981 8450
Email: Glenn.Waller@bhpbilliton.com

Public Affairs
Vera Pavlovets
Mobile: +7 495 743 3740
Email: Vera.Pavlovets@bhpbilliton.com

MMC Norilsk Nickel

MOSCOW
Deputy General Director, Member of Public Relations Management Board
Ralph Tavakolian (Tav) Morgan
Office: +7 495 797 82 63
Fax:     +7 495 785 21 32

Victor Borodin
Office: +7 495 797 82 94
Email: uosmail@nornik.ru
Website: www.nornik.ru