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Treasurer's Decision On Third Party Rail Access

Number 36/08

BHP Billiton expressed its disappointment in the decision announced today by the Federal Treasurer to ‘declare’ BHP Billiton's West Australian Goldsworthy rail line.

Ian Ashby, President of Iron Ore, said: “Providing third party access to the company’s rail operations would compromise the efficiency of BHP Billiton’s integrated mine, port and rail operations. In the current fiscal year alone, these operations are expected to deliver more than 137 million tonnes of iron ore to customers all over the world and are already running at full capacity(1) .

“Our view is unchanged. The efficient delivery of iron ore to our customers should not be compromised through allowing other companies to put their rail cars on our tracks, creating potential delays or disruption to our operations.”

Mr Ashby said that BHP Billiton had been working with the West Australian Government to develop a rail haulage regime and that this would be a preferable mechanism. “An access regime for providing rail haulage services is a more practical solution that would be less disruptive to the efficiency of the existing operations.”

BHP Billiton is entitled to seek a reconsideration of the Treasurer's decision by the Australian Competition Tribunal. The Company is currently involved in a similar reconsideration by the Tribunal in relation to the decision not to declare the Mt Newman line.

(1) 100% terms. BHP Billiton's attributable share of iron ore production at WAIO is approximately 85%

For further information please contact:

Australia
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898  Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com

Peter Ogden, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2812  Mobile: +61 428 599 190
email: Peter.Ogden@bhpbilliton.com

Leng Lau, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202  Mobile: +61 403 533 706
email: Leng.Y.Lau @bhpbilliton.com

United Kingdom & South Africa
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131  Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com

Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195  Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com

United States
Scott Espenshade, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 599 6431 Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email: Scott.Espenshade @bhpbilliton.com

Ruban Yogarajah, Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033 Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022
email: Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.com