BHP Billiton announces the appointment of Mr Chris Campbell as President of its Iron Ore business, replacing Ian Ashby who will become the CEO of the Western Australia Iron Ore production joint venture with Rio Tinto. Mr Campbell's appointment is expected to become effective as Mr Ashby's workload in the JV increases, which is expected to occur progressively over the coming months. In his new role, Mr Campbell will have overall responsibility for the Company's global Iron Ore operations.

Mr Campbell has been with the BHP Billiton group for 20 years and has extensive experience in the mining industry. During this time, he has had various Australian and overseas roles in marketing, business development and project management, including overall leading of the successful integration of the former WMC Resources Ltd into BHP Billiton. Since June 2009, Mr Campbell has been leading the BHP Billiton Project Office for the Western Australia iron ore production joint venture with Rio Tinto, with responsibility for co-ordinating the delivery of the joint venture and preparing for the integration of the businesses for BHP Billiton.

BHP Billiton Chief Executive Ferrous and Coal, Marcus Randolph, said, "Chris' previous roles across marketing and operational areas of the industry and his deep history within the Group will be invaluable in his new position leading the Iron Ore business. I am delighted to have Chris on the team and believe that this structure will give additional focus to our non-Western Australia Iron Ore assets," he said.

Once the Western Australia iron ore production joint venture with Rio Tinto takes effect, the remaining Iron Ore business under Mr Campbell's leadership will include the Company's:

• Samarco iron ore operations (Brazil);
• Nimba and the proposed Arcelor-Mittal joint venture (West Africa);
• iron ore growth opportunities outside Western Australia;
• marketing of BHP Billiton's share of the Western Australia production joint venture with Rio Tinto; and
• governance of the production joint venture with Rio Tinto, through the Owners Council.

Mr Campbell will be based in Perth, reporting to Mr Randolph.