BHP BILLITON

Company Overview

BHP Billiton is a global leader in the resources industry. Formed from a merger between BHP and Billiton, they bring together an exceptional mix of quality, low-cost resource assets, complemented by a strong management team determined to operate our assets in an efficient manner.

About 35,000 employees working in more than 100 operations in approximately 20 countries. Reflecting their aim to be a premier global company, they occupy industry leader or near industry leader positions in major commodity businesses, including aluminium, energy coal and metallurgical coal, copper, ferro-alloys, iron ore and titanium minerals, and have substantial interests in oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, nickel, diamonds and silver.

The central tenet of the BHP Billiton business model is that its diversified portfolio of high quality assets provides more stable cash flows and greater capacity to drive growth than the traditional resource cyclicals. In 2004, we generated turnover of US$24.9 billion, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of US$5.5 billion and operating cash flow after interest and tax of US$5.2 billion. As at 26 August 2004 our market capitalisation was US$58.3 billion.

BHP Billiton was created through the Dual Listed Companies (DLC) merger of BHP Limited (now BHP Billiton Limited) and Billiton Plc (now BHP Billiton Plc), which was concluded on 29 June 2001.

BHP Billiton: a great partnership

The businesses that helped enrich their culture and broaden BHP's company scope are:

BHP - BHP was incorporated in 1885. A leading global natural resources company, with a diversified commodity suite that included minerals, oil, gas and steel. One of Australia's oldest and largest companies, it was renowned for continuously developing new operations both domestically and internationally. It was also recognised as one of Australia's great companies.

Billiton - Billiton has roots that go back as far as 1860.one of the world's premier mining companies, with a portfolio of best-in-class mining and metals operations. Via acquisitions, expansions and new projects, it was known for its innovation and disciplined cost-efficiency in the global mining sector.

Business Highlights

At BHP Billiton, you have a unique breadth and quality of products. To support these products, they have created twin marketing hubs, in Singapore and The Hague. These hubs ensure innovative customer solutions and superior customer service.
Aluminium

BHP Billiton is the western world's fourth largest producer of primary aluminium, with a total operating capacity in excess of one million tonnes of aluminium, approximately 9.5 million tonnes of bauxite and four million tonnes of alumina per annum.

Base Metals

BHP Billiton is one of the world's top productes of copper and a leading producer of lead and zinc. We provide base metal concentrates to custom smelters and copper cathodes to rod and brass mills and casting plants. We aim to become the world market leader in base metals through capacity expansions, reliable supply and innovative solutions.

Carbon Steel Materials

BHP Billiton is a leading supplier of core raw materials and services to the international steel industry producing and marketing a full range of steel-making raw materials - iron ore, hot briquetted iron (HBI), coking coal and manganese ore and alloys.

Globally, BHP Billiton is ranked number one in the seaborne supply of coking coal and manganese and number three in iron ore.

Diamonds & Specialty Products

The Diamonds and Specialty Products group encompasses Diamonds, Titanium Minerals, Integris Metals, Exploration and Technology.

Their annual production represents nearly 4 per cent of current world rough diamond production by weight and 6 per cent of value.

Energy Coal

BHP Billiton is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of export thermal coal.
Our global network of high-quality, long-life operations provides a unique multi-sourcing capability to service the major power markets of Europe, Asia and the US.