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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Date of
17 February 2005BHP Billiton Limited
ABN 49 004 028 077
180 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Australia
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
| Form 20-F | X | Form 40-F |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| Yes | No | X |
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
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Date |
17 February 2005 |
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Number |
07/05 |
SALE OF SAMANCOR CHROME
BHP Billiton and Anglo American plc ("Anglo American") announced today that they have reached agreement for the sale of Samancor Chrome to the Kermas Group for an enterprise value of US$469 million. The sale will be effective 1 April 2005, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals.
The Kermas Group is a producer of and trader in ferrochrome and chrome chemicals, with activities in Russia, Germany and Turkey.
The Wonderkop joint venture and Palmiet Ferrochrome plant are excluded from this transaction. Samancor Chrome operates entirely in South Africa, and includes Eastern Chrome Mines in Mpumalanga and Western Chrome Mines in Northwest Provinces. It also has alloy plants in Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces. It markets product across the globe and in total employs some 5 500 people.
Samancor Chrome is a wholly owned subsidiary of Samancor, owned 60% by BHP Billiton, also the operator and 40% by Anglo American.
For further information contact:
BHP Billiton:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com|
Australia Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com |
United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com |
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Tania Price, Media Relations United States Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com |
Ariane Gentil, Media Relations South Africa Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com |
Anglo American:
United Kingdom
Kate Aindow, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7698 8619
South Africa
Anne Dunn, Investor Relations
Tel: +27 11 638 4730
Marion Dixon, Media Relations
Tel: +27 11 638 3001
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 Registered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 |
BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 |
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The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BHP BILLITON
LIMITEDKaren Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: