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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 12 August 2003
BHP Billiton Limited
ABN 49 004 028 077
600 Bourke 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 |
12 August 2003 |
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Number |
28/03 |
BHP BILLITON TO RESUME MINING AT TINTAYA
BHP Billiton today announced that it will re-start sulphide mining operations at its Tintaya copper mine in southern Peru during August. This follows the approval of a new mine plan and a review of projected copper market conditions. Shipments of copper concentrates from Tintaya are expected to recommence in early calendar 2004. Production from Tintaya was originally curtailed in January 2002 due to rising global copper inventory levels and a belief that reducing production during this period of low demand would enhance the long-term value of BHP Billiton's copper business.
Brad Mills, President, BHP Billiton Base Metals said, "The new mine plan at Tintaya will reduce operating costs to a level that makes it very competitive in the global copper industry. We believe the demand fundamentals of the copper market are improving such that metal produced from Tintaya's concentrate production will be needed by the second quarter of next year, when the first refined metal becomes available."
Tintaya is capable of producing 90,000 tonnes of copper contained in concentrate per annum. It is currently producing 34,000 tonnes of copper cathode per annum from its oxide SX-EW operations.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259 email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com |
United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942 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 |
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BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 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
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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 LIMITED
/s/ KAREN WOOD
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Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 12 August 2003