RNS Number:2596K
BHP Billiton PLC
23 April 2003


23 April 2003 
Number: 15/03



                    BHP BILLITON SETTLES 2003 COKING COAL PRICES

BHP Billiton today announced commercial terms have been settled for the majority 
of annually priced coking coal contracts for the year commencing 1 April 2003.

The pricing outcomes relate to the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and 
BHP Mitsui Coal operations in Queensland, and the BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal 
operations in New South Wales.

FOB returns for all brands of metallurgical coals have decreased by an average 
of four per cent. The lower prices reflect market conditions prevailing across 
most coal types.

Volumes are expected to remain steady.

Further information can be found on our Internet site: 
http://www.bhpbilliton.com


 
Australia
Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations
Tel:  +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259
email: Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com


Tracey Whitehead, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 419 404 978
email:Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com


United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile; +1 713 480 3699
email: Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com


 
United Kingdom
Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com


Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel:+44 20 7802 4177
email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com

South Africa
Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations 
Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 
email: Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com

 
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077       BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia                       Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street          Neathouse Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia             London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Tel +61 3 9609 3333 Fax: 61 3 9609 3015       Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111

A member of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia


                     This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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