Bonus Share Issue

BHP Billiton Limited
23 July 2001


16 July 2001

                          BHP BILLITON - BONUS ISSUE


Application has been made to the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock
Exchange in relation to the BHP Billiton 1.0651 for 1 bonus share issue.

The total number of bonus shares issued is 1,912,154,524 and the new total
number of fully paid ordinary shares is 3,704,289,485.



Yours faithfully



Roger Taylor

Assistant Company Secretary

BHP Billiton Limited