Closure of Palmiet FerroChr

BHP Billiton Limited is issuing this announcement to fulfil disclosure
 obligations arising from its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

   The text of this release is identical to that issued by BHP Billiton Plc
                                   earlier.



26 November 2001

Number: 32/01



            BHP BILLITON ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF  PALMIET FERROCHROME



The BHP Billiton Group (BHP Billiton) today announced the closure of the
Palmiet Ferrochrome operation, located in Krugersdorp South Africa, effective
immediately. Palmiet is operated by Samancor Chrome, which is 60 per cent
owned by BHP Billiton and 40 per cent owned by Anglo American.

Palmiet is a three-furnace operation with a total installed ferrochrome
capacity of 110,000 tons per annum. Today's announcement follows the closure
of the plant's two submerged arc furnaces (combined installed ferrochrome
capacity of 60,000 tons per annum) in September 2000 as a result of decreased
global demand for ferrochrome and associated low ferrochrome prices.

The remaining DC arc furnace was retained to service key customers with
specialty products and to continue to develop the DC technology.   However,
the economies of scale for a single furnace operation have proven unviable,
despite significant restructuring and improvements at the plant.

Due to the availability of other specialist technology elsewhere within BHP
Billiton, the production and delivery of these specialty products currently
being produced at Palmiet will be continued from the Group's other furnaces

Samancor Chrome Chief Executive Chris Pointon said: 'A team has been tasked
with the closure of the site and has put in place initiatives to minimise the
impact on employees.

'Consultation is currently underway with the 88 employees whose jobs are
affected by the closure of Palmiet, and we will continue to service the
company's customer base from our other furnaces.

Our technological capability will enable us continue to meet customers' needs
for speciality products,' he said.

Samancor has indicated previously that ferrochrome prices are likely to remain
at relatively low levels for the foreseeable future, given the amount of new
and idled capacity in South Africa, including its own idled furnaces.

                                   * * * *

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

Australia                                  United Kingdom/South Africa

Dr. Robert Porter, Investor Relations      Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
                                           Relations
Tel: + 61 3 9609 3540   Mobile: +61 419    Tel: [phone]   Mobile: +27
587 456                                    82 458 2587
email: [e-mail]       email:
                                           [e-mail]
                                           

Mandy Frostick, Media Relations            Ariane Gentil, Manager
Tel: [phone]  Mobile: [phone]  Communications
245                                        Tel: [phone]  Mobile: +
email: [e-mail]    44 7881 518 715
                                           email:
                                           [e-mail]
                                           

United States
Francis McAllister, Investor Relations
Tel: [phone]   Mobile: [phone]
3699
email:
[e-mail]







BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077              BHP Billiton Plc
Registered in Australia                              Registration number
Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne       3196209
Victoria 3000                                        Registered in England and
Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]  Wales
                                                     Registered Office: 1-3
                                                     Strand London WC2N 5HA
                                                     United Kingdom
                                                     Telephone [phone]
                                                     Facsimile [phone]

             The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia