| Tue 11 Dec 2007, 8:16 | | BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Rule 2.10 announcement |
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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Rule 2.10 announcement
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
Date: 10 December 2007
BHP BILLITON PLC - RULE 2.10 ANNOUNCEMENT
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, BHP
Billiton Plc and BHP Billiton Limited confirm that, as at Monday, 10
December 2007, BHP Billiton Plc had in issue 2,232,471,036 ordinary shares
of US$0.50 each (including 21,160,350 shares held by BHP Billiton Limited)
and BHP Billiton Limited had in issue 3,358,359,496 ordinary shares,
excluding shares held as treasury shares.
The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for the BHP
Billiton Plc ordinary shares is GB0000566504 and for the ordinary shares
represented by the BHP Billiton Plc American Depository Receipts is
US05545E209. Each BHP Billiton Plc American Depository Receipt represents
two
ordinary shares of BHP Billiton Plc. The ISIN for the BHP Billiton Limited
ordinary shares is AU000000BHP4 and for the ordinary shares represented by
the BHP Billiton Limited American Depository Receipts is US088606108. Each
BHP Billiton Limited American Depository Receipt represents two ordinary
shares of BHP Billiton Limited.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if any
person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more
of any class of "relevant securities" of any of BHP Billiton Plc, BHP
Billiton Limited, Rio Tinto Plc or Rio Tinto Limited, all "dealings" in any
"relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option in
respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities")
must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time)on the
London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.
The relevant disclosure must also include details of all "interests" or
"dealings" in any class of "relevant securities" of the other company which
is part of its DLC structure. Therefore, if, for example, a disclosure is
being made in respect of a dealing in securities of BHP Billiton Plc, an
accompanying disclosure must also be made of interests or short positions
held in securities of BHP Billiton Limited, even if the person`s interest or
short position is less than 1% of the relevant class. The same approach
should be adopted in respect of securities of Rio Tinto Plc and Rio Tinto
Limited. Therefore, each disclosure should consist of two Rule 8.3
disclosure forms, one for the Plc arm of the DLC structure and one for the
Limited arm of the DLC structure, released as one announcement.
This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or
is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise
withdrawn or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more
persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether
formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of BHP
Billiton Plc, BHP Billiton Limited Rio Tinto Plc or Rio Tinto Limited, they
will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the
provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevant securities"
of either BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto by BHP Billiton or Rio Tinto, or by any
of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than 12.00
noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the
relevant transaction.
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant
securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such
securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel`s website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary,
when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute,
to
changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated
as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities,
or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to
securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on
the Panel`s website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are
required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Samantha Evans, Media Relations Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Tel: +44 20 7802 4131
Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
Email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com Email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Don Carroll, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
Mobile: +61 417 591 938 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
Email: Don.A.Carroll@bhpbilliton.com Email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
United States South Africa
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Alison GIlbert, Investor Relations
Relations Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
UK +44 20 7802 4031 Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 Email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
Email:
Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 11/12/2007 08:16:59 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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