| Tue 4 Dec 2007, 7:25 | | 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
Issued by: BHP Billiton Plc
BHP Billiton Limited
To: London Stock Exchange
Australian Securities Exchange
Cc: New York Stock Exchange
JSE Limited
Swiss Stock Exchange
Deutsche Bank
UBS Zurich
Date: 3 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, 3 December
2007, BHP Billiton Plc had in issue 2,256,993,546 ordinary shares of US$0.50
each (including 41,099,973 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 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920
+61 400 693 915 236 974
Email: Email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
Don Carroll, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920
+61 417 591 938 237 246
Email: Email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
Don.A.Carroll@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
United States Alison GIlbert, Investor Relations
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
Media Relations Mobile: +44 7769 936 227
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK Email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
+44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
Email:
Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.co
m
Date: 04/12/2007 07:25:56 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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