| Fri 7 Dec 2007, 8:07 | | BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Rule 2.10 Announcement |
|
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: 6 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
Thursday, 6 December 2007, BHP Billiton Plc had in issue 2,232,471,036
ordinary shares of US$0.50 each (including 19,660,350 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 Andre Liebenberg, Investor
Relations Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44
+61 400 693 915 7920 236 974
Email: Email:
Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
Don Carroll, Investor Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
Tel: +61 3 9609 2686 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
Mobile: +61 417 591 938 Email:
Email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
Don.A.Carroll@bhpbilliton.com South Africa
Alison GIlbert, Investor Relations
United States Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media RelationsMobile: +44 7769 936 227
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 Email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
Email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 07/12/2007 08:07:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.
