For the Date of 25 July 2003

BHP Billiton Plc

Registration Number 3196209

Neathouse Place

London SW1V 1BH

United Kingdom

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

BHP Billiton today announced that it would be accelerating the development of its Western Australian iron ore expansion projects, to ensure a system capacity of 100 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) by the end of the second quarter of CY2004.

President Carbon Steel Materials Bob Kirkby said the accelerated development of Area C and the Products and Capacity Expansion (PACE) would provide a low cost, low risk means of maximising returns from the current strong iron ore market conditions.

"The accelerated expansion will also provide system capacity to ensure we can meet the ongoing growth in demand for both the new Marra Mamba ores and the existing Brockman and Yandi ores in the Asian region, particularly China," he said.

Under the original program, announced on 3 April 2002, the capacity of Area C was to be incrementally expanded to 15 Mtpa by 2011. This capacity will now be available by the first quarter of CY2004.

Similarly, the original schedule for PACE provided the foundations for expansion to 100 Mtpa by 2011. This capacity will also be available at the port by the first quarter of CY2004, without additional expenditure.

Capacity on the Newman to Port Hedland rail line will be expanded to 100 Mtpa by the end of the second quarter of CY2004, with the addition of three extra sidings and 240 new ore cars - aligning all three elements of the system.

Capital expenditure for the additional sidings and ore cars, increased ore processing capability at Area C, and accelerated pre-stripping at Mt Whaleback is expected to be in the order of US$50 million (BHP Billiton share US$42.5 million).

"These acceleration initiatives support key elements of BHP Billiton's iron ore growth strategy including the introduction of new high 'Value-in-Use' products, such as MAC(TM) , to meet the needs of high technology customers," Mr Kirkby said.

In addition, BHP Billiton recently approved the installation of a five kilometre overland conveyor and additional ore handling facilities at the Yandi mine. The new facilities will raise Yandi's capacity by three million tonnes, to 42 Mtpa, early in the first quarter of CY2004 and will also improve operating efficiencies. Capital expenditure for this high value brownfields expansion is expected to be in the order of US$27 million (BHP Billiton share US$23 million).

"We are also undertaking feasibility studies for further expansions of the Western Australian iron ore business, should the market warrant, to 120 Mtpa. This will ensure we are well placed to maintain our position as one of the world's leading suppliers of iron ore and will include a wide range of high quality Hematite, Pisolite and Marra Mamba ores," Mr Kirkby said.

Area C is located 37 kilometres from BHP Billiton's existing Yandi mine in the north west of Western Australia and is the largest undeveloped Marra Mamba resource in the Pilbara.

The first production cargoes are scheduled for loading in September, and the project will be officially opened on 30 October 2003. Customer feedback from trials of bulk sample product has been positive, with strong interest also expressed from China.

PACE construction continues on schedule and detailed engineering has been completed. The project is within budget and is on track to commission ahead of schedule in the first quarter of CY2004.