_______________________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Date of 29 March 2005
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.
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Form 20-F [ X ] Form 40-F [ ]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Yes [ ] No [ X ]
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Issued by: BHP Billiton
[BHP BILLITON LOGO]
NEWS RELEASE
RELEASE TIME IMMEDIATE
DATE 29 March 2005
NUMBER 13/05
BHP BILLITON DISPATCHES BIDDER'S STATEMENT FOR WMC RESOURCES LTD
BHP Billiton commenced mailing the Bidder's Statement, together with WMC
Resources Ltd's Target's Statement, to WMC Resources Ltd's shareholders today.
The key dates for the offer are as follows:
Date of Offer 29 March 2005
Closing Date of Offer* 7.30 pm (Melbourne time) on 6 May 2005
*This date is indicative only and may change as permitted by the Australian
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
A copy of the Bidder's Statement as sent to WMC Resources Ltd's shareholders is
attached.
BHP Billiton also advises that all filings required under the U.S.
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 have been made and all
applicable waiting periods under that Act have expired. Accordingly, the
condition set out in clause 5.1(c) of the Bidder's Statement has been fulfilled.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
http://www.bhpbilliton.com
AUSTRALIA UNITED KINGDOM
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Relations
Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Tania Price, Media Relations Ariane Gentil, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3815 Tel: +44 20 7802 4177
Mobile: +61 419 152 780 email: Ariane.Gentil@bhpbilliton.com
email: Tania.Price@bhpbilliton.com
UNITED STATES SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +1 713 599 6100 or Michael Campbell, Investor & Media
+44 20 7802 4031 Relations
email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com Tel: +27 11 376 3360
Mobile: +27 82 458 2587
email: Michael.J.Campbell@
bhpbilliton.com
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc
Registration number 3196209
Registered in Australia Registered in England and Wales
Registered Office: 180 Lonsdale Street Neathouse Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia London SW1V 1BH United Kingdom
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015 Tel +44 20 7802 4000
Fax +44 20 7802 4111
A member of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in Australia
FURTHER INFORMATION FOR U.S. HOLDERS
BHP Billiton has filed the Bidder's Statement with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) under cover of Form CB. Investors and holders of WMC
Resources securities are strongly advised to read the Bidder's Statement and any
other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments and
supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information.
Investors and holders of WMC Resources securities may obtain free copies of the
informational document (when available), as well as other relevant documents
filed with the SEC, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. WMC Resources has
issued a target's statement in connection with the offer which investors and
holders of WMC Recourses securities are strongly advised to read.
This communication is for information purposes only. It shall not constitute an
offer to purchase, sell or exchange or the solicitation of an offer to purchase,
sell or exchange any securities of WMC Resources. The distribution of this
communication may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation.
Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform
themselves of and observe these restrictions.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BHP BILLITON PLC
/s/ Karen Wood
_____________________
Karen Wood
Title: Company Secretary
Date: 29 March 2005