BILLITON IN CHINA MINING VENTURE

BILLITON has announced that it has entered into a joint venture with the LanPing Nonferrous Metals Company company to develop zinc deposits in China’s western Yunnan province. Billiton said the deal is the first commercial joint venture between the Chinese authorities and an international mining company. In terms of the agreement, Billiton will eventualy hold 65% of the Incorporated Contractual Joint Venture.