form6k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

November 9, 2007


 
BHP BILLITON LIMITED
(ABN 49 004 028 077)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
 
180 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
3000 AUSTRALIA
(Address of principal executive offices)
  
BHP BILLITON PLC
(REG. NO. 3196209)
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
ENGLAND AND WALES
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)
 
NEATHOUSE PLACE, VICTORIA, LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:  [x] Form 20-F   [ ] Form 40-F
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  [ ]
 
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:  [ ] Yes    [x] No
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):   n/a
 


 

 
Issued by:
BHP Billiton Plc
 
BHP Billiton Limited
 
 
To:
London Stock Exchange
 
Australian Stock Exchange
 
 
Cc:
New York Stock Exchange
 
JSE Limited
 
Swiss Stock Exchange
 
Deutsche Bank
 
UBS Zurich
 
 
 
Date:
9 November 2007
 
 
 
 
For Release:
Immediately
 
 
 
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 9 November 2007, BHP Billiton Plc had on issue 2,256,993,546 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each (including shares held by BHP Billiton Limited) and BHP Billiton Limited had on 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.
 
 
For further information, please contact:
 
 
Investor Relations
Company Secretary
Company Secretary
Andre Liebenberg
BHP Billiton Plc
BHP Billiton Limited
Office:     +44 (0) 20 7802 4131
Robert Franklin
Jane McAloon
Mobile:    +44 (0) 7920 236 974
Office:      +44 (0) 20 7802 4116
Office:       +61 3 9609 2445
 
Mobile:     +44 (0) 7824 302684
Mobile:      +61 409 214 397
 
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
Samantha Evans, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898  Mobile: +61 400 693 915
email: Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
 
United Kingdom
Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4131  Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.com
 
 
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952  Mobile: +61 417 031 653
email: Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
 
United States
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email: Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +44 20 7802 4195  Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
 
South Africa
Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183
email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
 




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 Limited and BHP Billiton Plc
     
Date: 9 November 2007
By:
Jane McAloon
  
 
Name:
Jane McAloon
 
Title:
Group Company Secretary