19 June 2002 Number: 36/02 BHP BILLITON SELLS SMITH RANCH URANIUM OPERATION TO CAMECO BHP Billiton subsidiary, Rio Algom Mining LLC (RAMC), today reached agreement for the sale of its wholly owned Smith Ranch in-situ uranium mine in Wyoming, USA, to Cameco Corporation of Canada. The sale completes BHP Billiton's exit from uranium production as part of its planned divestment of non-core businesses. The sale agreement is subject to final approval by various regulatory agencies. Smith Ranch, BHP Billiton's only operating uranium asset, produces natural uranium concentrates and sells its output to the power generation industry. It was acquired by Billiton as part of its acquisition of Rio Algom Ltd in 2000. In calendar year 2001, Smith Ranch produced 0.93 million pounds of uranium. Further information can be found on our Internet site: http://www.bhpbilliton.com Australia Andrew Nairn, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 408 313 259 mailto:Andrew.W.Nairn@bhpbilliton.com Mandy Frostick, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4157 Mobile: +61 419 546 245 mailto:Mandy.J.Frostick@bhpbilliton.com United States Francis McAllister, Investor Relations Tel: +1 713 961 8625 Mobile: +1 713 480 3699 mailto:Francis.R.McAllister@bhpbilliton.com United Kingdom Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7747 3956 mailto:Mark.T.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com South Africa Michael Campbell, Investor & Media Relations Tel: +27 11 376 3360 Mobile: +27 82 458 2587 mailto:Michael.J.Campbell@bhpbilliton.com