22 October 2001

22 October 2001

For Announcement to the Market

I advise the following results of the business conducted at the meetings of shareholders of BHP Billiton Limited ("Limited") held on 16 October 2001 and of BHP Billiton Plc ("Plc") held on 19 October 2001.

The final proxy position for each company is detailed in Appendices 1 and 2. As required by the Dual Listed Companies Structure, a poll was conducted on each of the proposed resolutions. Because of the nature of that Structure, the poll results for each company on Joint Electorate Actions are identical, but differ on Class Rights Actions.

The poll results were:

 

Business

Votes

For

Votes

Against

Votes

  Abstain

 

Results
  • Re-election of Mr J T Ralph as a director of Limited (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)

 

 

2 398 376 722

 

 

45 956 196

 

 

Nil

 

 

Carried
  • Re-election of Mr B D Romeril as a director of Limited (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 424 317 535

     

     

    34 037 546

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr D R Argus as a director of Limited (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)

    •  

     

     

     

    2 351 292 740

     

     

    26 383 917

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
    • Re-election of Mr D A Crawford as a director of Limited (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)

     

     

    2 419 903 670

     

     

    21 567 234

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr C A Herkströter as a director of Limited (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 445 693 681

     

     

    29 790 407

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr J B Jackson as a director of Limited (a special resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 299 279 192

     

     

    145 976 185

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr D L Keys as a director of Limited (a special resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 372 059 740

     

     

    57 905 185

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr J T Ralph as a director of Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 400 531 341

     

     

    52 816 060

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr B D Romeril as a director of Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 432 788 601

     

     

    34 225 980

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr D R Argus as a director of Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 374 206 956

     

     

    13 622 501

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
    • Re-election of Mr D A Crawford as a director of Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)

     

     

    2 436 446 843

     

     

    15 754 587

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr C A Herkströter as a director of Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 421 130 884

     

     

    54 645 895

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr J B Jackson as a director of Plc (a special resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

     

    2 271 642 597

     

     

    168 965 018

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Re-election of Mr D L Keys as a director of Plc (a special resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

    2 280 358 790

     

    64 505 656

     

    Nil

     

    Carried
  • Appointment of Auditors to Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

    2 452 745 130

     

    38 428 047

     

    Nil

     

    Carried
  • Adoption of new Constitution of Limited by Limited shareholders (a special resolution and Class Rights Action)
    		•

     

     

    1,372,090,337

     

     

    11,091,718

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Adoption of new Constitution of Limited by Plc shareholders (a special resolution and Class Rights Action)
    		•

     

     

    975 197 372

     

     

    116 525 907

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • Adoption of new Articles of Association of Plc by Limited shareholders (a special resolution and Class Rights Action)
    		•

     

     

    1,368,591,082

     

     

    14,520,382

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
    • Adoption of new Articles of Association of Plc by Plc shareholders (a special resolution and Class Rights Action)
      •

     

     

    975 802 359

     

     

    131 976 202

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
  • General authority to allot shares in Plc (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
    		•

     

    2 411 845 967

     

    139 705 095

     

    Nil

     

    Carried
    • Disapplication of pre-emption rights in Plc (a special resolution and Joint Electorate Action)

     

    2 386 443 906

     

    141 130 516

     

    Nil

     

    Carried
    • Renewal of authority given in the Contingent Purchase Contract of Plc (a special resolution and Joint Electorate Action)

     

     

    2 380 762 408

     

     

    162 029 492

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried
    • Participation of Mr B P Gilbertson in Plc's share plans (an ordinary resolution and Joint Electorate Action)
      •

     

     

    2 301 591 791

     

     

    221 141 902

     

     

    Nil

     

     

    Carried

     

    K J Wood

    Company Secretary

     

    Final Proxy Position - BHP Billiton Limited
     

    Limited

    Plc
    • Re-election of Mr J T Ralph as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 595 826

    1 361 154 502

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

     

     

     

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 187 019 129

    1 105 710 940

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    11 853 147

    10 918 309

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    21 088 901

    20 986 800
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    179 634 649

    223 538 453
         
    • Re-election of Mr B D Romeril as a director of Limited and Plc

     

     

     

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 394 603 145

    1 356 020 167

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 179 592 077

    1 102 916 268

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    7 186 970

    5 032 504

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    27 029 720

    23 877 440
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    180 794 378

    224 193 955
         
  • Re-election of Mr D R Argus as a director of Limited and Plc
    		•     

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 593 326

    1 361 348 479

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 191 581 632

    1 110 303 746

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    4 228 561

    5 946 536

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    23 308 676

    20 653 321
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    180 474 457

    224 444 876
     

    Limited

    Plc
    • Re-election of Mr D A Crawford as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 603 145

    1 361 154 419

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 196 750 862

    1 113 604 195

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    2 159 339

    1 966 123

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    21 097 773

    22 150 021
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    179 595 171

    223 434 080
         
    • Re-election of Mr C A Herkstroter as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 603 145

    1 361 350 979

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 186 794 172

    1 094 900 082

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    10 751 377

    21 858 082

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    20 899 318

    19 933 003
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    181 158 278

    224 659 812
         
  • Re-election of Mr J B Jackson as a director of Limited and Plc
    		•    

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 600 010

    1 361 347 844

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 176 485 515

    1 099 404 789

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    21 394 492

    17 653 367

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    20 867 202

    19 900 150
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    180 852 801

    224 389 538
     

    Limited

    Plc
    • Re-election of Mr D L Keys as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 445 585

    1 361 203 332

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 187 752 773

    1 106 072 158

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    10 561 370

    10 637 086

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    20 195 853

    20 110 590
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    180 935 589

    224 383 498

     

    • Appointment of Auditors to Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 398 259 230

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 209 649 543

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    6 099 834

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    23 172 519
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    159 337 334
       
  • Adoption of a new Constitution of Limited
    		•  

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 467 468

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 211 001 468

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    11 019 683

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    19 261 207
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    158 185 110

     

    • Adoption of a new Articles of Association of Plc
    		  

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 399 433 768

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 207 114 295

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    14 440 581

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    19 298 098
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    158 580 794
       
    • General authority to allot shares in Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 397 616 555

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 068 504 656

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    137 382 757

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    32 992 477
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    158 736 665
       
  • Disapplication of pre-emptive rights in Plc
    		•  

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 394 650 255

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 068 907 221

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    132 958 306

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    33 324 510
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    159 460 218

     
    • Renewal of authority given in the Contingent Purchase Contract of Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 392 699 644

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 081 742 941

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    92 275 430

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    33 583 059
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    185 098 214
       
    • Participation of Mr B P Gilbertson in Plc's share plans
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 398 707 526

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 218 445 632

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    53 896 393

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    34 434 409
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    91 931 092

     

    Final Proxy Position - BHP Billiton Plc
     

    Limited

    Plc
    • Re-election of Mr J T Ralph as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    799 484 217

    975 086 376

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    33 870 122

    41 709 380

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    129 852 118

    82 309 530
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    229 419 895

    93 521 066
         
  • Re-election of Mr B D Romeril as a director of Limited and Plc
    		•    

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    831 567 368

    1 009 336 652

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    26 740 734

    29 131 505

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    104 896 455

    60 636 960
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    229 421 795

    93 521 235
         
  • Re-election of Mr D R Argus as a director of Limited and Plc
    		•     

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    747 581 359

    943 073 257

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    22 084 094

    7 655 445

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    194 286 104

    148 374 515
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    228 674 795

    93 523 135
     

    Limited

    Plc
    • Re-election of Mr D A Crawford as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    811 258 906

    1 003 124 501

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    19 241 396

    13 669 855

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    132 704 255

    82 308 861
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    229 421 795

    93 523 135
         
  • Re-election of Mr C A Herkströter as a director of Limited and Plc
    		•    

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    845 416 164

    1 005 250 192

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    18 940 684

    32 707 289

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    98 851 933

    61 146 560
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    229 417 571

    93 522 311
         
  • Re-election of Mr J B Jackson as a director of Limited and Plc
    		•    

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    709 682 351

    851 597 925

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    124 413 582

    151 163 032

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    129 109 624

    96 342 260
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    229 420 795

    93 523 135
     

    Limited

    Plc
    • Re-election of Mr D L Keys as a director of Limited and Plc
    		   

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		    

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    770,604,384

    853 590 828

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    47 242 568

    53,783,634

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    144 912 421

    191 729 079
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    229 866 979

    93 522 811

     

    • Appointment of Auditors to Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    987 166 431

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    32 266 230

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    79 554 274
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    93 639 417
       
  • Adoption of a new Constitution of Limited
    		•  

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    881 391 427

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    116 525 907

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    100 978 730
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    93 730 288

     

    • Adoption of a new Articles of Association of Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    881 982 444

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    131 976 202

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    84 923 448
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    93 744 258
       
    • General authority to allot shares in Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 089 270 029

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    1 025 882

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    8 749 919
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    93 580 522
       
  • Disapplication of pre-emptive rights in Plc
    		•  

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 062 752 382

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    6 897 337

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    29 392 063
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    93 584 570
    • Renewal of authority given in the Contingent Purchase Contract of Plc
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    1 017 405 171

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    69 669 803

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    11 962 504
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    93 588 874
       
    • Participation of Mr B P Gilbertson in Plc's share plans
    		 

    Þ Total number of proxy votes exercisable by all proxies validly appointed

    1 192 626 352

    Þ Total number of proxy votes in respect of which the appointments specified that the proxy -

    		  

    ¨ was to vote for the resolution

    893 865 263

    ¨ was to vote against the resolution

    167 071 509

    ¨ was to abstain on the resolution

    36 230 690
    ¨ may vote at the proxy's discretion

    95 458 890

     

    BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 077
    Registered in Australia
    Registered Office: 600 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
    Telephone +61 3 9609 3333 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015

    BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209
    Registered in England and Wales
    Registered Office: 1-3 Strand London WC2N 5HA United Kingdom
    Telephone +44 20 7747 3800 Facsimile +44 20 7747 3900


    The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia