RNS Number:8022R
BHP Billiton PLC
7 November 2003

                      Notification of Major Interests in Shares

The following notification was received today by BHP Billiton Plc in a letter 
from Putnam Investment Management, LLC and The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC 
dated 3 November 2003 relating to major interests in shares of BHP Billiton Plc 
as at 3 November 2003:

"Notification of the Holdings under Part VI of the Companies Act 1985, as 
amended (the "Companies Act") on the Disclosure of Interest in Shares

Putnam Investment Management, LLC and The Putnam Advisory Company, LLC (together 
"Putnam") are hereby notifying you of certain holdings of its clients pursuant 
to the above legislation. Each Putnam entity is an investment advisor registered 
in the United States pursuant to the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.

Clients of Putnam hold beneficial interests in 98,336,821 BHP Billiton Plc 
shares representing 3.984% of the shares outstanding. The shares are held by 
Putnam's clients for investment purposes only."

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 Melbourne Victoria 3000     Registered Office: Neathouse Place, London SWIV IBH  
                                                                   United Kingdom
Telephone +61 1300 55 4757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015               Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111


                       The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia

                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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