BHP Billiton and First Nations of Treaty No.4 Sign Jansen Project Opportunities Agreement

NEWS RELEASE

11 November 2013

BHP BILLITON AND FIRST NATIONS OF TREATY NO.4 SIGN JANSEN PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES AGREEMENT

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – BHP Billiton and three First Nations in the Treaty No. 4 territory in Saskatchewan have signed an Opportunities Agreement for First Nation participation in the Jansen Potash Project.

The agreement, which is the first of its kind in southern Saskatchewan and in the Potash industry, was celebrated at a ceremony at the Jansen Project site attended by signatories of the Kawacatoose First Nation, Day Star First Nation, Muskowekwan First Nation and BHP Billiton on Friday 8 November. The Opportunities Agreement formalises the relationship between the parties to create mutually beneficial opportunities in employment, business and community development. The agreement includes commitments to capacity-building initiatives in education, training and labour force development. The agreement will also assist in the building of the First Nations business capacity, by outlining a process to give entrepreneurs and community-owned business development corporations access to opportunities related to the Jansen Project.

“We in BHP Billiton have an unwavering commitment to sustainability, including supporting the communities around our operations,” said BHP Billiton Potash Asset President Alex Archila. “We believe the signing of this agreement enhances our mutual capacity and ensures that we can work together to ensure the members of these First Nations can participate meaningfully in the opportunities that arise from the Jansen Project.”

“First Nations are forging new relationships with industry in order to reinvest in our community. This new agreement with BHP Billiton will create new and innovative ways to an environmentally sustainable, healthier future for our people. We are striving for economic sovereignty and will establish new initiatives that will build capacity and better opportunities for our Peoples, said Chief Darin Poorman of Kawacatoose First Nation.

The agreement also addresses sharing of information important to environmental management practices and includes governance processes for the parties to co-manage the implementation of the Agreement and report back to the members of the First Nations. –ends–

For further information:

BHP Billiton Potash:
Bronwyn Wilkinson
+1-604-340-8753
Bronwyn.wilkinson@bhpbilliton.com

Kawacatoose First Nation:
Nicole Robertson, Communications Advisor
+1-403-616-4999
nicole.robertson@muskwaproductions.com

Day Star First Nation:
Lorraine Demarais
+1- 306-835-2834

Muskowekwan First Nation:
Alison Boulding +1-306-291-4585