BHP Billiton confirms that it has agreed to sell its 51 per cent interest in the Chidliak diamonds exploration project on Baffin Island, Canada to Peregrine Diamonds Ltd.

The agreement follows an assessment of the project as part of BHP Billiton’s review of its Diamonds business and will give Peregrine, the operator, 100 per cent ownership of Chidliak.

Under the terms of the binding agreement, Peregrine will pay BHP Billiton C$9 million over three years and grant BHP Billiton a two per cent royalty on future production from Chidliak.

BHP Billiton Diamonds and Specialty Products President Tim Cutt said: “We are pleased to sell our interest in Chidliak to its natural owner. Peregrine has been a good partner and we believe they are a strong operator that is well positioned to advance this promising exploration opportunity.”

The parties have agreed to complete the transaction by 31 January 2012.

The review of BHP Billiton's interest in EKATI is ongoing. BHP Billiton will only pursue those options that will preserve EKATI’s outstanding safety and environmental standards and protect the benefits that the mine has created for local communities. Potential transactions arising from the review will be subject to detailed analysis before a final decision is made. In the event that its criteria are not met, BHP Billiton will continue to operate EKATI in a sustainable manner.

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