Date	1 March 2001
Number	22/01

BHP COAL PRICE NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

BHP Limited (BHP) today confirmed it has finalised a number of
individual Hard Coking Coal (HCC) price negotiations with several
Japanese customers for deliveries in 2001/02. These settlements are
broadly in line with HCC price settlements recently
reported for this market.

As previously advised, BHP's approach to coal price negotiations this
year involves individual negotiations with steel making customers in
Japan, as well as customers in other markets (Korea, Taiwan, India,
Europe, Brazil).

This approach differs to price negotiations in previous years when
a 'benchmark pricing' system was established in Japan.  The benchmark
price was commonly used in public reporting of coal pricing settlements
and, for BHP, reflected the price received for approximately 23 per cent
of our annual coal sales.

The benchmark pricing system is no longer operating in Japan and coal
prices are now being established globally with customers on an individual
basis.  Accordingly, and owing to the fact that BHP is engaged in sensitive
commercial negotiations with a range of customers, the Company will publicly
announce average price settlements when price negotiations for the majority
of its expected sales tonnage have been completed.

BHP will advise achieved average price settlements on a global basis for the
main three product segments - Hard Coking Coal (HCC), Semi Soft Coking Coal,
and Thermal Coal.

Unlike some producers, BHP does not have significant tonnages of Semi-HCC
which has commonly been sold at large discounts to HCC and which may be
subject to larger percentage increases during current negotiations.
In addition, this coal is likely to form only a small percentage of Japanese
customer demand in 2001/02.

For Semi Soft Coking Coal and Thermal coal, BHP expects stronger percentage
outcomes than HCC with Japanese, Korean and other customers.  European and
Brazilian negotiations are expected to continue through March.

Further information can be found on our Internet site: www.bhp.com


Contact:

MEDIA RELATIONS

Mandy Frostick
Manager Media Relations
Ph:  61 3 9609 4157
Mob: 61 419 546 245

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Dr Robert Porter
Vice President Investor Relations
Ph:  61 3 9609 3540
Mob: 61 418 587 456

Francis McAllister
Vice President Investor Relations, Houston (North America)
Tel: 1 713 961 8625