BHP Group Limited — Capital/Financing Update 2008

Aug 31, 2008

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ASX RELEASE

VDM Group awarded a 5-year $20 million ore haulage contract with BHPB

Perth, 1 September 2008: VDM Group Ltd (ASX: VMG) announced today that its Perth subsidiary, Cape Crushing and Earthmoving Contractors Pty Ltd, has been awarded a 5-year ore haulage contract by BHP Billiton Nickel West worth $20 million. This complements Cape’s existing 3-year services contract worth $40 million, which involves supplying safe earthworks services to the majority of the Nickel West sites. The contract builds on Capes longstanding relationship at the Leinster Nickel Operations, which started in May 1998. The ore in this contract is mined at the Cliffs Nickel Mine and will be hauled 120 km to be treated, at Leinster.

Cape Crushing’s Managing Director, Mike Heddon said, “The 5-year contract strengthens Cape’s long term sustainable policy which focuses on safety first and continued improvements in which the client derives great benefit.”

VDM Group Chief Executive Officer, John Farrell commented “This contract substantially underpins Capes revenues for FY2009 and delivers strong organic growth from a valued blue chip client. It is further evidence that VDM Group and its businesses continue to secure projects that deliver favourable outcomes for clients and acceptable returns for the company.”

“VDM Group continues to build its order book for 2009 and this contract extension is evidence that we are establishing a strong market position in growth sectors such as Resources. Bidding activity is at the highest level in VDM Group’s history and we expect to announce further contract wins in the near future,” Mr Farrell said.

About VDM Group

VDM Group is structured into three operating divisions; namely, Consulting, Construction, and Resources and Infrastructure, operating in all Australian states as well as in Vietnam, the Middle East and India. Within each division there are specialised companies offering a comprehensive range of engineering, construction and project management services, which include:

• civil, structural and protective engineering

• environmental and water services

• architectural design and master planning

• project and asset management

• civil and mechanical construction

• mineral process plant design and construction

• crushing and earthmoving

• commercial, industrial and residential construction

• structural steel fabrication

• roof and wall panelling

• marine civil contracting

• drill and blast; armour rock production and placement

These services enable VDM Group to deliver a one-stop project management design and construction service to its clients.

Enquiries

Peter Simpson Company Secretary VDM Group Limited Phone: (08) 9227 5599 www.vdmgroup.com.au