Introduction

Our host for the journey is BHP Billiton, the world's largest diversified resources company. Our travels will showcase the socio-economic dimensions of BHP Billiton's sustainable development approach to business; an approach that delivers benefits to the people and communities in which the company operates. Along the way we will explore the activities of BHP Billiton employees, suppliers, and customers and see how the company contributes to the societies and economies in which it operates.

Before embarking on our journey, let's examine our host and travel companion. BHP Billiton has approximately 37,000 employees working in more than 100 operational sites and offices in approximately 25 countries. The company aims to be the premier global commodity business, with commodities including aluminium, energy coal and metallurgical coal, copper, manganese, iron ore, uranium, nickel, silver and titanium minerals. BHP Billiton also has substantial interests in oil, gas, liquefied natural gas and diamonds.

BHP Billiton's purpose is to create long-term value through the discovery, development and conversion of natural resources, and the provision of innovative customer and market-focused solutions. Throughout BHP Billiton's operations there is an overriding commitment to health, safety, environmental responsibility and sustainable development.

BHP Billiton is a dual-listed company comprising BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc. Its primary stock exchange listings are on the Australian and London stock exchanges. The two entities operate as a combined group known as the BHP Billiton Group. Both companies have identical boards of directors and are run by a unified management team. Shareholders in each company have equivalent economic and voting rights in the BHP Billiton Group as a whole.

Where do the BHP Billiton commodities end up? Key markets are refiners and processors of raw materials, such as steelworks, smelters, petroleum refiners, thermal power stations and diamond cutters.

BHP Billiton deliberately aims to have a range of markets and countries of operation to enhance the stability of cash flows and its capacity to invest and grow throughout the business and commodity price cycles. This stability also enables the company to take a longer-term approach to all aspects of business including social and environmental perspectives.