Orica Announces Appointment of New CFO

10th December, 2001

Orica Limited (Orica) announced today that Mr James Hall has accepted the role as Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Mr Hall is currently Vice President, Group Accounting and Controller of BHP Billiton. He will commence employment with Orica in January 2002.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Orica, Mr Malcolm Broomhead said: "Jim brings to the Orica team extensive Australian and international experience in the industrial and mining sectors. He will make a significant contribution to Orica’s focus on efficiency, culture and strategy through his substantial financial skills and valuable experience in business performance improvement and balance sheet management."

Mr Hall will replace Mr Anthony Larkin, the current Executive Director Finance at Orica Limited who will retire from the Board of Orica at the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 19 December 2001.

As Vice President, Group Accounting and Controller of BHP Billiton Mr Hall is responsible for BHP Billiton’s statutory and management reporting and related governance matters on a global basis. He has been closely involved in facilitating the integration of BHP and Billiton’s financial reporting and accounting systems globally.

Prior to his current position, Mr Hall was Assistant Treasurer for BHP Limited and headed the finance functions of BHP Steel International and BHP’s major steel operations at Port Kembla. In these positions, Mr Hall made significant contributions across diverse situations including business performance improvement, redesigning performance measurement and reporting systems, and supporting and facilitating the financial inputs of BHP Steel International’s growth in Asia and the USA.

An Australian who is resident in Melbourne, Mr Hall has had over 30 years experience in the finance and accounting function of BHP Limited, both at corporate headquarters and in BHP’s operating groups.