UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

April 21, 2018

BHP BILLITON LIMITED (ABN 49 004 028 077) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)   VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)   171 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA 3000 AUSTRALIA (Address of principal executive offices) BHP BILLITON PLC (REG. NO. 3196209) (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)   ENGLAND AND WALES (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)   NOVA SOUTH, 160 VICTORIA STREET LONDON, SW1E 5LB UNITED KINGDOM (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or

Form 40-F:    ☒  Form 20-F    ☐  Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:    ☐  Yes    ☒  No

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): n/a

NEWS RELEASE

Release Time	IMMEDIATE
Date	21 April 2018
Location	Melbourne
Release Number	05/18

SAMARCO UPDATE

The 12^th Federal Court in Brazil has approved an additional 66 days for Samarco Mineração S.A. (Samarco), Vale S.A. (Vale), BHP Billiton Brasil Ltda (BHP Brasil) and the Federal Prosecutors to continue discussions on the negotiation of the framework for the settlement of the Public Civil Claims related to the Samarco dam failure. The extension will end on 25 June 2018. Until that time, the interim security arrangements and the current suspension of legal proceedings will remain in place.

Further information on BHP can be found at: bhp.com

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Media Relations   Email: media.relations@bhpbilliton.com   Australia and Asia   Ben Pratt Tel: +61 3 9609 3672 Mobile: +61 419 968 734   United Kingdom and South Africa   Neil Burrows Tel: +44 20 7802 7484 Mobile: +44 7786 661 683   North America   Judy Dane Tel: +1 713 961 8283 Mobile: +1 713 299 5342 Investor Relations   Email: investor.relations@bhpbilliton.com   Australia and Asia   Tara Dines Tel: +61 3 9609 2222 Mobile: +61 499 249 005   United Kingdom and South Africa   Rob Clifford Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7788 308 844   Americas   James Wear Tel: +1 713 993 3737 Mobile: +1 347 882 3011

BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 LEI WZE1WSENV6JSZFK0JC28 Registered in Australia Registered Office: Level 18, 171 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 3 9609 3015 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209 LEI 549300C116EOWV835768 Registered in England and Wales Registered Office: Nova South, 160 Victoria Street London SW1E 5LB United Kingdom Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44 20 7802 4111

Members of the BHP Group which is

headquartered in Australia

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

			BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc
Date:	April 21, 2018	By:	/s/ Rachel Agnew
		Name:	Rachel Agnew
		Title:	Company Secretary