BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP, BHP.AU) has informed outsiders that a decision to proceed with the proposed A$30 billion (US$31.3 billion) expansion of its Olympic Dam mine will be delayed by two years, the Weekend Australian newspaper reported on its website Saturday, citing documents it obtained. One document prepared by a consulting firm, with the knowledge of BHP insiders, said the company would delay an investment decision on the mega-project in South Australia until 2014 rather than this year, as BHP had previously stated, the newspaper reported. The document quotes confirmation of the deferral from BHP's uranium division, which also says a recruitment freeze is now in place for the project, the Weekend Australian reported. A BHP spokeswoman wouldn't say when a board decision for the Olympic Dam expansion was now expected, and wouldn't stand by a statement made in April that the project was on track to be considered by the BHP board by December, the report said. Full story at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/olympic-dam-threat-as-bhp-puts-brakes-on/story-fn59niix-1226437208652 Write to copydesk@dowjones.com Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires
