BHP Billiton to Leave World Coal Association

By Rhiannon Hoyle

SYDNEY--BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's largest listed mining company, said it will leave the World Coal Association because of a disagreement on climate policy.

BHP, which runs the world's biggest coking coal export operations, announced in December it was reviewing its membership in the coal industry body in part because it disagreed with the association's call for Australia to abandon its clean-energy targets.

"In light of the material difference identified by the review and the narrow range of activities of benefit to BHP from membership, BHP has reached a final view that it will cease membership of the WCA," the miner said in a statement on its website. The London-based association is a global lobbyist for coal producers including Anglo American PLC and Glencore PLC.

It also reviewed its membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which it on Thursday said it will retain.

"While the material differences identified by the review remain at this time, BHP derives a range of benefits from the broader activities of the Chamber, particularly its advocacy on economic issues such as free trade," BHP said.

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 04, 2018 23:05 ET (03:05 GMT)

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