June 14 (Reuters) - Bhp Billiton Plc BLT.L :
* BHP APPROVES SOUTH FLANK PROJECT
* APPROVED US$2.9 BILLION IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR SOUTH FLANK PROJECT IN CENTRAL PILBARA
* FIRST ORE FROM SOUTH FLANK IS TARGETED IN 2021 CALENDAR YEAR, WITH PROJECT EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ORE FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS
* BHP PRESIDENT OPERATIONS, MINERALS AUSTRALIA, MIKE HENRY, SAID SOUTH FLANK PROJECT WILL FULLY REPLACE PRODUCTION FROM 80 MTPA YANDI MINE
* SOUTH FLANK IRON ORE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO AN INCREASE IN WAIO'S AVERAGE IRON GRADE FROM 61 PER CENT TO 62 PER CENT
* SOUTH FLANK PROJECT EXPANDS EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AT MINING AREA C, INVOLVES CONSTRUCTION OF AN 80 MTPA CRUSHING AND SCREENING PLANT
* SOUTH FLANK PROJECT WILL BE MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO A MATERIAL INCREASE IN WAIO TOTAL MARRA MAMBA ORE RESERVES