BHP Billiton to invest $10 billion in Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — BHP Billiton says it will invest almost $10 billion on expanding iron ore and coal mining operations in Australia.

The Anglo-Australian giant said in statements to the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday it will spend $6.6 billion on expanding its iron ore operations in Western Australia state, $2.5 billion on expanding three metallurgical coal projects in Queensland state and $400 million on an energy coal project in New South Wales state.

The world's biggest miner is cashed up after reporting a new Australian record first half net profit in February of $10.5 billion for the six months through December last year.