BHP Billiton Canada Inc. to acquire Athabasca Potash Inc.

Athabasca Potash Inc. ("API") and BHP Billiton Canada Inc. ("BHP Billiton") are pleased to announce they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby BHP Billiton will offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of API at a price of $8.35 cash per common share (the "Consideration"). The total equity value of the transaction is approximately $341 million on a fully-diluted basis. All amounts are in Canadian dollars. The transaction represents the culmination of a nearly year-long process first described in API's March 30, 2009 press release and later expanded in API's July 16, 2009 press release.

The Consideration represents a 105% premium to the closing market price of the common shares on July 15, 2009, the day preceding API's announcement that it had expanded the scope of transactions being considered in its strategic review process to include potential mergers or acquisitions of all or a portion of API or its business. The Consideration also represents a 25% premium over the closing price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on 27 January 2010 and a 37% premium based on the volume weighted average price of the common shares over the 60 trading days prior to 28 January 2010.

API's Board of Directors has unanimously approved the transaction and, having received fairness opinions from its financial advisers, recommends that security holders vote their shares in favour of the transaction. The transaction is to be implemented by way of a statutory plan of arrangement and will be subject to the approval of 66 2/3 per cent of the votes cast by API's security holders, and a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders, at a special meeting, which is currently anticipated to take place in March 2010. The acquisition will also require court approval. If API's security holders approve the transaction and the requisite court approval is obtained, the closing is expected to take place later in March 2010. The information circular for the acquisition is expected to be mailed to API's security holders by 12 February 2010.

Dawn Zhou, API's Executive Chairman, all directors and certain other officers and major shareholders of API have entered into lock-up agreements with BHP Billiton under which they will irrevocably vote common shares and options representing approximately 40% of API's fully diluted outstanding common shares in favour of the transaction.

API has agreed not to solicit or initiate any discussion regarding any other business combination or sale of material assets. API has also granted BHP Billiton a right to match any superior proposal and will pay a termination fee of $12 million to BHP Billiton if the definitive agreement is terminated in certain events, including if API recommends or approves an acquisition proposal or enters into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal.

Dawn Zhou said: "API's Board of Directors has reviewed and explored a number of possible strategic options and it has concluded that BHP Billiton's offer is in the best interests of API's shareholders. API would like to thank all shareholders for their support. I am proud of what the API team has achieved and delighted to see such a successful outcome to the strategic review process we initiated last year."

BHP Billiton Diamonds & Specialty Products President Graham Kerr said: "Today's announcement is consistent with BHP Billiton's strategy of building a strong potash resource position. We continue to pursue opportunities that fit within our portfolio and are aligned with our strategy of developing Tier 1, long life, low-cost, expandable assets. This acquisition fits well with our existing projects and land positions in the Saskatchewan potash basin."

API is being advised by CIBC World Markets Inc. and Genuity Capital Markets, and its legal counsel is Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP. CIBC World Markets Inc. and Genuity Capital Markets have also provided an opinion to the Board of Directors of API that, as of the date of the signing of the definitive agreement, and subject to the assumptions and limitations on which the opinions are based, the Consideration to be received under the arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to API's shareholders. BHP Billiton is being advised by TD Securities Inc. and its legal counsel is Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP.

------------------------------------------------------------

    
    Further information on BHP Billiton can be found at www.bhpbilliton.com
    Further information on API can be found at www.athabascapotash.ca
    

Contacts

Athabasca Potash Inc.
Kevan Bender
VP Investor Relations and Communications
(306) 374-7579
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BHP Billiton
Bronwyn Wilkinson
Investor and Media Relations
Tel: (604) 632-1498
Mobile: (604) 340-8753
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ruban Yogarajah
Media Relations
Tel: US (713) 966-2907 or UK +44 20 7802 4033
Mobile: UK +44 7827 082 022
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.