BHP raises billions for debt refinancing

BHP Billiton has issued billions of dollars worth of hybrid securities as part of a major refinancing of its debt.

MINING giant BHP Billiton has raised billions of dollars in the US, European and London debt markets to help refinance its debt.

BHP issued hybrid securities worth $US3.25 billion ($A4.45 billion) in the US debt market, 2.0 billion euros ($A3.14 billion) in the European debt market and another STG600 million pounds ($A1.27 billion) in the sterling debt market.