BHP Billiton Non-Executive Director John Buchanan Passes Away

(RTTNews) - Mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP.AX, BLT.L, BBL, BHP) said that its Non-Executive Director John Buchanan passed away on Monday at the age of 72.

Reports said that he had been battling cancer for about four years.

John served as a Non-Executive Director of BHP Billiton from 2003 up until the time of his death, and was the Senior Independent Director of BHP Billiton Plc.

BHP Billiton Chairman, Jac Nasser, said, "Sir John provided wise counsel to his fellow Directors and to management, and made an invaluable contribution to BHP Billiton. We have lost a highly respected and esteemed colleague who was greatly admired by those who worked with him."