Prior to 2002, it was majority owned by BHP Billiton, one of the largest mining companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over US $100B in 2005.
It was majority. This was prior to 2002. This majority was owned by BHP Billiton with a market capitalization of over US $100B in 2005. BHP Billiton was one of the largest mining companies in the world.