BHP Billiton said the increase in ore reserves includes 180 million tonnes of Brockman ore at Packsaddle, 41 million tonnes of Brockman ore at Newman, 172 million tonnes of Brockman ore at Jimblebar and 178 million tonnes of Channel Iron Deposit ore at Yandi. The upgrade came as the company hosted a briefing this afternoon on its steelmaking materials business. BHP Billiton chief executive of ferrous and coal Marcus Randolph said he does not see any end to the current resources boom. "I don't believe it is going to slowdown soon,'' Mr Randolph said. "The essential building ingredient for cities is steel.'' He also said the company had not yet settled talks on prices rises for its iron ore contracts for this year.