BHP director John Buchanan dead

Veteran BHP director Sir John Buchanan died on Monday according to announcement by the company.

Long-serving BHP Billiton director Sir John Buchanan has died.

The New Zealand-born senior independent director died on Monday, BHP said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sir John, who was based in Britain, had served as a non-executive director of BHP since 2003 and had been chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (UK) since 2009.

While BHP did not comment on the circumstances of the 72 year old's death, chairman Jac Nasser paid tribute to Sir John in a statement.

"We have lost a highly respected and esteemed colleague who was greatly admired by those who worked with him," he said.