Project Owner: BHP Billiton
Project Value: n/a
Project Status: In Progress
Location: SA, Australia

Current Operation

Located 560km north of Adelaide, South Australia, Olympic Dam is a multi-mineral ore body. It is the world's fourth largest copper and gold deposit and the largest known uranium deposit. It also contains significant quantities of silver.

At Olympic Dam, BHP Billiton mines, processes, smelts and refines ore to final products. In recent years annual copper production has averaged about 180,000 tonnes, with 4,000 tonnes of uranium oxide, 80,000 ounces of gold and 800,000 ounces of silver.

 

The proposed expansion

BHP Billiton is seeking the approval of the Australian, South Australian and Northern Territory governments for a significant expansion of its existing mining and processing operation at Olympic Dam.

The proposed expansion is centred on the creation of a new open-pit mine that would operate simultaneously with the existing underground mine. The proposed expansion would be a progressive development, requiring construction activity over several stages. The project schedule ultimately will depend on the timing and nature of government approvals and the final investment decision of the BHP Billiton Board.

 

Registering your details

ICNSA and BHP Billiton have set up a website where companies can register their interest in supplying to both the existing operation and the proposed expanded operation. To register click on the green 'register' button above and nominate the commodities that you can supply.

More information is available from www.bhpbilliton.com.

For the latest update on the status of the Olympic Dam Project please click here or visit the BHP Billiton website above.