BHP Billiton has announced its planned expansion of the Olympic Dam site has progressed into the feasibility study phase, which will be followed by the project's Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) and formal assessment by the Commonwealth, South Australian and Northern Territory governments.

 

The project is an expansion of BHP Billiton's existing South Australian operations on the site and part of the development a new copper mine and associated gold and uranium byproducts. The ODP will increase the site's production from around 180,000 tonnes per annum of copper to 750,000 tonnes per annum over the next 30 years.

 

The project is expected to generate direct employment, construction jobs and additional flow on employment. BHP-Billiton is expected to released further details on employment requirements over the next few weeks.

 

The final approval by state, territory and Federal governments on the project is expected in the second half of the year.