olympic dam

Olympic DamHartley SnapeKai Tee

MINERALS OF OLYMPIC DAM

Minerals

Minerals Mined

• Chalcopyrite (Cu)• Uraninite (U)• Gold (Au)• Silver (Ag)

Metals Extracted

• Copper• Uranium • Gold• Silver

ECONOMIC FACTORS OF OLYMPIC DAM

Location• Located 560km north of Adelaide SA, above Roxby Downs.

Size• Olympic Dam is one of the largest mines of it’s kind in the

world.• It is the sixth-largest copper deposit, fifth-largest gold deposit

and the largest uranium deposit in the world.• According to statements in BHP Billiton’s EIS of Olympic Dam,

mining could continue for 40 years.

Expansion• BHP Billiton has gained approval from the Commonwealth, SA

and NT governments greatly expand its mining and processing operations.

• Mining operations would be increased from 12 million tonnes per annum to 60 million tonnes per annum.

Environmental Issues• In 2009, BHP Billiton released its environment impact

statement (EIS) to the public.• Expanding Olympic Dam would require transport, excavation

and employment to be increased.

Economical Issues• Olympic Dam currently employs approximately 4150 people,

however many jobs were cut unceremoniously after the proposed expansion suddenly of Olympic Dam suddenly was altered. However, after a period of time, the amount of jobs will increase to over 15,000.

• Olympic Dam’s expansion currently is a 30 billion dollar operation, however such is being reconsidered due to a change of strategy. This may result in the loss of billions of dollars.

Quality• Olympic Dam currently produces refined copper and copper

concentrate.• Uranium is produced as uranium oxide.

Refined Copper Uranium oxide

Depth• Olympic Dam is both an open pit and shaft mine. • The shaft mine is approximately 850 metres deep.

Water Supply• Olympic Dam has both groundwater and surface water

outlets.

Roxby Downs• The nearest town to Olympic Dam is Roxby Downs. • The population of Roxby Downs is 4000.• 10 km from Olympic Dam• Has a running water supply.

Selling Price• Uranium currently sells at 42 USD (41 AUD) a pound.• Copper currently sells at 3.4 USD (3.34 AUD) a pound.

Markets• Copper is Olympic Dam’s main product. Approximately

200,000 Tonnes per annum is produced.• There are currently 439 operational nuclear power plants in

the world, with over 300 proposed or planned reactors.• As Olympic Dam is the largest uranium deposit in the world,

demand is very high.

• http://www.bhpbilliton.com • wikipedia.org• http://www.olympicdameis.sa.gov.au/ • http://www.aua.org.au/content/keyindustryfacts.aspx