ID :
212032
Mon, 10/10/2011 - 13:28
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/212032
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SA govt approves $30b expansion of mine
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 10 - The South Australian government has approved the $30 billion expansion of BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam uranium and copper mine, describing the project as a "game changer" for the state's economy.
On the same day the federal government gave its approval for the expansion, Mineral Resources Development Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the plan to develop the world's largest mine had cleared an important stage.
The company must now finalise and sign an indenture agreement with the SA government, which will set the level of royalties to be paid and other issues, including the level of local ore processing.
Legislation approving the indenture is expected to come before parliament next week, with the government hoping to have it passed before the end of the year.
The BHP Billiton board must then sign-off on the project, which it is expected to do in the first quarter next year.
"There is no doubt this world-class project is good for South Australia, good for the South Australian economy, good for South Australian jobs and good for our future prosperity," Mr Koutsantonis said.
"Today marks this state being one step closer to being the home to the world's largest open pit mine.
"That in itself is an economic game-changer for this state."
The Olympic Dam expansion is expected to create up to 6000 jobs during the construction phase, 4000 ongoing jobs at the mine itself and 15,000 indirect jobs.
Under the SA development approval, the company will be allowed to construct a new open pit mine which will produce 750,000 tonnes of copper each year and about 19,000 tonnes of uranium oxide.
It also has approval to build a new desalination plant on Spencer Gulf to provide water for the mine, a new gas-fired power station and a new airport at Olympic Dam.
BHP Billiton will also build a waste rock facility that will cover almost 7000 hectares and reach a height of 150 metres, a tailing storage facility that will be made up of eight new two-kilometres square pods, each 65 metres tall, an expanded smelter and a 105-kilometre rail line to link the mine to the national rail network.
The state government has imposed 150 conditions on the project to address environmental concerns including the impact on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, ground water, local communities, wildlife and the marine environment around the desalination plant.
Mr Koutsantonis said the government had not simply agreed to everything BHP Billiton had proposed.
"This has been the most thorough and detailed environmental assessment of its kind in South Australia's history," the minister said.
"The state government will continue to ensure that these standards are met throughout the life of this history-making project."
On the same day the federal government gave its approval for the expansion, Mineral Resources Development Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the plan to develop the world's largest mine had cleared an important stage.
The company must now finalise and sign an indenture agreement with the SA government, which will set the level of royalties to be paid and other issues, including the level of local ore processing.
Legislation approving the indenture is expected to come before parliament next week, with the government hoping to have it passed before the end of the year.
The BHP Billiton board must then sign-off on the project, which it is expected to do in the first quarter next year.
"There is no doubt this world-class project is good for South Australia, good for the South Australian economy, good for South Australian jobs and good for our future prosperity," Mr Koutsantonis said.
"Today marks this state being one step closer to being the home to the world's largest open pit mine.
"That in itself is an economic game-changer for this state."
The Olympic Dam expansion is expected to create up to 6000 jobs during the construction phase, 4000 ongoing jobs at the mine itself and 15,000 indirect jobs.
Under the SA development approval, the company will be allowed to construct a new open pit mine which will produce 750,000 tonnes of copper each year and about 19,000 tonnes of uranium oxide.
It also has approval to build a new desalination plant on Spencer Gulf to provide water for the mine, a new gas-fired power station and a new airport at Olympic Dam.
BHP Billiton will also build a waste rock facility that will cover almost 7000 hectares and reach a height of 150 metres, a tailing storage facility that will be made up of eight new two-kilometres square pods, each 65 metres tall, an expanded smelter and a 105-kilometre rail line to link the mine to the national rail network.
The state government has imposed 150 conditions on the project to address environmental concerns including the impact on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, ground water, local communities, wildlife and the marine environment around the desalination plant.
Mr Koutsantonis said the government had not simply agreed to everything BHP Billiton had proposed.
"This has been the most thorough and detailed environmental assessment of its kind in South Australia's history," the minister said.
"The state government will continue to ensure that these standards are met throughout the life of this history-making project."
