BHP Billiton is seeking to increase the tailings storage capacity at its Olympic Dam copper, uranium and gold mine located in South Australia.

The company has submitted a document to the federal government applying for permission for the expansion and requesting to increase the existing design height of its radioactive storage pond from 30m to 40m above ground level.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

At existing production rates, the facility was expected to reach its design capacity in December 2017.

By increasing the storage facility capacity, BHP said it can avoid the construction of a new facility that would involve huge capital costs and expects this approach to extend the life of the facility by five years.

"By increasing the storage facility capacity, BHP said it can avoid the construction of a new facility."

In the document, BHP said as cited by Sydney Morning Herald: "By raising the embankment height of the existing [tailings storage] to 40m, it will not increase current seepage rates experienced.

"No additional environmental impact will occur."

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In November, BHP aimed to increase ore production at its Olympic Dam to 11 million tonnes annually and announced an investment of about $200m on its de-bottlenecking operations.

In a bid to access higher grade ore, BHP is in the process of expanding the underground footprint of the Olympic Dam project into the southern mining area.

BHP’s latest request to expand the capacity follows the company’s group-wide, cost-cutting programme amid the reduction of prices in its major commodities, including copper.