Cathode stripping is a crucial step in the copper refining process, involving the removal of thin sheets of nearly pure copper (known as cathode) from large metal plates after refining.

At our Olympic Dam Production Refinery in South Australia, our original cathode stripping machine required frequent manual intervention, exposing operators to potential hazards including crush injuries, line-of-fire incidents and physical strain. Beyond safety concerns, the physically demanding nature of the work also limited participation, hampering efforts to build a more inclusive workforce.

To address these challenges, a team of frontline workers and engineers from the refinery collaborated with project partners to develop and implement a safer and more inclusive approach.

Their solution? A fully enclosed and automated robotic cathode stripping machine, which uses precision automation to strip and process cathodes autonomously. This eliminates operator exposure to potential hazardous conditions, improves equipment reliability and helps to reduce downtime caused by copper jams.

Introducing an automated solution has also expanded the pool of candidates for operator roles. This is contributing to making the Olympic Dam Production Refinery more inclusive, with females being strongly represented among qualified operators.

By removing risk at its source and embracing innovative technology, the project – which won the Safety, Security and Emergency Management category in our 2025 Health, Safety, Environment and Community Awards – exemplifies our commitment to reducing risk, preventing harm and strengthening our emergency response.

The project also reflects our culture of continuous improvement and collaboration, where frontline teams, engineers and partners come together to deliver solutions that make a tangible difference to how we operate.