Olympic Dam began operating its third access ramp or decline, opening up the southern mine area. The new decline, known as the Kalta decline, supports productivity and potential growth at the mine as it improves traffic flow for Olympic Dam’s underground trucking fleet.

BHP’s research and development trials into heap leaching technology were successfully completed. Heap leaching works by drip-feeding acid through a large stockpile (or heap) of ore to leach out metals. The program, which began in 2012, was conducted with the support of the South Australian Government, and confirmed the viability of the technology.

In November 2018, BHP announced a discovery 65 kilometres southeast of Olympic Dam. A potential new iron oxide, copper and gold mineralised system was uncovered as part of our ongoing copper exploration program. The results are still in an early phase and more geological information is required. 

Olympic Dam has a range of future growth options to consider as part of its sustained, long-term growth strategy, including the Brownfield Expansion project. 

The Brownfield Expansion project has the potential to result in production growing at Olympic Dam to approximately 240-300 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa).