Olympic Dam mine (Olympic Dam)
The Olympic Dam mine is a large poly-metallic underground mine located in South Australia, 550 km NNW of Adelaide. It is the fourth largest copper deposit and the largest known single deposit of uranium in the world. Copper is the largest contributor to total revenue, accounting for approximately 70% of the mine's revenue, with the remaining 25% from uranium, and around 5% from silver and gold. BHP has owned and operated the mine since 2005. The mine was previously owned by Western Mining Corporation.
Since it opened in 1988, an extensive underground mine, an integrated metallurgical processing plant and expansive open-air tailings storage facilities have been constructed. The adjacent Olympic Dam mining centre and the nearby township of Roxby Downs service the mine and accommodate its workforce. Daily flights to and from Adelaide are provided via the Olympic Dam Airport.
BHP planned to expand the mine by establishing a new open cut pit and building extensive supporting infrastructure. In 2012 the expansion was postponed indefinitely pending investigation of a "new and cheaper design".
As of 2013, Olympic Dam is the second largest uranium-producing mine in the world, McArthur River uranium mine is first, having produced 4100 t of uranium metal in the financial year ending June 2013. The only larger producer is the McArthur River uranium mine in Canada. Given the energy density of uranium, this quantity is equal to a heating value of 820 TWh (equivalent to 705.5 MtTNT) at a CANDU-typical burnup of 200 MWhthermal/kg. Other reactor types which require uranium enrichment will recover slightly different amounts of heat from this amount of uranium. For comparison to get the same amount of heat energy by burning coal (energy density ranging from 24 to 35 MJ/kg) one would need between 84.34 Mt and 123 Mt of coal depending on grade. The largest coal mine in the world, North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Wyoming, produced 85.3 Mt of coal in 2019 at a grade of 3800 kJ/kg equivalent to roughly 3.24e11 MJ of heat energy.
Since it opened in 1988, an extensive underground mine, an integrated metallurgical processing plant and expansive open-air tailings storage facilities have been constructed. The adjacent Olympic Dam mining centre and the nearby township of Roxby Downs service the mine and accommodate its workforce. Daily flights to and from Adelaide are provided via the Olympic Dam Airport.
BHP planned to expand the mine by establishing a new open cut pit and building extensive supporting infrastructure. In 2012 the expansion was postponed indefinitely pending investigation of a "new and cheaper design".
As of 2013, Olympic Dam is the second largest uranium-producing mine in the world, McArthur River uranium mine is first, having produced 4100 t of uranium metal in the financial year ending June 2013. The only larger producer is the McArthur River uranium mine in Canada. Given the energy density of uranium, this quantity is equal to a heating value of 820 TWh (equivalent to 705.5 MtTNT) at a CANDU-typical burnup of 200 MWhthermal/kg. Other reactor types which require uranium enrichment will recover slightly different amounts of heat from this amount of uranium. For comparison to get the same amount of heat energy by burning coal (energy density ranging from 24 to 35 MJ/kg) one would need between 84.34 Mt and 123 Mt of coal depending on grade. The largest coal mine in the world, North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Wyoming, produced 85.3 Mt of coal in 2019 at a grade of 3800 kJ/kg equivalent to roughly 3.24e11 MJ of heat energy.
Map - Olympic Dam mine (Olympic Dam)
Map
Country - Australia
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| Flag of Australia | |
The ancestors of Aboriginal Australians began arriving from south east Asia approximately 65,000 years ago, during the last ice age. Arriving by sea, they settled the continent and had formed approximately 250 distinct language groups by the time of European settlement, maintaining some of the longest known continuing artistic and religious traditions in the world. Australia's written history commenced with the European maritime exploration of Australia. The Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon was the first known European to reach Australia, in 1606. In 1770, the British explorer James Cook mapped and claimed the east coast of Australia for Great Britain, and the First Fleet of British ships arrived at Sydney in 1788 to establish the penal colony of New South Wales. The European population grew in subsequent decades, and by the end of the 1850s gold rush, most of the continent had been explored by European settlers and an additional five self-governing British colonies established. Democratic parliaments were gradually established through the 19th century, culminating with a vote for the federation of the six colonies and foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. Australia has since maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and wealthy market economy.
Currency / Language
| ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUD | Australian dollar | $ | 2 |
| ISO | Language |
|---|---|
| EN | English language |