The Australian Conservation Foundation has expressed serious concern over BHP Billiton’s planned expansion of the Olympic Dam copper and uranium mine, saying it will see South Australia’s greenhouse emissions soar by 12 per cent.
Located 560 kilometres north of Adelaide, Olympic Dam is a multi-mineral ore body; the world’s fourth largest remaining copper and gold deposit and the largest known uranium deposit. It also contains significant quantities of silver.
"BHP plans for Olympic Dam will blow out SA’s total greenhouse gas emissions, compromise community efforts to cut household energy use and prevent the state’s emissions from peaking until after the proposed Olympic Dam open pit mine reaches full production in 2020-21", said ACF Climate Change Program Manager Tony Mohr.
The ACF wants to see the South Australian government only allowing the company to expand Olympic Dam on the condition 100% renewable energy is used to power it. According to Mr Mohr, BHP Billiton is misleading the public by claiming renewable energy is unable to supply Olympic Dam’s electricity demand.
Mr Mohr points out that South Australia has major wind, solar power and geothermal energy resources that could supply the mine.
Written submissions on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement in relation to the mine expansion close on Friday August 7. Detailed information on how to make a formal submission is available from the Government of South Australia at www.olympicdameis.sa.gov.au or via phone on 08 8303 0752
