COPPER GOLD PROJECT GETS ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVAL
A major copper gold project in South Australia will prepare for Phase 2 of its construction this month following approvals from the state and federal governments.
The A$916 million Oz Minerals Carrapateena project is one of the largest mines being developed in Australia and is expected to generate around 1000 jobs from construction through to production.
Located roughly 160km north of Port Augusta in northern South Australia, Carrapateena will be a copper-gold underground mine with an estimated life of 20 years, during which it is expected to produce, on average, 65,000 tonnes of copper and 67,000 ounces of gold per year.
With approval under the Mining Lease and Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), the primary approvals required for the project are complete, and construction is underway.
“Receiving the Mining Lease and EPBC approval is the product of significant effort on the part of the State Government working closely with the Federal Department to ensure this project received a robust and thorough review,” said OZ Minerals Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cole.
“We have also had our detailed operational plan (Program for Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation) approved by the South Australian Government, representing the conclusion of a significant amount of work on behalf of government departments.”
Carrapateena is currently in Phase 1 of construction, which includes a 550-bed accommodation village and airstrip.
Phase 2 comprises the construction of above ground infrastructure, including the processing plant, tailings storage facility, underground materials handling system, access roads, and power line.
South Australia hosts 68 per cent of Australia’s economic demonstrated resources of copper.
It also produces about a quarter of Australia’s mined copper production and is home to a number of long-life deposits, including Olympic Dam.