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Volume 2, Thursday March 8, 2007
ODX PLANS DRAW CLOSER E
xpectations are rising for the release of BHP Billiton’s Environmental Impact Statement covering the proposed expansion of its Olympic Dam operations. The statement is expected out for public comment by June. It will include among other things the size of an open pit mine, should that be the final choice, and the accompanying overburden stockpile. Already the company has refuted claims that its proposed expansion will not cause dust problems in the township of Roxby Downs. The EIS will outline the operation of the open cut mine, which is expected to be 3 kilometres wide by 3 kilometres long. BHP Billiton spokesman Richard Yeeles is already on record saying tests show that there’ll be no dust problems for the township from the company’s mining operations. “Roxby Downs was deliberately sited 16 kilometres south of the operations, so there is already a significant buffer zone,” he said. “We have already done a lot of modeling from possible dust plumes from an open pit to demonstrate that the township itself will not be affected.” Another area of interest in the EIS is the size of the overburden stockpile, with some pundits predicting it could be as high as 300 metres. In a prelude to the release of the EIS, work could start on BHP Billiton’s pilot desalination plant at Port Bonython, Point Lowly just north of Whyalla in April. The company put in its proposal to the state government in January, and the government indicated that the approvals process for the pilot plant would take 3 months. BHP Billiton spokesman, Richard Yeeles said the company is in a position to start work in April, but it is waiting on the government’s decision. “We can’t pre-empt that decision,” he said. The pilot plant will take about 360 cubic metres of salt water daily from Spencer Gulf to process, that’s equivalent to 4 domestic sized swimming pools. “There’ll be no net increase in the saline content of the water that will be dispersed into Spencer Gulf by the pilot plant operations,” Mr. Yeeles said. “The water will be continually re-mixed within the plant so there will not be any increased salt content going back in.” Federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has already committed $160 million of federal funds to help build the full working desalination plant if he gets into office at the next federal election. State premier, Mike Rann has already committed $160 million of state finances to help build the project. Continued on page 2
Above: Confronting art...Our cover photograph depicts handmade sculptures made by Afghan refugees after being released from detention. The “Pictures in My Heart” exhibition has just opened at the Roxby Downs Art Gallery. It’s provocative, controversial, but yet very simplistic. (Full Story P 8)
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