Monitor The
Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs
www.themonitor.com.au
Phone (08) 8671 2683
Fax (08) 8671 2843
Volume 5, Wednesday May 6th, 2009
Proud of achievement; excited by the future A
fter five years of detailed study and analysis, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed expansion of Olympic Dam has been released for public display and comment. The launch was in Adelaide last Friday by Dean Dalla Valle, Chief Operating Officer of Uranium Australia for BHP Billiton. Mr Dalla Valle, who has been managing Olympic Dam since June 2005 and involved in the planning for its expansion, said he was very proud of what had already been achieved at Olympic Dam and very excited about what more can be done. “This is a world class ore body in a first world nation. In mining terms, it doesn’t get much better than that,” Mr Dalla Valle said. Following BHP Billiton’s acquisition of Olympic Dam through the WMC takeover in 2005, the world’s largest drilling program was undertaken to explore and understand more of “what is truly an amazing ore body.” “We certainly believe in Olympic Dam’s long term development potential. “Because the ore body is so big we need to make sure we get this project right - from the very start.
Dean Dalla Valle: “A world class orebody in a first world nation... doesn’t get any better than that.” I want to...
That’s why it has taken almost five years to prepare this EIS, which now describes a project we are asking a number of governments to approve. “When the Federal, South Australian and Northern Territory governments have made their decisions, BHP Billiton will be in a position to consider the next steps for Olympic Dam. Over the past five years, we’ve talked to a lot of people about this project - from all tiers of government - to a range of special interest groups - and to the general public. In fact, our stakeholder lists run into the thousands. From this wide-ranging consultation, there are some issues that crop up again and again. For example, how will this development affect the South Australian economy? You know that we already have a very big operation at Olympic Dam. Its Australia’s largest underground mine. It directly employs more than 3,000 people and puts more than $500 million a year into the South Australian economy through purchases from, and contracts with, local companies. In addition, it contributes an average of $60 million a year in roy-
alties to the State Government. During the expansion project, the construction workforce would average another 4,000 people – for a period of about 10 years - at times peaking at 6,000 - and after that the operation will employ around 8,000 people – more than double the current number. It will also create another 13,000 jobs across the State, directly and indirectly, in support of the operation. “At that scale, we would be producing enough copper, uranium, gold and silver to pay the State Government more than $200 million a year in royalties,” Mr Dalla Valle said. We still have a lot of work to do before we can tell you when this project may start, and how much it may cost. The government decisions we are seeking through this EIS will determine the type and scale of project we can execute – that is – providing the governments approve the project. After that, our Board will need to examine any special conditions that may be required and take into account the economic climate before determining the next steps. It is company practice that when the Board approves a project, capital estimates are then provided – and only at that time.
Roxby township to double in size
T
he town of Roxby Downs is to double in size over the next ten to 20 years according to the Roxby Downs Master Plan which is part of the BHP Billiton EIS report. The Master Plan provides a framework for managing the growth of Roxby Downs over the next ten to twenty years and
reveals the SA Government’s intentions over the community, civic and commercial facilities for the expanded town. This article is a snapshot of what could be delivered. Over the next few weeks The Monitor will investigate many of the proposals and provisions in more detail. The plan is built around an estimated growth in the population from the current 4,500 to
10,000 not including short term contractors who will be required to construct the expanded mine and township. The expansion will impact on all facts of community life in Roxby Downs including accommodation for residents and both short and long term accommodation for the long distance community workforce.
Continued on page 2
create.
At St Peter's College we are passionate believers in the value of nurturing young talent by allowing each boy the scope to interpret and create ideas gathered from the world around them. With these solid foundations, just imagine what your son could achieve. We can.
MelindaParentCreative4072
To learn more, please contact our Admissions Manager, Mr Ian Munro on 08 8130 3217 or visit www.stpeters.sa.edu.au.
ST PETER’S COLLEGE T. 08 8130 3200 | F. 08 8362 1654 | E. admissions@stpeters.sa.edu.au | www.stpeters.sa.edu.au