SACOME members BHP and Bureau Veritas complete heap leach technology partnership trial for Olympic Dam
BHP in collaboration with Bureau Veritas has successfully completed its heap leach research and development trial in South Australia, confirming the viability of the technology to extract copper, uranium, gold and silver at Olympic Dam.
The program began in 2012 and was conducted at a purpose-built, small-scale heap leach facility at Wingfield run by Bureau Veritas, under direction from BHP and with support from the South Australian Government.
Clint Bowker, Manager of Major Projects, Bureau Veritas said "Successful heap leaching research and development at Bureau Veritas Minerals in Wingfield started in 2012. The test work progressed from lab scale columns and bench tests and culminated in a “World Class” testing facility in Wingfield. That test work program at Bureau Veritas has been successfully completed after 7 years of research.
“The test work showed how BHP and Bureau Veritas could partner to develop and deliver technology-driven innovative solutions to greater South Australian Resources. Proving that organisations can work collaboratively to resolve challenging ore bodies. The facility will remain available as a resource to the mining community for further research as the facility will be in Care & Maintenance for the future.”
BHP’s General Manager of Olympic Dam’s surface processing, Ms Chris Barnesby said; "The promising results from this trial support our positive outlook for Olympic Dam, given forecast demand increases for copper and the optionality we are building for this world-scale resource.
"We safely and successfully produced 19 tonnes of good quality copper, most of which went back into the smelter and off to customers, though we kept a little to ourselves to commemorate the achievement.
"Whether we deploy heap leach at Olympic Dam is a matter for future consideration, as there are many factors involved including passing through our Capital Allocation Framework.
"As it stands today, we have confirmed the viability of a technology with the potential to join our suite of growth options. However, our immediate focus is on operating safely and reliably, and setting a foundation to unlock more value for BHP and for South Australia over the long term.’
Rebecca Knol, CEO South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy said "Once again it is fantastic to see SACOME members collaborating to deliver new and innovative solutions to complex problems".
Heap leaching works by drip-feeding acid through a large stockpile (or heap) of ore to leach out metals. BHP uses heap leaching at its copper operations in Chile, however Olympic Dam’s polymetallic properties require a different approach.
The research and development program has the potential to benefit the mining industry more broadly in South Australia, as heap leaching has the potential to deliver lower capital and operating costs, increased scalability, reduced potable water use and the ability to process lower-grade ores.
Separate to the trial, BHP continues to progress studies the Brownfield Expansion Project, or BFX, as part of Olympic Dam’s resource development strategy which seeks to potentially increase production to between 240 and 300 kilotonnes per annum.
Ends.
Media contact: Rebecca Knol, CEO SACOME, 0409 012 007
BHP in collaboration with Bureau Veritas has successfully completed its heap leach research and development trial in South Australia, confirming the viability of the technology to extract copper, uranium, gold and silver at Olympic Dam.
The program began in 2012 and was conducted at a purpose-built, small-scale heap leach facility at Wingfield run by Bureau Veritas, under direction from BHP and with support from the South Australian Government.
Clint Bowker, Manager of Major Projects, Bureau Veritas said "Successful heap leaching research and development at Bureau Veritas Minerals in Wingfield started in 2012. The test work progressed from lab scale columns and bench tests and culminated in a “World Class” testing facility in Wingfield. That test work program at Bureau Veritas has been successfully completed after 7 years of research.
“The test work showed how BHP and Bureau Veritas could partner to develop and deliver technology-driven innovative solutions to greater South Australian Resources. Proving that organisations can work collaboratively to resolve challenging ore bodies. The facility will remain available as a resource to the mining community for further research as the facility will be in Care & Maintenance for the future.”
BHP’s General Manager of Olympic Dam’s surface processing, Ms Chris Barnesby said; "The promising results from this trial support our positive outlook for Olympic Dam, given forecast demand increases for copper and the optionality we are building for this world-scale resource.
"We safely and successfully produced 19 tonnes of good quality copper, most of which went back into the smelter and off to customers, though we kept a little to ourselves to commemorate the achievement.
"Whether we deploy heap leach at Olympic Dam is a matter for future consideration, as there are many factors involved including passing through our Capital Allocation Framework.
"As it stands today, we have confirmed the viability of a technology with the potential to join our suite of growth options. However, our immediate focus is on operating safely and reliably, and setting a foundation to unlock more value for BHP and for South Australia over the long term.’
Rebecca Knol, CEO South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy said "Once again it is fantastic to see SACOME members collaborating to deliver new and innovative solutions to complex problems".
Heap leaching works by drip-feeding acid through a large stockpile (or heap) of ore to leach out metals. BHP uses heap leaching at its copper operations in Chile, however Olympic Dam’s polymetallic properties require a different approach.
The research and development program has the potential to benefit the mining industry more broadly in South Australia, as heap leaching has the potential to deliver lower capital and operating costs, increased scalability, reduced potable water use and the ability to process lower-grade ores.
Separate to the trial, BHP continues to progress studies the Brownfield Expansion Project, or BFX, as part of Olympic Dam’s resource development strategy which seeks to potentially increase production to between 240 and 300 kilotonnes per annum.
Ends.
Media contact: Rebecca Knol, CEO SACOME, 0409 012 007