Oak Dam, South Australia
To help us make decisions about future development at Oak Dam, we want to have a closer look at the ore body.
The Oak Dam deposit, located on Kokatha country, 65km south-east of Olympic Dam, is a deep iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) mineralised system.
Exploration undertaken to date has indicated the presence of high-grade copper and associated minerals that may be economically viable to mine. Further exploration is required to better define the resource and enable BHP to make decisions about possible future development activity.
The copper deposit at Oak Dam is deep in the ground and underground access is required for BHP to complete advanced exploration activity. BHP has applied to South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining seeking approval for a Retention Lease (RL) and Miscellaneous Purposes Licences (MPLs) for the Oak Dam Underground Access Project. If granted, the tenements will enable the construction of twin declines and the supporting infrastructure needed to allow underground access to the Oak Dam deposit where controlled, targeted exploration can continue much closer to the ore body.
Conceptual schematic of Oak Dam underground access
BHP Oak Dam
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BHP Oak Dam
Oak Dam underground access project is the next step in unlocking South Australia's copper resources
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Why BHP is investing in the Oak Dam Underground Access Project
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Where is Oak Dam located?
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Information sheet
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Do you have questions or feedback about the Oak dam Underground Access Project?
Key project elements
Copper
Copper is used in everyday household products due to its electricity conducting, corrosion resistance and antimicrobial properties.