We’ve upgraded how you contact us! Click this banner to find out more!
Toggle dismiss alert

Our new online platform makes it easier to report issues, ask questions and share feedback.

Create an account to track requests, receive updates and manage your interactions — using your email or Google, Microsoft or Facebook login.

Click here to create your "My Roxby Council" account!

More information here

Dismiss alert
Toggle search box search Open main navigation menu Menu Close menu

About Olympic Dam

GO BACK

The Olympic Dam Mine Site is owned by BHP - they mine Copper, Uranium, Gold and Silver

History

Olympic Dam Mine was named after a livestock watering dam on the Roxby Downs pastoral lease under which the ore body lies. The dam was built during the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956 and is very close to the discovery drill site.

Quick facts:

  • Kokatha are the traditional owners of the land where BHP's Olympic Dam exploration lease is located
  • Significant mineral deposit confirmed at Olympic Dam in 1975
  • Mining method used underground is called sub level open stoping
  • Deepest point of the mine is currently 930 metres
  • There are approximately 700km of underground roads & tunnels
  • Fourth largest copper deposit in the world
  • Of Roxby Downs approx. population of 4,000 people, a quarter are BHP employees
  • Olympic Dam Village consists of 2,720 rooms
  • More than 500 people underground at any one time
  • 10.4 billion tonne resource

Graphic stating ask us about watching the Olympic Dam Mine Vidoe

Photo Gallery:

Black-and-white photograph of the Whenan Shaft at the Olympic Dam mine site, showing the towering mining structure, adjacent silos, and nearby buildings, surrounded by a sparse outback landscape.
Whenan Shaft 1980s
This image shows the original livestock watering dam that was located on Roxby Downs station, built in 1956 this site is very close to the discovery drill site.
Black-and-white photograph of the Whenan Shaft at the Olympic Dam mine site, showing the towering mining structure, adjacent silos, and nearby buildings, surrounded by a sparse outback landscape.