Name of the Project
BHP Olympic dam smelter and refinery expansion project.

Location
South Australia.

Project Owner/s
Australian multinational mining and metals public company BHP.

Project Description
BHP aims to increase copper production in South Australia to more than 500 000 t/y of refined copper cathode by the early 2030s, and to deliver up to 650 000 t/y from the mid-2030s.

Phase 1 involves an upgrade of the existing smelter and refinery at Olympic Dam to a two-stage smelter and an extension of refinery facilities, with capacity to produce more than 500 000 t/y of refined copper cathode.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
A final investment decision on Phase 1 of the smelter and refinery expansion is expected in the first half of the 2027 financial year.

Latest Developments
BHP awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract to a joint venture between Fluor Australia and Hatch in February 2025 to support the proposed expansion of its copper smelter and refinery facilities in South Australia. 

The contract will be executed in stages as BHP progresses towards a final investment decision on the smelter and refinery expansion in the first half of the 2027 financial year, and subsequently towards construction. 

The first stage of EPCM activity represents more than A$40-million in investment to lead overall strategy and planning through the project’s study phases. 

The contract award follows extensive engagement with BHP’s major projects, procurement, commercial and Copper SA teams.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Fluor Australia and Hatch (EPCM).

Contact Details for Project Information
BHP (Olympic dam head office), tel +61 8 6718 8888.