Name of the Project
Prominent Hill operation expansion (PHOX) project.

Location
Gawler Craton, in South Australia.

Project Owner/s
BHP. The mine was acquired from OZ Minerals in May 2023.

Project Description
The Wira hoisting shaft system will extend the Prominent Hill copper mine life from nine to 15 years, at 6.5-million tonnes a year. The hoisting system is expected to extend the mine life to at least 2040 (previously 2036).

The project proposes the installation of a 1 360 m, 7.5-m-diameter vertical shaft, which will provide access to the deeper orebody beneath the current ore reserves boundary and exploration opportunities beyond the current mineral resource limits.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The cost has been revised to $912-million from $673-million. Revisions to the investment amount are primarily owing to lower than planned initial shaft sink rates, provision for additional ground support because of seismic activity at depth and the tendering of major work packages. 

Planned Start/End Date
The project is forecast to come online in the second half of the 2027 financial year, previously the 2026 financial year. Revisions to the schedule are primarily owing to lower than planned initial shaft sink rates, provision for additional ground support as a result of seismic activity at depth and the tendering of major work packages. 

Latest Developments
The PHOX project has progressed with shaft sinking now about 70% complete, the head frame installed and site infrastructure upgraded, with 90% of work packages awarded. 

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
AECOM Australia, AGC Consulting, AMC Consultants, Ausenco, BBE Consulting, Beck Engineering Australasia, Boart Longyear, Byrnecut, Coffey, Convergen, D Why, EMM, Emtek, Golders, John Thompson Inclusive, Keaveney Consulting, Land and Water Consulting, Loesche, MCA, Mine Fill Services, Minset, More Space for Light, Newcrest Telfer Operations, Newmont Tanami Operations, Noble Environs, Pete Holliday, Redpath, Pells Sullivan Meynink, RUC, SAGE Automation, SRK Consulting, Stantec International Consulting, Strategy Focused Innovation, Woodgrove and Xylem Water Solutions (expansion study); and Hatch, IA Engineering, Optiro, SimSAGe, Stantec International Consulting, Strategy Focused Innovation and SRK International (peer review).

Contact Details for Project Information
BHP, tel +61 3 9609 3333.