About 1 million tonnes of materials are currently transported to and from Olympic Dam each year by road. The proposed expansion is likely to increase this to about 2.2 million tonnes of materials per year.

What options are being investigated?

The following transport options are being considered:

• construction of a rail line between Pimba and Olympic Dam
• existing road networks
• road-rail transfer facility at Pimba
• export infrastructure at Port of Darwin for copper concentrates containing uranium.

What is the currently preferred option?

The transport infrastructure option under consideration is a new rail line from Pimba to Olympic Dam that links Olympic Dam to the National rail grid. Some materials will also continue to be transported by road.

The existing airport at Olympic Dam would be relocated at some stage of the mine expansion. Studies are currently being undertaken to determine the most appropriate location for the new airport and the timing of the relocation. It is likely that the new airport would be located closer to Roxby Downs than the existing airport.

Export infrastructure is also being considered at the Port of Darwin for the export of copper concentrates containing uranium. This would include new fully-enclosed storage, handling and loading facilities at East Arm. More information about this option is contained in Information Sheet 6 (414kb PDF).