The Olympic Dam Mine is a large, mechanised, underground operation currently producing 2.2 million tonnes-per-year of copper/uranium/gold ore. The mine is accessed via one shaft and one service decline. An additional 13 raise bored ventilation shafts have been completed to-date. Ventilation requirements are stringent in order to provide adequate dilution and removal of diesel fumes, radon gas/daughters and heat generated from both engines and wall rock.
Due to the nature of the orebodies, the mine workings will continue to expand laterally necessitating the addition of at least one major surface raise every year.