It could become the world’s biggest mine, bringing South Australia new transport and energy infrastructure, not to mention untold riches. Or it could be one of the planet’s greatest environmental catastrophes, bringing radioactivity and sapping precious water resources.
Olympic Dam, 350 miles north of Adelaide, has long been regarded as one of the world’s great copper opportunities. The mine also contains the single largest deposit of uranium on the planet, as well as gold and silver.
BHP Billiton has been granted permission by the South Australian government to start developing the asset — an expansion plan expected to cost about A$30 billion (£19 billion). According to Martin Ferguson, the federal Natural Resources Minister, the mine “has the potential to become one of the world’s largest,