While touring the Spencer Gulf and Far North for the Major Economic Summit, the South Australia Premier visited a new mine site called Oak Dam.
Unveiled by the State Government on Monday, 26 February, activity is escalating at the mine, and it’s one of the most significant copper discoveries in recent history.
Premier Peter Malinauskas says there is a lot of work to be done to realise the potential of the copper province, and part of that is constructing strategic infrastructure like the Northern Water project.
BHP need more water to boost operations at the mine, so it’s backing plans for the $5 billion water desalination plant and 600 km pipeline across the Eyre Peninsula.
“$9 billion in royalty uplift is what we’re talking about if the Northern Water Project comes to fruition, Premier Malinauskas says.
“That’s royalties that come to the State Government that can be expended on schools, hospitals, roads, everywhere.
“So, we want not just this region paying attention, we want the whole state paying attention to what is happening here.”
The Premier says all three Spencer Gulf cities – Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie – have a role to play, although it is normal for there to be some competition.
“The whole region is far more likely to reach its potential if we view it as a region where different cities who have different strengths, different roles to play – and not even just the Upper Spencer Gulf, going further north up to Olympic Dam – that’s how we improve people’s prosperity.”
