BHP Billiton says Olympic Dam repairs on track

Published: 05 Nov 2009 20:52:52 PST

SYDNEY, Nov 6 - Repair work to Australia's Olympic Dam uranium and copper mine is on track for a resumption of full production between January and March next year, mine owner BHP Billiton <BHP.AX> <BLT.L> said on Friday.

The company also reaffirmed its Oct. 21 statement that the mine was now running at 25 percent of ore-haulage capacity. A mechanical failure last month forced the mine to shut down its main haulage shaft and to switch to a smaller backup shaft. Olympic Dam is the world's fourth-largest copper deposit, the largest known uranium deposit and the fifth-largest gold deposit.