South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has officially opened the new Ankata underground copper-gold mine at Prominent Hill.

 

The $148 million project has been constructed over the last two years to target the high-grade deposit west of the existing open pit mine at Prominent Hill.

 

Mr Weatherill said OZ Minerals’ operation was an example of how companies can better share the benefits of the mining boom with the broader community.

 

“This new mine has added more than 150 jobs to its 1200-strong workforce and even more pleasing is that the employment opportunities have remained locally-focused, with about 80 per cent of the OZ Minerals’ workforce living in South Australia,” Mr Weatherill said.

 

“OZ Minerals has set such an example in these fields that I had the recent pleasure of presenting the company with the industry’s own award for excellence in Social Inclusion.

 

“Prominent Hill is a world-class copper and gold deposit and South Australia also has several other major approved projects under construction that in their own right will be significant drivers for investment, infrastructure, skills and new jobs.”

 

OZ Minerals Managing Director and CEO Terry Burgess said the commencement of the Ankata underground mine is a significant milestone for OZ Minerals and is a highly valuable addition to Prominent Hill.