Investigations are underway after a system malfunction at BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam mine.
Investigations by BHP Billiton and the South Australian Government are underway after a system malfunction at BHP’s Olympic Dam mine.
A haulage system which carries ore from underground to surface processing facilities was damaged in the incident.
A BHP spokeswoman told MINNG DAILY the company was unable to confirm whether the incident would affect production until the results of the investigation were known.
The haulage system is fully automated and no workers were injured in the incident.
BHP said that a second haulage system continues to operate.
SafeWork SA has also sent representatives to the site to inspect the accident.
“Over the next 24 to 48 hours our representatives already there will be joined by a specialist from our mines and major hazard facilities team,” a SafeWork SA spokesman told MINING DAILY
BHP’s safety record has come into question repeatedly over the last 18 months, with seven deaths occurring on their sites in that time.
There have been two fatalities at Olympic Dam in the past, with workers killed in 2007 and 2005.
