Copper concentrate, according to a Material Safety Data Sheet from Palabora Mining Company, is an inorganic ore containing approximately 30 per cent copper.

It has a low toxicity but inhalation and ingestion is dangerous and it is also harmful to marine environments and other eco systems in large quantities.

“The major mineral would be iron ore, but copper concentrate together and other export products could use the port,” Premier Rann said in a recent media release.

“Port Bonython will be a bulk commodities port and other minerals like copper ore may be able to be exported provided the cross contamination issues can be addressed,” a spokesperson for Premier Rann said.

“The port could be used for any number of mineral and resource products emanating from the dozens of mines that are in the pipeline in South Australia, as the State experiences record levels of exploration.”

South Australian producers of copper concentrate include BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam, the Angas mine run by Terramin Australia Ltd and Oxiana’s Prominent Hill mine.

BHP, who currently process copper concentrate at the Olympic Dam site, have been in informal talks with the Federal Government to allow them to send 1.2 million tonnes of copper concentrate offshore for processing each year as part of the Olympic Dam expansion.

Richard Yeeles, group manager of BHP’s base metals division said the exportation of copper concentrate is being considered in the pre-feasibility stage of the Olympic Dam expansion study.

“BHP Billiton is continuing to discuss with the Federal and South Australian Governments the project configuration for the proposed expansion.

“This includes the option of exporting some product as copper concentrates.”

Premier Rann came out strongly against this idea when BHP first flagged it in July last year, and according to the Premier’s office he hasn’t changed his mind.

“The government remains committed to maximising onshore production,” a spokesperson said.

It is the Federal Government who will have the power to approve the plan however.

A spokesperson for the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) said, “ BHP Billiton is still assessing its options on the Olympic Dam expansion, including offshore processing.

“While the government and relevant agencies have been having informal discussions with BHP Billiton on its expansion plans, there has been no specific application on offshore processing.”

BHP didn’t wish to comment on whether the Point Lowly Peninsula would be a preferred site for the export of copper concentrate.

However, a media release from Western Plains Resources, who wish to use the port for iron ore, said that in addition to iron ore exports “other industries planned for the Port Bonython Peninsula ... possibly (include) an import/export facility for the expansion of the Olympic Dam project”.

Oxiana’s copper concentrate will be shipped to smelters in Asia via the Adelaide to Darwin railway and the Port of Darwin.

According to Oxiana’s operations manager Brian Kilgariff, “This transport route provides highly competitive delivery times to our Asian customers”.

“Any future expansions which will take place will see local ports, including those close to Whyalla, be attractive import points.”

Angas is constructing a processing plant to process their concentrate on-site.

Mines in the pipeline in South Australia which will foreseeably produce the mineral include Hillgrove Resources’ Kanmantoo copper mine which will export ore as a concentrate, according to the PIRSA website.

Whyalla City Mayor Jim Pollock said while Whyalla City Council does welcome development he would insist that any plans for the area pass rigorous testing when it came to environmental impact.

“We, as a council and as a community, need to be assured that any proposals for the Point Lowly Peninsula won’t have a negative impact on the environment of the area,” he said.

The Premier’s office said the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) “will need to address all of the potential issues that may arise with the operation of the facility”.