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China’s foremost metallurgical engineering design firm has entered into a partnership with BHP to deliver essential processing infrastructure for an expansion of the copper smelter and refinery in South Australia. The scope includes comprehensive process design and equipment supply to support the completion and start-up of BHP’s copper smelting facility at the Olympic Dam mine, with a target commissioning date in early 2032. The deal is valued at AUD 240 million (approximately USD 166.5 million).
The agreement follows Free Carrier terms, meaning the company will handle all export customs clearance and load the equipment onto transportation arranged by BHP. The project will proceed in phases, with equipment supply only beginning after BHP makes a final investment decision, expected in 2027. Equipment production will start upon receipt of official notification.
A company spokesperson emphasized that this partnership underscores their commitment to developing a globally integrated supply chain to support growth in South Australia. They highlighted the firm’s capacity and technical expertise in advancing complex smelting and refining solutions.
The expansion aims to boost Olympic Dam’s refined copper output to 500,000 tons annually by the 2030s, with the potential to reach 650,000 tons by the decade’s end. South Australia contains approximately two-thirds of the nation’s copper reserves, making it a key hub for the country’s copper industry. BHP operates three major underground mines in the region—Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill, and Carrapateena—and processes the mined copper at Olympic Dam, which produced around 316,000 tons in fiscal year 2025.
This deal marks a significant milestone for the engineering firm’s global presence in high-end copper metallurgy. The company’s leadership expressed pride in being chosen to support BHP’s expansion plans in South Australia and highlighted their extensive experience in designing large-scale copper smelting and refining facilities worldwide.
They look forward to collaborating closely with BHP and their partners to deliver cost-effective, high-performance solutions throughout the project’s progression. The firm specializes in providing technical services across the non-ferrous metals industry, covering the entire supply chain from mining and mineral processing to smelting and metal fabrication. Their services include engineering consulting, procurement, construction, equipment integration, as well as digital transformation initiatives.
Jiangxi Copper Group, a leading Chinese copper enterprise, is a significant shareholder, owning 13.5 percent of the firm and serving as its largest customer.
As of early afternoon trading in Shanghai, the company’s shares were up 1.1 percent at CNY 68.31 (USD 10.04).
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