14 MARCH 2013� � 

MEDIA RELEASE
� 

Approval to progress advanced exploration activities at OZ Minerals’ Carrapateena project

� 

Today, OZ Minerals is pleased to announce the acceptance of the retention lease for the Carrapateena copper-gold advanced exploration project, located approximately 130 kilometres from Port Augusta.� 
� 
OZ Minerals Managing Director and CEO, Terry Burgess said ‘this is a great step forward for this exciting project. We are very pleased that the retention lease has been granted as it means that we are able to pursue advanced exploration works to determine the feasibility of future mining activities’.
� 
‘OZ Minerals has been impressed by the professionalism of the Department of Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE). Having a dedicated and highly experienced approvals team, utilising a streamlined risk based process is beneficial for development in South Australia’.
� 
‘Through the retention lease approvals process OZ Minerals has engaged with a variety of local stakeholder and government groups and the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. At this early stage over twenty local contractors from towns such as Port Augusta have conducted work at Carrapateena and we look forward to ongoing positive relationships with local communities’.
� 
A Native Title Agreement has also been reached with the Kokatha Uwankara Native Title Claimant Group.�  As part of this agreement the Kokatha Uwankara will work with OZ Minerals to develop a cultural awareness course so that people working at the site understand issues of cultural significance to the Kokatha Uwankara people.�  Andrew Starkey, Chairman for the Kokatha, said ‘we are looking forward to contributing to the development of this project’.
� 
The Carrapateena project is currently in advanced exploration.�  OZ Minerals is getting ready to develop a 6.5 kilometre exploration decline to the resource to undertake further geotechnical testing.�  At the same time we are commencing our pre-feasibility study and it is expected that we will be in a position to make a decision to mine in 2015.�  OZ Minerals will use a Tunnel Boring Machine to develop the decline with geotechnical and exploration access areas to be developed at 625 metres and 1000 metres below the surface.
� 
Following the discovery of the deposit in 2005, OZ Minerals purchased Carrapateena in 2011.�  Carrapateena is an important step in building a project pipeline for OZ Minerals.�  An iron oxide copper-gold deposit of a similar style to Prominent Hill, Carrapateena has potential for a significant mine life.�  Carrapateena is one of Australia’s most exciting recent discoveries, with promising regional potential.�  In February this year, we were able to announce an upgrade to the Carrapateena resource by over 40 percent.
� 
� 
About OZ Minerals
OZ Minerals owns and operates the Prominent Hill copper-gold mine and is developing the Carrapateena advanced exploration project, both located in northern South Australia.
OZ Minerals has a workforce of around 1,500 at Prominent Hill and over 150 at Carrapateena, both including contractors. Around 80% of the Prominent Hill workforce lives and works in South Australia.
� 
� 
For media enquiries please contact:

Rachel Eaves
Head of Public Affairs & Sustainability
Telephone: +61 (3) 9288 0252
Email: rachel.eaves@ozminerals.com
� 

Regards,

Natalie Worley
Head of Investor and External Relations
T 61 3 9288 0333
natalie.worley@ozminerals.com

� 

�