One of Australia’s largest gold operations, Newmont’s Cadia mine, expects to restart its underground activities within five weeks after a magnitude‑4.5 earthquake shook the New South Wales Central West earlier this month.
The quake the biggest ever recorded in the region struck just south‑west of the mine, triggering emergency protocols and forcing all underground workers into refuge chambers. It took more than 10 hours to safely evacuate every employee, and no injuries were reported. Investigations into the impact of the tremor are still underway, but early assessments indicate that damage underground is limited.
In its first quarterly update of the year, Newmont said the site is currently processing surface stockpiles while rehabilitation work continues below ground. The company expects underground repairs to be completed within five weeks, allowing operations to return to 80 per cent capacity. Full production is forecast to resume by the end of the second quarter, with output returning to normal levels at the start of the third quarter.
The April 14 quake also prompted calls from local residents and experts for more government‑installed seismic monitors in the region, noting that the nearest public monitor used to assess the tremor was more than 90 kilometres away. The lack of closer sensors has raised concerns about the accuracy of earthquake data in a mining‑intensive area.
Despite the disruption, Newmont maintains that its safety systems worked effectively and that the mine remains structurally sound. The Cadia operation one of the country’s most significant gold and copper producers is expected to remain a long‑life asset with a strong recovery trajectory once underground work resumes.
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