Omari Gates
Gold mining has played a significant role in the development and growth of Western Australia. The state's history of gold mining dates back to the 1890s, with the discovery of the 'Golden Mile' in Kalgoorlie, sparking the Western Australian Gold Rush. Today, Western Australia is a major producer of gold, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production and contributing to the country's economic growth. The state is home to several active gold mines, employing thousands of people and utilising modern extraction techniques such as open-pit and underground mining methods. With its rich history, thriving industry, and global impact, Western Australia's gold mines have become an integral part of the region's landscape and economy.
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's gold history
The first discovery of gold in the region was in the Kimberley in 1885, found by prospectors Charles Hall and Jack Slattery, which triggered the "Kimberley gold rush". This was followed by finds near Southern Cross in 1887, triggering the "Yilgarn gold rush", and at Halls Creek in the same year. In 1888, a gold discovery at Southern Cross caused further excitement, and the small town boomed for a few years. However, by September 1892, it was in a depressed state, and the focus shifted to Coolgardie, where Arthur Bayley and William Ford made the first big discovery of gold.
In June 1893, news emerged of an even richer discovery by Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan, and Dan Shea at Mount Charlotte, further to the east. This find sparked a massive population increase and a rush to the goldfields, with more than a third of the colony's population located in the Eastern Goldfields by the end of the 1890s. The gold rushes of the 1890s transformed Western Australia, bringing tens of thousands of prospectors to the region and significantly contributing to the growth and development of the state.
The gold mining industry in Western Australia reached its early peak in 1903, experiencing subsequent revivals in the 1930s and 1980s. The industry declined during the two world wars, hitting an absolute low point in 1976. However, new technologies in the mid-1980s led to the reopening of many mines, and Western Australia remains a major producer of gold today, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production.
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Gold's economic impact
Gold mining has had a significant economic impact on Western Australia, with the industry developing and shaping the state's growth since the 1890s. The discovery of gold transformed the economy, which was previously reliant on wheat, meat and wool.
Western Australia is now the country's major gold producer, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production. In 2021-22, the state produced 69% of all gold mined in Australia, contributing to 10% of the world's gold production during that period. The gold sector is Western Australia's second most valuable mineral commodity, valued at A$17 billion in 2021-22. This figure has increased from A$10.8 billion in 2016-17, when it represented 12.3% of total mineral sales.
Gold mining has provided career opportunities for Australians, with 36,087 people employed in the industry in Western Australia in 2021-22. This is an increase from 19,175 people in 2014-15. The industry offers a range of roles, including apprenticeships, traineeships, graduate positions, and vacation work.
The impact of gold mining on the economy of Western Australia has fluctuated over time, influenced by factors such as world wars, the discovery of new goldfields, and technological advancements. The industry experienced a revival in the 1930s, driven by rising gold prices and increased foreign investment during the Great Depression. However, the outbreak of World War II caused a decline, and the industry reached a low point in 1976. The discovery of nickel in the region and the reopening of mines due to new technologies contributed to a resurgence in the 1980s.
Gold mining continues to play a vital role in the economy of Western Australia, with the state's gold sector investing significantly in exploration to secure future production. The industry's global impact is also significant, with increasing gold consumption and demand for gold in technology and electronics contributing to its economic importance.
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Active gold mines
Gold mining has a long history in Western Australia, dating back to the first gold rush sparked by the discovery of the 'Golden Mile' at Kalgoorlie in the 1890s. The industry has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the state, with Western Australia now producing a fifth of the gold in the world.
There are currently 66 gold mines operating in Australia, 11 of which are in Western Australia, making it the country's major gold producer. These 11 mines account for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production. If Western Australia were a country, it would be the fifth-largest gold producer in the world.
The gold sector is Western Australia's second most valuable mineral commodity, with sales volumes increasing for the third consecutive year, reaching a record 212 tonnes in 2017-18. The state's gold production further increased in 2021-22, with 6.9 million troy ounces (214 tonnes) sold during this period, the highest amount in 20 years.
Some of the major active gold mines in Western Australia include:
- The Boddington Mine, a surface mine owned by Newmont that produced an estimated 786,170 ounces of gold in 2023.
- The Tropicana Gold Mine, a surface and underground mine owned by AngloGold Ashanti that produced an estimated 436,980 ounces of gold in 2023.
- The Kalgoorlie Mine, a surface and underground mine owned by Northern Star Resources that produced an estimated 432,150 ounces of gold in 2023.
- The Kundana Gold Mine and the East Kundana Joint Venture, which were part of the Kalgoorlie Operations until they were sold in July 2021.
- The Mount Magnet Gold Mine operation, which includes the Vivien Gold Mine.
- The Duketon Gold Project, which includes the Duketon South and North Operations.
- The Bronzewing and Thunderbox mines of the Yandal Production Centre, along with the Jundee Gold Mine.
- The Mount Monger Operations, which consist of the Daisy Milano and Mount Belches underground and Aldiss open-pit operations.
- The Edna May Gold Mine operation, which includes the Marda and Tampia Gold Mines.
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Gold mines under maintenance
Gold mines in Western Australia regularly enter an operational phase known as "care and maintenance," where active mining is halted, but the site is not formally closed. This phase is generally entered to reduce operating costs and overheads while maintaining the option to restart mining in the future. Mines may enter this phase due to unfavourable economic conditions or resource prices and are often neglected, with minimal rehabilitation being undertaken, resulting in environmental and social issues.
The DeGrussa Mine in Western Australia is one such mine that was placed into care and maintenance in late 2022. During this time, the mine produced 67,740 tonnes of copper. This phase allows mining companies to optimise extraction and processing methods to reduce costs and maximise profits. The complex chemical processing involved in gold extraction results in large volumes of waste, including toxic tailings, and damage to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
The Kundana Gold Mine and the East Kundana Joint Venture were part of the Kalgoorlie Operations until they were sold in July 2021. The Mount Magnet Gold Mine operation includes the Vivien Gold Mine, where ore is processed at Mount Magnet. The Duketon Gold Project consists of the Duketon South and North Operations, with processing facilities at Garden Well, Rosemont, and Moolart Well.
The Bronzewing and Thunderbox mines of the Yandal Production Centre are also part of the Jundee Gold Mine operation. The Edna May Gold Mine operation includes the Marda and Tampia Gold Mines, where ore is hauled and processed. The Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields is Australia's premier gold-bearing province with major Archean greenstone-hosted deposits. The state's history of gold mining dates back to the first gold rush in the 1890s, sparked by the discovery of the 'Golden Mile' at Kalgoorlie.
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Gold production stats
Gold production in Western Australia began in the 1880s, becoming a significant industry in the 1890s following gold discoveries in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. The state's history of gold mining dates back to the first gold rush sparked by the discovery of the 'Golden Mile' at Kalgoorlie in the 1890s. The Golden Mile was Western Australia's top-producing mine in 2008–09, producing 20 tonnes of gold.
Gold production reached its first peak in 1903, with over 50 tonnes of gold produced annually. Production gradually fell, reaching a low in the late 1920s. Production rose once more during the Great Depression, reaching a second peak in 1939. After a slump during the Second World War, gold production remained steady until the mid-1960s. From there, it fell to levels not seen since the late 1890s, reaching a low point in 1976.
By 1990, production had hit 150 tonnes of gold per year, three times the previous peak in 1903. It reached an all-time record in 2001 with close to 250 tonnes of gold produced that year. Production in 2009 declined to 142 tonnes per annum. In 2014–15, the Western Australian gold mining industry directly employed 19,175 people. This number rose to 36,087 in 2021–22.
In 2015–16, gold was ranked third in the list of resources exported by Western Australia, with a value of A$10 billion. The state produced 6.27 million troy ounces of gold, or 195 tonnes, 6% of world production. In 2016–17, gold was Western Australia's second most valuable mineral sector (after iron ore) with $10.8 billion in sales, representing 12.3% of total mineral sales.
In 2021–22, Western Australia produced 69% of all gold produced in Australia, with the country accounting for 10% of the world's gold production in this time period. The 6.9 million troy ounces (214 tonnes) sold during this time period was the highest amount in 20 years and accounted for almost 70% of all gold sold in Australia. Western Australia is the country's major gold producer, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 11 gold mines in Western Australia, making it the country's major gold producer.
Western Australia produced 6.9 million troy ounces (214 tonnes) of gold in 2021-22, the highest amount in 20 years. This accounted for 70% of all gold sold in Australia and 6% of world production.
In 2021-22, 36,087 people were employed in Western Australia's gold mining industry. In 2014-15, that number was 19,175.
Some of the major gold mines in Western Australia include the Boddington Mine, the Tropicana Gold Mine, the Kalgoorlie Mine, the Duketon Gold Project, and the Kundana Gold Mine.
