Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a rich history of gold mining, with the country experiencing a major gold rush in 1851 in New South Wales, which later extended to Victoria. Today, Australia has 66 operating gold mines, 11 of which are in Western Australia, making it the country's top gold producer, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production. The top three states with the highest EDR (Economic Demonstrated Resources) of gold are Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales. Gold deposits in Australia can be grouped into different types, with the two most important being lode-gold deposits and copper-gold deposits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States with the highest EDR | Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales |
| States with the highest EDR percentage | 44%, 25%, and 16% respectively |
| Total number of operating gold mines | 66 |
| Number of world's largest gold mines | 14 |
| Number of gold mines in Western Australia | 11 |
| Percentage of Australia's total gold production by Western Australia | 70% |
| Global rank of Western Australia as a gold producer | 5 |
| Gold deposits in New South Wales | Porphyry copper deposits, Cadia-Ridgeway mine, Northeparkes, and Siluro-Ordovician Macquarie Arc |
| Gold deposits in Queensland | Drummond Basin and epithermal deposits |
| Gold deposits in Victoria | Ballarat, Costerfield, Stawell, and Castlemaine |
| Gold deposits in South Australia | Gawler Craton, Mesoproterozoic granite, Paleoproterozoic Bimba formation, and Willyama Supergroup |
| Gold deposits in Tasmania | Beaconsfield |
| Gold deposits in the Northern Territory | Jabiluka, Koongarra, and Coronation Hill |
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What You'll Learn
Gold deposits in New South Wales
New South Wales was the site of the first gold rush in Australia, which took place between 1851 and 1880. The period resulted in a rapid population increase and a significant boost to the economy of the colony of New South Wales. Gold was first officially discovered in Australia on 15 February 1823 by assistant surveyor James McBrien at Fish River. However, the first Australian gold rush began in May 1851 when Edward Hargraves discovered gold in a billabong near Bathurst. Within days, the first gold rush began with 100 diggers searching for gold, and by June, there were over 2,000 people digging around Bathurst, with thousands more on their way. Gold was also found in other parts of New South Wales, particularly in the area around Braidwood, which experienced a rush of gold seekers.
New South Wales is still home to gold deposits today. In 2018, New South Wales had 1650 tonnes of Economic Demonstrated Resources (EDR) of gold, making it the third-highest state in Australia for gold deposits. The Cadia-Ridgeway mine is a combination underground and open-cut mine owned by Newcrest Mining. It is currently in maintenance but was historically a major producer of gold and copper. The second-largest gold-producing mine in New South Wales is the Northparkes mine, which also produces copper and is 80% owned by China Molybdenum and 20% owned by Sumitomo.
Epithermal gold deposits, which are typically found in volcanic subduction zones, are also found in New South Wales. They are found in the Siluro-Ordovician Macquarie Arc and are relatively uncommon in Australia. Porphyry copper deposits, which contain the largest gold reserves of any mineral formation in the upper crust, are also found in New South Wales.
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Gold deposits in Western Australia
The history of gold mining in Western Australia dates back to the 1890s when the discovery of the 'Golden Mile' at Kalgoorlie sparked the first gold rush in the state. This led to the development of an industry that has greatly contributed to the growth and development of the state. Western Australia's gold production has continued to be substantial, with sales of A$10.8 billion in 2016-17, making gold the state's second most valuable mineral sector after iron ore.
There are currently 11 active gold mines in Western Australia, out of 14 of the world's largest, making it a major player in the global gold market. The state's gold deposits are primarily found in the Eastern Goldfields region, with the Yilgarn Craton being the most prominent goldfield. Other notable goldfields in Western Australia include the Murchison Goldfield and the Duketon Gold Project.
The gold deposits in Western Australia are typically found in Archean greenstone belts, which are ancient volcanic sequences that have undergone significant geological deformation and alteration. These greenstone belts are known for their high potential for gold mineralisation, making them attractive targets for exploration and mining activities. The gold mineralisation in these greenstone belts is often associated with shear zones, faults, and other structural features that provide pathways for mineral-rich fluids to circulate and deposit gold.
In addition to the Archean greenstone belts, Western Australia also has some epithermal gold deposits, which are typically found at relatively shallow depths and are associated with volcanic activity. These epithermal deposits are younger than other geographic formations and are thus relatively uncommon in Australia. However, they can be a significant source of gold, and their formation is triggered when groundwater comes into contact with molten rock, leading to the creation of ore veins as the water cools and settles into cracks and faults.
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Gold deposits in South Australia
Gold deposits have been found across Australia, with Western Australia producing almost 70% of the country's total gold output. The story of South Australia's gold rush era, however, is relatively unknown.
Gold was discovered in small quantities in South Australia as early as 1847 in the Barossa and Echunga goldfields. In 1873, James Watson found gold on the Teetulpa pastoral run, about 35km north of Yunta, sparking a gold rush in the arid plains around Waukaringa, 300km northeast of Adelaide. Unlike other parts of the country, there was little upheaval as the local economy was strong, with farming as its mainstay. Waukaringa developed slowly and quietly over several years and became one of South Australia's most enduring goldfields, producing gold into the middle of the 20th century. During its operational life, the mines at Waukaringa yielded 1400kg of gold. Today, Waukaringa is a ghost town, with only the ruins of the hotel and the stone chimney from the Alma-Victoria goldmine remaining.
South Australia has a number of historical gold fossicking sites, some of which are open to the public. Fossicking is the recreational gathering of minerals without the intention to sell or use them commercially or industrially and without disturbing the land or water with machinery or explosives. Common tools used for fossicking include metal detectors, gold pans, picks, and shovels. Popular fossicking sites in South Australia include the Jupiter Creek diggings near Echunga and designated areas of the Mount Crawford Forest, such as the Gumeracha Goldfields and Watts Gully Diggings, which require a ForestrySA fossicking permit.
In addition to South Australia, gold deposits have been found in other Australian states, including New South Wales and Victoria. Porphyry copper deposits, which contain the largest gold reserves in the upper crust, are found in New South Wales. The Cadia-Ridgeway mine and Northparkes are two major producers of gold and copper in the state. Victoria is also home to several successful gold mines, including Fosterville, Ballarat, Costerfield, and Stawell, which are among the highest-yielding and high-grade resources in the country.
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Porphyry copper deposits
Gold deposits in Australia can be grouped into different geological or metal-association types. Copper-gold deposits are the most significant contributors to the nation's gold inventory, accounting for 59% of reserves and 65% of resources at operating mines. Porphyry copper deposits are widely known for containing the largest gold reserves of any mineral formation in the upper crust. They also contain the largest overall reserves of copper, accounting for about 60% of the world's copper. In addition, porphyry copper deposits contain about 11% of the identified copper resources in Australia.
Porphyry mineral deposits consist of a combination of igneous rock, large-grained crystals such as quartz, and dissolved metals. They are formed when a column of rising magma cools and differentiates over multiple stages. Porphyry formations are notable for the fact that their minerals are typically divided into their own distinctive zones. Porphyry copper deposits are also known for being economically challenging due to post-mineralisation intrusions, which can dilute the average grade of the deposit by replacing mineralisation with unmineralised rock.
Australia's two largest-known producing porphyry copper deposits are both found in the state of New South Wales. The first of these, the Cadia-Ridgeway mine, is a combination underground and open-cut mine owned by Newcrest Mining. Historically a major producer of gold and copper, the mine is currently in maintenance. The second, Northparkes, also produces both gold and copper. The project is 80% owned by China Molybdenum and 20% owned by Sumitomo.
Other major porphyry deposits include Spinifex Ridge in the North Pilbara Terrane and Boddington in the Saddleback Greenstone Belt. Spinifex Ridge contains the largest molybdenum resource in Australia. The Boddington mine is one of the largest gold producers in Australia.
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Epithermal gold deposits
The formation of epithermal gold deposits is triggered when groundwater comes into contact with molten rock. This process dissolves silicate minerals and metals, eventually leading to the formation of ore veins as the water cools and settles into cracks and faults. Epithermal deposits are typically associated with volcanic subduction zones and commonly occur in volcanic, island, and continental arcs. They may also be found near hot springs and in shallow marine environments.
In Australia, epithermal gold deposits are relatively uncommon due to their younger age compared to other geographic formations. The primary location of these deposits is the Siluro-Ordovician Macquarie Arc in New South Wales. Other notable epithermal deposits include the Drummond Basin in northeast Queensland and Connors-Auburn in Eastern Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
The top three states with the highest EDR (Exploration, Development, and Retention) of gold in Australia are Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales. In fact, Western Australia is the country's major gold producer, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production.
The top 10 biggest gold mines in Australia in terms of gold output are Newmont, Cadia Valley, KCGM, and Tropicana.
Australia has a long and rich history when it comes to the search for gold and there are still many places where you can go gold prospecting. Some of the best places to go gold prospecting in Australia include Bathurst, Clermont, Beaconsfield, and Castlemaine.
