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Western Australia is one of the world's major gold producers, accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold production. 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 discovery of gold in Western Australia led to the development of an industry that has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the state. The Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields is Australia's premier gold province with major Archean greenstone-hosted deposits.
Today, there are 11 of the world's largest gold mines in Western Australia, making it the country's top gold-producing region. In recent years, the state has attracted major mining companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP. Gold was the second most valuable commodity in Western Australia in 2023-2024, with sales reaching a record AU$20 billion. Notable gold mines in the state include the Boddington Gold Mine, the Kalgoorlie Mine, and the Duketon South mine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of gold mines in Western Australia | 11 of the world's largest gold mines are in Western Australia |
| Gold production in Western Australia | 211.22 tonnes in 2023/2024 |
| Gold production in the rest of Australia | 80.73 tonnes in 2023/2024 |
| Gold sales in Western Australia in 2023-24 | AU$20 billion |
| Number of people employed in the Western Australian gold mining industry | 36,087 in 2021-22 |
| Number of global gold mines in operation | 1352 |
| Number of gold mines in Australia | 175 |
| Number of operating gold mines in Australia | 66 |
| Major companies operating in Western Australia | Rio Tinto, BHP, Newmont |
| Gold mines in Western Australia | The Boddington Mine, The Tropicana Gold Mine, The Kalgoorlie Mine, The Duketon South Mine, The Telfer Mine, The St Ives Mine |
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What You'll Learn
The Golden Mile
The Fimiston Open Pit, also known as the Super Pit, is an open-pit mine located within the Golden Mile. It was Australia's largest open-cut gold mine until 2016 when it was surpassed by the Newmont Boddington gold mine, also in Western Australia. The Fimiston Open Pit is owned by Northern Star Resources and employs around 1,100 people directly on site. In 2019, the mine produced 456,000 troy ounces (14.2 tonnes) of gold.
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Kalgoorlie Mines
Kalgoorlie has been one of the most significant regions in Western Australia's gold mining history. The discovery of gold in the area sparked the 1893 gold rush, leading to the development of the Golden Mile, a concentration of rich gold deposits. The Golden Mile at the centre of the Kalgoorlie Goldfield is considered one of the world's richest gold deposits, producing more than 60 million ounces of gold over 130 years.
The Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Operation is a world-class asset located near the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, approximately 600 kilometres east of Perth, Western Australia. KCGM Operations include the Fimiston Open Pit (Super Pit), Mt Charlotte Underground Mine, and the Fimiston and Gidji Processing Plants. The Super Pit is one of Australia's largest open-pit gold mines, attracting thousands of locals and tourists each year as a popular attraction in the Goldfields. It is oblong, approximately 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide, and over 600 metres deep. The Fimiston Open Pit is owned by Northern Star Resources and produced 456,000 troy ounces (14.2 tonnes) of gold in 2019, employing around 1,100 people directly on site.
The gold mining area of Kalgoorlie-Boulder-Fimiston has long been referred to as the Golden Mile due to the geographical concentration of rich mines in that area. The Fimiston Open Pit was created in 1989 by Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, a joint venture between Homestake Gold of Australia and Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie, a Normandy Mining subsidiary. Over time, the ownership of the mine changed hands, with Northern Star Resources acquiring a 50% stake in 2020 and the remaining 50% in 2021, making it the sole owner.
Kalgoorlie's gold mining industry has experienced highs and lows over the decades. The discovery of the Golden Eagle nugget in Coolgardie in 1931 attracted prospectors to the region, leading to a revival of gold mining towns like Kalgoorlie. However, the outbreak of World War II caused a decline in the industry, similar to the impact of World War I, which saw a significant drop in gold production by 1920. Despite these challenges, Kalgoorlie has remained an essential contributor to Western Australia's gold production, with the state being the country's major gold producer and accounting for almost 70% of Australia's total gold output.
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Gold production statistics
Gold mining in Western Australia dates back to the 1880s but became a significant industry in the 1890s, following gold discoveries at Coolgardie in 1892 and Kalgoorlie in 1893. The Golden Mile, producing 20 tonnes of gold, was Western Australia's top-producing mine in 2008–09, followed by Telfer with 18.1 tonnes and St Ives with 13.4 tonnes. In 2008–09, Western Australia accounted for 62% of Australia's gold production, with 41% of exports going to the United Kingdom and 34% to India.
In 2014–15, the Western Australian gold mining industry directly employed 19,175 people. By 2021–22, this number had risen to 36,087. During 2014–15, the state produced 6.27 million troy ounces of gold (195 tonnes), which accounted for 6% of world production. In 2015–16, gold was ranked third in the list of resources exported by Western Australia, with a value of A$10 billion. In 2015–16, Western Australia produced over 50% of all Australian mineral and petroleum sales, which made up 88% of the state's merchandise exports.
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 during this 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. During 2021–22, the gold price reached a new record peak of over US$2000 per ounce in early 2022, before settling lower.
Western Australia is home to 11 of the world's largest gold mines, making it the country's major gold producer. If it were a country, Western Australia would be the fifth largest gold producer in the world.
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Evolution of the industry
The evolution of Western Australia's gold mining industry has been a rollercoaster, with periods of growth and decline influenced by various factors. Here is a detailed look at its evolution over the years:
Early Beginnings and Gold Rush (1890s)
The discovery of gold in Western Australia during the 1890s marked the beginning of a significant transformation for the region. The first major find was in Kalgoorlie, which sparked a gold rush and established a thriving gold mining industry by 1900. The Golden Mile at Kalgoorlie became a prominent site, producing vast amounts of gold. This initial boom attracted fortune seekers and immigrants from all over the world, tripling Australia's population within a decade.
Peak and Initial Decline (1903-1920s)
By 1903, the gold mining industry in Western Australia reached its peak, but this success was short-lived. As surface deposits began to deplete, towns and mines in the Goldfields declined rapidly. The First World War further impacted the industry, with many miners enlisting and a decrease in overseas investment. As a result, by 1920, gold production had dropped significantly, and numerous mines were forced to close.
Revival during the Great Depression (1930s)
The industry experienced a boost during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The rise in gold prices, government incentives, and increased foreign investment revived the gold mining sector. Mines reopened, and new companies, such as the Western Mining Corporation, injected capital into the industry. This revival also brought social challenges, with increased competition for jobs leading to racial tensions and the Kalgoorlie race riots in 1934.
Post-World War II Decline (1960s-1970s)
After a temporary recovery following World War II, the gold mining industry in Western Australia faced another decline in the 1960s and hit its lowest point in 1976, with production levels a fraction of what they were in 1900. However, the discovery of nickel in the region and advancements in technology led to a resurgence in the 1980s, with many mines reopening and new methods, such as open-cut mining, being introduced.
Modern Era (2000s-present)
In recent years, Western Australia has solidified its position as the country's largest gold producer, accounting for around 70% of Australia's gold output. The industry has benefited from improved extraction techniques, allowing for the reprocessing of old sludge and the efficient treatment of entire areas of gold-bearing veins. Western Australia has attracted major mining companies and continues to produce significant amounts of gold, with the state's gold sales reaching a record AU$20 billion in 2023-2024.
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Major players
Western Australia is home to 11 of the world's largest gold mines, making it the country's major gold producer. The Yilgarn Craton in the Eastern Goldfields is Australia's premier gold province, with major Archean greenstone-hosted deposits.
The discovery of gold in Western Australia led to the development of an industry that significantly contributed to the growth and development of the state. 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.
Some of the major players in the Western Australian gold mining industry include Northern Star Resources, which owns the South Kalgoorlie Gold Mine, Kanowna Belle Gold Mine, Kundana Gold Mine, and the East Kundana Joint Venture. Northern Star Resources also owns the Jundee Gold Mine, which is part of its Yandal operations. Another major player is Gold Fields, which owns St. Ives, consisting of multiple open-pit and underground mines near Kambalda. Newmont is another large player, owning the Boddington open-pit gold and copper mine.
Other large mining companies operating in Western Australia include Rio Tinto, BHP, and IGO Ltd. These companies have a diverse range of operations, including gold mining, and a presence in multiple countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia is home to 11 of the country's 14 largest gold mines, including the Boddington Gold Mine, Duketon South, Kalgoorlie, and the Tropicana Gold Mine.
Western Australia produced 6.9 million troy ounces (214 tonnes) of gold in 2021-22, the highest amount in 20 years. In 2023/24, the state alone produced 211.22 tonnes of gold.
The Boddington Gold Mine is the biggest gold project in the state, capable of producing 900,000 ounces of gold per year.
Gold mines in Western Australia are owned by various entities, including Newmont, Regis Resources, AngloGold Ashanti, and Northern Star Resources.
The history of gold mining in Western Australia dates back to the 1890s with the discovery of the 'Golden Mile' in Kalgoorlie, sparking the first gold rush in the region. The industry experienced a decline during the First and Second World Wars but saw a revival in the 1930s due to the Great Depression.
