According to Mining News Pro -Australian gold output neared record highs during the 2017–2018
financial year, totalling 310 tonnes, or just under 10 million ounces
(Moz). It is the highest output since the 1997–1998 financial year.
According
to Melbourne-based mining consultant Surbiton Associates, gold output
in 2017–2018 was only eight tonnes less than the all-time record set in
1997–1998.
Gold production in the June quarter hit 81 tonnes,
which was a nine per cent increase since the March 2018 quarter, and was
only 1.5 tonnes lower than the all-time quarterly record.
Surbiton
Associates director Sandra Close said, “Boddington and Super Pit vied
for the top spot for the year, with each producing almost 23 tonnes, or
nearly three quarters of a million ounces of gold.”
Newmont
Mining’s Boddington came out as Australia’s largest gold producer in the
year of 2017 to 2018, producing 3000 oz more than the Super Pit.
Close
said that many of Australia’s gold treatment plants were producing at
full or even above their rated capacity. A considerable number of
smaller operations were also having their toll treated or were selling
ore direct to existing mills.
“However, despite the buoyant results, gold production may well be lower in the next few quarters,” Close said.
“The
problems at Super Pit will no doubt have a negative effect, although
fortunately the recent problems at Cadia have now been overcome.”
In May, a rock slip in the northeast wall of the Super Pit caused a severe interruption to its mining operations, leading both JV partners Newmont Mining and Barrick Gold to reduce their gold production guidance for 2018.
Nevertheless, Subirton reported an increase of 22,000oz in the Super Pit’s gold output to 192,000oz during the quarter.
Close
said, “Super Pit’s increased production for the June quarter must have
come from stockpiled material and perhaps from a reduction of gold in
the processing circuit. But I doubt that this can continue.”
According
to Close’s visit to the Super Pit a few weeks ago, remedial work on the
slip had not begun. “No doubt Newmont staff were still examining their
options,” Surbiton Associates stated.
Considering the severity of
the slip and the pit configuration, the reduced number of haul trucks
coming out of the pit indicates that production in the next few quarters
will be affected.
Meanwhile, production restart in Cadia in early April demonstrated a quick recovery from its tailings dam breach a month prior.
Cadia regained its full-production capability in May, reporting a nine
per cent increase in its June quarter output and hitting 156,000oz.
Below are Australia’s top-five gold producers for 2017–2018:
- Boddington (Newmont Mining) – 733,000oz
- Super Pit (Newmont Mining and Barrick Gold, 50:50 JV) – 730,000oz
- Cadia Valley (Newcrest Mining) – 599,718oz
- Tropicana (AngloGold and Independence Group, 70:30 JV) – 467,228oz
- Tanami (Newmont Mining) – 465,000oz