Gold Mines QLD

While Queensland’s big earning mining sector is coal extraction, there are a number of successful operations in the gold mine Queensland industry. With a rich gold mining history dating back more than 150 years, some of Queensland’s most productive mines continue to produce gold.

Gold is a precious metal whose principal role is as a store of value. It’s hard to process, relatively scarce and is a bell-weather element for the economy.

In more volatile conditions including times of war and higher inflation, among others, gold is seen as a prudent step to defend wealth.

Australia was the world’s third largest gold producer in 2021, accounting for 315.1 tonnes.

Gold is also used in dentistry, aerospace and electronics production.

Gold mining in Queensland is currently dominated by mid-sized miners.

Ravenswood Gold is the stand-out player in the field. The Ravenswood Gold mine is located around 130km south of Townsville and 90km east of Charters Towers and has goals for 200,000 ounces/year production.

Related: Major step for Ravenswood Gold expansion

Content

The Players

Evolution Mining has been active in both acquisitions and development of gold mines in Queensland.

It sealed a deal for the total acquisition of Ernest Henry Mine north- west of Cloncurry from Glencore last year for $1 billion.

It still has interests in the Pajingo Mine south of Charters Towers after selling a majority interest to Minjar.

Evolution also sold the historic Cracow Mine west of Hervey Bay to Aeris Resources and its Mount Carlton operation south of Townsville, a greenfields development, to Navarre Minerals.

All these operations have grown. Navarre Minerals has announced new open-pit operations on the back of successful drilling at the nearby Mount Carlton United project.

Related: Navarre Minerals hits million-ounce milestone

Aeris has since taken over the WH Patterson-owned Round Oak Minerals with its tenements in North-West Queensland around Cloncurry.

Related: Major Aeris growth spurt with Round Oak takeover

The Junior Miners

North and Central Queensland are peppered with junior miners bringing gold mining operations to life.

Savannah Goldfields recently restarted the Georgetown processing plant, where it is processing ore from North Queensland’s Agate Creek gold mine.

Meanwhile, GBM Resources has been building its Drummond Basin gold footprint. Its combined resources within the Twin Hills / Yandan / Mount Coolon projects total more than 40 million tonnes (for more than 1.6 million oz gold).

And Tombola Gold kicked off processing in late 2022 at the refurbished Great Australian Mine plant in Cloncurry as it advances its Mount Freda gold complex.

Pacgold was the best performing gold IPO on the ASX for the 2021-22 financial year, thanks to a high-grade gold discovery at its 100 per cent owned Alice River Gold Project in North Queensland.

Sunshine Gold, active in the ‘golden’ corridor between Ravenswood and Mount Leyshon, and Superior Resources, operating in the Greenvale district north-west of Charters Towers, are examples of the intense exploration activity underway in the Queensland mining sector.

QMines is among the highest profile juniors in Central Queensland and is building on its flagship project at Mount Chalmers south-west of Rockhampton.

Related: Sunshine Gold expands its options with Rockfire Resources JV

A brief history of gold mining in Queensland

Gold has been pivotal in the development of the Queensland economy.

Small gold alluvial deposits were discovered across the Darling Downs starting at Warwick in 1851 preceding the first gold rush in Queensland at Canoona, which was to become Rockhampton, in 1858.

It was a ‘duffer rush’ which attracted 15,000 miners, suppliers and their families but failed to provide for an ongoing industry. There were a number of smaller finds in the region over the next two decades.

This did herald the discovery of gold in Mount Morgan west of Rockhampton in 1882. It closed in 1990 having produced 250 tonnes of gold and 360,000 tonnes of copper.

Mount Morgan has new life with the announcement that the Northern Australian Infrastructure Fund will invest $66m into a Heritage Minerals project to reprocess tailings on the site. It’s expected to produce 7.5 tonnes of gold and 5,600 tonnes of copper.

The 1880s saw gold discovered in the Cape River goldfield near Pentland south west of Charters Towers.

This was prescient and subsequent mining in Charters Towers is reported to have yielded an estimated that 6 million ounces of gold in the first 40 to 50 years of operations from the late 1880s

The town prospered. It had its own stock exchange and locals dubbed it ‘The World’, as there was no need to go anywhere else.

Some of the great gold mines in North Queensland contributing to the region’s reputation included Mount Leyshon, Red Dome and Kidston.

While there are other significant finds including the Palmer and Gilbert Rivers, the history of gold mining in Queensland does tip its hat to the Gympie Goldfield which was declared in 1868.

The state was in dire economic circumstances at the time and returns from the fields earned Gympie the name, ’The town that saved Queensland.’

iQ Industry Queensland partners with mining supply chain professionals to provide the latest news and resources on Queensland gold mining.

The information, news and updates we deliver are designed to help your operation stay on top of the latest developments and get involved with the growing industry of mining in Queensland.

The Mining Process

The development of a gold mine is a cycle of exploration, mining, processing, rehabilitation and closure.

Exploration is the science of interpolating data from various sources that may infer the presence of a mineral resource. These sources range from surface samples and historical reference to drilling.

What follow is a process of characterisation to identify the level of confidence in the target.

Outcropping deposits are today more likely to have been surveyed and there is a greater reliance on technology to identify reserves ‘at depth’.

The use of either open-cut or underground mining depends on the resource model. What follows is a development cycle of drilling, blasting, bogging and ground support.

The gold ore then follows a process that progressively separates the element sometimes apparent in the low single figures per tonne of ore mined.

QLD Gold Mines & Operations List

  • Alice River – Pacgold owns the Alice River project about 300kms northeast of Cairns. The Project comprises a portfolio of eight mining leases and five exploration permits in a highly prospective and largely under-explored gold terrain at the northern end of the Northeast Queensland Mineral Province. 
    pacgold.com.au
  • Cracow – Mid-tier miner Aeris Resources acquired the Cracow Gold Mine from Evolution Mining for AUD $60 million in 2019. Mining, which began in the 1930’s continues with early 2023 announcement of a maiden mineral resource for the Golden Plateau deposit.
    www.aerisresources.com.au
  • Crush Creek – Owner Evolution Mining believes this gold project will deliver new resources that will add to the mine life at its nearby Mount Carlton operation.
    evolutionmining.com.au
  • Chinova Cloncurry Projects – Chinova Resources is considering reopening Starra Line mines in 2021 as part of its Osborne Extended Mine Life (EML) feasibility study. The Mount Elliott mineral system is also under study. Mount Dore is being revisited to assess its potential as a copper heap leach project.
    www.chinovaresources.com

Gold Mining News Queensland

Gold mining news from Queensland continues to highlight the state’s importance as a gold production hub. With operations spanning historic and emerging regions, the gold mines in Queensland play a significant role in Australia’s resource sector. iQ Industry Queensland delivers real-time updates, market trends, and insights to help professionals stay informed about developments in gold mines in QLD.


The Gold Mines in Queensland Driving Growth

Gold mines in Queensland have a rich history with production from centres including Mount Morgan, Charters Towers, and Gympie dating back to the 19th century. Queensland gold fields are home to established sites and new exploration projects, contributing to the state’s economic resilience. Investment in these gold mines boosts employment, infrastructure, and local businesses. Another significant gold mine in Australia is the Ravenswood Gold Mine in Queensland, which continues to develop substantial gold reserves and support local communities through employment and infrastructure development.

With the demand for gold in Queensland growing, companies continue to explore and develop new reserves, ensuring that gold mines in QLD remain competitive nationally and globally.


The Gold Mining Industry in Queensland

Thegold mining industryin Queensland is marked by its adaptability and innovation. Mining companies are integrating sustainable practices, advanced technologies, and efficient extraction methods to extend the life of existing mines and discover new deposits. This ensures that gold fields in QLD continue to thrive while minimising environmental impact.

Our coverage of gold fields news provides professionals with the insights needed to understand trends ingold mines in Australiaand the effect on Queensland’s resource economy.


Australian Gold Mines: Opportunities and Challenges

Australian gold mines face challenges such as fluctuating global prices, regulatory changes, and environmental concerns. However, these challenges also open doors for innovation and sustainability. Queensland’s miners are investing in cleaner extraction methods and responsible mining practices, helping the gold mining industry adapt to market demands.

Our gold fields news highlights how operators in the QLD gold fieldsare meeting these challenges while maintaining productivity and growth. Stay ahead in the gold mining industry with iQ Industry Queensland. Subscribe for real-time gold mining news, insights on gold mines in Queensland, and updates on industry trends. Stay informed and make confident decisions.


Stay Informed with the Latest Gold Mining News

Keep ahead in Queensland’s dynamic gold sector with iQ Industry Queensland. From gold mining news to insights on industry leaders like Anglo American news, BMA news, and Glencore news, we provide comprehensive coverage to support your business decisions. Explore our updates on energy news and subscribe today for real-time industry insights and analysis.


Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the major gold mines in Queensland located?

The major gold mines in Queensland are in regions like Charters Towers, the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Mount Isa Minerals Province. These areas are part ofQueensland"s goldhistory and continue to produce significant quantities of gold.

How does gold mining support Queensland’s economy?

Gold mining in QLD supports thousands of jobs, regional infrastructure, and local businesses. The industry contributes to Queensland’s economy through exploration, extraction, and export activities.

What sustainability efforts are seen in Queensland’s gold mining industry?

The gold mining industry in Queensland incorporates greener practices, such as reduced water usage, renewable energy integration, and land rehabilitation, ensuring the longevity of gold mines in Queensland.

What are some notable Australian gold mines?

Australia gold mines include renowned sites such as the Super Pit in Western Australia, the Fosterville Gold Mine in Victoria, and the Ravenswood Gold Mine in Queensland. These gold mines in Australia contribute significantly to gold production, supporting both the national economy and global gold markets.

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