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Earthquakes cut Cadia gold output as Newmont faces production slowdown at NSW mine - Orange, NSW
Smart summary
Newmont Corporation’s Cadia gold mine near Orange has recorded a sharp drop in production after seismic events forced temporary disruptions to underground operations in New South Wales.
Production at one of Australia’s largest gold mines has been significantly affected after a series of earthquakes disrupted operations at Newmont Corporation’s Cadia gold mine in central western New South Wales.
The Cadia operation, located near Orange, experienced multiple seismic events in 2026, forcing the company to temporarily pause underground mining activities while safety inspections and recovery work were carried out. The disruptions resulted in reduced gold and copper output during the affected period.
Newmont reported that gold production was lower during the quarter due to the impact of seismic events at Cadia. The company said underground activities were affected while teams assessed conditions and completed rehabilitation work. Production losses at Cadia contributed to an overall decline in Newmont’s global gold output for the period.
The largest disruption followed a magnitude 4.5 earthquake recorded near the Cadia operation in April 2026. Safety procedures were immediately activated, with underground workers moved to designated safe areas and later returned safely to the surface. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Following inspections, Newmont said damage was limited and surface infrastructure, including tailings facilities, remained safe. However, underground mining operations required additional assessment and rehabilitation before returning to normal levels.
A further seismic event in June also affected the operation, causing another temporary pause while safety checks were completed. Newmont said workers were safely accounted for and operations resumed after assessments.
The production impact was significant. Cadia’s gold output dropped during the affected quarter, with the mine producing considerably fewer ounces compared with previous periods. The reduction also affected copper production because of the connection between underground mining activity and mineral processing.
Despite the production challenges, Newmont said the company remained on track with its broader business plans, supported by strong gold prices and production from other operations. The company highlighted that higher gold prices helped offset some financial impacts from lower production volumes.
Cadia is one of Australia’s most important gold mining operations and a major contributor to the regional economy around Orange. The mine provides employment for thousands of workers and supports local businesses through contracts, services and supply chains.
The earthquakes have renewed attention on mining safety, underground operations and the challenges of managing large-scale resources projects in areas affected by natural seismic activity.
Newmont has continued monitoring conditions at Cadia while implementing recovery measures to restore production. The company said worker safety remains the priority while engineers and specialists continue assessing underground conditions.
The long-term impact on Cadia’s production will depend on the speed of recovery and future mining conditions. While operations have moved back toward normal levels, the company continues to manage the effects of the seismic events and adjust production plans accordingly.
ProductionCadiaGoldNewmontAffected
Production at one of Australia’s largest gold mines has been significantly affected after a series of earthquakes disrupted operations at Newmont Corporation’s Cadia gold mine in central western New South Wales.
The Cadia operation, located near Orange, experienced multiple seismic events in 2026, forcing the company to temporarily pause underground mining activities while safety inspections and recovery work were carried out. The disruptions resulted in reduced gold and copper output during the affected period.
Newmont reported that gold production was lower during the quarter due to the impact of seismic events at Cadia. The company said underground activities were affected while teams assessed conditions and completed rehabilitation work. Production losses at Cadia contributed to an overall decline in Newmont’s global gold output for the period.
The largest disruption followed a magnitude 4.5 earthquake recorded near the Cadia operation in April 2026. Safety procedures were immediately activated, with underground workers moved to designated safe areas and later returned safely to the surface. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Following inspections, Newmont said damage was limited and surface infrastructure, including tailings facilities, remained safe. However, underground mining operations required additional assessment and rehabilitation before returning to normal levels.
A further seismic event in June also affected the operation, causing another temporary pause while safety checks were completed. Newmont said workers were safely accounted for and operations resumed after assessments.
The production impact was significant. Cadia’s gold output dropped during the affected quarter, with the mine producing considerably fewer ounces compared with previous periods. The reduction also affected copper production because of the connection between underground mining activity and mineral processing.
Despite the production challenges, Newmont said the company remained on track with its broader business plans, supported by strong gold prices and production from other operations. The company highlighted that higher gold prices helped offset some financial impacts from lower production volumes.
Cadia is one of Australia’s most important gold mining operations and a major contributor to the regional economy around Orange. The mine provides employment for thousands of workers and supports local businesses through contracts, services and supply chains.
The earthquakes have renewed attention on mining safety, underground operations and the challenges of managing large-scale resources projects in areas affected by natural seismic activity.
Newmont has continued monitoring conditions at Cadia while implementing recovery measures to restore production. The company said worker safety remains the priority while engineers and specialists continue assessing underground conditions.
The long-term impact on Cadia’s production will depend on the speed of recovery and future mining conditions. While operations have moved back toward normal levels, the company continues to manage the effects of the seismic events and adjust production plans accordingly.
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