The December quarter gold production figures have been released from Surbiton Associates. These figures show an all time high production and some spread across the nation for gold. Australia’s gold production for 2019 was an all time record of 325 tonnes, with the December quarter producing 87 tonnes alone. 2018 was the previous record with 317 tonnes for a calendar year.
Newcrest’s Cadia Operation in New South Wales topped the list for not only being Australia’s largest gold producer in the December quarter, but also the largest gold producer for the 2019 calendar year. Cadia East produced 239,772 ounces in the December quarter 43,700 ounces more than Newmont Corp’s Boddington operation in Western Australia.
“In addition to 2019 having the highest ever gold production in Australia, the December 2019 quarter was really outstanding,” said Dr Sandra Close, a director of Surbiton Associates. “The record output was due to new projects coming on stream and ramping up production, other operations recovering from poor performances in the September quarter and some increases in throughput and grade.”
A former darling of the annual and quarterly figures, The Kalgoorlie Boulder Super Pit was not part of the figures released today, however Dr Close concluded
“Sales of Kalgoorlie’s Super Pit interests were announced in late 2019, with joint venturers Barrick Gold and Newmont selling to Saracen Mineral Holdings and Northern Star Resources, respectively. This has finally resolved the ongoing ownership uncertainties at one of Australia’s largest gold mines,” Dr Close said. “The ownership changes bode well for the future, and both Saracen and Northern Star have undertaken substantial further gold price hedging in support of their new acquisitions.”
Cadia East lifted its production by 68,000 ounces and Goldfields St Ives, had an increase in production of 32,600 ounces. While operations for Auralia Metals Peak mine near Cobar and Evolution Mining’s Cowal and Mt Carlton mines produced less this quarter. While Victorian operators are still grappling with a recent gold production royalty.
December Quarter Figures:
| Operation | Ounces | Owner | State |
| Cadia East | 239,722 | Newcrest Mining Ltd | NSW |
| Boddington | 196,000 | Newmont Corp | WA |
| Fosterville | 191,864 | Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd | VIC |
| Tanami | 139,000 | Newmont Corp | NT |
| Tropicana – JV | 133,932 | AngloGold Ashanti 70%Independence Group LTD 30% | WA |
| Operation | Ounces | Owner | State |
| Cadia East | 871,246 | Newcrest Mining Ltd | NSW |
| Boddington | 703,000 | Newmont Corp | WA |
| Fosterville | 619,367 | Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd | VIC |
| Tropicana – JV | 513,433 | AngloGold Ashanti 70%Independence Group LTD 30% | WA |
| Tanami | 500,000 | Newmont Corp | NT |
Produced with assistance of Surbiton Associates