Newmont’s Boddington operations largely unscathed by bushfire
Gold miner Newmont has confirmed that a bushfire remains active around the company’s Boddington operations, in Western Australia.
A rampant bushfire began in mid-December, with authorities having managed to contain it by January 4 following tireless efforts and favourable weather conditions.
The company’s operations were suspended on December 24 and site inspections on December 28 determined that critical infrastructure, including the Boddington pit, processing plant, tailings facility and administrative buildings remain secure and undamaged.
The company confirms that bushfire preparation protocols were in place to ensure that all major infrastructure was protected during an extreme fire event. “However, we have identified damage to a portion of the site's water supply infrastructure.”
Newmont says it will continue to monitor and manage the fire in the weeks ahead.
Notably, all Newmont employees and contractors have remained safe, while no serious injuries have been reported in the nearby community.
The company also managed to maintain gold production through the majority of December albeit at reduced processing capacity of between 50% and 60% until the main water supply infrastructure is restored.
Newmont expects this infrastructure to be repaired in February and that gold output will be about 60 000 oz for the first quarter of this year.
“Newmont continues to provide critical support to regional emergency services, including equipment and maintenance for firefighting equipment. We extend our sincere thanks to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Shire of Boddington, the more than 200 emergency responders and our workforce for their exceptional efforts in safeguarding the community and our operations from this extreme event,” the company concludes.
