Key Takeaways
- Over 150 underground workers at Newmont’s Cadia goldmine were safely evacuated after a 4.5‑magnitude earthquake struck near the site on Tuesday evening.
- The quake’s epicentre was only 3 km from the mine’s tailings dam, which partially collapsed in 2018, raising immediate safety concerns.
- Newmont’s internal memo confirmed all personnel were accounted for, moved to refuge chambers, and debriefed; underground operations remain paused pending a safety assessment.
- Local residents felt the tremor hundreds of kilometres away, describing it as an “explosion under the house,” but reported no injuries or structural damage.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns stated there is no current evidence linking the earthquake to mining activity, while Geoscience Australia recorded over 2,000 tremor reports and noted the event is unusually large for the region.
Earthquake Details and Timing
The 4.5‑magnitude quake occurred at 8.19 p.m. on Tuesday at a depth of 5 km, centred roughly 30 km south‑west of Orange in central‑west New South Wales. Seismologists classified the tremor as weak to light, yet its effects were felt across a broad swath of the state, reaching as far south‑east as Batemans Bay, hundreds of kilometres away.
Proximity to the Cadia Mine and Tailings Dam
The epicentre lay just 3 km east of the Newmont Cadia goldmine’s underground workings and only a short distance from the mine’s tailings dam, which suffered a partial collapse in 2018. This proximity heightened concerns about potential destabilisation of the dam or underground structures, prompting an immediate precautionary response.
Immediate Mine Response and Evacuation
Upon feeling the shaking, mine personnel followed established emergency procedures. An internal Newmont memo, viewed by Guardian Australia, stated that 153 workers who were underground “are accounted for, and were progressively returned safely to the surface, and have been debriefed.” Employees moved quickly to refuge chambers, and mine rescue teams executed a structured re‑entry and rescue plan to ensure everyone’s safety.
Safety Priorities and Support Measures
Newmont’s announcement emphasized that “safety and the wellbeing of our people remain the top priority.” The company offered support services for any staff distressed by the event and urged workers to look out for one another and speak with their leaders. A structured process is underway to develop a mine recovery plan while underground operations remain paused for specialist inspections and assessments.
Local Community Reactions
Blayney Shire Mayor Bruce Reynolds, residing about 12 km from the epicentre, described the quake as “like an explosion under the house” and said his primary concern was the safety of the underground miners at Cadia. John Clemens, owner of the Forest Reefs Tavern roughly a 20‑minute drive from the mine, recalled feeling the tremor just after closing for the night: “We’d just closed the tavern and were counting the takings and the place just shook like a truck was coming through it.” He noted rattling windows and wine glasses but confirmed no damage or injuries at the tavern.
Official Statements and Seismological Context
NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters that the government had “no information to suggest the earthquake was linked to mining activity,” adding that evacuation protocols were activated for miners and the situation would be monitored closely. Geoscience Australia received more than 2,000 tremor reports from the region. Senior seismologist Dr Phil Cummins noted that only five quakes of comparable magnitude have occurred within 50 km of the site since 1977, the most recent being a 4.3‑magnitude event in 2017, making Tuesday’s quake “a large earthquake for this area.” He anticipated aftershocks would be considerably lighter and confined to a smaller area.
Operational Impact and Future Updates
A Newmont spokesperson confirmed that safety procedures functioned effectively, with no reported injuries. Underground operations remain halted while specialist teams conduct inspections and risk assessments. The company pledged to issue an update on any material production impacts, should they arise, once the safety review is complete.
Broader Implications for Mining Safety
The incident underscores the importance of robust emergency preparedness in mining operations, particularly those situated near geologically active zones or infrastructure with prior failure history, such as the Cadia tailings dam. The swift evacuation, use of refuge chambers, and coordinated rescue effort demonstrate the value of regular drills and clear communication channels. Ongoing monitoring, transparent reporting, and continual improvement of safety protocols will be essential as the mine resumes operations and as regional seismic activity is assessed.