Australia’s newest gold operation, the Gruyere Mine in Western Australia, has officially opened and is safely ramping up to an average annual production of 300,000 ounces.
Located 200 kilometres east of Laverton in the north-eastern Goldfields, the Gruyere Mine is a joint venture between Gold Fields and Gold Road, with Gold Fields the mine operator and manager.
Gruyere is a globally significant Tier One1 gold operation and has a current mine life of 12 years. First gold was poured on 30 June 2019 and by the end of this year the mine is expected to meet its first production target of 75,000 – 100,000 ounces for 2019.
Speaking at Gruyere’s opening, Western Australia’s Mines and Petroleum Minister, the Honourable Bill Johnston Congratulated Gold Road and Gold Fields on the opening of Western Australia’s newest gold mine.
“The Gruyere project is vitally important to Western Australia, not only because of its gold output but also because it will provide around 250 jobs over the next 12 years and open up a new gold province.”
Gold Fields Executive Vice President Australasia, Stuart Mathews, said: “Gold Fields is excited to have Gruyere as part of its portfolio of mines in Western Australia including the St Ives, Granny Smith and Agnew operations.
The Gruyere open pit gold mining and processing operations provide direct employment for more than 250 employees and contractors while another 700 workers were employed during construction.
Mr Mathews paid tribute to Gold Road, whose exploration team discovered the orebody, proved up the deposit and then decided to partner with Gold Fields to bring the operation into production.
Gold Road Managing Director and CEO, Duncan Gibbs, said Gruyere’s development has been an amazing journey for Gold Road and a testament to the company’s vision and persistence.
“We made the discovery six years ago and today we have opened a greenfield operation that is the first to produce gold in the prospective Yamarna Belt,” Mr Gibbs said.
“Gold Road is proud that our exploration success has led to the creation of employment and contracting opportunities in regional Western Australia, including for the Yilka people with whom we have forged a strong relationship.”
To date, four key contracts have been awarded to indigenous enterprises, focused on major plant, minor plant, labour hire and cleaning services. Gruyere is the first operating mine on Yilka country.
“Our focus now is to work with our partner Gold Fields to deliver sustained value from Gruyere while our exploration team is focused on further unlocking the gold potential of the Yamarna Belt.”