More than 150 gold miners were forced to seek shelter in underground refuge chambers Tuesday evening after a 4.5-magnitude quake hit central west NSW, triggering an emergency evacuation of the Newmont Cadia gold mine.
The tremor struck at 8:19 p.m. At a depth of 5km, with the epicenter located approximately 30km south-west of Orange. The intensity of the shake was felt hundreds of kilometers away, prompting more than 2,000 reports of tremors to Geoscience Australia, ranging from weak to light sensations as far south-east as Batemans Bay.
Newmont has paused all underground operations at the Cadia site while specialist teams conduct critical safety inspections and structural assessments. Company officials stated that safety procedures functioned effectively during the event, ensuring all personnel were accounted for without injury.
Emergency evacuation and underground refuge
The sudden seismic event forced 153 workers deep underground to implement emergency protocols immediately. According to internal company communications, personnel moved quickly into designated refuge chambers—reinforced safety zones designed to protect miners from cave-ins or atmospheric hazards during crises.
Following the initial shock, mine rescue teams executed a structured re-entry and rescue plan to bring the workers back to the surface. All 153 employees were progressively returned safely and have since undergone debriefing sessions.
In a statement, a Newmont spokesperson emphasized that the wellbeing of the workforce remains the highest priority. The company is currently developing a structured mine recovery plan to determine when it is safe to resume production. Newmont indicated it will provide further updates regarding any material production impacts once the assessments are complete.
The company as well acknowledged the psychological toll of the event, noting that such an occurrence may be unsettling for staff and providing access to support services for those affected.
A ‘large earthquake’ for the region
While a 4.5-magnitude quake may seem modest in global terms, seismologists describe it as a significant event for the Central West of New South Wales. Dr. Phil Cummins, a senior seismologist, noted that only five earthquakes of a similar scale have been recorded within 50km of the site since 1977.
The most recent comparable event was a 4.3-magnitude quake in 2017. Dr. Cummins characterized Tuesday’s tremor as a large earthquake for this specific area, though he expects any subsequent aftershocks to be considerably lighter and confined to a smaller geographic radius.
The impact was vividly described by local business owners. John Clemens, who owns the Forest Reefs Tavern about a 20-minute drive from the mine, was closing his establishment for the night when the shaking began.
“We’d just closed the tavern and were counting the takings and the place just shook like a truck was coming through it,” Clemens said. “It was crazy. Windows rattling, wine glasses rattling in the hotel.”
Clemens described the force of the quake as coming from the western side, near the mine, stating that the pub seemed to lean one way and then snap back the other. Despite the intensity, no damage was reported at the tavern.
Infrastructure and historical context
The proximity of the quake’s epicenter has raised concerns regarding mine infrastructure. The tremor was centered just 3km from the Newmont Cadia goldmine tailings dam.
This specific location is a point of historical sensitivity; the tailings dam suffered a partial collapse in 2018. Because the earthquake occurred to the east of the underground mine, the current safety assessments are focusing heavily on the stability of the surrounding terrain and the integrity of the dam walls.
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Magnitude | 4.5 |
| Time of Occurrence | Tuesday, 8:19 p.m. |
| Epicenter Location | ~30km SW of Orange, NSW |
| Depth | 5km |
| Personnel Evacuated | 153 |
The widespread nature of the tremor suggests a significant release of energy, contributing to the thousands of reports filed with national monitors. As the region remains on alert for minor aftershocks, the focus remains on the structural integrity of the Cadia operations.
Newmont is expected to release a detailed safety report following the completion of the specialist inspections, which will dictate the timeline for the resumption of underground mining.
Do you have information or a first-hand account of the tremors in the Central West? Share your experience in the comments below or contact our newsroom.
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