KCGM Operations

  • Adjacent to the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 600km east of Perth, Western Australia
    Location
  • Open pit and underground
    Mine type
  • 468koz
    F26 gold production
  • 1989
    Commenced gold production
  • 42,191koz
    Mineral Resources at 31 March 2026
  • 14,997koz
    Ore Reserves at 31 March 2026
  • 1,990
    Employees
  • Residential & FIFO
    Employment type

 

One of Australia’s largest open pit gold mines, KCGM Operations is a world class asset.

KCGM Operations include the Fimiston open pit (Super Pit), Fimiston and Mt Charlotte underground mines and the Fimiston and Gidji processing plants. 

The Golden Mile at the centre of the Kalgoorlie Goldfield, is one of the richest gold deposits in the world, producing more than 65 million ounces of gold over 130 years.

Visit the Super Pit

Rich History 

The 1893 gold rush resulted in the discovery of the Golden Mile, which by 1903 had 49 operating mines, 100 headframes and over 3,000km of underground workings. 

In the 1980s, WA businessman Alan Bond began acquiring individual leases along the Golden Mile with the aim of consolidating them. While Bond’s company failed to complete the takeover, the leases were combined in 1989 and Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd (KCGM) was formed to manage the KCGM Operations on behalf of the joint venture owners.

In 2019 and 2020, Saracen Mineral Holdings Ltd and Northern Star acquired the respective 50% interests in the KCGM Operations.

On 3 January 2020, KCGM Operations became 100% Australian-owned for the first time in its 31-year history. 

When the merger between Northern Star and Saracen was implemented in February 2021, the KCGM Operations became controlled by a single entity, Northern Star, for the first time in its history.

Geology

The Kalgoorlie Goldfield is part of the Norseman-Wiluna greenstone belt, consisting of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, surrounded by extensive granite.  

The deposit is comprised of a series of mineralised faults which are known as lodes and mainly occur in a host rock known as the Golden Mile Dolerite.  

More than 1,000 individual ore lodes occur within the Golden Mile, some extending up to 1,800m long, 1,200m deep and 10m wide. 

Mining at KCGM Operations

Processing

The Fimiston processing plant currently treats ore from Fimiston and Mt Charlotte.  

In June 2023, Northern Star approved an expansion to increase the mill capacity from 13Mtpa to 27Mtpa by FY29 (including a 2-year ramp up), becoming one of the largest milling complexes in Australia. 

In August 2026, commissioning of the expanded Fimiston processing plant commenced, representing a major milestone in the project. 

 

The Super Pit Lookout

The most popular tourist attraction in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Super Pit Lookout draws thousands of locals and tourists each year with many visiting from interstate and overseas.

The unique opportunity to view a working mine site in action, and the chance of watching a blast in real time, make the lookout a must do while in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

The Super Pit Lookout is open 7am-7pm daily, subject to operational requirements, with the access road off Mount Monger Road (off the Goldfields Highway). 

Super Pit Blast Notice

Super Pit Tours

Northern Star invites the public into our KCGM Operations to experience a behind the scenes look at the gold mining process.

Local tour provider, Kalgoorlie Tours & Charters operates a tour, inclusive of a private internal viewing platform, commentary from a local tour guide and a close-up view of the mining operation and the significant expansion projects that are currently underway.

For more information visit kalgoorlietours.com.au 

Hannans North Tourist Mine

After visiting our KCGM Operations, a visit to Hannans North Tourist Mine completes the experience with more than 30 exhibits on show in Kalgoorlie’s largest open-air museum.

Step back in time on a self-guided tour, see historical buildings from the 1920s, experience gold fever in the panning ponds, then relish in modern day mining equipment as you climb aboard a 793C haul truck and 994 wheel loader.

For more information visit hannansnorth.com.au 

Community Engagement

Our ongoing growth projects are supporting long-term, sustainable operations, while creating lasting opportunities for both our Kalgoorlie Production Centre and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community. 

Discover more | Let's Grow Together

Check out our quarterly community newsletters below or visit our Community & Indigenous Engagement page to discover more about our approach.  

Discover more | Community & Indigenous Engagement

 

Public Interaction Line

The Northern Star Public Interaction Line is for community stakeholders to formally raise a concern about the Kalgoorlie Production Centre.

The Public Interaction Line is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once a concern is received by a Northern Star employee via the PIL, the Community team coordinates the required action and provides follow up.

Northern Star Public Interaction Line (PIL): +61 8 9022 1100

Environment

Environmental impacts are monitored and managed across the KCGM Operations with annual Compliance Assessment Reports, published online.

They confirm whether every environmental condition has been complied with, show monitoring results, explains any exceedances or non-compliances and describes corrective and preventative actions taken.

KCGM Resource Library