The Ravenswood Gold Mine has officially reopened after a three-year expansion, making it the largest gold mine in Queensland.
The mine, located roughly 130km southwest of Townsville, has now increased its production capacity to more than 200,000oz of gold each year.
Located in the historic gold mining town of Ravenswood, the Ravenswood Gold Mine has been in operation since 1987 and was purchased by Ravenswood Gold in April 2020.
The expansion included a new tailings storage facility, crusher and a processing plant expansion including a new mill and leaching tanks, creating nearly 400 good jobs and supporting 1,000 contractors in the process.
Queensland Resources Minister, Scott Stewart, congratulated Ravenswood Gold on the $350 million expansion and said it will benefit all Queenslanders.
“Not only is this now the largest gold mine in Queensland, but the Ravenswood Gold project also deserves a gold medal for how it supports locals and local businesses,” Mr Stewart said.
“It is providing good jobs, flow-on benefits for local businesses and is ensuring a sustainable future for the town of Ravenswood well beyond the life of the mine.
“And all Queenslanders benefit with royalties that will fund our schools, hospitals and roads.
“The resources industry directly supports about 75,000 jobs across the state, particularly in the regions, which account for about two-thirds of all mining jobs.”
More than 1,000 contractors were supported during the mine’s expansion, while its permanent workforce has increased to more than 430 with a further 220 permanent contractors.
Local businesses and suppliers were also supported during the expansion, with concrete supplied by Towers Concrete in Charters Towers and steel from Thomas Steel in Townsville.
Ravenswood Gold Chief Executive, Brett Fletcher, said, “This is a major achievement for our team at Ravenswood Gold and for the township of Ravenswood.
“We are delivering huge economic benefits and providing local employment opportunities, with the vast majority of our team living within a two-hour drive of the mine.
“Ravenswood Gold is a great example of local people working together with private business and government to bring real benefits for the state of Queensland,” he said.
Featured image: Queensland Resources Minister, Scott Stewart, and Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Dr Siswo Pramono, open the expanded Ravenswood gold mine. Image: Queensland Government.
