# Telfer mine

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The **Telfer Mine** is a [gold](/source/Gold_mining), [copper](/source/Copper_extraction_techniques) and [silver](/source/Silver_mining) mine located at [Telfer](/source/Telfer,_Western_Australia) on the land of the [Martu people](/source/Martu_people),[2]: 7 in the [Great Sandy Desert](/source/Great_Sandy_Desert) of [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia). It is owned by [Greatland Gold](/source/Greatland_Gold), having been acquired from the previous owner, [Newmont](/source/Newmont), in December 2024.[3]

The mine was discovered by [Newmont](/source/Newmont) in 1972. However, [Jean-Paul Turcaud](/source/Jean-Paul_Turcaud), a French [prospector](/source/Prospecting), disputes this claim to this day.[4][5]

In the 2019–2020 financial year, the Telfer mine produced 12.2 tonnes (393,164 troy ounces) of gold, 16,000 tonnes of copper and 5.1 tonnes (164,000 troy ounces) of silver.[6]

At 31 December 2020, [measured and indicated mineral resources](/source/Mineral_resource_classification#Mineral_resources) were 3.4 e6ozt of gold and 0.36 e6t of copper, and [proved and probable ore reserves](/source/Mineral_resource_classification#Mineral_reserves_and_ore_reserves) were 1.1 e6ozt of gold and 0.17 e6t of copper.[7]

## History

### Discovery

Western Australia Senator [John Panizza](/source/John_Panizza) believed that the Telfer mine may be the legendary [Lasseter's Reef](/source/Lasseter's_Reef), a [lost mine](/source/Lost_mine) supposedly found either in 1911 or in 1897.[8]

Newmont first made a claim to the deposit in 1972.[9] However this claim is disputed by Jean-Paul Turcaud to this date. Turcaud claims he found the Telfer deposit two years before Newcrest did. In the early 1980s, Turcaud reached a settlement, accepting $25,000 from Newmont's head office in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) but continued his claim, demanding a [Royal Commission](/source/Royal_Commission).[4][10]

The official story of the discovery states that the deposit was found by [Day Dawn Minerals](/source/Day_Dawn_Minerals), a small exploration company, who did not stake a claim either. One of the company's geologists, a man called Ronnie Thomson, then moved on to work for Newmont, in which position he informed David Tyrwhitt, then exploration manager for the company in Western Australia, about the promising gold samples that had been found. Newmont paid Day Dawn $15,000 for the maps of the deposit and Tyrwhitt staked out the claim in May 1972.[4]

### First mining period 1977 to 2000

The mine opened in 1977 as a joint venture between [BHP](/source/BHP) and Newmont. In 1990, a merger between BHP Gold and Newmont resulted in the creation of [Newcrest](/source/Newcrest), with ownership of the Telfer Mine now lying with Newcrest.[11][12] The Telfer gold mine was expanded in 1991,[13] and in June 1995, the mine reserves were 3.8 e6ozt, with resources at 7.3 e6ozt. The annual production was 11.5 to 11.8 tonnes (370,000 to 380,000 troy ounces) of ore.[14] In 1997, the mine reached the milestone of having produced 5 e6ozt of gold.[9] [Open cut mining](/source/Open_cut_mining) was suspended in August 2000 due to high operating costs. The closure of the mine came one year ahead of schedule as production of underground ore was well below mill capacity and therefore not viable.[9] High production costs were primarily caused by the presence of cyanide soluble copper in the open pit ore.[12] Newcrest then focused on exploratory drilling for new minerals.[11]

### Second mining period from 2002

In 2002, Newcrest Mining announced a new redevelopment project worth $1 billion,[15] after discovering new mineral areas and a reserve base of some 19 e6ozt of gold and 640 e3t of copper.[16] The redevelopment expanded [underground mining](/source/Underground_mining_(hard_rock)) areas, deepened open pits, constructed a processing plant and power station, and built a new gas supply line from [Port Hedland](/source/Port_Hedland,_Western_Australia).[11][17] The Telfer mine is not connected to the Western Australian power grid but instead produces its own power from [natural gas](/source/Natural_gas) via a 450 kilometres (280 mi) purpose built pipeline. The power station on site is able to produce 138 [MW](/source/Watt) of power.[18] The focus changed from open pit mining to underground mining, and Telfer became one of Australia's largest gold mines,[11] second only to [Kalgoorlie](/source/Kalgoorlie)'s [Super Pit](/source/Super_Pit_gold_mine) until [Boddington Gold Mine](/source/Boddington_Gold_Mine) reopened in 2009.[19]

The mine reopened in November 2004, after commissioning of the processing plant and, initially as an open cut mine, from March 2006 also with an underground operation.[12][18]

In January 2008, Newcrest Mining lowered the mine's annual gold output targets. Newcrest said, "At Telfer, mechanical availability of the open pit mining fleet and the processing of harder ores are impacting the expected production profile for the full year. Telfer site cash costs are expected to [rise] over guidance by 8-9 per cent."[20] In June, the mine was affected by the [statewide gas crisis](/source/2008_Western_Australian_gas_crisis) caused by an explosion at [Varanus Island](/source/Varanus_Island). The mine lost 20 to 25 e3ozt of gold output for June.[21] Newcrest obtained interim gas supply from [Woodside Petroleum](/source/Woodside_Petroleum) until August, when gas supply from Varanus Island resumed.[22]

Newcrest was forced to cut job numbers from 1,400 to around 1,000 in late 2008, during the financial crises, to reduce costs.[23]

Mining is carried out at the Main Dome open pit and the underground operations below. The West Dome pit is being mined again.[18]

On 4 December 2013 a contractor was killed at the mine, being crushed by pipe work.[24]

On 4 December 2024, Greatland Gold acquired a 100% stake in the mine.[3]

## Production

Production figures for the mine:[18][9][25][26][27][28][29][1]

### Gold

Annual gold production of the mine:

Year Production Grade Cost per ounce 1999 314,295 ounces 1.33 g/t A$390 2000 176,000 ounces 1.62 g/t A$494 2001–2003 inactive 2004–05 218,000 ounces 2005–06 650,000 ounces 2006–07 627,000 ounces 2007–08 590,000 ounces 2008–09 629,108 ounces 2009–10 688,909 ounces 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 536,342 ounces 0.90 g/t $A1,005 2014–15 520,309 ounces na g/t $A791 2015–16 462,461 ounces na g/t $A967 2016–17 386,242 ounces 0.70 g/t A$1,178 2017–18 425,536 ounces 0.71 g/t A$1,262 2018–19 451,991 ounces 0.72 g/t A$1,253 2019–20 393,164 ounces 0.90 g/t A$1,281 2020–21 416,138 ounces 0.89 g/t A$1,473 2021–22 407,550 ounces 0.73 g/t A$1,388 2021–22 349,000 ounces A$1,633

### Copper

Annual copper production of the mine:

Year Production Grade Cost 2004–05 25,000 tonnes 2005–06 38,000 tonnes 2006–07 28,000 tonnes 2007–08 27,000 tonnes 2008–09 32,905 tonnes 2009–10 34,815 tonnes 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 43,619 tonnes 0.16% 2014–15 23,119 tonnes na% 2015–16 18,940 tonnes na% 2016–17 20,136 tonnes 0.14% 2017–18 16,212 tonnes 0.10% 2018–19 15,025 tonnes 0.09% 2019–20 16,278 tonnes 0.14% 2020–21 13,177 tonnes 0.11% 2021–22 13,904 tonnes 0.09% 2022–23 17,000 tonnes

## References

1. ["Newcrest Mining Annual Report 2023"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2023-09/230921_Annual%20Report%202023_0.pdf). *www.newcrest.com*. Newcrest. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

1. ["Newcrest Mining Annual Report 2009"](https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20090929/pdf/31kzscn96c2vkq.pdf). Newcrest Mining Limited. 2009-09-29. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200712130110/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20090929/pdf/31kzscn96c2vkq.pdf) 2020-07-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-01-27.

1. ["Telfer"](https://greatlandgold.com/assets/telfer/). Greatland Gold. Retrieved 28 March 2025.

1. [The Golden Riddle: Finder's Keepers?](https://web.archive.org/web/20111127123147/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s28534.htm) [ABC Radio National](/source/ABC_Radio_National), produced by Bronwyn Adcock, broadcast: 6 June 1999, accessed: 27 January 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s28534.htm) on 27 November 2011

1. [Newcrest's Great Sandy speculation](http://www.intelligentinvestor.com.au/articles/Newcrest-Mining-Limited-NCM/Newcrest-s-Great-Sandy-speculation.cfm?articleID=10000844) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091016141732/http://www.intelligentinvestor.com.au/articles/Newcrest-Mining-Limited-NCM/Newcrest-s-Great-Sandy-speculation.cfm?articleID=10000844) 16 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Intelligent Investor, published: 13 April 2005, accessed: 27 January 2010

1. ["Full Year Results FY20"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2020-08/200814_Newcrest%20FY20%20Full%20Year%20Results%20-%20Results%20Release_0.pdf). Melbourne, Victoria: Newcrest Mining. 14 August 2020. p. 7. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

1. ["Annual Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement - as at 31 December 2020"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2021-02/210211_Newcrest%20Resources%20and%20Reserves%20Statement.pdf). Melbourne, Victoria: Newcrest Mining. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

1. ["Lasseter's reef 'found'"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102036484). *The Canberra Times*. 7 December 1988.

1. *The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition*, page 128, accessed: 27 January 2010

1. [*The Golden Rule*](http://www.tnet.com.au/~warrigal/grule.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091102000253/http://www.tnet.com.au/~warrigal/grule.html) 2 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine Book review, author: Bob Sheppard, ISBN 0-85905-311-3, accessed: 27 January 2010

1. "Marco Zolezzi, general manager, Telfer gold mine, Western Australia". Australian Mining. 15 September 2004.

1. [History of NCM](http://www.newcrest.com.au//history.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100302063335/http://www.newcrest.com.au/history.asp) 2 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine Newcrest website, accessed: 27 January 2010

1. "Elsewhere in precious metals... the second phase of the development". Metals Week. 11 March 1991. p. 8.

1. "Newcrest upbeat on Telfer mine". Reuters News. 21 June 1996.

1. "Newcrest cold on Telfer raising". *[The West Australian](/source/The_West_Australian)*. 25 March 2002. p. 28.

1. Phaceas, John (20 November 2002). "Newcrest nod to invest $1b in Telfer". *[The West Australian](/source/The_West_Australian)*. p. 61.

1. "Newcrest gets expansion nod". ABC News. 20 August 2002.

1. [Operations - Telfer](http://www.newcrest.com.au//operations.asp?category=6) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100122052644/http://www.newcrest.com.au/operations.asp?category=6) 22 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Newcrest website, accessed: 27 January 2010

1. Peel, Greg (16 November 2007). "Tantalising Telfer". FN Arena.

1. Le May, Rebecca (25 January 2008). "Miner loses friends as Telfer costs jump". *Finance*. [The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney)). p. 62.

1. Thompson, Dionne (27 June 2008). "Newcrest's Telfer gold output down 25,000 oz on Apache gas stoppage". Metal Bulletin.

1. ["Telfer gas supply back to normal"](http://news.smh.com.au/business/telfer-gas-supply-back-to-normal-20080819-3xyz.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. 19 August 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2008.

1. [Newcrest to slash mine jobs at its Telfer mine](http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/newcrest-to-slash-mine-jobs/story-e6frg9do-1111117836793) *[The Australian](/source/The_Australian)*, published: 24 October 2008, accessed: 27 January 2010

1. [Worker killed at Newcrest's Telfer mine in WA north](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-04/man-dies-at-newcrest-telfer-mine-in-western-australia/5135494) *[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation)*, published: 4 December 2013, accessed: 31 December 2013

1. ["Newcrest Mining Quarterly Report June 2018"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/180726_Newcrest%20June%202018%20Quarterly%20Report.pdf). *www.newcrest.com*. Newcrest. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

1. ["Newcrest Mining Quarterly Report June 2019"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/190725_Newcrest%20June%202019%20Quarterly%20Report.pdf). *www.newcrest.com*. Newcrest. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

1. ["Newcrest Mining Quarterly Report June 2021"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2021-07/210722_Newcrest%20June%202021%20Quarterly%20Report.pdf). *www.newcrest.com*. Newcrest. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

1. ["Newcrest Mining Annual Report 2021"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2021-09/20393_Newcrest_AR_2021.pdf). *www.newcrest.com*. Newcrest. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

1. ["Newcrest Mining Annual Report 2022"](https://www.newcrest.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/221004_Annual%20Report%202022_0.pdf). *www.newcrest.com*. Newcrest. Retrieved 19 April 2022.

### Bibliography

- Louthean, Ross (ed.). *The Australian Mines Handbook: 2003-2004 Edition*. Louthean Media Pty Ltd.

## External links

- [Official website](https://operations.newmont.com/australia/telfer)
- [MINEDEX website: Telfer / Newcrest](https://minedex.dmirs.wa.gov.au/Web/projects/details/73bfe816-3d67-4cd4-804a-526fa26b4257) Database of the [Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety](/source/Department_of_Mines,_Industry_Regulation_and_Safety)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Telfer mine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telfer_mine) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telfer_mine?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.