Blayney Dewatering facility opens for production.

Twice the size and capable of processing 40% more ore than the facility on Maria Street, the new state-of-the-art dewatering facility is the final above-ground infrastructure to be constructed for the Cadia East project.

The facility is the final stage in the ore treatment process and reduces the water content of the slurry from 35% down to 9%.

Once extracted the water is pumped back to the mine and the ore is loaded onto containers, transported to Port Kembla by rail and then shipped to overseas markets.

Cadia’s general manager Tony McPaul said that Newcrest had invested over $2 billion constructing Cadia East and the new facility would now allow the mine to reach its full potential.

“We have worked hard to build a world class mining operation that not only supports the growth of Newcrest, but will provide lasting benefits to the local community, he said “With a permitted mine life of 21 years, Cadia East will deliver significant economic benefits to the local community.”

Blayney Mayor Scott Ferguson said that the investment not only makes the shire strong, but makes the region strong and that it’s proof that industry, mining and agriculture can all thrive together.

“Blayney is now the home of the biggest gold producer in Australia and that confidence can be seen in other industries and businesses that come to our area,” he said. 

Cadia East is one of the largest gold and copper deposits in the world containing 2.8 billion tonnes of ore estimated to contain 36 million ounces of gold and 7.4 million tonnes of copper.

An independent socio-economic report stated that the mine added $165 million in annual household income.