The Super Pit

Each year Kalgoorlie contributes to a significant amount of the world’s total gold production and helps Australia to be the 3rd largest Gold producer in the world, behind South Africa and the Unites States.  Australia ’s largest open cut gold mine is the Fimiston Open Pit (a.k.a as The Super Pit) which is located in Kalgoorlie.  Commodities mined at the Super Pit is the lucractive Gold!

The origins of the Super Pit began when, during the late 1980’s, Western Australian businessman Alan Bond recognized the need to create one big pit from which gold could be mined for less cost. With this in mind Bond began buying up the individual leases along the Golden Mile. Eventually Bond’s bid to control the Super Pit would fail, but in 1989 his vision was realized when the mines along the Golden Mile were combined to form the Fimiston Open Pit (Super Pit). Kalgoorlie Consolidated Mines (KCGM) was thus formed to manage the operations of the mine on behalf of joint owners, Newmont Australia and Barrick Gold Corporation.  

Known as the Super Pit, Fimiston Open Pit is situated on the south-east edge of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia. The Super Pit moves approximately 85 tonnes of material each year which makes the Fimiston Open Pit mine Australia’s largest open pit operation for any commodity. The Super Pit achieves these figures by running continuously. Mining at the Super Pit never stops as it operates every day of the year, 24 hours a day. Well worth a visit while at Kalgoorlie.