Cowal (100% Ownership)
For information on our
Open Pit Continuation Project
Cowal – Moving to 320,000 ounces per annum of safe, reliable, low-cost production
The Cowal operation is a world-class open pit gold operation located 350km west of Sydney and operated by Evolution since July 2015. It is situated within the Bland Shire on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri People. The operation also works closely with the Lachlan and Forbes Shires.
Cowal was the highest gold producer in the Group, achieving a record 276,314 ounces of gold under Evolution ownership, produced at a low AISC of $1,138 per ounce. This represents an increase of 22% in production and a decrease of 9% in AISC compared to FY22 (227,105oz; $1,245/oz). Production was in line with production guidance of 275,000 ounces and below cost guidance of 1,250 per ounce (+/- 5%). Operating cash flow was $368.8 million, sustaining capital was $29.8 million, and major capital was $294.8 million.
Capital expenditure in FY23 consisted of investment in major projects, including Underground Mine Development and construction of the Integrated Waste Landform tailings facility. Cowal achieved two milestones in FY23, ramping up ore production from Stage H in the open pit and commencing production from the new underground mine.
Gold production in FY24 is guided to increase to 320,000 ounces (+/- 5%) at an AISC of $1,250 per ounce (+/- 5%). Production from Stage H will continue while the production from underground continues to ramp-up and provide an increased contribution of ore processed. The underground mine provides a higher-grade ore source that is blended with the current E42 open pit and stockpile ore. Cowal is transitioning to a major cash contributor for the business as capital investment reduces.
Evolution is progressing the proposed extension of the current open pit operation, referred to as the Open Pit Continuation (OPC) Project. The OPC Project seeks to extend open pit mining by 10 years and the total mine life by two years (from 2040 until 2042). Regular updates on the OPC Project are available by clicking on the button at the top of this page.
Blasting is undertaken on-site daily, generally between the hours of 11.00am and 3.00pm.
Video: Cowal overview
Moving to 320,000 ounces per annum of safe, reliable, low-cost production
Cowal Gold Operations Underground Development Project
Optimisation Modification (SSD 10367 Mod 1)
Cowal Gold Underground Mod 1 – Modification Report Appendices
State Significant Development 10367 – Underground Development
DA14/98 MOD 16 – Surface changes to support the Underground Development
DA14_98 Mod 16 – Modification Report
Appendix A – Development Consent
Appendix C – Updated project description
Appendix G – Groundwater (Borefield)
Main Document
1. Cover letter and executive summary (PDF 3.5MB)
2. Table of Contents (PDF 322KB)
3. Main Text – Sections 1 to 3 (PDF 9MB)
4. Main Text – Section 4 (PDF 7MB)
5. Main Text – Section 5 to 7 (PDF 7MB)
6. Main Text – Section 8 and 9 (PDF 503KB)
7. Attachments 1 to 4 (PDF 5MB)
8. Appendix A – Hydrogeological Assessment (PDF 16MB)
9. Appendix B – Hydrological Assessment (PDF 7MB)
12. Appendix D – Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (Part 1 – Main Text) PDF 7MB
13. Appendix D – Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (Part 2 – Appendices) PDF 14MB
14. Appendix E – Noise and Blasting Assessment (PDF 3MB)
15. Appendix F – Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment (PDF 9MB)
16. Appendix G – Land Contamination Assessment (PDF 14MB)
Protection of the Environment Operations (POEO) Act
2024 – Monitoring Data (PDF 1461 KB)
2023 – Monitoring Data (PDF 1MB)
2022 – Monitoring Data (PDF 2MB)
2021 – Monitoring Data (PDF 848KB)
2020 – Monitoring Data (PDF 848KB)
2019 — Monitoring Data (PDF 2MB)
2018 — Monitoring Data (PDF 1006KB)
2017 — Monitoring Data (PDF 999KB)
2016 — Monitoring Data (PDF 2 MB)
2015 — Monitoring Data (PDF 259 KB)
2014 — Monitoring Data (PDF 463 KB)
2013 — Monitoring Data (PDF 2MB)
2012 — Monitoring Data (PDF 882 KB)
Schedule 2 of the Development Consent (DA 14/98) includes Condition 9.4(a)(v),which requires that a complaints register, updated on a monthly basis, be made publicly available on the Cowal Gold Project’s website.
2023
2023 Dam 883 Annual Safety Standard Report
2023 Dam 913 Annual Safety Standard Report
2023 Dam 955 Annual Safety Standard Report
2023 Dam 1361 Annual Safety Standard Report
2022
2022 Dam 883 Annual Safety Standard Report
2022 Dam 913 Annual Safety Standard Report
2022 Dam 955 Annual Safety Standard Report
2022 Dam 1361 Annual Safety Standard Report
2021
2021 Dam 883 Annual Safety Standard Report
2021 Dam 913 Annual Safety Standard Report
Response letter to Fourteenth Annual Report (808kb)
Response Letter to Thirteenth Annual Report (1MB)
Response Letter to Twelfth Annual Report (1MB)
Response Letter to Eleventh Annual Report (379KB)
First Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Panel for the Cowal Gold Project, February 2005 (PDF 206KB)
Historic Site Audit Responses : Pre-Evolution
Response Letter to Ninth Annual Report (2MB)
Response Letter to Eighth Annual Report (3MB)
Response Letter to Seventh Annual Report (2MB)
Response Letter to Sixth Annual Report (565KB)
Response Letter to Fifth Annual Report (937KB)
Response Letter to Fourth Annual Report (1MB)
Response Letter to Third Annual Report (674KB)
Environment Protection Licence Amendment (December 2023)
EPBC Act Approval (EPBC 2017_7989)
Cowal Gold Mine (DA 14/98) Development Consent – Mod 16
Cowal Gold Mine (DA 14/98) Notice of Modification – Mod 16
Cowal Gold Mine (SSD 10367) Development Consent – Underground – Mod 1
Cowal Gold Mine (SSD 10367) Notice of Decision – Underground
Cowal Gold Mine (SSD 10367) Notice of Determination Letter to Applicant – Underground – Mod 1
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2022 Response
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2022
Independent Environmental Audit – June 2019 Response
Independent Environmental Audit – June 2019
Independent Environmental Audit – July 2018
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2017
Independent Environmental Audit – April 2016
Independent Environmental Audit – July 2015
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2014
Independent Environmental Audit – April 2013
Independent Environmental Audit – April 2012
Independent Environmental Audit – April 2011
Independent Environmental Audit – June 2010
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2009
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2008
Independent Environmental Audit – May 2007
Independent Environmental Audit – July 2006
Independent Environmental Audit – Mar 2006 – Mar 2007
Independent Environmental Audit – July 2005 – Dec 2005
Independent Environmental Audit – Jan 2005 – June 2005