Cowal (100% Ownership)
For information on our
Open Pit Continuation Project
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 210,847 ounces of gold produced at an AISC of A$1,042 per ounce. Cowal mined to plan resulting in meeting its planned gold production. The decrease in production when compared to the prior year was mainly due to the planned transition from Stage G ore to Stage H ore in the E42 open pit, and some lower grade stockpiled material being processed while this transition occurred. In FY22 Stage H ore becomes the predominate ore feed leading to a planned increase in production.
A major milestone was achieved at Cowal with Board and regulatory approvals received for the development of the Cowal Underground Mine, which provides a higher grade ore source that will be blended with the current E42 open pit and stockpile ore. The development of the Cowal Underground Mine is part of the Group’s goal of Cowal producing 350,000 ounces of low-cost gold a year and extend its mine life out beyond 17 years, while at the same time injecting significant economic benefit for all stakeholders. The planned capital investment is A$380 million.
To date government approvals are received, the development is on budget and schedule and first stoping of ore is planned for the 2nd half of FY23.
The feasibility study is underway on new open pits adjacent to E42.
Blasting is undertaken on-site daily, generally between the hours of 11.00am and 3.00pm.
Video: Cowal overview

Building towards a sustainable 350,000 ounce per annum of safe, reliable, low-cost production
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
2022 – Monitoring Data (PDF 848KB)
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.
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 (June 2022)
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
Cowal Gold Mine (SSD 10367) Notice of Decision – Underground
Cowal Gold Mine (SSD 10367) Notice of Determination Letter to Applicant – Underground
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