The Big Five is a term coined by the Australian mining industry to refer to Australia's five largest goldmining companies. The Big Five currently dominate production in Australia accounting for 90% of total annual output and are:
- Newcrest Mining (ASX: NCM)
- St Barbara Limited (ASX: SBM)
- OceanaGold Corporation (ASX:OGC)
- Evolution Mining Limited (ASX:EVN)
- Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST).
Most of the Big Five operate in the regional areas of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. They have relatively small populations of employees, and are generally located in remote areas.
The Big Five goldminers account for more than 90% of Australia's annual output with total production estimated to be 262 tonnes (t) per year
- Newcrest Mining produces 92 t/year
- St Barbara Limited produces 45 t/year
- Evolution Mining Limited produces 36 t/year
- OceanaGold Corporation produces 30 t/year
- Northern Star Resources Limited produces 24 t/year
The Big Five
Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) is the largest Big Five Australian-based gold mining company. Newcrest Mining operates three mines in Australia and two in Indonesia, employing around 3070 people globally. The company produces over 800,000 ounces of gold per year from these operations with a total life of mine ore reserves estimated to be 328 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.95 grams per tonne (g/t).
St Barbara Limited (ASX: SBM) is an Australian-based gold mining company, #2 in the Big Five. Its main operations are in Western Australia's Kalgoorlie region and near Cairns on the east coast of Queensland. The Company's mines produce over 350,000 ounces of gold per year from these operations with total life-of-mine ore reserves estimated to be 398 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.92 g/t.
OceanaGold Corporation (ASX: OGC) is #3 of the Largest Gold Mining Companies in Australia, mining and exploring for gold resources on five continents. The company employs around 3000 people globally, has a global project pipeline of over 20 million ounces in resources at an average grade of 0.84 g/t and produces approximately 450,000 ounces per year from its Australian operations. The total life-of-mine ore reserves are estimated to be 458 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.97 g/t.
Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN) is ranked #4 of the largest Australian-based gold mining companies. It has a global footprint, with operations in Australia and the United States of America. The company produces over 600,000 ounces of gold per year from these operations with total life-of-mine ore reserves estimated to be 343 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.97 g/t.
Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) is the fifth largest Australian-based goldmining company, with its main operations based in Queensland's North West Minerals Province and the Otway Basin near Melbourne. The company employs around 1800 people globally and produces over 500,000 ounces per year from these operations. Total life-of-mine ore reserves are estimated to be 422 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.98 g/t.
Kalgoorlie mining truck. Image by Patricia Strobel from Pixabay