Ernest Henry Operations
Location
38km north-east of Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia
Producing
Copper, gold and silver
Management
Owner operator
Site contact number
Our 100% owned and operated Ernest Henry Operations is a large-scale copper-gold-silver operation. The site began as an open pit operation in 1998 and transitioned to underground mining in 2011. Evolution Mining initially acquired an economic interest in Ernest Henry in 2016 and secured full ownership in 2022.
Today, the mine uses a low-cost and highly efficient sub-level caving method that has proven effective in extracting ore from deep underground. With a life of mine until at least 2040 and substantial production capacity, Ernest Henry is a long-life asset with significant growth potential.
In FY26, Ernest Henry delivered record operating mine cash flow of $547 million and net mine cash flow of $302 million, with an AISC of $(2,975) per ounce.
KEY FACTS
~360 contractors
Organic growth
In FY26, the Board approved the $160 million Bert Project, which will provide incremental gold and copper feed to utilise latent mill capacity and enhance mine plan flexibility. Bert will be mined independently of the main cave and existing shaft infrastructure, without materially increasing the site footprint or operational risk. The project is expected to support
approximately seven years of production from FY29 to FY35.
Exploration activities continued to progress priority targets across the operation and broader region in FY26, with a focus on identifying new opportunities that could utilise latent mill capacity. During the period, deep drilling commenced beneath the main orebody to evaluate the continuity and extent of mineralisation and inform future mine development plans.
A cornerstone asset in our portfolio, Evolution’s acquisition of Ernest Henry in 2022 has resulted in mine life extension through to 2040, a doubling of ore reserves, more operational diversity on site and a bright future for our people and the community.
We have a strong connection with the local Cloncurry community. Our team is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and making Evolution a career highlight for our people.
Our Ernest Henry community
Our Ernest Henry Operations is located 38km north-east of Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia, within the Cloncurry Shire, on the traditional lands of the Mitakoodi and Mayi peoples.
Our strong community support includes:
Securing the support of communities in which we operate is core to our operation. Our focus remains on building trusted partnerships with our First Nations partners, including the Mitakoodi and Mayi peoples, in protecting their cultural heritage and supporting the delivery of their goals and that of other community groups.
We are proud to partner with local communities to achieve meaningful outcomes and generate shared value. A local approach is critical to support regional economic benefit by prioritising local procurement, creating local employment and facilitating local training opportunities.
We support projects and initiatives across the region to foster strong, sustainable communities that will thrive well beyond life of mine. Recent community investment contributions have included LifeFlight’s Mount Isa base and Cloncurry Kindergarten’s playground. We recently announced a partnership with Cloncurry Shire Council to support the new Curry Kids Early Learning Centre which will increase access to early childhood education in Cloncurry.
Living and working at Ernest Henry
At Ernest Henry, you can choose what suits your priorities. Live locally in the close-knit community of Cloncurry and be home every night or work an attractive fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) roster. We also have drive-in/drive-out (DIDO) options.
Transport
Ernest Henry is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Cloncurry.
Drive-in/drive-out (DIDO): Our DIDO employees commute from Mount Isa and surrounding areas.
Fly-in/fly-out (FIFO): Our FIFO locations are Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns.
Accommodation and housing
If you choose to DIDO or FIFO, being away from home is easier when you get to stay in a village with high quality facilities and a great community vibe.
Employees relocating to Cloncurry have the benefit of salary sacrificing your rental deductions. Subject to availability, eligible employees also have the option of utilising Evolution accommodation.
Find out more about the area
We are committed to building strong and enduring relationships with our local communities, grounded in respect, honesty, two-way dialogue and transparency.
Community engagement
By fostering open communication and mutual understanding, we ensure that community voices are heard and reflected in our decision-making processes.
We host periodic open days for locals to visit and learn about our operation. Community members are also welcome to visit us at our Cloncurry town office at 11A Ramsay Street.
More information
Our Ernest Henry Community Partnering Program provides community organisations with the opportunity to apply for funding, material donations, volunteering assistance or in-kind support. We support initiatives that aim to deliver positive outcomes across local economic development, environmental stewardship, infrastructure capability, arts, culture and sport, health and wellbeing, skills, education and training, and community resilience. Applications are reviewed quarterly.
Our community newsletter is published biannually and can be found in our Document Centre.
Ernest Henry Update – December 2025
Contact us for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.
