Cowal Gold Operations
Location
350km west of Sydney, 40km north-east of West Wyalong, New South Wales, Australia
Producing
Gold and silver
Management
Owner operator
Site contact
Our 100% owned and operated Cowal operation is a world-class open pit and underground gold mine. Cowal has been operated by Evolution since 2015 and is a cornerstone asset for the company. The mine has a permitted life to 2042, following approvals in 2025 to support the continuation of open pit mining and the development of additional open pits.
Cowal delivered record operating and net mine cash flows of $1.2 billion and $852 million in FY26. Gold production remained consistent throughout the year, with full-year gold recovery of 86.7%. These results were supported by the OPC Project, with mining commencing at E46 – the first of four new adjacent open pits – during the fourth quarter. The OPC Project is progressing on schedule and on budget and it will solidify Cowal’s position as a cornerstone asset and one of Australia’s most significant gold mining operations.
Cowal’s favourable geological profile, as well as the team’s strong community engagement and strategic investment decisions, have positioned it as one of Australia’s most significant gold mining operations.
Blasting is undertaken on-site from Monday to Saturday, generally between the hours of 11am and 3pm.
KEY FACTS
Organic growth
Cowal Gold Operations continues to demonstrate strong growth potential, both within the existing underground mine and the broader surrounding area.
Following approval in FY25, the OPC Project entered execution in FY26. The Project will extend open pit mining by 10 years through four adjacent satellite open pits, supporting operations to 2042 and providing ore feed while Cowal’s underground potential is developed. Mining commenced at E46, the first satellite pit, in the June quarter. OPC remained on schedule and within its $430 million capital budget. Work on the Stage I cutback at E42 commenced in FY26. The Regal portal, a second underground access, remained on track for completion by the start of the second half of FY27.
FY26 drilling at the emerging Oban target identified potential for a new independent underground mining front in an underexplored corridor between E42 and the existing underground operation. Surface drilling at E41 returned significant results beyond the planned open pit, highlighting opportunities for growth as a future ore source. Cowal’s contained gold Mineral Resources increased by 1.2Moz and Ore Reserves by 0.67Moz net of depletion, as a result of new drilling and updated price and cost assumptions.
At Cowal, Evolution’s mantra of ‘never say never’ has led to a longer mine life as we have boldly reimagined our future – taking our successful open pit operation underground in just seven years. Combined with unique work opportunities across processing, maintenance and support teams, our operational diversity at Cowal is great for uplifting careers.
The Cowal team is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and making Evolution a career highlight for our people.
Our Cowal community
Our Cowal Gold Operations sits within the Bland Shire, adjacent to the Lachlan and Forbes Shires on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people.
Our strong community support includes:
We invest in and partner with communities to achieve meaningful outcomes, prioritising local procurement, employment and training opportunities, as well as health and wellbeing initiatives. We work in partnership with schools to raise awareness of the benefits of mining and future career pathways.
Being a residential mine site means our people live in and are connected to the community in which we operate. Around 70% of our employees reside in the Central West region.
We have an ongoing strong relationship with local Traditional Owners as well as the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation. Around 8% of our employees identify as Indigenous.
For many years, we have supported projects and initiatives across the Bland, Lachlan and Forbes Shires through sponsorship, donations and long-term partnerships to foster strong and sustainable communities that will thrive well beyond life of mine. These include our Galari Agricultural Company partnership, Lake Cowal Foundation and InHabitat partnership, Bland Shire Youth Art Project, Grazing Down the Lachlan and our five-year partnership wih the Bland Shire Council Skin Check Truck.
Living and working at Cowal
Cowal is a residential site where we encourage you to live nearby and enjoy the close-knit communities and lifestyles of the surrounding areas. The majority of our employees reside in West Wyalong and Forbes.
Transport
We provide bus transport to and from West Wyalong and Forbes to site via a bus. Travel time from Forbes to site is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, and 40 minutes from West Wyalong.
Accommodation and housing
Subject to availability, employees moving to West Wyalong may have the option of utilising Evolution accommodation. You also have the benefit of salary sacrificing your rental deductions. We also offer relocation packages.
Activities and sport
Being a regional town, sporting and social activities are core to the community. In West Wyalong, there are art classes, a range of sports to get involved in, a splash park, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Find out more about the area
Bland Shire Council
Lachlan Shire Council
Forbes Shire Council
We are committed to building strong and enduring relationships with our local communities, grounded in respect, honesty, two-way dialogue and transparency.
Community engagement
Partnerships play a vital role in our engagement approach. We work closely with the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation (WCC) to support cultural heritage and community development, and with the Lake Cowal Conservation Foundation (LCF) to promote environmental stewardship. We also work with Bland, Forbes, and Lachlan Shire Councils to align our activities with regional priorities and contribute to sustainable local growth.
Community Environmental Monitoring & Consultative Committee (CEMCC)
Cowal’s CEMCC is a forum for the Cowal team to provide operational updates, and for community members to discuss issues with the operational team. The CEMCC meets quarterly. The minutes of the CEMCC meetings can be found in our Document Centre.
More information
Through our Cowal Partnering Program, we support community organisations that aim to deliver positive outcomes across local infrastructure, economic development, health and wellbeing, community resilience, skills, education and training, environmental stewardship and arts, culture and sport. We also welcome requests for in-kind support, material donations or volunteer assistance in addition to financial contributions.
Our community newsletter, Cowal Update, is published biannually and can be found in our Document Centre.
Contact us for more information, to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint.
General enquiries:
+61 2 6975 3454
[email protected]
Community enquiries and complaints (24/7):
+61 2 6975 3454
