‘Seismic event’ as Fosterville Gold Mine seeks to expand

By Geoff Adams

Nov 28, 2024

The Fosterville mine. Photo: Kirkland Lake Gold Photo by contributed

The Fosterville Gold Mine, 20km east of Bendigo, has created a “seismic event” at the same time the owners are attending a planning hearing to determine if they can expand their operations.

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The area experienced a magnitude 3.5 earthquake on November 5, frightening local residents.

The Canadian owned company, Agnico Eagle, set up a marque in nearby Axedale, staffed by its community engagement team to address concerns raised by residents.

Country News sought information on the event, but the company did not respond.

The Fosterville mine is Victoria’s largest gold mine.

"Our people are safe and we have protocols in place to respond to these events underground, which we are currently working through," the company told ABC News.

The mining company is engaged in a planning tribunal, seeking permission to expand its operations.

Public hearings began in late October.

The company said it was proposing to extend underground mining within its existing area in order to continue operations for the next 10 years.

The Fosterville Gold Mine produced 188,000 ounces of gold in the nine months to September 30.

The operation milled about 2300 tonnes of ore per day in the nine months to September 30.