The Goldfields is the largest gold producing region in Australia, and only the fourth in the world to have produced more than 50 million ounces of gold. Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) is the current manager of a very important part of Australian mining real estate, and history. That is the Super Pit located on the famous Golden Mile.
KCGM Pty Ltd manages the assets for joint owners, Newmont Australia Limited and Barrick Gold of Australia Ltd. KCGM produces between 800, 000 and 900, 000 ounces of gold per year and has approximately 750 personnel onsite. Currently the Super Pit is approximately 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide and 370 metres deep. This brings the depth to below sea level at the bottom of the Super Pit. It is also as deep as Ayres Rock is high and has about the same circumference!
The public lookout is open 7.00am to 9.00pm daily and allows you to take a look at this enormous mining operation in action. Blasting occurs regularly and while advance notice is given where possible, for the most up to date information telephone the public inquiry line on +61 8 9022 1100 or contact the Kalgoorlie Goldfields Visitor Centre on (08) 9021 1966.
To find out more, you can take part in a Super Pit Tour, run daily by Finders Keepers Advernture Tours - contact (08) 9093 2222.
You can also visit the Super Pit Shop, located at 2 Burt Street, Boulder. Officially opened in July 2005 the Super Pit Shop is the public face of KCGM. They also run the very popular one hour Super Pit tours run at 10.00am, 10.30am, 11.00am and 11.30am departing from the Super Pit Shop on Boulder Market days. Reserve your tickets the week prior to Market Day for $5 each or $10 for a family of four or tickets are free on the day. Boulder market day happens on the third Sunday of every month.
Super Pit location
Hainault Road, Boulder
Super Pit opening hours
7.00am to 9.00pm daily. Closing for the occasional blast and electrical storm.
Directions
The Super Pit is located at the south-east corner of the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (off Goldfields Highway), which is about 600 kilometres east of Perth, capital city of Western Australia. The Super Pit Lookout is on Hanault Road off the Goldfields Highway. The Goldfields Highway is accessible from Burt Street. Why not visit the Super Pit Shop and then head up to the lookout.
Super Pit contact details
Email: superpit@kalgold.com.au
Website: www.superpit.com.au
Telephone: +61 8 9093 3488
Facsimile: +61 8 9093 2488
Super Pit Shop
Step inside the beautifully renovated turn-of-the century historic building to find a gold mine of information, exclusive merchandise and friendly staff. The Super Pit Shop is the perfect place to secure your own piece of Super Pit memorabilia. Choose from a range of quality Super Pit merchandise including hats, polo T-Shirts, mugs, caps, CAT scale models and postcards. Also available are various publications including Super Pit Fact book and the Golden Quest Discovery Trail Handbook.
Super Pit DVD screenings
Learn about Australia’s largest Gold Mine with free video screenings at the Super Pit Shop. Take the opportunity to go behind the scenes for a close up look at the mines operations, processes, huge equipment and history of The Golden Mile. Please phone the Super Pit Shop for screening times.
Super Pit model
The model depicts the final pit design expected in 2017 and is set at a scale of 1:2000. The display sits low enough to allow all ages a look at the 3D model’s aerial perspective of the pit. The model is complete with its own fleet of miniature 793C mining truck’s and a shovel!
Tea and coffee
Tea and coffee is available, for a gold coin donation to the Loopline Museum, so relax in comfort while you browse through KCGMs internal newsletter, media mentions or even the current Newspaper.
Super Pit pictures
Exclusive to the Super Pit Shop are the quality panoramic pictures of the Super Pit and, in conjunction with the Eastern Goldfields Historic Society, canvas prints of the historic Golden Mile. Prints can be purchased framed or unframed and are available with or without your own authentic piece of the Golden Mile gold inset.
Nuggets
Nuggets only form very near to the surface, so future finds are limited by nature. The nuggets sold at the Super Pit Shop are supplied by a local prospector who is exclusively allowed to prospect on KCGM, Super Pit lease. No two nuggets are alike and Golden Mile nuggets are about 90% pure gold.
Splatters
Straight from the Fimiston Gold room, the less well known, but definitely up and coming form of gold, is a splatter. To pour the gold into bars, moulds are arranged in a configuration called a cascade. A splatter is formed when the gold runs down the cascade and stops flowing along the lip of the mould. KCGM splatters range between 75-80% pure which is equivalent to 18 carat gold.
Awards
Gold Medal - 2006 Western Australian Tourism Awards
Special events
Come along and see Boulder at its best with markets, food and entertainment. For further information visit the Super Pit Shop at 2 Burt Street Boulder, phone +61 8 9093 3488. Boulder Market Day is the third Sunday of every month. 2009 Boulder Market Days are as follows: 18th January, 15th February, 15th March, 19th April, 17th May, 21st June, 19th July, 16th August, 20th September, 18th October, 15th November, 20th December.
The Boulder Discovery Trail is a school holiday activity program that offers a variety of activities in down town Boulder to keep the kids entertained for a few hours or more. The next Boulder Discovery Trail will be held in the October 2009 School Holidays, Wednesday to Friday of each week. For more information, contact Boulder Promotion and Development Association on +61 8 9093 3938.
Super Pit Shop location
2 Burt Street, Boulder WA 6432, Australia
Super Pit Shop opening hours
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm. Boulder Market Days (third Sunday of every Month) 9.30am to 12.30pm. Closed on public holidays.
Directions
The most direct route from the Kalgoorlie-Boulder town centre is to follow the Goldfields Highway or Boulder Road until Burt Street.
Super Pit Shop contact details
Email: superpit@kalgold.com.au
Website: www.superpit.com.au
Telephone: +61 8 9093 3488
Facsimile: +61 8 9093 2488
