Gold Miners Evacuated After 4.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Orange, NSW
On the evening of 14 April 2026, a significant earthquake measuring 4.5 on the magnitude scale shook the central west region of New South Wales, specifically south of Orange. The seismic event, which occurred at a depth of 5 kilometres, prompted immediate safety responses at the nearby Cadia goldmine, operated by Newmont.
Immediate Evacuation and Safety Protocols
According to an internal company memo obtained by Guardian Australia, more than 150 workers were underground when the quake hit at 8:19 PM. These personnel swiftly moved to designated refuge chambers as part of established emergency procedures. Mine rescue teams then executed a structured re-entry and rescue plan, ensuring all 153 individuals were accounted for and safely returned to the surface. Following the incident, underground operations have been temporarily halted pending comprehensive safety assessments.
The epicentre was located just 3 kilometres from the Newmont Cadia goldmine tailings dam, a structure that experienced a partial collapse in 2018, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities. However, initial reports indicate no injuries or significant damage at the mine site.
Widespread Impact and Local Accounts
The effects of the earthquake were felt across a broad area, with reports of tremors reaching as far as Batemans Bay and Wagga Wagga, hundreds of kilometres away. Local residents described intense shaking, with Blayney Shire Mayor Bruce Reynolds, living approximately 12 kilometres from the epicentre, likening the experience to "an explosion under the house."
At the Forest Reefs Tavern, about a 20-minute drive from the mine, owner John Clemens recounted the moment: "We'd just closed the tavern and were counting the takings when the place shook like a truck was coming through it. Windows rattled, wine glasses rattled—it was crazy. The pub leant one way and then came back the other." Fortunately, no damage was reported at the establishment.
Official Responses and Investigations
NSW Premier Chris Minns addressed the incident, stating that the government currently has no information linking the earthquake to mining activities. "We don't believe it's linked, or I've been given no information that it has been linked," he said, adding that evacuation protocols were effectively implemented.
Dr. Phil Cummins, a senior seismologist at Geoscience Australia, highlighted challenges in pinpointing the exact location due to uncertainties in the national seismic network. This makes it difficult to determine if the quake was directly at the mine or triggered by mining operations. "You really need very intense deployments over an extended period to determine that kind of triggering mechanism," he explained.
Geoscience Australia received nearly 2,300 reports of tremors and warned that aftershocks, likely of lower magnitude, could occur in the coming days.
Environmental and Regulatory Oversight
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has initiated inspections following a complaint about unusual odours, smoke, and a dusty haze near the Cadia mine post-earthquake. A spokesperson confirmed that the EPA is reminding licensees in the region to check the structural integrity of dam structures and pollution control infrastructure to prevent potential environmental hazards.
Newmont has assured that safety procedures functioned as intended, with all personnel safe and operations paused for further evaluation. The company will provide updates on any material production impacts as assessments progress.
