Major Earthquake Triggers Emergency Evacuation at Cadia Gold Mine
A significant 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck south of Orange in central west New South Wales on the evening of April 14, 2026, triggering an emergency evacuation of more than 150 workers at the nearby Cadia goldmine. The seismic event, which occurred at a depth of 5 kilometers approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Orange, sent shockwaves across the region and prompted immediate safety protocols at one of Australia's largest gold mining operations.
Miners Rush to Underground Refuge Chambers
According to an internal company memo from Newmont, the operator of Cadia goldmine, 153 personnel who were working underground at the time of the quake were swiftly evacuated to designated refuge chambers. Mine rescue teams implemented a structured re-entry and rescue plan to ensure all workers were safely returned to the surface and debriefed following the unsettling event.
"Safety and the wellbeing of our people remain the top priority," stated the internal announcement, which acknowledged the psychological impact of the earthquake on workers. The company has made support services available to all affected personnel and emphasized the importance of looking out for one another during this challenging time.
Quake Felt Across Central West NSW
The earthquake's effects were felt hundreds of kilometers away, with reports of tremors reaching as far as Batemans Bay and Wagga Wagga. Geoscience Australia received nearly 2,300 reports from residents who experienced the shaking, which occurred at 8:19 PM local time.
Dr. Phil Cummins, senior seismologist at Geoscience Australia, noted that this represents the second largest earthquake recorded in the area, following a magnitude 4.3 event in 2017. While the national seismic network has some uncertainty in pinpointing exact locations in the central west region, the epicenter was identified just 3 kilometers from the Newmont Cadia goldmine tailings dam—a structure that partially collapsed in 2018.
Local Residents Describe Terrifying Experience
Blayney Shire Mayor Bruce Reynolds, who lives approximately 12 kilometers from the epicenter, described the earthquake as "like an explosion under the house." His immediate concern was for the safety of underground workers at the Cadia mine, given the proximity of the seismic activity.
John Clemens, owner of the Forest Reefs Tavern located about a 20-minute drive from the mine site, reported dramatic shaking that rattled windows and wine glasses throughout his establishment. "We'd just closed the tavern and were counting the takings and the place just shook like a truck was coming through it," Clemens recounted. "The force coming from the mine side, the western side, it was like the pub leant one way and then came back the other."
Mining Operations Suspended Pending Safety Assessment
Newmont has paused all underground operations at Cadia goldmine while specialist teams conduct comprehensive inspections and assessments of the facility's structural integrity. A company spokesperson confirmed that safety procedures functioned effectively during the emergency response, with no reported injuries among personnel.
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority has received one report relating to unusual odours, smoke, and a dusty haze near the Cadia mine following the earthquake. EPA officers are conducting site inspections and have written to licensees in the central west region reminding them to check the structural integrity of dam structures and pollution control infrastructure.
Government Monitoring Situation Closely
NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the government currently has no information suggesting the earthquake was linked to mining activity, but officials are maintaining a watching brief on the situation. "I was briefed about it late last night, and there were evacuation protocols that were put in place for miners," Minns said, adding that any new information would be promptly communicated to the public.
Seismologist Dr. Cummins explained that determining whether mining activity triggered the earthquake would require "very intense deployments over an extended period of time" to establish such triggering mechanisms. He also noted that aftershocks, typically at least one magnitude unit lower than the original quake, might occur in the coming days.
The Cadia goldmine incident highlights the importance of robust emergency protocols in mining operations located in seismically active regions, with this event serving as a real-world test of evacuation and safety systems designed to protect workers during geological emergencies.
