WorkSafe Investigation Uncovers Critical Safety Deficiencies at Northern Star Mine
A hidden WorkSafe report has revealed alarming gaps in safety procedures at Northern Star Resources' gold mining operations near Kalgoorlie, following a significant open pit wall collapse. The investigation determined there were "no controls in place" to identify or warn of the "serious" failure that occurred at the dormant New Celebration open pit in October.
Wall Collapse Compromises Mine Access Ramp
Heavy rainfall triggered the wall failure, sending substantial debris cascading onto the sole access ramp of the South Kalgoorlie underground mine. Although no personnel were present in the pit during the incident, the collapse compromised critical infrastructure, posing significant risks.
The WorkSafe report stated: "I have formed a reasonable belief that there is a risk to persons from further failure of ground in this area." In response, Northern Star was issued a prohibition notice, banning any activity within 25 metres of the collapsed wall's base until a geotechnical engineer certified the area as structurally sound, which occurred before the start of this year.
Company Response and Safety Overhaul
A Northern Star spokesman acknowledged the "pit wall slip" prompted a comprehensive geotechnical review and subsequent overhaul of mine wall monitoring procedures. "In line with any event investigation, we reviewed our controls, applied learnings and strengthened our processes to further enhance geotechnical monitoring across the South Kalgoorlie operations," he said.
Additional Safety Concerns at Fimiston Mill Expansion
Northern Star is also facing scrutiny over safety practices at its $1.6 billion Fimiston mill expansion project, managed by NRW Holdings subsidiary Primero Group. The Electrical Trades Union has raised serious allegations, claiming that personal protective equipment is not being issued on site.
A union spokesman highlighted specific deficiencies: "In particular, category two fire-retardant PPE needs to be issued to commissioning crews and this is not happening despite repeated requests. Site radios are also not being provided. An inability to quickly communicate and respond is critical in any emergency situation."
Northern Star's Commitment to Safety
In response to these concerns, the Northern Star spokesman emphasized that "the safety of our employees and contracting partners is our highest priority." He noted the Fimiston mill expansion represents a significant investment in Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines' future, involving unprecedented construction activity.
"Heightened risk assessments and robust mitigation measures are key to maintaining our strong safety performance as we work with our contractors to safely and successfully deliver the mill expansion," he added. "We are proud of our industry leading safety performance and remain committed to continuously improving."
Context: The Super Pit's Significance
The Super Pit, central to Northern Star's KCGM operations, is Australia's second largest gold mine. In 2025, it produced 437,894 ounces of gold, according to Surbiton Associates data. Newmont's Boddington mine near Perth remains the country's most prolific gold producer, with 565,000 ounces.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining safety standards in Australia's mining sector, particularly in high-risk environments like open pit operations.
