Most people will never experience what happens a kilometre below ground at Newmont’s Cadia Mine, yet it is an environment Boral teams work in every day. Cadia is the largest underground gold mine in the southern hemisphere and has relied on Boral’s concrete and shotcrete capability since 2007.
Located southwest of Orange, the mine extracts gold, copper and molybdenum and operates through an extensive system of underground tunnels. As these tunnels continue to expand, they must be stabilised and supported to maintain safe and efficient access for the mine’s workforce and equipment. This is where Boral plays a vital role.
Delivering concrete to a city beneath the surface
Underground, Cadia operates much like a small city with its own roads, pump stations and work zones. Concrete demand is constant as the mine drills, blasts and develops new areas. Boral’s on‑site production systems and fleet are designed to navigate the unique underground environment, ensuring material is delivered safely and reliably where it is needed.
Our concrete and shotcrete support the structural integrity of tunnel walls and ceilings, allowing development teams to progress with new works while maintaining long‑term durability.
Purpose‑built equipment for a unique environment
Working underground requires equipment designed specifically for steep gradients, confined spaces and long travel distances. One of the most significant innovations has been the development of specialised Cat 730 underground agitators, engineered from standard articulated dump trucks and adapted to suit the conditions.
These innovations, alongside broader operational improvements, earned Boral international recognition when the Cadia work received the International Shotcrete Award for Underground Project of the Year.
Major pours and major teamwork
Conditions underground are challenging and require careful planning and precise coordination. Recent work has included a 390 cubic metre pour at the bottom of the mine using a continuous cycle of specialised trucks and pumping equipment. Once large pours like this are completed, teams often transition immediately into shotcrete spraying to stabilise the next section of tunnel.
These efforts highlight the skill, resilience and teamwork required to maintain safe and efficient progress in such a complex environment.
A strengthened partnership for the next five years
After many years of successful delivery, Boral and Newmont have renewed their partnership with a new five‑year agreement commencing in 2025. The contract includes major capital investments such as plant refurbishment, additional underground agitators, new equipment and automation upgrades. These improvements will support continued efficiency and reliability as the mine evolves.
Newmont’s strong appreciation for the commitment shown by long‑serving Boral employees has been evident throughout the relationship, with members of the Cadia team recognised for their contribution and dedication.
Built on relationships, innovation and resilience
For the Boral people who have worked on the Cadia project for more than a decade, the partnership’s strength comes down to trust, collaboration and shared commitment. Nearly twenty years on, the relationship remains a testament to innovation, resilience and the extraordinary efforts of the teams working beneath the surface every day.
