10 fast facts about Kalgoorlie's massive Super Pit Gold Mine

FIFO
Lifestyle

January 29, 2026

Kalgoorlie Super Pit: Fast Facts, Size, Depth and What’s Mined There

Before diving into the history and innovation behind the Kalgoorlie Super Pit Gold Mine, here are the key facts people most often want to know when searching for information about this world-famous gold mine.

Kalgoorlie Super Pit: Quick Facts

Location: Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia
Mine type: Open-cut gold mine
Depth: Approximately 600 metres
Length: Around 3.5 kilometres
Width: Around 1.5 kilometres
What is mined: Gold

Housing one of the richest gold deposits in the world, the Kalgoorlie ‘Super Pit’ has long been an attraction for those who want to work at one of Australia’s largest mines.

Managed by KCGM, the mine is a complex system of underground networks with a history that stretches back over the past 100 years, but the challenge is worth it for the treasures to be found.

Because of its history, the Kalgoorlie Super Pit is like no other mining operation in the world. It's unique in terms of both the work and the experience for miners.

Here are some incredible facts about the famous mine.

How Big Is the Kalgoorlie Super Pit?

The Kalgoorlie Super Pit size is one of the most searched aspects of the mine. And for good reason.

The open pit stretches approximately 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide and around 600 metres deep, making it one of the largest open-cut gold mines in Australia. The mine is made up of more than 260 individual mining leases that were gradually combined into the single operation seen today.

Its sheer scale is difficult to grasp until seen in person, with haul trucks, shovels and drills operating continuously across the pit.

How Deep Is the Super Pit in Kalgoorlie?

One of the most common questions asked is: how deep is the Super Pit?

The Kalgoorlie Super Pit reaches a depth of approximately 600 metres, with historical underground workings extending as far as 1,200 metres below the surface in some areas.

These old workings add complexity and risk, requiring careful planning and constant monitoring during mining activities.

Kalgoorlie Super Pit: 10 Fast Facts

Pit pipped at post
Known as the Super Pit, the Fimiston Open Pit was Australia's largest open-cut gold mine until 2016 when the Newmont Boddington Gold Mine opened in Western Australia.
No rush since gold rush
The Super Pit’s history stretches back to 1893 and the Gold Rush era, when Paddy Hannan discovered 100 ounces of gold in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. This sparked the WA gold rush and the discovery of the ‘Golden Mile’, one of the richest gold deposits in the world.
Good as Gold
Around 15 million tonnes of rock is moved from the Super Pit every year, making this dynamic operation truly worth its weight in gold. Since the Golden Mile’s discovery, 58 million ounces of gold has been mined from it. KCGM’s operations today make it the second-biggest gold producer in the world, second only to China.
Big where it counts
The Super Pit covers more than 26,000 hectares of leases and is made up of 260+ individual mining leases joined together.
And so is the machinery..
Each truck on site will use approximately $8 million of fuel and $3 million worth of tyres. Truck tyres can weigh up to five tonnes and it takes two people 45 minutes to change one.

What Is Mined at the Kalgoorlie Super Pit?

The primary resource mined at the Kalgoorlie Super Pit is gold.

Gold-bearing ore is extracted from the pit, processed on-site, and refined to produce gold bullion. KCGM’s ongoing operations make the Super Pit one of Australia’s most significant gold-producing mines and a key contributor to the country’s mining industry.

Remarkable Mining Innovation at the Super Pit

For miners the Super Pit is full of challenges and similarly, innovation…

Avoid the void
Voids are a continual hazard in the Super Pit. With historical underground workings 1,200 metres below the surface at the site, miners have to be constantly aware of ever-changing conditions. Voids complicate mining in the pit as they have to be identified and assessed before every blast pattern can be laid.
Long reach drills
KCGM has developed a Long Reach Drill to safely navigate voids. This machine allows the rig and operator to remain safely on the ground while the extended drilling arm probes the void.
There’s no ‘i’ in team
Teamwork is king in the Super Pit. To design the blast, Planning Engineers must work closely with Geologists, Drill and Blast Engineers, and Voids Officers. Then Production Geologists define the position of the ore to be mined and the Geology Team generates a computer model of the ore body.
The Blast
The mine blasts three to four times a week between 7am and 6pm. Because of its proximity to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, significant monitoring is done before, during and after the blasts to reduce vibrations, dusts and noise.
Load it Up
The shovels and trucks at the mine work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A round trip for the haul truck can take 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the load’s final destination. And this is just the start of the gold being produced.

Why the Kalgoorlie Super Pit Still Matters Today

More than a century after gold was first discovered in Kalgoorlie, the Super Pit remains a critical part of Australia’s mining landscape.

Its scale, output and technical complexity continue to shape how large-scale gold mining is carried out across the country.

Next steps

Reading about the scale of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit is one thing. Working on operations of this size and complexity is another.

If you are an experienced mining professional exploring your next opportunity, why not register your details in under a minute.

Or speak with an MPI Recruitment consultant today on 08 9426 1500 to learn more about FIFO mining roles across Australia.

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