Workforce
The total number of employees for the entirety of Nevada Gold Mines is approximately 7,000, in addition to about 4,000 contractors. Specific workforce numbers for the Goldstrike mine are not detailed in the latest reports. Job postings for various positions at the Goldstrike mine, such as "Underground Miner" and "Process Operator," indicate ongoing recruitment.
Overview
The Goldstrike mine is not operated by Royal Gold, Inc. Royal Gold holds a 0.9% net smelter return royalty on a portion of the Betze-Post pit. The mine is part of the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture, owned by Barrick Gold Corporation (61.5%) and Newmont Corporation (38.5%), with Barrick as operational manager. It is reported as part of the Carlin Complex.
Production
Since being acquired by Barrick in 1986, the Goldstrike mine has produced over 44 million ounces of gold through 2018. As of 2020, production figures for the Goldstrike mine are reported as part of the Carlin Complex within the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture. For the full year of 2023, Barrick Gold reported that its total gold production was 4.05 million ounces, with the Nevada Gold Mines having a strong fourth quarter due to higher grades and operational improvements. Lower production was reported in the first quarter of 2023 due to maintenance at the Goldstrike roaster and the conversion of the autoclave.
Processing
The Goldstrike complex has two main processing facilities: a roaster and an autoclave, which are designed to handle refractory ore. The processed gold is produced as doré. In early 2023, a project was undertaken to convert the Goldstrike autoclave to a conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) process. This conversion was completed during the first quarter of 2023.
Equipment
The open pit operations at the Goldstrike complex utilize a conventional truck and shovel fleet. Over time, the mine has transitioned to larger haul trucks, including Komatsu 930E 330-ton trucks, to improve efficiency. The underground mines use equipment such as longhole drills.
Expansion
A significant recent development at the Goldstrike mine is the conversion of its autoclave to a carbon-in-leach (CIL) process, which was completed in the first quarter of 2023. This project is intended to improve the processing capabilities of the mine. The Goldstrike facilities are also slated to process ore from the new Goldrush mine, which is expected to come online in 2027.