Redpath Mining has announced its successful bid for two significant underground mining projects with Evolution Mining in Australia, as confirmed through recent job postings. These contracts position Redpath as a pivotal partner in the development of Evolution Mining’s strategic assets.
Bert Project at Ernest Henry Mine
Redpath Mining has been designated as the preferred contractor for the Bert project, located at the Ernest Henry Mine in north Queensland. The Bert deposit, an incremental addition to Ernest Henry’s existing operations, received approval from the Evolution Board in February 2026. This approval followed a comprehensive prefeasibility study that underscored Bert’s potential to unlock latent processing capacity, enhance mine plan flexibility, and deliver substantial value without significantly expanding the site’s footprint or increasing operational risk to the main cave.
The Bert project is slated for development and extraction using conventional stope mining methods. It boasts an estimated mine life of approximately seven years, spanning from financial year 2029 to financial year 2035. Redpath’s underground mining contract for Bert is set for a five-year term, with a primary focus on developing this new orebody. Evolution’s June quarter report indicated that on-site activities for the Bert project have commenced and are projected to escalate during the June quarter of 2027.
Northparkes E22 Block Cave Development
Concurrently, Redpath Australia has been selected as the preferred mining contractor for the Northparkes E22 Block Cave Development project in New South Wales. The Evolution Board also approved the development of the E22 block cave at Northparkes, committing a capital investment of A$545 million (approximately $381 million USD). This investment aims to establish a long-life, low-cost bulk underground operation.
The E22 block cave project is a cornerstone of Northparkes’ long-term operating strategy. It is designed to ensure the continuity of underground ore supply, thereby maintaining throughput, cost competitiveness, and a durable production profile for the company. First ore production from the E22 block cave is anticipated by the end of the 2030 financial year. The block cave is expected to operate for approximately nine years, facilitating a steady-state underground production of some 6 million tonnes per annum (Mt/y) and efficient utilization of the processing plant.
