Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott has welcomed Evolution Mining's announcement of a major $634 million investment in Northparkes Operations, describing it as a transformational commitment that secures jobs, economic growth and long-term confidence for the Central West.
Evolution Mining's Board has approved development of the E22 block cave project ($545 million), the Northparkes Coarse Particle Flotation (CPF) Project (~$75 million), and a further $14 million investment in expansion studies to unlock additional long-term production capacity.
This announcement positions Northparkes as a long-life, low-cost underground mining operation and cements its role as a leading, sustainable copper and gold producer in New South Wales.
"This is welcome news for the entire region," Mayor Westcott said.
"This investment secures the future of Northparkes and provides long-term security for local jobs, local businesses and local families. It demonstrates strong confidence in our workforce, our community and the Central West economy."
The E22 block cave mine will sustain operations at Northparkes well into the next decade, with first ore forecast from the end of Fiscal Year 2030 (FY30). The project is designed to maintain throughput, strengthen cost competitiveness and ensure a durable production profile.
Importantly for the region, the investment will deliver:
- Approximately 140 full-time equivalent construction jobs across the projects
- An estimated 30 to 85 additional operational roles once in steady state
- Anticipated annual project labour spend of $40–50 million
- Sustained demand for regional services, maintenance, logistics and supply chains
Northparkes currently employs around 450 people, with 96 per cent residing in Central West NSW - including 75 per cent in the Parkes Local Government Area and 14 per cent in Forbes. In FY25 alone, $204 million was spent across NSW in salaries and vendor payments, including an average of $93 million in Parkes and Forbes.
The announcement reinforces Evolution's commitment to mining in NSW and aligns strongly with State and Federal critical minerals strategies.
Copper and gold production at Northparkes plays a vital role in supporting Australia's critical minerals agenda. Northparkes also continues to contribute significantly to government revenues and community initiatives. Evolution Mining paid approximately $25 million in royalties and taxes in FY25, with projections of up to $260 million in royalties and taxes through to FY32 supported by E22.
Since acquiring Northparkes, Evolution has invested $1 million in local social initiatives, with a further $390,000 annual community spend in FY25 and an additional $140,000 contributed through its partnership with Triple Flag Metals.
"Northparkes has long been at the heart of our community," Mayor Westcott said.
"This announcement ensures it remains a cornerstone of employment, investment and opportunity in the Parkes Shire for years to come."
Mayor Westcott congratulated Evolution Mining's Board, leadership and workforce on the milestone decision.
"We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Evolution Mining as we work together to deliver sustainable growth and long-term prosperity for our region."
