Our story

Since 1993 Northparkes has been celebrated for our high-quality copper deposits, low cost operations and loyal, committed people.

CMOC-Northparkes Mines (Northparkes) is a copper and gold mine located 27 kilometres north-west of Parkes, in the Central West of New South Wales, Australia.

 

Northparkes is a joint venture between China Molybdenum Co., Ltd (CMOC) (80%) and the Sumitomo Groups (20%).

Mining has been taking place at Northparkes for over 20 years. Our current Environmental Assessment allows operations until 2032 – our vision is to operate for ‘A century of mining together’.

We were the first mine in Australia to use the highly efficient block cave mining method, now used in several mines throughout the country. The first full-scale production was from E26 Lift 1 block cave in 1997.

In 2006, we began construction of a new block cave mine on the E48 copper and gold deposit with production officially commencing in September 2010. In 2016 we began production from the E26 Sub-Level Cave.

Northparkes is proud to be a farmer as well as a miner owning approximately 10,314 ha of land in Central West NSW. Mining operations occupy 1,630 ha and the remaining area operates as a commercial agricultural and logistics operation.

About CMOC

CMOC is an international natural resources company with a diverse portfolio of high quality, low cost, long life assets. CMOC is focused on mining, processing, smelting, product technology, trade, research and development. The company currently produces molybdenum, tungsten, copper, gold, niobium and phosphate.

In addition to Northparkes, CMOC’s key operating assets include the Sandaozhuang Mining facilities in China, and Boa Vista, Chapadão and Catalao Mine facilities in Brazil.

 

CMOC (China Molybdenum Co Ltd) was established in the People’s Republic of China in 2006. CMOC is listed on the Hong Kong Limited Stock Exchange (HK3993-2007) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SH603993-2012).

CMOC’s major investors include Cathay Fortune Corporation and Luoyang Mining Group Co., Ltd., (aggregate holding approximately 63% equity). The remainder is publicly held via exchanges amongst shareholders in China, Hong Kong and the USA. CMOC has a market capitalisation of 77.24bnHKD (US$9.95bn).

CMOC is one of China’s largest molybdenum and tungsten producers. As the second largest producer of tungsten, CMOC produces just over 10 per cent of China’s annual tungsten concentrate production. 

In May 2016, CMOC announced it entered into a definitive agreement with Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. to acquire an indirect interest in the copper-cobalt Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM) located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. TFM will bring to CMOC’s portfolio a scarce, world-class producing copper-cobalt mine with substantial upside.

The procurement of TFM will position CMOC in four leading mining jurisdictions: China, Australia, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Click here to visit the CMOC Group website.

Our leaders

At Northparkes, inspirational leadership matters. Our highly experienced leadership team is committed to Zero Harm Operations and achieving our vision of ‘A century of mining together’.

Our values

  • Zero harm

    Zero Harm is our approach to every aspect of our operations. We care for our people, our environment and the community in which we live and work.

  • One team

    We proudly work together towards our shared purpose.

  • Life balance

    We realise the potential in everyone, support their wellbeing and enjoy what we do.

  • Improvement

    We will be better tomorrow than we are today.