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YouthCARE Gold, gold, gold  Transmission repairs and replacements made easy  Torque, grit and diesel Securing the Future of Mining with Intelligent, Integrated Solutions  Truflo Anderson Aviation NAPA  Treotham McLanahan Auslift Custom buckles Australia Turning old into gold: Gekko and Vertex redefine sustainable gold processing Steuler expands your horizons Taylor Made Engineering Still Here. Still Powering Australia. Jarahfire Drilling — Certified. Local. Proven. Oli Group: Pioneering Excellence in the Mining and Extractive Industries P&D Stephen transport Pty Ltd Reliable mine water management MineGlow: A decade of lighting the way for miners Shute upton Engineering The cable management specialist Australia’s Largest Shotcrete Provider Roxset JetCorp international – Australia’s premier Jet Charter Specialist United Aero Helicopters Concrete pumping with precision Raglan Drilling  MOXI’s EEHA Toolkit Expertise and precision with CMI Your partner in strategic asset management AC Hargreaves Purpose designed agitator and mixer drives Oreflow Q-Pilot MEWP Certified Control System United fasteners Making the invisible visible Mastering flue gas analysis Double down with Broons Graderoll Mono World leading industrial transmission solutions Modec Connect Solution Access meteorological support for tropical cyclone season Hoshizaki’s efficient solutions Engineered for Mining Excellence Prime performance PLC Hardware Pty Ltd – Independent distributor of automation hardware Turning sound into critical data – With Automation Acoustics Konecranes – Retrofits to improve safety Schaeffler’s OPTIME CM Driving safety and profitability Multotec Group of Companies | Powering up and going strong SBR Contracting- Get your minesite operational, faster. United Fasteners – Everything you need to keep it together Speed Queen’s Stack Washer / Dryer is Mining’s Most Wanted, Why? Smarter mine water management with ResMix Trusted from sky to site OEM vs. Aftermarket Aussie ups the pressure 120 years of unrivalled excellence Driving performance and precision Historic goldfield — modern innovation  Industry innovation leadership at GRX25 First of its kind  Gold’s new heavy hitter    Australia’s premier mining forum  The Australian Mining Review July 2025 Edition Evolution mining’s Mungari expansion   Algae: An unlikely solution for post-mining transitions  Total elimination  Mining matters  Norton gains momentum  Coal comfort: Queensland’s power play  Heating up in a flash  Getting real on rare earths 

Norton gains momentum norton

Australian gold producer Norton Gold Fields is making steady progress with a strong focus on growth, innovation and sustainability. The company has recently committed to significant investment in renewable energy, including the ongoing development of the Binduli Hybrid Power Station — a pioneering facility that integrates traditional power sources with solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery technology.  

Once operational, this initiative is expected to reduce diesel consumption and enhance energy efficiency at the Binduli North heap leach site. Norton is pursuing phased green energy investments as part of its broader carbon reduction strategy. 

With gold production projected to exceed 260koz annually over the coming years, Norton’s transformation is gaining momentum.  

The Australian Mining Review speaks with Norton Gold Fields chief executive officer and director Wei Lin on how strategic upgrades in processing and operations are reshaping the company’s future. 

AMR: Norton Gold Fields has been a significant player in the Australian gold industry since its establishment in 1987. Can you tell us more about the journey and how the company has evolved over the years?

WL: Norton Gold Fields, founded in 1987, has grown into one of Australia’s leading domestic gold producers. Our progress has been shaped by strategic acquisitions, strong ties with local communities and a consistent focus on safety, sustainability, innovation and operational efficiency. 

A major turning point came in 2007 when we acquired the Paddington Gold Operations from Barrick Gold. This included the mine, processing plant and a large tenement package in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region, significantly expanding our asset base. 

The most pivotal moment in our journey was in 2012, when Zijin Mining Group acquired about 89% of Norton’s shares. At that time, Norton was under financial stress and facing operational constraints. Zijin’s investment brought much-needed stability and enabled long-term growth. 

In 2020, we launched key projects targeting low-grade and refractory ores. By the end of 2022, the Binduli North Heap Leach Project was commissioned — Australia’s largest of its kind. 

Today, with Zijin’s support, we operate two major operations hubs — Paddington and Binduli — and employ over 700 staff. Norton continues to grow as a strong and sustainable contributor to Australia’s gold industry. 

AMR: With Norton being wholly owned by Zijin Mining Group, how has this supported your operations and growth trajectory? 

WL: Becoming a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group — one of the world’s largest mining companies — marked a turning point for Norton. At the time of the acquisition, we were under significant financial pressure, with high operating costs constraining our ability to expand and modernise. Zijin’s investment brought much-needed financial stability, as well as access to global mining expertise and advanced technologies. This support enabled us to upgrade critical infrastructure, procure a modern mining fleet, expand exploration activities and implement key mill upgrades. 

Since then, we have continued to grow and invest throughout the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region, further cementing our position as a key player in Australia’s gold industry. 

AMR: As the CEO of Norton Gold Fields, how would you describe the company’s overall business strategy?

WL: Today we operate two major operation centres, the Paddington Gold Operation Centre and the Binduli Gold Operation Centre. Together, they processed over 8.2mt of ore in 2024 and produced more than 260koz of gold.
Norton Gold Fields now holds over 875km2 of tenements in the Kalgoorlie region.
As of the end of 2024, our total mineral reserves were more than 10moz and our ore reserves were more than 4moz, figures that reflect the scale and strength of our operations. 

Beyond production, we are deeply committed to sustainable development. We invest heavily in improving operational safety and efficiency, reducing our environmental impact and supporting the communities where we operate.
In the future, Norton Gold Fields will continue to invest in the Australian mining industry, looking for opportunities for growth and expansion guided by safety, innovation and responsibility. We are proud of our legacy and we are excited for the future. 

AMR: Your company manages Australia’s only large heap leaching project. Could you explain the significance of this and its impact on your annual output?

WL: The Binduli Heap Leach Project is a low-grade gold project. This project commenced from 2020 and we put it put it into commissioning at the end of 2022.
The successful commissioning of Australia’s largest ever heap leach project is a major milestone for both Norton and the Australian gold industry.
This project significantly expanded our processing capacity while allowing us to economically extract gold from the lower grade ores.  

This project alone, will support over 75koz of annual production once fully ramped up and importantly it help us extend the life of many of our open pit deposits especially for break-even projects.  

As the first mover to develop the large heap leach project in Australia, even though we ultimately benefited from this decision, the path to success was filled with many challenges, such as a shortage of skilled labourers and experts who have had experience with heap leach operations in the past.
We received a lot of support from our parent company for this project, both financially and technologically. I can truly say without Zijin, Norton would not be in the position that it is currently in today.
My team and I are all highly confident in the future of the Binduli Gold Operations Centre. 

AMR: You have been innovative in the use of hybrid power in mining operations with the Binduli Hybrid Power Station. Can you share more about this initiative and its expected impact on your operations?

WL: As one of Australia’s major gold producers, we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions. That’s why we continue to invest in green energy. 

This year, we will complete phase two of the Binduli hybrid power project, which includes solar generation, battery storage and diesel backup. Once fully operational, it is expected to cut our diesel use by over 40% and significantly lower our carbon footprint. 

This project shows how mining operations can move toward greener energy without sacrificing performance. We will continue investing in renewable power and in the future, we also plan to build a solar PV system at the Paddington Mill to support ongoing mill upgrades. 

AMR: Your autonomous haulage systems (AHS) project is said to be a game-changer. Can you elaborate on this and how it will bolster your mining operations?

WL: Yes, we are currently conducting a trial of the AHS in partnership with EACON and Thiess. AHS is undoubtedly a game-changer for the mining industry. 

From an operational standpoint, AHS technology allows us to access low-grade ore bodies that were previously uneconomical due to high haulage costs. By eliminating the need for manual trucking, unit mining costs are significantly reduced, making it feasible to extract marginal deposits. This not only increases gold production but also meaningfully extends the life of our operations. 

For local communities, extended mine life translates into more stable, long-term employment opportunities and greater investment certainty. While AHS does reduce the reliance on traditional truck drivers, it enables the development of more deposits and overall labour demand is not reduced. On the contrary, it drives a shift in workforce structure by creating demand for a broader range of skilled roles — such as drill operators, excavator drivers, maintenance technicians, dispatch coordinators and data analysts. This transition fosters a more diverse workforce in open-pit mining. 

Beyond that, AHS technology contributes to a safer and more controlled work environment. It reduces the risk of incidents on haul roads and improves efficiency around the clock, regardless of fatigue or weather. That’s a win for safety, productivity and ultimately the community. 

On a global scale, AHS technology is cutting edge and is already redefining what is possible in tier one operations around the world. By integrating this technology, Norton is positioning itself as an innovative force in the international mining landscape.
Overall, it’s not just about automation. It’s about smarter, safer and more sustainable, sustainable mining.

AMR: Can you tell us more about your investment in education, employment pathways and community projects? How do these initiatives reflect the broader benefits of the gold industry?

WL: We believe the true value of mining goes beyond gold. It lies in the positive legacy we leave behind. That’s why we invest in training programmes, apprenticeships and graduate employment.
We also support local schools, health services and infrastructure projects in Kalgoorlie and surrounding areas.
These entities reflect our long term commitment to the region and our belief that responsible mining can be a force for good.
Norton’s long-term presence will boost the prosperity of the local community by providing more stable job opportunities. The local communities also provide a better environment for the local mining companies, which is mutually beneficial.