Leading recovery efforts at GEMCO and on Groote Eylandt

The intense weather system resulted in flooded mining pits and caused significant damage to a critical bridge, the wharf, and port infrastructure. As a result, we temporarily suspended operations at GEMCO.

Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our people and surrounding communities, and in the months since Cyclone Megan, this has remained our focus as we plan a phased return to mining activities.  

Our teams at GEMCO have been progressing operational recovery plans that include dewatering targeted mining pits and a phased mining restart. Mining activity is expected to increase to support a planned build in stockpiles ahead of the wet season, and wharf operations are scheduled to recommence in Q3 FY25, subject to maintaining construction productivity during the wet season.

In addition to managing the impact on our GEMCO operation, our teams on the ground have played a key role in supporting communities on the Eylandt with their recovery efforts to get back on their feet. In the weeks after Tropical Cyclone Megan, our teams removed fallen and hazardous trees around the community, restored the water and power supply to the community in Alyangula, rerouted a damaged intersection to reopen the Highway and allow access to the airport and communities, and cleaned up the airport to enable flights to resume to and from the Eylandt.

GEMCO performs a unique role by providing a range of infrastructure and services which the community relies on, including fuel and electricity supply.

With fuel supply to the Eylandt cut off after Cyclone Megan, the GEMCO team rationed the operation’s fuel reserves, coordinating fuel access and ‘manning the pumps’ for approximately 14 weeks to support key services providers such as emergency services, health, education, Aboriginal corporations, as well as the public, until fuel deliveries to the Eylandt resumed in late June.