The West Wyalong Barrick Cowal operation commenced in 2004 as an open-cut extraction and processing operation.

Since inception Barrick has been concerned with monitoring and ameliorating environmental impacts – particularly on flora and fauna, site water and wetland management, erosion, dust and noise.

Barrick is also keen to include the local Aboriginal community in a number of issues relating to the mine’s development.

The strong links to the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre are a special feature.

The Lake Cowal Conservation Centre underlines the difference between a heritage approach and contemporary view of mining.

PUBLIC ACCESS:

The Lake Cowal Conservation Centre www.lakecowalfoundation.org.au offers fortnightly mine site tours to the West Wyalong Barrick Cowal Mine to members of the public.

Tours will be offered on the first and third Friday of most months depending on numbers, the weather, unexpected situations and mining operations on the day.

The tours will commence at 8:30am with an expected finishing time of 5:30pm. The tour will include a Welcome to Country, morning and afternoon tea, lunch, a tour of the West Wyalong Barrick Cowal Mine, Manna Mountain, Wyalong Museum and Exclusive Hot Glass.

The Bland Shire Heritage and Gold Tour is popular and places are limited so bookings are essential to reserve a seat on the bus. Tour bookings should be made in advance by contacting Mal Carnegie on 0418 370 927 or by email, [email protected]

WHILE YOU’RE HERE:

The Bland Shire and West Wyalong is on the crossroads of the Newell, Mid Western Highways and Goldfields Way and has many historic and interesting areas to explore including the surrounding villages of Tallimba, Mirrool, Barmedman, Ungarie, Weethalle and Naradhan.

Other places to explore in the Bland Shire and West Wyalong include the Barmedman Mineral Pool, the 25 State Forests, Reserves and National Parks, and the tin and eucalyptus oil history.

Events include the Barmedman Modified Tractor Pull, The World Famous Mirrool Silo Kick, West Wyalong Campdraft and rural shows at West Wyalong, Barmedman, Ungarie and Weethalle.

The tours also coincide with the Saturday flying dates for the Temora Aviation Museum www.aviationmuseum.com.au/.