New data and updates — no noise. We'll let you know when something worth knowing happens.
| Year | Emissions | Baseline | Gap | ACCUs | SMCs | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24–25 | 82 kt | 149 kt | -66 kt | — | — | Under baseline |
Cowal Operations is a metal ore mining facility operated by EVOLUTION MINING (COWAL) PTY LIMITED in NSW. Like all covered facilities, iron ore, gold and base metal mining uses significant diesel and electricity. Under Australia's Safeguard Mechanism, Cowal Operations must keep its annual emissions below a stepping-down baseline — or purchase carbon credits to cover any overage.
This facility is operating under a multi-year monitoring period (MYMP) — a Clean Energy Regulator-approved arrangement that allows compliance to be assessed across multiple years rather than annually. This is appropriate for facilities where emissions vary significantly year to year due to production cycles or operational changes. The gap shown above does not indicate non-compliance during the MYMP window.
Across the metal ore mining sector, 8 of 8 covered facilities reported emissions above their baseline in 2023–24. The table below compares Cowal Operations with other metal ore mining facilities covered by the Safeguard Mechanism.
| Facility | Operator | State | Emissions | vs Baseline | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brockman 2 / Nammuldi Mines | Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited | WA | 312 kt | +127 kt | ACCU buyer |
| NMK01 Nickel West Mt Keith Facility | BHP NICKEL WEST PTY LTD | WA | 201 kt | +101 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Brockman 4 Mine | Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited | WA | 236 kt | +94 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Fimiston Operations | KALGOORLIE CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINES PTY LTD | WA | 230 kt | +93 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Mount Isa Mines Copper and Zinc Operations | MOUNT ISA MINES LIMITED | QLD | 410 kt | +82 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Paraburdoo Mine | Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited | WA | 164 kt | +64 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Telfer Gold Mine | Newcrest Mining Limited | WA | 354 kt | +63 kt | ACCU buyer |
| Solomon Mine | FMG SOLOMON PTY LTD | WA | 452 kt | +62 kt | ACCU + SMC |