After making its debut at museums in around the world, Newmont's gold nugget-the second largest remaining in the world-is back in Australia. Discovered in 1995 a dry stream bed near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, the nugget is currently on loan to the historic Perth Mint for a gold exhibition.
Normandy Mining, now part of Newmont Asia Pacific, purchased the nugget in 2000 after the Commonwealth Government objected to attempts by its finder to sell the object overseas due to its cultural significance. Ownership of the nugget ensures that it stays in Australia as an important part of our mining heritage. A 1999 examination by the University of Southern California revealed the nugget to be 40 million years old. Weighing 819 ounces and measuring approximately 11 inches tall by 7 inches wide, the nugget is 80 to 90 percent high purity gold, giving it an intrinsic value of approximately AU$800,000.
Last year, Newmont was the presenting sponsor of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's unique exhibit, GOLD: National Treasure, Cultural Obsession, where the visiting nugget was prominently featured. Corporate employees enjoyed learning about the history and properties of gold and its technological applications, as well as the opportunity to see the nugget up close and personal.
