According to Geoscience Australia, the quake registered 3.8 on the Richter scale and struck at 12.46pm about two kilometres south-west of the mine’s tailings dams.

It was the third earthquake near the mine this year, and the sixth significant one in the Orange region in the last 18 months.

CVO general manager Peter Sharpe said all staff were safe and well, and “Cadia geotechnical engineers [were] conducting inspections” before subterranean operations recommenced.

“All employees in the underground operations moved to refuge chambers and all are accounted for and safe,” Mr Sharpe said.

“Processing activities are uninterrupted, and all relevant regulatory agencies have been notified.”

Dan Pedersen, whose Flyers Creek property is close to where the quake struck, said his house’s roof and windows “rattled” when the tremors were being felt.

“It was not normal, it was a substantial shake,” Mr Pedersen said.

In March this year two 2.7 earthquakes occurred within 10 seconds of each west of CVO. Less than a day later a wall between the mine’s northern and southern tailings dams partially collapsed.

In 2017 there were three earthquakes recorded near Orange, including one on Good Friday which registered 4.3 and halted full production at the gold and copper mine for six months.