Major twist behind as Geoscience Australia records 3.6 magnitude earthquake near Greater Bendigo

The cause of 3.6 magnitude earthquake recorded in the Greater Bendigo region in Victoria has been linked to a nearby gold mine.

The earthquake was captured in the Wellsford State Forest near Barnadown at 6.41am on Tuesday, according to Geoscience Australia.

Fosterville Gold Mine has since confirmed it recorded a mine-induced seismic event on Tuesday, according to the ABC.

“FGM are currently reviewing the event, and we will publish further details once they have been confirmed,” Fosterville said in a statement.

The gold mine is located 25 kilometres east of Bendigo.

The spokesman told ABC a smaller seismic event registering a 2.3 magnitude had been recorded about 1km below the surface in the Phoenix area of the mine on November 1.

Initially the earthquake on Tuesday was recorded at 3.5 magnitude but Geoscience has since been upgraded it to 3.6 magnitude.

Initial reports suggest about 40 people felt the earthquake.

It comes months after a magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded in Victoria on August 8, 2024.

FGM has been contacted for further comment.