Like many smaller, remote Queensland towns, Mount Isa in the Gulf Country region was born of the lead, silver, copper and zinc deposits it revealed to prospector John Campbell Miles in 1923. It has one of the richest resource deposits in the world.
Mount Isa is actually the second largest city in Australia – geographically speaking, of course. It covers an area of over 43310 kilometres, making it second only to Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia, also a mining town.
Since its establishment, the town has grown to become the major service centre for the state’s north west, home to a population of about 23000 people and developing not only the mining side of things, but residential, business and industrial aspects. With one of the strongest and most resilient economies in the nation, backed obviously by its mineral processing, Mount Isa also has – despite its aridity – an agricultural industry and a steady tourist flow.
With its lower than average unemployment rate (a mere 2.6 per cent) and residents having above-median weekly incomes (in comparison to the state and nation), the town’s mining industry contributes billions of dollars into the country’s economy each year. Mount Isa Mines company alone employs in excess of 5000 people, and in doing this, over time has contributed both directly and indirectly to supporting and developing local infrastructure, public services, and importantly health, education and cultural services.
Industry
The state of mining in Mount Isa hasn’t always been as fast-paced and successful as it stands today. Copper production was only briefly carried out during World War II, and it wasn’t until 1953 that parallel production of both the copper and zinc-lead-silver was established.
Today, Mount Isa Mines (MIM) has five mine sites in the region, all in the portfolio of mining company Glencore (which merged with Swiss company Xstrata). Operating two separate mining and processing streams – one for copper and the other for zinc, lead and silver – MIM has the largest network of underground mines in the world and exports to 16 countries in Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Each year, the two copper mines, Enterprise and X41, produce 357 million tonnes of the useful metal. The Enterprise mine launched in 1996 is Australia’s deepest mine with its internal shaft running 1900m deep. It is the most recently developed copper ore source in Mount Isa. The two open-cut zinc-leadsilver mines produce 124.5 million tonnes of product annually.
Glencore also operates Ernest Henry Mining (EHM) near Cloncurry, one-and-a-half hour’s drive to the east, Lady Loretta mine to the north, and the Copper Refinery and Glencore Port Operations in Townsville.
While MIM has long-term plans to phase out copper smelting, the company intends to expand mining and concentrate production. They’ve invested heavily in a multitude of concept studies to explore further development opportunities. This includes injecting over $666 million into expanding zinc-lead mining operations (three considerable projects are under construction around the region); $589 million into the transformation of the EHM mine from openpit to underground and a linked magnetite processing facility; $175 million into the acquisition of two of Exco Resources’ copper projects; and $300 million to finalise the Mount Margaret Mining operation, made up of a collection of small open pits.
Tourism and cattle grazing are the other major industries of Mount Isa and the North West region, though – often in part due to severe weather conditions – they haven’t proven to be as reliable as mining.
Major Projects
George Fisher Mine Expansion
Located about 20km north of town, the George Fisher Mine recently had $274 million injected into its expansion, allowing operations to increase the production of silver to 4.5 mega tonnes (Mg) per annum and extend the mine’s life by 18 years, based on reserves, or 32 years based on measured and indicated resources.
Lady Loretta Increase in Production
$59 million was injected into the Lady Loretta zinc-lead mine to increase production from 1.2 to 1.6 million tonnes by the end of 2016. Overall, more than $360 million will be spent on developing the mine.
The Mount Isa Open Pit
In 2011 MIM invested $47 million into a feasibility study to assess the viability of the proposal to construct a major open pit mine, encompassing existing open pits and underground operations. Early indications have showed that there is a least 340 million tonnes of zinc-lead ore and 130 million tonnes of copper ore that could be processed via large open pit mining methods. A further $360 million was put aside for environmental management programs over five years. Despite these commitments, former MIM Copper Operations chief operating officer Steve de Kruijff said in an interview with the North West Star in December 2013 that the project was “off the table” for economic reasons, though it was subject to change.
Mount Isa Life
With the town and its inhabitants’ higherthan- regular disposable income, Mount Isa has been a hotspot in recent years for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Additionally, the residents of Mount Isa are a fairly youthful group, with about 70 per cent of the population falling between the ages of 15-64, and a further quarter between 0-14. The median age of both males and females combined is 30.4 years old, according the state government’s Queensland Regional Profiles report in 2013. Given these age statistics, it’s of little surprise that there are seven state and private schools for children to attend. There is also a TAFE institute, offering most, if not all the courses that other TAFE facilities offer in the more urban parts of Queensland, including trades, IT, creative arts, horticulture, nursing and more.
When not working or studying, residents – who pay an average of $500 a week for three-bedroom abodes – are at will to enjoy the nearby national parks and natural and manmade lakes. Boodjamulla National Park, about a three-and-a-half hour drive north of “the Isa”, is a popular camping and touring destination in the drier months. Lake Julius and East Leichhardt Dam are located 70km and 25km from the town respectively. More central to the town, however, are the lakes. Artificial Lake Moondarra, which rests about 20 kilometres north of the city centre, is a picturesque place to picnic, barbeque, swim, or partake in water sports including boating, sailing or canoeing. Fishing is also popular here, as the lake, which supplies the town’s water, was stocked with Barramundi some time back, and permits to fish are not required.
Social and competitive sporting teams are as popular here as anywhere, with social rugby, AFL, netball and other sports on offer for different age groups, and when the weather is too hot for this, there are ample shopping options and all the retail staples of a regular small town: Woolworths, Coles, Bunnings, Kmart, Harvey Norman and a host of other smaller, varied commercial and boutique shops.
The town also has a large regional hospital with an emergency department and serves as a base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. There are a number of general medical practices, as well as an integrated mental health service. For recreational purposes there is a cinema, and a modest host of bars and restaurants, including the Irish Club, an Italian eatery, the Rodeo Bar and Grill (for a steak likely raised locally) and Livingstone’s, a more upmarket place run by an ex-Sydney chef.
MIM has always been the town’s foundation and thus continues to play an important role. For example, in October 2014, Glencore provided a grant that would aid in keeping Mount Isa’s parks lush and green by switching to bore water. The company committed $75000 to its Glencore Community Program North Queensland, which will see the Sunset Oval, the Captain James Cook Park and Parkside Playway Park benefit from a reliable water supply. Ongoing investments like these also benefit the townspeople, like Mount Isa Cricket Association and Mount Isa Athletics.
Culture and Events
Mount Isa Rodeo
With more than 25000 people making their way to the town for this one event annually, effectively doubling the population, the Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo is the biggest rodeo in the southern hemisphere. Running over three days, the schedule includes bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback bronc, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bucking ponies and more. Outside the ring, people enjoy live entertainment, a mardi gras parade, the Mailman Express horse race, the Bush Poets Breakfast, rides and more.
Mount Isa Fishing Classic
Held on Lake Moondarra, the Fishing Classic is a highly contested race that sees its competitors attempt to be the first to catch the tagged Barramundi. With a grand prize of $50,000, the Fishing Classic is Queensland’s richest freshwater fishing competition. It runs over two days in late October each year, and the 2015 event is set to also include a dragon boat regatta, yabby races, casting competitions, a jumping castle for kids, volleyball, live music, trade exhibits, food, drink and bar facilities and camping.
Riversleigh Fossil Centre
The Riversleigh Fossil Centre, situated on a remote cattle station 200km north of The Isa, is a step back in time for its visitors. The centre contains displays of fossils of early mammal megafauna that existed some 25 million years ago when rainforests covered the area, and also offers daily lab tours with the resident Palaeontologist. Riversleigh is one of the richest and most important fossil fields in the country, spread out over 100km2.
Kalkadoon Tribal Council and Cultural Keeping Place
The Kalkadoon tribe were the original residents of the Mount Isa area, formerly the Emu Foot Province, who fought strongly against European settlers in the 19th century. Their final battle, which led to their demise, was at Battle Mountain in 1884. Today, their rich cultural heritage is preserved by their descendents. Kalkadoon Tribal Council keeps artefacts from the past and offers guided tours.
The Future for Mount Isa
The outlook for Mount Isa is bright. While copper smelting is being phased out and is expected to be gone altogether by the end of 2016, there is still so much investment and so much financial incentive for people to live in the town that right now growth remains steady. The downside to the mining industry in the area is that many of the planned, emerging or potential projects are hours from the city itself, which can be tough on employees.
As for the tourism industry, which is at its peak between the months of May and October, the Mount Isa City Council and the Tourism Association noted in their 2007-2017 Tourism Strategy that while the city is “strategically located in relation to major highways”, it is remote and the industry is small and limited by its resources. That said, the Strategy is now seven years old, and Mount Isa’s population of both residents and visitors has only continued to expand.
“The Enterprise mine launched in 1996 and is Australia’s deepest mine with its internal shaft running 1900m deep.”
Resources
www.mining-technology.com/projects/mount_isa_copper/
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