MOUNT ISA: A DECADES-LONG LEGACY

AUSTRALIAN MINING EXPLORES THE HISTORY OF GLENCORE'S MOUNT ISA COPPER OPERATIONS IN QUEENSLAND AND HOW THE COMPANY IS ENSURING A SMOOTH CLOSURE OF THE ASSETS.

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For 100 years, Queensland's Mount Isa region has been a staple location to uncover and mine copper for Glencore. In fact, one of Australia's most iconic and enduring natural resources companies, Glencore Mount Isa Mines, originated from the area in 1923 following the discovery of lead-silver ore by John Campbell Miles, a respected Australian prospector.

Several diamond drilling programs were conducted to determine the full potential of Miles' discovery, with one of the drill holes indicating the presence of copper.

"Although traces of copper mineralisation were identified during late 1920s drilling efforts, the significant discovery occurred in 1930," Glencore said on its website. "During exploratory drilling for the lead-zinc ore body, almost 38m of copper mineralisation with an average grade of 4.3 per cent copper was discovered."

While the grade was encouraging, Mount Isa Mines didn't have the funds to develop the copper deposit.

"It wasn't until global copper prices rose in 1937 that renewed interest in copper exploration emerged," Glencore said. "(And) it wasn't until 1940 and 1941 that significant progress was made in uncovering additional copper deposits.

"Construction started in 1949 on a stack for the new copper smelter and extensions to the mill/concentrator to treat the copper ore."

Mount Isa Mines commenced construction of the copper production infrastructure in the early 1950s, with copper production activities starting in 1953.

"In 1953, there was a significant milestone with the commencement of parallel production of copper, lead and zinc, further solidifying Mount Isa's position as a hub of mining and metal production excellence," Glencore said.