MOUNT ISA ZINC-- FEATURE ARTICLE – JUNE 2021

摘要

Glencore's Mount Isa site is one of the largest, longest life mine sites in Australia with mining and processing operations in continual operation since the mid-1920s. Despite its age, the site has continued to expand reserves to support production from a variety of high-grade underground and open-cut sources. Mining methods are well understood and, notwithstanding local conditions, well executed. Processing of some highly pyritic ores remains challenging with some material removed from the resource base as a result of being not economically recoverable. The mine is the largest source of employment in the town of Mount Isa and as such receives a high level of community support. However, environmental issues associated with sulphur emissions and lead contamination have caused local friction.