Mount Isa Mines (Xstrata 100%) operates two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver. Mount Isa Mines’ copper operations include two underground copper mines -Enterprise and X41 from which 5.9 million tonnes of ore is mined per annum; a concentrator with 7.2 million tonnes per annum capacity; and a copper smelter.

The Enterprise mine is the most recently developed copper ore source at Mount Isa and is Australia’s deepest mine, with an internal shaft which reaches a depth of 1,900 metres.

In August 2011 Xstrata approved the commencement of an AUD47 million (USD50 million) pre-feasibility study into the development of a large multi-commodity open pit mine on the existing Xstrata Mount Isa Mines footprint.

Brief History of the Operation

Prospector John Campbell Miles discovered silver-lead ore at Mount Isa in 1923. Mining began the following year and Mount Isa Mines was formed. During Mount Isa Mines’ early years the company focussed on zinc-lead-silver production with only a brief period of copper production during World War II. Parallel production of zinc-lead-silver and copper did not begin until 1953.