Mico Mt Isa, Jul 31, 2025 · “Mount Isa Mines (MIM) including MICO [Mount Isa Copper Operations] has a rich history and for generations Australian miners have considered working at MIM a rite of passage,” Wilson says. “Mount Isa Mines (MIM) including MICO has a rich history and for generations Australian miners have considered working at MIM a rite of passage,” Mr Wilson said. During the early operational years, ground support, particularly surface support, was not routinely installed. Just before midnight on Wednesday, workers emerged from nearly two kilometres underground for the final time in Mount Isa, Queensland. The detail Underground mines Enterprise and X-41 and the copper Over the last few years at Glencore's Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) mining conditions have become increasingly challenging through lower head grades and higher work indices. Jul 31, 2025 · Discover how Mount Isa's iconic copper mine closure affects jobs, community, and Australia's mining legacy after 70 years. The Mount Isa Mines management team includes Jim Faulkner (MICO Mine Manager), Meaghan Wild (HSE Assurance Lead), and Sylvester Martin (Senior Geotechnical Engineer). This pic was taken 2000 feet below the surface by MIM photographer John Shewan in […] Thank-you for your interest in iQ Hey! I reside in Mount Isa and up until this week worked in the underground mining sector for Mico. “This week, we say thank you to all MICO employees past and present and their families. It has been widely reported that 1200 jobs would be lost from the Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) closure, which is about 10 per cent of the total workforce in the city. John Bright, or 'Brighty' as his colleagues affectionately call him, a Trainer Assessor for MICO, has loved working at Mount Isa Mines for the last 52 years and he won’t be exchanging his 4825 postcode anytime soon. Mount Isa Copper Operations or "MICO" refers to X4l, Enterprise, Black Rock and Copper Concentrator. During the early operational years, ground support, particularly surface support, was The ground in Mount Isa usually shakes twice a day with mine blasts, but today silence signals the end of era. MICO’s Continuous Improvement Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) is one of the oldest and deepest mines in Australia, comprising the largest underground network of mine development in the world. Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations, Enterprise and X41, wrapped up this week after more than 70 years of continuous production. During the early operational years, ground support, particularly surface support, was As part of Council’s “Transitioning Mount Isa’s Economy" strategy, Council will contract the services of consultants in six specialised strategic areas to develop an overall response plan. The private member’s Bill seeks to amend the Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Act 1985 in order to ensure the continuation of mining operations in Mount Isa. Mining giant Glencore is looking for a government bailout so it can continue operating ahead of that time. Jul 30, 2025 · Mount Isa Copper Operations will close this week after more than seven decades of continuous operation. The announcement last year of a staged closure over five years drew concerns about the future of the city. Mount Isa is looking to green energy and gravity storage in its disused mine shafts to secure a future for the city once its big mines close. A game of cat and mouse is being played between the state and Swiss multinational Glencore in an outback town facing the closure of its historic copper mine. However, Glencore has since revised this figure to about 500. Restructure Efforts A restructure of crews and leadership functions at MICO is currently underway and is being implemented in stages. MICO is a large and integrated mining complex located in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia (Figure 1). A historic chapter has ended, with Glencore’s copper mine shutting down after seven decades of operation. We also undertake metals processing via our copper concentrator, zinc-lead concentrator and filter plant, copper smelter and lead smelter and copper refinery in Mount Isa and Townsville. Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) is one of the oldest and deepest mines in Australia, comprising the largest underground network of mine development in the world. The use of an automated system to actively monitor the location of personnel underground and Emergency Refuge Bay (ERB) capacities has significantly improved safety at Mount Isa Copper Operations. Since operations began in the 1950s, MICO has produced hundreds of millions of tonnes of ore, supplying critical minerals to the world and driving the development of Mount Isa Jul 29, 2025 · Media release Mount Isa, Australia This week marks a poignant moment in the Mount Isa region’s proud mining history, as Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations (Enterprise and X41) come to the end of their mine life after more than seven decades of continuous operations. This milestone represents the end of one of Australia’s longest-running and most iconic copper mining operations. After more than 70 years of continuous operations, Swiss mining giant Glencore has called time on its Mount Isa Copper Operations in Queensland. The assistance of LLM and Redpath saved a lot of time and planning at MICO. The Bill follows the announcement by Glencore, the current agreement holder under the Act, that the company intends to close the Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations in 2025. The end of operations at Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) represents the conclusion of one of Australia's longest-running and most iconic copper mining ventures. More than 570 proposals have been put forward since Mount Isa Mines’ plan to improve business sustainability in the Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) since 2011. Glencore is prioritising redeployment within Mount Isa Mines to non-impacted areas of the business, such as the George Fisher Mine. Was in the exact same shoes as you 3 years ago, honestly if you want to get a start and are willing to move, you’d get a job easily. The deepest mine of its kind in the country is no longer Mount Isa Mines Limited ("MIM") operates the Mount Isa copper, lead, zinc and silver mines near Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia as part of the Glencore group of companies. The new roster is needed to increase productivity, according to multinational company Glencore, but critics say it will have 'ghost-town' consequences for Mount Isa in north-west Queensland. Apr 2, 2025 · Glencore has confirmed that it will close its Mount Isa Mines' copper underground operation in 12 weeks' time, affecting about 500 jobs directly. . The company said its electrical high voltage and crushing and conveying teams had worked over the past year to fit an upgraded Motor Protection Relay (MPR) and Power Quality Meter (PQM) to the […] Thank-you for your interest in iQ Glencore’s Mount Isa mines has announced MICO will be changing its primary rosters to a seven days on/seven days off roster. The recent implementation of the Mine Site Technologies MICO flying high with autonomous drones using Hovermap technology Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) are paving the way for further safety and productivity improvements with the introduction of Emesent’s Hovermap technology for surface and underground scanning. Our thanks also go to the Mount Isa community who welcomed and supported this mine with pride and perseverance Apr 3, 2025 · This decision follows Glencore's 2023 assessment that Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) and its copper concentrator were no longer financially viable. Owner Glencore has announced the closure of MICO in 2025 with the smelter slated for closure in 2030. Automine® is a system that allows underground mining equipment to be operated remotely from the surface, or in underground safe work areas. Main image: Glencore Copper Refineries Limited There are emerging developments in the region which add some balance. The world’s largest commodities trading house, Glencore, has been locked in negotiations with government over the future of the Mount Isa smelter. This pic was taken 2000 feet below the surface by MIM photographer John Shewan in […] Thank-you for your interest in iQ Over the last few years at Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) mining conditions have become increasingly challenging through lower head grades and higher work indices. The difficulty in tapping a resource to replace Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) is in direct proportion to its potential. 1 day ago · Glencore's announcement of the Mount Isa smelter's closure raises alarm over Australia's copper production and regional economy. Experts warn that, without the The underground mining environment at Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) has over the years presented interesting and challenging rock mechanics related issues. Media release Mount Isa, Australia This week marks a poignant moment in the Mount Isa region’s proud mining history, as Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations (Enterprise and X41) come to the end of their mine life after more than seven decades of continuous operations. Glencore Nears Closure of Mt Isa Copper Mines, Smelter Future Uncertain Glencore is set to close its final two copper mines in Mount Isa, Queensland, this week, marking the end of an era for the company’s upstream copper operations in Australia. John grew up in Charters Towers and moved to Mount Isa with his parents at the age of 9. Since commencing in the 1950s, Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) has extracted hundreds of millions of tonnes of ore. The mining company will outline its methods of reducing the impact to Mount Isa from the closure of MICO. Discover how Mount Isa's iconic copper mine closure affects jobs, community, and Australia's mining legacy after 70 years. The recent implementation of the Mine Site Technologies Glencore has announced it will close all copper mining operations at its Mount Isa mine — one of the biggest copper mines in the country. Job cuts lower than expected When the closure was first announced, up to 1,200 jobs were at risk. Over the last few years at Glencore's Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) mining conditions have become increasingly challenging through lower head grades and higher work indices. Mount Isa Mines is the hub of Glencore’s zinc-lead silver and copper processing operations across North Queensland. Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) has completed electrical upgrades to increase the safety, efficiency and longevity of the site’s 3P crusher. The incident occurred when the two workers, who were working at heights to dismantle scaffolding, were impacted by a discharge of steam from a pressure Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae has issued a direct plea to the State and Federal Governments: secure a deal to save the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Refinery – and the 17,000 jobs that depend on them. Mount Isa Mines employs 164 employees. Two men are in a critical condition after suffering significant burns at an outback Queensland mine site when a steam vent opened near where they were working. Despite the Swiss multinational’s best attempts at extend the life of its underground copper mines at the Queensland’s Mount Isa, studies and reviews ultimately bore no fruit Mount Isa Mines operates two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, near Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. MICO’s Continuous Improvement MICO jump on the automation train Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) have brought Sandvik’s Automine® system online to deliver major safety, efficiency and productivity improvements to the operations. Since operations began in the 1950s, Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) has produced hundreds of millions of tonnes of ore. Mount Isa, Australia Glencore has notified its workers that after 60 years of copper mining, the Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations (Enterprise, X41 and Black Rock) and copper concentrator will close in H2 2025. To support increased zinc-lead mining at Mount Isa into the future, we are focusing on capital projects that will provide ventilation and cooling for new mining blocks. Over the past year, the Electrical High Voltage and Crushing and Conveying teams have worked together to design and install important electrical improvements to increase the safety, efficiency and longevity of the 3P Crusher at our Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO). The closure affects at least 1,200 employees The Mount The effect of the closure of Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) will be mitigated by new jobs creation. The recent implementation of the Mine Site Technologies Last gasp for underground copper operations Glencore shut down its Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations this week after more than seven decades of continuous operations. MICO has had great success improving operating efficiencies and increasing productivity through focusing on technology, innovation and operational discipline. Our Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) team has modified their underground drill rigs to allow them to be started remotely which improves safety and reduces time offline. Glencore’s planned closure of its Mount Isa copper smelter has created uncertainty for the region, but it has opened up opportunities. The recent implementation of the Mine Site Technologies Glencore is optimistic the number of job losses from its underground copper closures later this year could be less than half the number originally forecast. Over the last few years at Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) mining conditions have become increasingly challenging through lower head grades and higher work indices. Media statement Mount Isa, Australia Mount Isa Mines confirms that the two contract workers who were injured at the Copper Smelter yesterday afternoon remain in a serious condition and both have been transferred to Brisbane for treatment. Abstract Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) is one of the oldest and deepest mines in Australia, comprising the largest underground network of mine development in the world. The Mount Isa copper smelter is set to close in 2030. Miners will emerge from underground for the final time, marking the end of an era shaping Mount Isa’s identity. On Monday, MICO workers gathered underground for the final blast, while the last-ever shift was completed in the early hours of Thursday morning. The underground mining operation is comprised of two copper mines, X41 and Enterprise, mining at a rate in excess of six million tonnes of copper ore per annum. After seven decades of digging almost two kilometres beneath the earth, the deepest copper mine in Australia will fall silent with its final shift set to surface shortly after midnight Glencore recently announced plans to shut its Australian copper assets after six decades of operation. Search up some of the contracting companies in the area, they’re putting a lot of people on at the moment. George Fisher Mine at Mount Isa will operate until at least 2036 and the zinc-lead processing facilities and lead smelter will continue to operate. Lady Loretta Mine, located 140 kilometres North of Mount Isa by road, produces zinc-lead-silver ore for processing at Mount Isa Mines. After 60 years of operation, Glencore will close its Mount Isa underground copper mines and concentrator in 2025. Located in the outback city of Mount Isa, home to more than 18,000 residents, Mount Isa Mines includes the long-life George Fisher underground zinc mine, mineral processing and smelting operations, power generation, and support Glencore's announcement of the Mount Isa smelter's closure raises alarm over Australia's copper production and regional economy. Despite optimal copper market conditions, high operating costs and depleting ore reserves have left the Mount Isa operations unprofitable and “no longer viable”, according to Glencore. The company said the move away from a four-day roster aimed to align the Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) with its nearby George Fisher mine to increase productivity. Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) closure It’s been 17 months since Glencore announced the closure of Mount Isa Mines’ underground copper operations planned for July 2025. 9wg9, ccpsu, anfn, yen3, l0ooyw, pskzq, uyxk, khnpz, pg1f, cxu2ao,