Mount Isa

Mount Isa
Queensland
Mount Isa panorama
Lake Moondarra
Mount Isa sign
Mount Isa Mine Stack
Mount Isa city centre
Mount Isa at night
Top to bottom, left to right: Mount Isa panorama; Lake Moondarra; The Sign, Mount Isa Mines stack, Mount Isa City; Mount Isa at night
Mount Isa is located in Queensland
Mount Isa
Mount Isa
Coordinates20°43′34″S 139°29′38″E / 20.72611°S 139.49389°E / -20.72611; 139.49389
Population18,317 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density266.62/km2 (690.6/sq mi)
Established1923
Postcode(s)4825
Elevation356 m (1,168 ft)
Area68.7 km2 (26.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)City of Mount Isa
State electorate(s)Traeger
Federal division(s)Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
31.9 °C
89 °F
17.3 °C
63 °F
461.8 mm
18.2 in

Mount Isa (/ˈzə/ EYE-zə) is a city in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Australia.[2] It came into existence because of the vast mineral deposits found in the area. Mount Isa Mines (MIM) is one of the most productive single mines in world history, based on combined production of lead, silver, copper and zinc.[3]

Before European contact, the Mount Isa region was part of an expansive trade network spanning the entire Lake Eyre Basin and beyond. In particular, it was a valued source of stone for stone tools such as hand axes.[4]

In the 2021 census, the town of Mount Isa had a population of 18,317 people,[1] making Mount Isa the administrative, commercial and industrial centre for the state's vast north-western region. Although situated in an arid area, the artificial Lake Moondarra[5] 19 kilometres (12 mi) north of the city on the Leichhardt River provides both drinking water and an area for watersports, birdwatching and recreation. Locals often refer to Mount Isa as "The Isa".[6]

Due to the lead production in the city, Mount Isa needs one of the most intensive air quality monitoring systems in Australia.[7] Concerns have been raised over childhood lead contamination and air pollution within the city.[8][9] The Mount Isa Mines (MIM) in particular are a source of significant lead pollution.[10]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Census2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Mount Isa – population centre in City of Mount Isa (entry 23053)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Mt Isa". www.australianexplorer.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2008.
  4. ^ Davidson, Iain; Cook, Nick; Fischer, Matthew; Ridges, Malcolm; Ross, June; Sutton, Stephen (2005). "Archaeology in Another Country: Exchange and Symbols in North-West Central Queensland" (PDF). In Macfarlane, Ingereth; Mountain, Mary-Jane; Paton, Robert (eds.). Many Exchanges: Archaeology, History, Community and the Work of Isabel McBryde. Canberra: Aboriginal History Inc. pp. 101–128. ISBN 0-9585637-7-2
  5. ^ "Mount Isa Water Board - Trustee of Lake Moondarra, Mount Isa". Archived from the original on 4 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Official Mt. Isa page, using "The Isa" term". Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Air quality in Mount Isa". www.mountisatimes.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Compelling new evidence shows Mount Isa mining emissions are contaminating the city and are the cause of childhood lead poisoning". mq.edu.au. Macquarie University. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Mining blamed for Mount Isa's woes". Brisbane Times. 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  10. ^ Field, Donna (9 February 2017). "Mount Isa mine a source of 'potentially significant' lead pollution, Glencore-commissioned report finds". ABC Online. Archived from the original on 9 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.