Century Mine

Century Mine
Location
Location Mount Isa
State Queensland
Country Australia
Production
Products Lead and zinc concentrate
History
Opened 1997 (1997)
Owner
Company MMG Century

Century Mine is a large open cut zinc, lead and silver mine near Mount Isa in North West Queensland, Australia. It is Australia’s largest open pit zinc mine. The mine was owned by Pasminco, then Zinifex, then OZ Minerals and then sold to MMG Century which belongs to Minmetals Resources.

Development of the mine commenced in 1997, previously being used for grazing purposes.[1]

Zinc and lead concentrate is exported via the port at Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria. The zinc is especially prized because of its low iron content.[2] The concentrate is mixed with water and transported to the port by a 304 kilometre pipeline.[3]

It is expected to be exhausted by 2016.[4] The mine is serviced by the Century Mine Airport.

During the 2009 wet season contaminants including cadmium, zinc and dissolved sulfate were discharged from the mine into nearby Page Creek.[5] MMG Century was fined $130,000 for the breach.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Infrastructure". Minmetals Resources. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Century". Minmetals Resources. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Century mine pipe replacement to take 2-3 weeks". Business Spectator. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  4. ↑ Mandi Zonneveldt (18 December 2006). "Zinifex moves on mine". couriermail.com.au (News Queensland). Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Mine fined over wastewater discharge". Trading Room (Fairfax Digital). 30 March 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2012.

Coordinates: 18°43′32″S 138°36′27″E / 18.72556°S 138.60750°E / -18.72556; 138.60750

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