The Queensland Government has pledged to honour mining fatalities in the Mount Isa region in North West Queensland with a $4.7 million memorial.
The memorial is jointly funded by the Queensland Government, Glencore (LSE:GLEN), and the Mount Isa City Council and will be built on Frank Aston Hill in remembrance of 150 miners who died on the job.
Overlooking the Mount Isa Mines, the shrine will feature memorial panels, shaded areas, amphitheatre seating, and multiple spaces for reflection.
Construction of the memorial is expected to be completed by late 2027.
The Queensland Government is contributing $2 million to the project, which forms part of nearly $6 million in projects under the Mount Isa Transition Fund.
The Mount Isa Transition Fund intends to support community infrastructure projects, while also supporting the city’s long-term economic future.
Projects include $1.705 million for the Small Business Incubator, $1 million to support the development of a 110-hectare circular economy industrial estate, $500,000 for Elevate Isa, $500,000 for shopfront revitalisation, and $285,500 for a business case for a Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Element Research Centre.
The Critical Minerals and Rare Earths Element Research Centre will offer specialist lab services to surrounding mines.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Planning, and Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie describes Mount Isa as “one of Queensland’s strongest and most resilient communities”.
“For generations, mining families have contributed enormously to Mount Isa’s success and prosperity, and this memorial will provide a place for reflection, remembrance and respect,” Bleijie says.
“The community has been calling for a fitting place to remember their loved ones for years, and this will honour the past while serving as a powerful reminder of the people at the heart of our mining communities.
“We are backing projects that are about supporting jobs, housing, liveability, and confidence in Mount Isa’s future.”
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing, and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last says the memorial will ensure Mount Isa-based miners who lost their lives are “never forgotten”.
“Mining has shaped Mount Isa for generations and this memorial will provide a lasting tribute to those who helped build this community, and the lives that were lost along the way,” Last says.
“The recent tragedy at Peak Downs is a sobering reminder that while we honour those we’ve lost in the past, our focus must always remain on ensuring every Queensland miner comes home safely.
“We’re right behind Mount Isa’s mining sector with support for the Copper Smelter and Townsville Refinery, as well as securing the ongoing operation of Phosphate Hill.”
Mount Isa City Council Mayor Peta MacRae says the investments from the Queensland Government will support community priorities.
“Council welcomes this support for projects that recognise Mount Isa’s history while also helping us plan for the future,” MacRae says.
“The Miner’s Memorial will be a deeply significant place for our community, providing a lasting place to honour those who lost their lives and recognise the contribution of mine workers and their families across the region.
“These investments, along with others funded by the Crisafulli government, show confidence in Mount Isa and the people who call this city home.”
Mount Isa’s mining history runs deep, after prospector John Campbell Miles first discovered lead ore in February 1923 when travelling through the region.
Glencore — one of the largest mining companies in the world — famously operated in the region at Mount Isa Mines, before the underground copper mines closed last year.
Today, explorers such as Basin Energy (ASX:BSN), Larvotto Resources (ASX:LRV) and Renegade Exploration (ASX:RNX) continue to uncover the region’s mineral endowment.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Mount Isa City Council
