Mount Isa
Mount Isa | |
|---|---|
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 | |
| Coordinates: 20°43′34″S 139°29′38″E / 20.7261°S 139.4938°E | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| LGA | |
| Location |
|
| Established | 1923 |
| Government | |
| • State electorate | |
| • Federal division | |
| Area | |
• Total | 68.7 km2 (26.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 356 m (1,168 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 18,317 (2021 census) |
| • Density | 266.62/km2 (690.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+10:00 (AEST) |
| Postcode | 4825 |
| Mean max temp | 31.9 °C (89.4 °F) |
| Mean min temp | 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) |
| Annual rainfall | 461.8 mm (18.18 in) |
Mount Isa (/ˈaɪzə/ EYE-zə) is a city in the Gulf Country region of Queensland, Australia. It came into existence because of the vast mineral deposits found in the area. Mount Isa Mines (MIM) is one of the most productive mines in world history, based on combined production of lead, silver, copper and zinc.
The copper mine is scheduled to close in October 2025 and the future of the town's copper smelting plant is in question.
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.
In the 2021 census, the town of Mount Isa had a population of 18,317 people, 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 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".