Mount Isa mine is the largest underground mine in Australia and is located 2,000 kilometres north-west of
Brisbane. This mine has been in continuous operation since 1931 and in 1986/87 the silver/lead/zinc stream
achieved the peak annual mining rate of 4.7 million tonnes. At present about fifteen different steeply dipping
stratiform orebodies are being mined to maintain an annual production rate of around 3.0 million tonnes. Out of
these, only two orebodies (2 & 5) are amenable to sub level open stoping (SLOS) type bulk mining methods. This
year only 150,000 tonnes are scheduled from pillars and remnant areas but in future, more sources will be
required to meet the budget production targets.