Ernest Henry mine
The Ernest Henry mine is a large copper mine located in eastern Australia, 38 kilometres north of Cloncurry[1] in the state of Queensland. Ernest Henry represents one of the largest copper reserves in Australia and in the world having estimated reserves of 167 million tonnes of ore grading 1.1% copper and 2.67 million oz of gold.[2] Silver is also produced at the mine.[3] The mine produced 64,000 tonnes of copper and 92,000 ounces of gold in the financial year to 2021.[1]
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Ernest Henry mine | |
| Location | 38km northeast of Cloncurry |
| State | Queensland |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 20.4476°S 140.7136°E |
| Production | |
| Products | Copper, gold and silver |
| History | |
| Opened | March 1998 (open pit) December 2011 (underground) |
| Owner | |
| Company | Ernest Henry Mining (subsidiary of Evolution Mining) |
| Website | www |
History
Commercial operations at the site began as an open-cut mine in 1998.[3] Plans to transition to underground mining were announced in 2009.[3] In June 2023, the mine announced that operations would continue till at least 2040.[4]
In March 2023, the mine closed for six weeks after flood water entered the site.[5]
Operations
Ernest Henry is an underground mining operation.[3] A 1,000 metre hoisting shaft brings ore to the surface.[3] Traditional grinding and flotation methods in the concentrator is used to extract copper and gold. Concentrate is treated at Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines smelter and metal is refined at Glencore’s Townsville refinery.[3]
References
- Chiat, Josh (18 November 2021). "Ground Breakers: Evolution pays $1 billion to head into copper with Ernest Henry transaction". Stockhead. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- "Iron oxide deposits in the world" (PDF). ethesis.helsinki.fi. 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- "Fact Sheet: Ernest Henry operation" (PDF). www.evolutionmining.com.au. 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- Dobson, Emily; Waterson, Larissa (7 June 2023). "Evolution extends life of Ernest Henry copper mine to 2040 to meet global renewables demand". ABC News. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- Waterson, Larissa (15 March 2023). "Mining operations suspended across the North West Minerals Province after severe floods". ABC News. Retrieved 19 October 2023.