Misplaced Pages

#772227

60-408: Mica Creek Power Station is located 5 km south of Mount Isa in north-west Queensland , Australia . It was natural gas powered with 12 turbines of various sizes that generate a combined capacity of 318 MW of electricity . The power station is owned by state government owned Stanwell Corporation . Mica Creek was originally coal-fired, with conversion to natural gas completed in 2000. Gas

120-458: A skate park /aquatic centre and a multi-purpose sporting complex for basketball and other indoor sports. Mount Isa's events complex, Buchanan Park, opened in May 2007, can hold up to 6,000 people and is used for special events such as concerts and expos. It is also the home of the city's annual show and rodeo. The city is known for its annual Rodeo and Mardi Gras street parade every August. There

180-400: A 35 vehicle taxi service. A taxi service known as "Isa-Curry" express transports passengers to and from the neighbouring centre of Cloncurry to Mount Isa and back again, usually for shopping and medical requirements. Additionally, many of the city's clubs have courtesy buses to and from their establishments that run seven days a week and into the early hours of the morning. Mount Isa Coaches

240-519: A Go Kart Club situated off Duchess Road on the southern side of town. Attractions include the Hard Times Mine at "Outback at Isa" and The Mount Isa Rodeo and Mardi Gras (held on the same weekend) has given Mount Isa the title of "Rodeo Capital of Australia". The occasion may well triple the city's population in these few days. A memorial has been made especially for the Rodeo, down Rodeo Drive;

300-452: A different color (often red and yellow, respectively) and have distinctive feathered headdresses, no face, and often a third leg which is variously interpreted as either a penis or a lizard's tail. These figures are found near reliable water sources, and may have been used to mark trade and travel paths between regions. Analysis indicates that the ochres used for the paint originate over 100km southeast of Mount Isa. Davidson suggests that, like

360-439: A finer matrix of clinopyroxene , typically augite (20–29%), with minor olivine (3% up to 12% in olivine diabase), magnetite (2%), and ilmenite (2%). Accessory and alteration minerals include hornblende , biotite , apatite , pyrrhotite , chalcopyrite , serpentine , chlorite , and calcite . The texture is termed diabasic and is typical of diabases. This diabasic texture is also termed interstitial . The feldspar

420-538: A large filtration plant to remove the algae. The City of Mount Isa operates a public library in Mount Isa at 23 West Street which utilizes a high - speed ISDN Internet Connection (powered through the National Broadband Network ) to both Townsville and Brisbane . Mount Isa also has a cinema complex, situated in the inner city on Rodeo Drive, that contains three air-conditioned cinemas ,

480-448: A long-term configuration. The C1 and C2 units were placed in cold storage, leaving the power station with seven operational generating units. The Mica Creek Power Station will be shut down at 8am on 1 January 2021 as the last of its contracts are completed. The Diamantina Power Station will ramp up as Mica Creek's load is gradually lowered. Mount Isa Download coordinates as: Mount Isa ( / ˈ aɪ z ə / EYE -zə )

540-406: A massive motor sports complex on the city's north-eastern outskirts, but as of 2024 it had not been built. In 2008, a Queensland Health report found that more than 10% of children in Mount Isa had blood lead levels above World Health Organization recommendations. The mining operator Glencore denied responsibility and stated that the town has naturally high levels of lead in the soil. However,

600-468: A more recent study led by Macquarie University environmental engineers has used lead isotope analysis to show conclusively that the lead ingested had originated from smelted ore and not surface deposits. In 2015, Mt Isa formed its own Symphony Orchestra, acclaimed as the "most remote in the world". Inaugurated on 23 July 2015, the event attracted several stars of the music world, including world-famous jazz musician James Morrison . Morrison also figured in

660-631: A natural filtration process involving reed beds in a large isolated lagoon, which, after disinfecting, produced water to acceptable standards under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines . However, the prolonged drought has produced climatic conditions that have caused blooms of blue-green algae in Lake Moondarra, Lake Julius and the Clear Water Lagoon, necessitating the temporary introduction of

SECTION 10

#1732773235773

720-517: A refinery in Britain where the silver is extracted. The mine is the most significant landmark in the area, with the stack from the lead smelter (built 1978), standing 270 m tall, visible from all parts of the city and up to 40 km (25 mi) out. Mount Isa has eight public primary schools and three private primary schools: And four high schools: Mount Isa is also home to the School of

780-533: A rumour circulated that the ratio of males to females living in Mount Isa was five to one. Former Mayor John Molony drew international press attention in August 2008 when he told the Townsville Bulletin newspaper that Mount Isa's gender imbalance made it a good place for "not so attractive" women to live. However, the 2011 census revealed that 52.8% of residents were male and 47.2% were female. In

840-712: A single volcanic center. The Palisades Sill which makes up the New Jersey Palisades on the Hudson River , near New York City , New York, United States, is an example of a diabase sill. The dike complexes of the British Tertiary Volcanic Province includes Skye, Rum, Mull, and Arran of western Scotland , the Slieve Gullion region of Ireland , and dolerite dike swarms extending across northern England towards

900-559: A source of significant lead pollution . The Leichhardt River divides the city into areas known as "mineside" and "townside". Xstrata , the power station and the Airport are on the mineside, whilst the majority of the city, including the CBD and Base Hospital are on the townside. In recent years, population increases associated with the mining boom has increased demand for accommodation and land. The city had spread out, with new suburbs in

960-559: A week in each direction. The following radio stations are available in the Mount Isa region: Diabase Diabase is the preferred name in North America, while dolerite is the preferred name in the rest of the English-speaking world, where sometimes the name diabase refers to altered dolerites and basalts. Some geologists prefer to avoid confusion by using the name microgabbro . The name diabase comes from

1020-462: 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 single mines in world history, based on combined production of lead , silver , copper and zinc . Before European contact, the Mount Isa region was part of an expansive trade network spanning

1080-664: Is a locally owned and operated coach company that provides tours and charter services to the local community as well as mining, sporting, school and airport transfers. Greyhound Australia has a depot in Mount Isa, with coach services to and from Townsville , Brisbane and Tennant Creek . Mount Isa Airport has regular daily services to Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville, in addition to other services to remote Outback communities in western Queensland. The primary carriers which service Mount Isa and district are Qantas / QantasLink - Brisbane and Townsville; AirNorth - Darwin and Gold Coast; Regional Express - Townsville. In November 2009, it

1140-554: Is also an annual Multicultural Festival in early September. The local theatre group, the Mount Isa Theatrical Society, also known as MITS, often holds plays and musicals, at least once every few months. Athletics, gymnastics, tennis, rugby league, field hockey , football, netball, rugby union, cricket, and Australian rules are the most common sports but shooting , squash, softball, basketball, BMX racing, and ten-pin bowling are also present. Mount Isa has

1200-751: Is an historical building that has been registered on the Register of the National Estate and the Queensland Heritage Register . It is an air-raid shelter which could function as a hospital. It was created as a precautionary measure after Darwin was bombed in 1942. Local miners excavated the site which remains today as the only underground health facility in Queensland which was built during World War II. The Mount Isa Rodeo has been held annually since 1959. In addition to

1260-543: Is estimated that 900 Kalkadoon people were killed during this six-year campaign. There is now a memorial near the site of the Black Mountain. In 1923, a lone prospector, John Campbell Miles , stumbled upon one of the world's richest deposits of copper, silver and zinc during an expedition into the Northern Territory. When Miles inspected the yellow-black rocks in a nearby outcrop, they reminded him of

SECTION 20

#1732773235773

1320-409: Is high in anorthite (as opposed to albite ), the calcium endmember of the plagioclase anorthite-albite solid solution series, most commonly labradorite . Diabase is usually found in smaller, relatively shallow intrusive bodies such as dikes and sills . Diabase dikes occur in regions of crustal extension and often occur in dike swarms of hundreds of individual dikes or sills radiating from

1380-632: Is part of the Division of Kennedy in the Australian House of Representatives . The mayor of Mount Isa, after the 2020 Local Government Elections, is Danielle Slade . The City of Mount Isa LGA jurisdiction, covering 43,188 km (2nd largest in Australia), is the 15th largest in the world in terms of area and takes in the border town of Camooweal , 188 km (117 mi) to the north-west of Mount Isa and 12 km (7.5 mi) from

1440-539: Is sourced from the Cooper Eromanga Basin gas field via the 840 km Carpenteria Pipeline. Mica Creek supplied electricity to mining companies in the region, as well as Mount Isa , Cloncurry , and the nearby region. For more than 54 years, Mica Creek was the sole large-scale supplier of electricity to mining and residential communities in the State's north west. In December 2014, a new power station

1500-497: Is supplied from Lake Moondarra, 13 km (8.1 mi) from Mount Isa, and from Lake Julius , 60 km (37 mi) from Mount Isa. As it costs approximately twice as much to supply water from Lake Julius, the water is normally drawn from Lake Moondarra. However, during periods of drought, it becomes necessary to draw water supplies from Lake Julius. The three major water users are the Mount Isa Mines , Incitec Pivot and

1560-536: The 2016 census , the town of Mount Isa had a population of 18,342 people. In the 2021 census , the town of Mount Isa had a population of 18,317 people. Mount Isa has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: Mount Isa at local level is part of the City of Mount Isa , at state level is part of the electoral district of Mount Isa in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland , and at federal level

1620-610: The Karoo dolerites of South Africa , the Ferrar Dolerites of Antarctica , and the largest of these, the most extensive of all dolerite formations worldwide, are found in Tasmania . Here, the volume of magma which intruded into a thin veneer of Permian and Triassic rocks from multiple feeder sites, over a period of perhaps a million years, may have exceeded 40,000 cubic kilometres. In Tasmania, dolerite dominates much of

1680-542: The Mount Isa City Council (which in turn supplies residents and smaller businesses). Due to a prolonged drought, water levels in Lake Moondarra have become very low. In April 2013, it was forecast that Lake Moondarra would be reduced to 40% of capacity by July 2013, which would trigger the need to supply additional water from Lake Julius. The increased cost to the Mount Isa Council for water

1740-704: The Northern Territory , forming curved ridges of Oenpelli Dolerite stretching over 30,000 square kilometres (12,000 sq mi). Further west, on the northern coast of Arnhem Land, a "subsurface radial dyke swarm" known as Galiwinku Dolerite, taking its name from the Aboriginal name for Elcho Island, occurs on the Gove Peninsula and continues under the Arafura Sea and on Wessel Islands , including Elcho and Milingimbi Islands . In

1800-806: The Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia , a Proterozoic 200-kilometre (120 mi) long dolerite dike, the Norseman-Wiluna greenstone belt is associated with the non-alluvial gold mining area between Norseman and Kalgoorlie , which includes the largest gold mine in Australia, the Super Pit gold mine . West of the Norseman–Wiluna Belt is the Yalgoo-Singleton greenstone belt , where complex dolerite dike swarms obscure

1860-757: The rodeo itself, there are associated street parties , music events, market stalls and family entertainment. The Rodeo Queen Quest raises money for charities; the Rodeo Queen is crowned at the Rodeo Ball. Rodeo school is available for aspiring bull riders. It is the largest annual rodeo event in the Southern Hemisphere. It is organised by the combined Rotary clubs of Mount Isa. The rodeo often features guest DJing from renowned global DJs including Ste Earley from Doncaster in England who adds to

Mica Creek Power Station - Misplaced Pages Continue

1920-445: The "George Fisher" underground mine, and the adjoining "Handlebar Hill" open cut, which is trucked back to Mount Isa for processing. Mount Isa is in the top two of the largest copper mining and smelting operations in the country. Copper and lead are smelted on site, with copper anodes and zinc concentrate being transported 900 km (560 mi) to the city and port of Townsville on the east coast. The lead ingots are transported to

1980-686: The Air , a unique-to-Australia way of schooling isolated students in Australia's vast lightly populated country areas. The city also holds the main campus of the Mount Isa Institute of TAFE , offering courses in a wide range of fields, including mining, agriculture and trades. In addition, James Cook University has a presence, with the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health in the Base Hospital complex. Mount Isa's water

2040-504: The French diabase , and ultimately from the Greek διάβασις (meaning "act of crossing over, transition") whereas the name dolerite comes from the French dolérite , from the Greek doleros (“deceitful, deceptive”), because it was easily confused with diorite . Diabase normally has a fine but visible texture of euhedral lath -shaped plagioclase crystals (62%) set in

2100-644: The Kalkadoon set out on one of Australia's most successful guerrilla wars, now known as the Kalkadoon Wars which took place from about 1871 to 1884. Their success continued until at Battle Mountain in 1884, when Kalkadoon people killed five Native Police and a prominent pastoralist. Only 29 Kalkadoon people survived. In response, the Queensland Government sending a large contingent of heavily armed patrols who chased surviving tribe members. It

2160-935: The Midlands, for example Rowley Rag . Parts of the Deccan Traps of India, formed at the end of the Cretaceous , also include dolerite. It is also abundant in large parts of Curaçao , an island off the coast of Venezuela . Another example of diabase dikes has been recognized in the Mongo area within the Guéra Massif of Chad in Central Africa. In the Death Valley region of California, Precambrian diabase intrusions metamorphosed pre-existing dolomite into economically important talc deposits. In

2220-493: The Mount Isa region, though dating is uncertain. Rock art is abundant in the region as well. It largely consists of engraved petrographs and free-painted designs; stenciled designs are rare. Rock art in the Mount Isa region varies stylistically site-by-site, and includes circular, geometric, and figurative motifs. One figurative motif particular to the Mount Isa region is the north-west central Queensland anthropomorph figure. They are usually painted one color with an outline in

2280-433: The Mount Isa stone axes, the ochre was valued for cultural reasons in addition to functional, economic reasons. This, combined with dating marking the anthropomorphs and stone axes as contemporaneous at about 1000 BP, suggests that they were all intertwined components of an extensive trade network stretching across the entire Lake Eyre Basin. Some rock art depicting figures and hands in the Mount Isa region, including some of

2340-773: The Thuringian-Franconian-Vogtland Slate Mountains of central Germany the diabase is entirely of Devonian age. They form typical domed landscapes, especially in the Vogtland . One geotourist attraction is the Steinerne Rose near Saalburg , a natural monument, whose present shape is due to the typical weathering of lava pillows. A geological event known as the Oenpelli Dolerite intrusive event occurred about 1,720 million years ago in western Arnhem Land , in

2400-629: The anthropomorphs. Mount Isa is located on the traditional land of the Kalkadoon people. The endemic language of the area was Kalkatunga (also known as Kalkadoon, Kalkadunga, Kalkatungu). The Kalkadoon people first came into contact with advancing European pastoralists and miners in the mid 1860s, following the Burke and Wills expedition to the Cape York Peninsula in 1861. As settlers and prospectors pressed further into their lands

2460-484: The base of the Marine Corps War Memorial is made of black diabase "granite" (a commercial term, not actual granite). Diabase can also be cut for use as ornamental stone for countertops, facing stone on buildings, and paving. A form of dolerite, known as bluestone , is one of the materials used in the construction of Stonehenge . Diabase also serves as local building stone. In Tasmania, where it

Mica Creek Power Station - Misplaced Pages Continue

2520-487: The border of the Northern Territory . Mount Isa's industry is largely dependent on mining. Glencore operates the Mount Isa Mines lease adjacent to the city, which comprises the "Enterprise" underground copper mine, X41 underground copper mine, "Black Star Open Cut" silver-lead zinc mine, and metallurgical processing facilities. Silver-lead-zinc ore is also mined 20 km (12 mi) to the north at Hilton from

2580-509: 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". Due to the lead production in the city, Mount Isa needs one of the most intensive air quality monitoring systems in Australia. Concerns have been raised over childhood lead contamination and air pollution within the city. The Mount Isa Mines (MIM) in particular are

2640-425: 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

2700-605: The global party atmosphere. In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Mount Isa Rodeo was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as an "event and festival". The Mount Isa parkrun is a 5 km run in Mount Isa. It starts at 7am every Saturday and is free. The event started in 2018 and has attracted tourists from across Queensland and more. The event starts at Tharrapatha Way. As at April 2018,

2760-634: The landscape, particularly alpine areas, with many examples of columnar jointing . Early Jurassic activity resulted in the formation of dolerite intrusion in Prospect in Sydney , and quarrying of basalt for roadstone and other building materials has been an important activity there for over 180 years. Diabase is crushed and used as a construction aggregate for road beds, buildings, railroad beds (rail ballast), and within dams and levees. Diabase can be cut for use as headstones and memorials;

2820-429: The largest attendance is 102. The event caters for all types of runners of all standards. The Glencore Mount Isa Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic is held annually, and after 2011 will also be followed by a Fishing, Camping and 4x4 Expo. The Fishing Classic is the richest fresh water fishing event in Queensland. Catching the tagged barramundi fetches the greatest prize money. Mount Isa city and surrounds are serviced by

2880-416: The north-west central Queensland anthropomorphs, have only three fingers. The reason is unclear, but it may have a connection to the later observed common practice among Kalkadoon women of amputation of the little finger. Though Mount Isa was a centre for trade, fundamental stylistic differences suggest that there was little to no artistic exchange between the Mount Isa region and surrounding regions, aside from

2940-711: The ore found in the Broken Hill mine that he had once worked at. Upon inspection these rocks were weighty and heavily mineralised. A sample sent away to the assayer in Cloncurry confirmed their value. Miles and four farmers staked out the first claims in the area. Taken with friend's stories of the Mount Ida gold mines in Western Australia, Miles decided upon Mount Isa as the name for his new claim. Mount Isa Post Office opened on 1 August 1924. A location for

3000-581: The premiere of Matthew Dewey's 'Symphony of the Inland Sea', composed for the occasion. On 5 March 2017, Mount Isa was chosen as a host city of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay , along with Cloncurry , Hughenden , Winton and Birdsville . The baton passed through the Mount Isa CBD and suburbs and regions en route before the opening ceremony on the Gold Coast . In 2008,

3060-595: The present (BP), large, ground-edge stone axes from Mount Isa were particularly prized by the peoples of the Lake Eyre Basin. They were not only valuable tools, but valuable trade items as well, and were often traded for the tobacco plant pituri . Archaeologist Iain Davidson suggests that they were traded partly for reasons unrelated to function, as they were often sought after despite the availability of local resources. Leilira blades were also likely produced in

SECTION 50

#1732773235773

3120-428: The sidewalks have special memorials embedded in the cement. The burial place of John Campbell Miles , the founder of Mount Isa, is on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Miles Street. His ashes are buried underneath a large statue where each panel represents a significant part of Mount Isa. Miles' ashes used to be watched over by a large clock where the statue now stands. The World War II -era Mount Isa Underground Hospital

3180-430: The south-east and north of the city being planned or developed. Planned expansions can cater for more than 40,000 people. Long before European contact, the Mount Isa region was a centre for trade and production of dolerite and basalt stone tools and objects. There is evidence of ground-edge stone tools as old as 20,000 years, the earliest in the world, originating from Mount Isa quarries. As of about 1000 years before

3240-559: The tour was Mount Isa and while there the royals were driven to Kalkadoon Park where the royal couple witnessed a programmed event under the guidance of Ringmaster Mr. J. O’Shea. Kalkadoon Park was the original site of the famous Mount Isa rodeo. The following day, on 16 April, the Duke of Edinburgh was taken on an underground tour of the Mount Isa mine while Queen Elizabeth stayed above ground. The Marshalling Area around R62 Shaft Winder Tower

3300-487: The town's hospital was chosen in 1929, with a small building completed the following year. In 1931, a larger structure was moved to the site from the closed mining town of Kuridala. In 1970, Queen Elizabeth II , The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Anne toured Australia including Queensland. The Queensland tour began on Sunday 12 April when the royal yacht Britannia entered Moreton Bay at Caloundra, sailing into Newstead Wharf. After visiting Brisbane and Longreach next on

3360-684: The volcaniclastic sediments. Large dolerite sills such as the Golden Mile Dolerite can exhibit coarse-grained texture, and show a large diversity in petrography and geochemistry across the width of the sill. The vast areas of mafic volcanism/ plutonism associated with the Jurassic breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent in the Southern Hemisphere include many large diabase/dolerite sills and dike swarms. These include

3420-483: Was announced that Skytrans and Westwing Aviation will commence flights in and out of Mount Isa to and from cities on the coast, commencing in February 2010. Regional Express (REX) also announced flights between Mount Isa and Townsville starting after December 2009. Virgin Australia (VA) began services in August 2012 and offers return services from Brisbane on weekdays. The city is served by QR passenger train The Inlander , which travels overnight to Townsville twice

3480-441: Was cleaned, and a display was set up using operational mining equipment from underground so Queen Elizabeth II could see it in action. The display was designed to demonstrate the operation of an EIMCO air powered rail mounted rocker shovel loading ore. The Mount Isa City Library opened in 1974. On 9 June 2000, the first torch relay in Queensland for the Sydney 2000 Olympics reached Mount Isa. In 2008, plans were made to build

3540-437: Was estimated to be $ 800,000 per year ($ 114 each for 7000 households). Water restrictions in the town were escalated in April 2013 to reduce water consumption. Boating on Lake Moondarra would be restricted if water levels reduced to 20% for safety reasons as the lower water levels would reveal obstructions. The fish in the lake will be at risk if Lake Moondarra falls to 10% capacity. Water has traditionally been processed using

3600-464: Was officially opened in Mount Isa. Customers of Mica Creek switched to the new power station when their power purchase agreements expired, with the exception of one mining customer. They will continue to receive power from Mica Creek until 2019. At the end of 2014, the requirement for generation from Mica Creek was reduced to less than 100 MW, in line with the commissioning of Diamantina Power Station . In December 2014, work began to put Mica Creek into

#772227