Mining
Mining in the Gulf commenced with gold in 1869 with discoveries at Gilberton and in 1870 at Cumberland (Georgetown).
The Croydon Gold Field was established in 1885 and until the first batteries were erected in 1886 the ore had to be carted to Georgetown some 150 kilometres away, for crushing. Croydon's population of 7,000 in 1890 made it the second largest inland town in Queensland. The decline in production became evident by 1900 and most people left the fields. Currently mining operations are testing prospects both in Croydon & Etheridge mineral fields. The area around Forsayth / Georgetown is still very popular with fossickers using metal detectors and many a fine nugget has been unearthed.
Zinifex’s Century Mine (officially opened
in April 2000) is located in one of the most remote areas of Queensland
approximately 250km north-north west of Mount Isa and within 120km of the
Gulf of Carpentaria. The Century deposit has a life of approximately 20
years. A slurry pipeline constructed within an Integrated Transport Corridor
links the mine with Karumba port, a distance of over 300Km. The slurry
is processed in Karumba and the extracted zinc and lead exported to Europe.
Century Mine has created opportunities for both direct and indirect employment, provided a training and development environment and fostered new business development. The mine has developed good relationships with indigenous people of the Gulf region. These valued partnerships will continue to assist in creating opportunities that will provide the Gulf region and Queensland with an avenue to strengthen and sustain long-term social and economic benefit for Aboriginal people in north-west Queensland. The Gulf Communities Agreement comprises:
- Employment & Training
- Business Development
- Cultural & Environmental Protection
- Transfer of Pastoral Properties
The Agreement is seen as a strategic alliance between all parties and it forms the basis for working together to achieve benefits for all parties.
The Kidston open cut gold mine was one of the largest gold bearing mines in Australia. The mine produced in excess of 200,000 ounces of gold per annum, with an estimated worth of 130 million dollars per year. Kidston gold mine, has been decommissioned and is now a developing tourism resource, (Oaks Rush Outback Resort) based on the existing facilities and the Kidston Dam as a major water resource. The Dam also has potential for irrigation.
Historically gold has dominated the mining industry scene in the Gulf since the mid 1860s and seen the rise of townships such as Croydon, Georgetown, Forsayth and Herberton and Chillagoe to the east. Today’s tourism rail experiences, the Savannahlander and Gulflander, once carted ore from Forsayth to the east and from Croydon north to Normanton.
The region has further potential for gold, tin and base metals and continues to attract interest from mining companies. Zinc is being extracted near Mt Garnet and base metals at Mungana near Chillagoe on the eastern fringe of the Gulf Savannah. Agate and gem stones attract recreational fossickers at Mount Gibson, Agate Creek and O ’Briens Creek. A potential major nickel deposit has been discovered at Mount Garnet and is being explored further.
