From exploration to mining: new geological strategies for sustaining high levels of copper production from the Mount Isa district

伊萨山（Mount Isa）铜矿和欧内斯特·亨利（Ernest Henry）铜金矿每年的产值超过10亿美元，多年来一直支撑着昆士兰北部的经济。这些资源正以很高的速度枯竭，十多年来没有重大的新发现。该项目将为下一代提供一些定义新资源的工具，确保该地区的繁荣并支持澳大利亚经济。考虑到从发现到生产的漫长时间（大约5到10年），时机至关重要。如果成功，这项研究可能在地方、区域和国家层面上产生重大的财政影响。它还可能提高矿山安全。

Mineral production at the Mount Isa copper and Ernest Henry copper-gold mines is worth more than $ 1 billion per year and this has underpinned the northern Queensland economy for a number of years. These resources are being depleted at a high rate, and no significant new discoveries have been made in over a decade. This project will provide some of the tools to define new resources for the next generation, ensuring the prosperity of the region and bolstering the Australian economy. The timing is critical given the long lead time between discovery and production (in the order of 5 to 10 years). If successful the research may have major financial impacts at local, regional and national scales. It may also improve mine safety.