Mount Isa Hotels

Mount Isa is a city in North-West Queensland, Australia. It came into existence because of the vast mineral deposits found in the area. Mount Isa Mines is one of the most productive single mines in world history based on combined production of lead, silver, copper and zinc. With a population of about 20,000 in the cityand 31,000 in the surrounding district, Mount Isa is 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 km north of the city provides both drinking water and an area for watersports, birdwatching and recreation. Locals often refer to Mount Isa as "The Isa". The city came into existence soon after 1923 when John Campbell Miles discovered a rich seam of silver-lead, the western edge of the Cloncurry field. Named after the Mount Ida[4] goldfields in Western Australia, mining operations began there a year later.[5] In 1964, the town made national headlines after the events leading to the infamous 1964 Mount Isa strike. Mount Isa was proclaimed a city in 1968 when the population has reached 18,000. The city and surrounds grew in front and around the mine to the point that by 1972, 34,000 people resided in the town.[citation needed] The population dropped steadily for the next three decades until a mining boom occurred, steadily increasing the population to near-similar figures from the 70's-80's.