Vale to MIM legend Ian Brown

Mining legend Ian Brown leaves behind a legacy after a remarkable 53-year career at Mount Isa Mines and a distinguished life in Mount Isa. Sadly, Ian passed away in January 2026 and will be sadly missed by his family and the wider community.

Ian commenced his career as a Mill Operator for the No. 1 concentrator in 1957 and had worked in many areas including the Transport department, the Black Rock Open Cut, the Underground Mining School and Sub Level Caves – Development Mining.

Ian played a key role in some of the mine's largest projects, including the building of the Copper Concentrator, Tailings Dam No. 8, Fluoro Solids Roaster (FSR) Copper Smelter, Mica Creek Power Station and power lines to Hilton, the building of the lead stack and construction of the Lead Isa Smelt.

He had extensive experience in shaft sinking, having been involved in six major shaft sinking projects at Mount Isa Mines including K57/R62, A10S /X41, P49 and K74 at George Fisher Mine.

In high demand due to his experience, Ian was seconded to Tasmania to work on the shaft sinking at the Lake Pedder Project, Gordon River.

For nearly 40 years, Ian was a member of the underwater maintenance and recovery dive squad and it’s estimated that over this time he would have spent more than 6.5 months underwater! This included underwater work such as maintaining the dam walls at Lake Moondarra and Rifle Creek, completing underwater pipeline maintenance within the water board infrastructure and undertaking equipment recovery works.

Ian witnessed the notorious eight-month industrial dispute of 1964/1965, during which he spent time working in the Northern Territory and Tasmania.

Prior to his retirement Ian worked as a Safety Advisor at Site Services.

For Ian however, the highlights of his career haven’t all been about work. In 1958 he met his wife Valerie and they were married in 1960. Together they have three children; two daughters Julie and Ruth, and son Cameron.

Ian had a passion for golf, excelling as an A-grade golfer. He also took pleasure in repairing golf carts and handling various tasks at the Mount Isa Golf Club.

Ian and his wife Valerie were entrenched in the community over the years, with Valerie serving as the district nursing superintendent in Mount Isa for 25 years.

After retirement in 2011, Ian volunteered at The Mount Isa Underground Hospital, Outback at Isa and the Mount Isa Golf Club.

Together Ian and Valerie accomplished so much in life. Ian is undeniably a legend of Mount Isa Mines and truly deserves a place in the Mount Isa Mines Hall of Fame. Ian was truly deserving as the Legend of Mount Isa, as acknowledged at the 2023 Australia Day Awards.