Lady Loretta Mine: A legacy of excellence and evolution in North-West Queensland
The Lady Loretta Mine, located about 140 kilometres north-northwest of Mount Isa, has long been recognised as one of Australia’s most significant high-grade zinc-lead-silver operations. Its story is one of discovery, innovation, resilience and environmental responsibility, and as it approaches a new chapter in 2025, the mine’s legacy continues to grow.
Discovery and early development
The Lady Loretta deposit was first discovered in 1969 by Placer Prospecting (Australia) Pty Ltd following exploration work on a promising lead soil anomaly. Over the next several decades, a series of mining companies, including Mount Isa Mines, Outokumpu, Pancontinental and Noranda, conducted exploration and feasibility studies, gradually revealing the richness of the ore body.
In 2011, Xstrata Zinc Australia acquired full ownership of the deposit, consolidating previous joint venture interests. Construction of mine infrastructure began shortly after, including declines, surface facilities and ore handling systems. Remarkably, the mine commenced production ahead of schedule in September 2012, producing its first ore several months earlier than planned.
Operations and production achievements
From the outset, Lady Loretta was recognised for its exceptionally high-grade zinc and lead ore. At full capacity, the mine processed approximately 1.2 to 1.6 million tonnes of ore per year, which was transported by road to Mount Isa for processing and blending with other Glencore operations.
The mine was temporarily placed into care and maintenance in 2015 due to extremely poor market conditions but resumed operations in 2018 under the management of Redpath Mining Australia, which continues to serve as the principal mining contractor.
By 2021, the mine recorded its highest-ever annual production, extracting over 1.69 million tonnes of ore, a milestone celebrated by both Glencore and Redpath as a testament to the operation’s efficiency and teamwork.
Environmental stewardship and community engagement
Lady Loretta Mine has consistently prioritised sustainability and responsible environmental management. Glencore’s Queensland Metals division has implemented a range of innovative environmental programs, including:
- Advanced waste rock management systems to isolate acid-forming materials.
- Water management infrastructure to separate clean and contaminated runoff.
- Progressive rehabilitation of disturbed land with native vegetation.
- Consolidation of historical stockpiles to minimise rehabilitation footprint.
Community engagement has also been a hallmark of the mine’s operations. Regular “Neighbours Day” events have welcomed local residents, Indigenous stakeholders and community partners to tour the site, learn about safety and environmental practices and discuss closure and rehabilitation plans.
Transition and 2025 update
In July 2025, Glencore announced a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Austral Resources Australia Ltd, outlining plans for Austral to acquire the Lady Loretta mining lease and associated exploration permits. The acquisition, once finalised, will include all current tenements and infrastructure, marking a strategic transition for both companies.
Under current plans, mining operations are scheduled to wind down by December 2025. Austral is expected to assume responsibility for rehabilitation and closure management, continuing the site’s transformation from an active mine to a stabilised, environmentally safe landscape.
The agreement remains subject to regulatory approval, renewal of the mining lease, and completion of binding documentation.
Strategic outlook
For Austral Resources, the acquisition aligns with a broader copper-focused growth strategy across the Mount Isa/Cloncurry region. The Lady Loretta tenements border the company’s existing Lady Annie and Mount Kelly operations, providing significant geological and logistical synergies. Austral plans to explore copper potential within the leases and integrate output with its SX-EW processing facilities, optimising both capacity and cost efficiency.
For Glencore, we were pleased to play a pivotal role in facilitating the development of new copper resources in North West Queensland and supporting further local economic development across the region. We were very mindful of how the Lady Loretta lease could be used to assist Austral in recovering additional copper mineral resources and we were happy to work together to reach an agreement.
A legacy of achievement
Over its lifetime, Lady Loretta Mine has achieved significant milestones that define its contribution to Queensland’s mining heritage:
- High-grade production: Consistent delivery of world-class zinc, lead, and silver ore.
- Operational resilience: Successful restart and sustained performance following care and maintenance.
- Record outputs: Over 1.6 million tonnes of ore mined annually at peak production.
- Community and environmental leadership: Progressive rehabilitation, transparent stakeholder engagement and sustainable closure planning.
- Technological excellence: Advanced underground mining methods and geotechnical management across more than 41 kilometres of underground tunnels reaching depths of 550 metres.
As Lady Loretta Mine approaches the end of its active mining life in 2025, it stands as a testament to technical innovation, operational excellence and responsible environmental management.