land / tenement squeeze: consolidation, page-11

Many mines are subject to extreme weather in Australia.

The town of Cloncurry lies 70km north and once claimed to have recorded the highest temperature in Australia (now disputed). Regardless of the record books, this district remains a hot and difficult region to inhabit with blistering summer temperatures offset by monsoonal style rainfall that closes roads and isolates communities. The terrain is typical of northern Australian mining regions - being rugged, rocky and difficult to navigate.

Originally named 'Friezland' the mines gave up large quantities of valuable copper and the town boasted six hotels, schools, churches, two ice works and various stores and government and ancillary services. Up to 2000 people lived in Kuridala (whose named was changed due to anti-German sentiment in World War 1) which eventually established it's own railway siding to carry away the ore.