Dugald River

Population

Total Population: 23 people (recorded on Census night at the specific SAL1 location).

Percentage of Women: 26.3%

Percentage of Men: 73.7%

Average Age

Median Age in the Region (On-Site): The median age for the population recorded on-site was 57 years. This is significantly higher than the Australian mining industry average (mid-30s) and likely reflects the demographic skew of the particular workers on-site on Census night (e.g., senior management or long-term maintenance contractors) rather than the entire average workforce.

Income (Weekly Household)

The mining industry offers some of Australia’s highest wages. The reported median weekly household income for the mine site is $900 AUD, which is not reflective of mining wages, but is typical for non-family/single-person households in remote workers’ camps on Census night.

The true income of the full workforce would overwhelmingly fall into the highest national brackets. Given the high salaries in metal ore mining, the top three brackets for the full-time workforce are estimated to be:

$3,000 – $3,499 per week: Likely the largest single percentage.
 
$2,500 – $2,999 per week
 
$2,000 – $2,499 per week

Industry

Metal Ore Mining: The primary industry, focused on the underground extraction and processing of zinc, lead, and silver. The mine is one of the world’s largest zinc-lead-silver deposits.

Transport, Logistics, and Rail Haulage: Involving the trucking of concentrate to Cloncurry and onward transport via rail to the Port of Townsville for export.

Construction and Engineering Services: Ongoing work in maintaining and upgrading the underground mine, the processing plant, and associated infrastructure (e.g., power systems, accommodation village).