Rockhampton council and Mount Morgan mine’s bold 2032 Olympics medal plan

Gold medals won at the Olympic rowing events in Rockhampton at the 2032 Games could be made from metal extracted from the historic Mount Morgan mine.

The gold from the Mount Morgan mine underwrote Queensland's prosperity in the 19th Century and, if all goes well, it could well be the gold draped around the necks of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics athletes. Photo from 2024 shows former Heritage Minerals manager Shane Charlton.

Medals won at the 2032 Olympic rowing events in Rockhampton could be made from precious metal extracted from the historic Mount Morgan mine.

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams and mine operator Heritage Minerals have banded together to make the bold proposal to use recycled mine tailings for all of the 2032 Olympic Games’ gold, silver and bronze medals.

Cr Williams said it was an opportunity to recognise Mount Morgan’s unique history and contribution to Queensland.

If successful, 2032 would mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the mine.

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander at Rockhampton Grammar School's Rowing Facility in Rockhampton, 23 July 2025. Picture: Supplied by the Office of the Premier.

Through the Heritage Minerals project, the mine will once again produce gold, silver and copper for the medals from mid-2026.

“We know that we can do this – Heritage Minerals’ tailing project will be producing exactly the metals and materials we need,” Cr Williams said.

“I honestly can’t think of a better way to recognise our history, our region, and the State of Queensland than to have medals produced with gold from the Mount Morgan mine.

“The Games are going to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity and I want to see Rockhampton and Mount Morgan put our best foot forward. That starts with medals made in Mount Morgan and a lasting legacy from the 2032 Games locally.”

Heritage Minerals of Mount Morgan mine and Rockhampton Regional Council have proposed the mine make the medals for the 2032 Olympics.

Heritage Minerals corporate affairs director Craig Wilson said it was a project that celebrated the mine’s history and created a legacy for future generations.

“There is strong support from the Mount Morgan community and the wider region for this proposal,” he said.

“This initiative is also about sustainability. The metals for these medals will come from recycled mine tailings – turning waste into something extraordinary.”

Cr Williams will write to the Premier, Deputy Premier and President of the Games Board to put forward this unique opportunity.

Heritage Minerals is on target to achieve its first gold pour at its Mount Morgan project in 2026.

The mayor and Heritage Minerals will also work with local stakeholders and members of the Mount Morgan and Rockhampton communities to secure their support and help bring the proposal to fruition.

The Mount Morgan Mine was first established in 1882 and operated to 1990.

The wealth from the mine greatly contributed to the local and Queensland economy, funding a substantial number of projects across the State.

One of the original owners of the mine, William Knox D’Arcy, went on to found British Petroleum (BP) through the proceeds he earnt from the mine.

Premier David Crisafulli at Rockhampton Grammar School's Rowing Facility in Rockhampton, 23 July 2025. Source: Rockhampton Grammar School.

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has been earmarked for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Rowing and Canoe Sprints and is currently undergoing planning and approvals.

The design phase is expected to be underway between 2027 and 2029, construction from 2029 to 2030 and commissioning from 2030 to 2031.

Originally published as Rockhampton council and Mount Morgan mine’s bold 2032 Olympics medal plan