Cirrus@Austlit

The Northern Miner was started by James Reid Smith in August 1872. Smith recruited Thadeus O'Kane who took over as editor and sole owner from 1873 to 1890. Originally based in Millchester, the newspaper office moved to Charters Towers in October 1874.

After Kane's death, the newspaper was sold to Townsville Commission agent William Black, who sold it on four months later to the Northern Miner Printing and Publishing Company Limited. From 10 June 1910, The Northern Miner became part of the North Queensland Paper Company.

Since June 1984, The Northern Miner has been printed in Townsville.