Community update on Mount Isa Mines

Media release
Mount Isa, Australia

Glencore hosted its bi-annual Community Information Session in Mount Isa tonight, providing key updates on the future of its Mount Isa Mines operation.

Key points

• $1.8 billion invested in Queensland Metals business over last five years
• George Fisher Mine life of mine to 2042, supporting Mount Isa Mines’ future
• Black Star Open Cut Study underway - potential to employ 300-400 people from 2027/28
• Underground copper operations on track to close in July 2025
• Job impacts from closure reduced to around 500 people, including redeployments and placing local workers into contractor FIFO roles
• Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery is under review

Download our Community update for full details. 

It’s been 17 months since Glencore announced the closure of Mount Isa Mines’ underground copper operations, which are on track to close in July. This was an important opportunity to provide an update on the extensive work done to minimise impacts on employees and invest in the long-term future of the operation.

Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s Australian Zinc and Copper Assets, Sam Strohmayr, addressed members of the community, alongside Mount Isa Mines’ Senior Leadership Team.

“I want to make clear that Glencore is not going anywhere. Mount Isa Mines is an important asset for Glencore globally and we’re continuing to invest in these operations,” Mr Strohmayr said.

Over the last five years Glencore has directly injected $1.8 billion into the Queensland Metals business, including $653 million on zinc mining and processing and $87 million in exploration.

“The future for our long-life George Fisher Mine, which produces zinc, lead and silver, is bright. With its life of mine to 2042, we are upskilling our workforce, expanding production and advancing our fleet,” he said.

“Importantly, we’ve already transferred 89 people from the impacted underground copper operations to George Fisher, with 71 additional transfers pending. Our goal here is to replace contractor fly-in, fly-out roles with local workers.”

Glencore is also progressing a pre-feasibility study into the Black Star Open Cut Project, which has the possibility of providing work for 300-400 people over a 10-20-year mine life from late 2027 or 2028.

Subject to an investment decision, this would be a large-scale operation, supplying zinc, lead and copper ores to Mount Isa’s processing facilities, and is made possible by the closure of the underground copper mine.

Glencore also provided an update on its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townville copper refinery, which are under immense pressure due to an unprecedented decline in the global smelting market.

The Mount Isa copper smelter is one of only two still in operation in Australia and the only smelter which treats third-party products, supporting small and mid-sized miners in the north-west region and keeping the processing of critical minerals in Australia.

“We are assessing the future of our copper processing assets against a backdrop of the largest drops in treatment and refining charges in 25 years, with smelters in countries like China and Indonesia heavily subsidised by their governments,” Mr Strohmayr said.

“Our copper smelter and refinery are strategic assets for the State of Queensland. We have approached both the Queensland and Federal Governments about the future of these assets and their support for a regional solution that benefits the whole north-west Queensland.”

The closure of the Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) is underway and expected to be completed in July 2025. Since October 2023 Glencore has worked extensively on a workforce strategy to support its people and minimise impacts from closure.

This has included providing practical on-site counselling and support, including resume workshops, independent counselling consultations and financial planning. Glencore has also hosted two job fairs with 19 stalls from mining, supplier and resourcing groups to match local people with local job opportunities, build job seeking skills and provide training and upskilling guidance.

“It was originally estimated around 1,200 roles would be impacted by the closure. Through the work undertaken we now expect this to be about 500 people and we’re actively working to redeploy as many people as possible over the coming months. Redundancies remain the last resort,” Mr Strohmayr said.

Glencore also provided an update on its social transition planning process, to help the local community transition as the size of Mount Isa Mines’ workforce and operations reduces.

Glencore’s Zinc Assets Australia General Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community Maryann Wipaki said the social transition plan brings together extensive social impact, needs and capability assessments and is supported by 12 months of consultation with community leaders, service providers, residents, employees and local industry.

“The social transition plan identifies activities and initiatives across four key areas: local workforce, local procurement, social investment and regional economic development,” Ms Wipaki said.

For further information, please contact:

Kate Collins
m: +61 408 129 909
e: Kate Collins

Agata Graham
m: +61 438 304 345
e: Agata Graham

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

Notes for editors

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 22 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters and refineries.

We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.

We employ 17,460 people in Australia and in 2023 contributed almost $23.5 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $12.9 billion with 7,000 businesses across the country, as well as $8.2 billion in government tax and royalty payments.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.

We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. For more information see our 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan and the About our emissions calculation and reporting section in our 2023 Annual Report, available on our website at glencore.com/publications. 

Learn more about Glencore Australia.

About Mount Isa Mines

Mount Isa Mines, established in 1923, operates two separate mining and processing streams: copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society. It is one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes.

The operations host the world’s largest zinc resource base and include two underground zinc mines, three underground copper mines, a copper concentrator and smelter, and a zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc filter plant.

Products from Mount Isa Mines are exported all over the world, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year.

We provide work for about 3,500 employees and contractors and are committed to supporting local people, local businesses and to creating strong links between our operations and the city of Mount Isa.

Learn more about Mount Isa Mines.