Glencore welcomes Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy
Media statement
Brisbane, Australia
Glencore welcomes the Palaszczuk Government’s release of its Critical Minerals Strategy for Queensland.
Sam Strohmayr, Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s zinc business in Australia, said the government’s $245 million investment in a streamlined framework that facilitates growth in the critical minerals sector was a positive step forward.
“Our sector needs to collaborate with government to identify and fast-track opportunities to safely and competitively produce the critical minerals that the world needs to facilitate the transition to a net zero future,” Mr Strohmayr said.
“Globally, governments are competing for mobile investment capital into critical minerals and Queensland’s policy settings need to keep pace or we will be left behind.
“It’s no secret that Queensland is a resource rich state but unlocking this value and benefit for Queenslanders requires investment and that won’t happen without transparent, stable, and predictable policy settings.
We look forward to unpacking the detail of the Premier’s Critical Minerals Strategy and engaging with the government on how to translate policy ambition into commercial reality.
Glencore is Queensland’s largest producer of zinc and copper, employing 4,450 people and last year contributed $2.4 billion to the regional and state economy.
We also operate Queensland’s only copper processing assets, at our smelter in Mount Isa and refinery in Townsville.
For further information, please contact:
Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa
Agata Graham
m: +61 478 304 345
e: Agata Graham
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead and silver from 24 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators 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 18,190 people in Australia and in 2022 contributed about $20 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $10.4 billion with 7,370 businesses across the country, as well as $7.5 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.
Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.