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Mount Isa and regional Community Information Session
posted: 03/03/2026

Media release
Mount Isa, Queensland

Mount Isa and Townsville continue to be central to Glencore’s operations in Queensland. Senior executives highlighted Glencore’s continued investment, local employment and community engagement with locals as part of future business plans at a Community Information Session in Mount Isa this week.

“We are continuing to navigate one of the most significant periods of transition in MIM’s operational history. I want to recognise the incredible resilience and commitment of our workforce,” said Troy Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Glencore Metals Australia.

“Our operations have changed, but what has not changed is our shared goal to build a strong and sustainable future for our business, our people and the surrounding communities.

“We are focused on working safely and responsibly and investing in our operations, which remain a strategic and economic cornerstone of Queensland.”

Highlights from the Community Information Session: 

  • Over the next six years Glencore has planned capital expenditure of A$2.5billion, which includes:
    • A$720 million investment in George Fisher Mine, which has a mine life to at least 2042, to ramp up zinc, lead and silver production.
    • The ~A$1 billion Black Star Open Cut (BSOC) Project, which has progressed to Feasibility Stage. If approved for final investment, the Project could provide around 300-400 jobs over a 10-20 year mine life.
  • A Mount Isa Transformation Study has kicked off to examine north-west Queensland’s copper value chain, including its long-term industrial capability, potential future pathways and broader opportunities for workers, communities, and regional economies.
  • The copper smelter and refinery continue to face challenging market conditions and sustain financial losses even with government assistance, because of further deterioration in global smelting market conditions and shortages in available copper concentrates.
  • Glencore is taking proactive steps to build our workforce and since October 2025 we have:
    • Offered or onboarded over 270 permanent local roles, including converting 190 contractors to local jobs
    • Welcomed 32 new apprentices, with an additional 20+ joining mid-2026
    • Employed 44 graduates and 33 vacation students
    • Ramped up recruitment to fill over 100 vacant roles, reduce the size of the contractor workforce and in turn increase local employment opportunities and local resident numbers
  • Glencore needs more skilled tradespersons, and we are advertising skilled trades roles locally and across Australia, including in overseas countries.
  • In 2025, we supported 60 community initiatives, investing more than $840,000 across Mount Isa and Townsville.

Troy Wilson, Chief Operating Officer, Glencore Metals Australia presenting at the Community Information Session in Mount Isa this week.

For further information, please contact:

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

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

Notes for editors

About Glencore in Australia 

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 20 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 17,420 people in Australia and in 2024 contributed $19.6 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $13.2 billion with 6,810 businesses across the country, as well as $3.6 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. 

Learn more about Glencore Australia