Mount Isa Mines Copper Smelter and Townsville Copper Refinery
Media release
Mount Isa, Australia
Glencore remains in discussions with the Crisafulli Government on the future of its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery operations.
Glencore plc CEO Gary Nagle met with the Queensland Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Resources last week to discuss a range of issues including the copper smelter operations.
Glencore has committed to working with third parties to explore options for reprocessing of Mount Isa Mines tailings and is progressing studies for the Black Star Open Cut (BSOC).
While there is positive and constructive engagement with the Queensland Government on the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery operations, discussions are still ongoing to determine if there is a way to continue operating the smelter. To date, no agreement has been reached nor has a final decision been made on its future operation.
Glencore is grateful to the Queensland Premier for his ongoing engagement on this important issue, which will impact the entire region of NW Queensland.
Glencore will also be seeking to continue engagement with the re-elected Albanese Government so that a final decision on the continued operation of the copper smelter and refinery can be made later this year.
For further information, please contact:
Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa
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 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, available on our website at glencore.com/publications.
Learn more about Glencore Australia
About Mount Isa Mines
Mount Isa Mines operates two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society. The site hosts the world’s largest zinc resource base, as well as the biggest network of underground mine development in the world.
The operations include two copper underground mines, two zinc underground mines, the copper concentrator and smelter, as well as the zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc filter plant. Together, these represent one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes.
As well as the Australian market, our products are exported to countries throughout Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy every year. We provide work for about 3,500 employees and contractors and are dedicated to supporting local people, local businesses, and creating strong links between our operations and the city of Mount Isa.
For more information, visit www.mountisamines.com.au