Copper Refineries Pty Ltd of is part of Glencore’s Australian metals business producing high-quality copper cathode at our electrolytic copper refinery.
Located in Townsville, North Queensland the refinery uses Glencore's proprietary IsaKIDD process and has the capacity to produce up to 300,000 tonnes of 99.995% pure copper cathode annually.
Our copper cathode is the primary raw material used to produce copper wire, cabling and many other products we use every day.
Our history
For more than 65 years, Copper Refineries Pty Ltd has played an important role in Australia’s copper industry. The refinery was established following the discovery of additional copper deposits at Mount Isa Mines in 1954.
Townsville was selected as the most suitable location for the refinery due to its well-established transport connections to rail and road as well as its proximity to the Port of Townsville for overseas export.
In September 1956, land was acquired in the Townsville suburb of Stuart, marking the beginning of a three-year project to design, construct and commission the refinery.
Copper Refineries Pty Ltd was officially opened on 2 October 1959 by the Premier of Queensland, Mr GFR (Frank) Nicklin.
Revolutionising copper refining
The refinery has undergone significant advancements throughout its history, helping to shape modern copper refining practices around the world.
The Isa Process Technology was developed in 1978, revolutionising the copper refining world. It replaced copper cathode starter sheets with stainless steel sheets, transforming an extremely labour-intensive process through mechanisation for the first time.
From producing 40,000 tonnes per annum of refined copper in 1959, the refinery can now produce up to 300,000 tonnes annually.
At the refinery, we process 99.7% copper anodes produced at Mount Isa Mines in north west Queensland. The anodes are transported to Townsville by rail and road.
Using Glencore’s IsaKIDD electrolytic refining process, the copper is purified to produce high-quality copper cathode.
The process involves electrolytic refining by submerging copper anodes in an acidic copper sulphate solution, between stainless steel mother plates in the tankhouse.
An electric current is applied, which causes the copper anode to dissolve into the copper sulphate solution and deposit on to the stainless steel plates. The impurities within the anode fall to the bottom of the tank to produce a material called slimes.
The copper on the stainless steel mother plates is removed in the stripping machines and is then bundled, strapped, sampled and weighed.
More than one product for export
Copper cathode is sold to international customers as 99.995% pure, premium London Metal Exchange (LME) Grade A ISA brand copper cathode and shipped through the Port of Townsville.
The impurities left over in the slimes after electrolytic refining contain other valuable minerals including silver and gold, which we also export to customers around the world from the Port of Townsville.
World leading technology development
In addition to refining copper, we support Glencore Technology’s ongoing development and marketing of its global refining technology, the IsaKIDD process.
To date, more than 2.4 million cathode plates have been manufactured on site.
We aim to achieve and maintain the highest standards of health, safety and environmental performance and support the Townsville community.
Our key priorities:
- the health and safety of our employees, contractors and visitors
- minimising our impact on the environment
- fostering a positive workplace culture that values the vital contributions of our people
- building strong partnerships with the local community of Townsville where we operate.
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Community
If you have any questions about Copper Refineries Pty Ltd, please contact us using the information below.
General enquiries
Address: 100 Hunter Street, Stuart QLD 4811
Tel: +61 7 4781 8211
Available Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm (AEST)
Media enquiries
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Francis De Rosa |
Agata Graham |
Corporate social investment, sponsorships and donations
For information on community support and eligibility requirements, visit the Sustainability tab.
Suppliers
For information on how to become a supplier, visit the Suppliers webpage.