Mount Isa’s next chapter: Supporting our community
In July 2025, Glencore will mark a historic milestone: the end of underground copper mining at Mount Isa Mines. While this decision closes a major chapter in our century-long story with the city of Mount Isa, it also signals the beginning of a new one, where we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the community as it transitions toward a more resilient, diverse and sustainable future.
We’re not just winding down operations. We’re investing in people, planning with purpose and working in partnership to ensure Mount Isa continues to thrive.
A Thoughtful Transition
When we first announced the closure of the underground copper operations, we were upfront: the mineral deposits had reached the end of their economic life and approximately 1,200 roles could be affected.
But we knew that wasn’t the end of the story. Through early action, close consultation and strategic planning, we’ve since reduced that number to approximately 500 redundancies. To date, we’ve redeployed 144 employees into other areas of our operations, with 101 more in transition and another 102 redeployment offers made. Our commitment remains clear: redundancies are a last resort and we’ll continue to explore every option to support our people.
A Plan Backed by People, Not Just Policy
We understand that our operations have long been a cornerstone of Mount Isa’s identity and its economy. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive Social Transition Plan, designed with input from over 1,000 community members, including Traditional Owners, local leaders, service providers and our own workforce.
Our plan focuses on four critical areas:
- Supporting our Local Workforce: From job matching and upskilling to personalised support, we’re investing in people first.
- Backing Local Business: We’re expanding local procurement opportunities to keep money flowing through Mount Isa’s economy.
- Investing in Community Wellbeing: We’re continuing to fund initiatives in health, education, youth services and beyond, because community strength comes from within.
- Driving Regional Growth: We’re actively working with all levels of government and industry to build a broader economic base for the region.
This is about more than just managing change; it’s about shaping a future together.
Our Commitment to the North West
While our underground copper mine may be coming to an end, Glencore is not leaving Mount Isa.
In the past five years alone, we’ve invested $1.8 billion into our Queensland Metals operations. That includes:
- $653 million into our world-class zinc mining and processing assets
- $87 million into exploration across the region
Our George Fisher Mine, one of the largest zinc, lead and silver operations in the world, is expected to remain in production until at least 2042, with ongoing investments in technology, safety and sustainability.
We're also progressing a pre-feasibility study into reopening the Black Star Open Cut Mine, which could create 300–400 jobs starting around 2027. With a potential mine life of up to 20 years, this project could become a cornerstone of Mount Isa’s next industrial era.
Local Smelting and Refining
The future of our Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery is currently under review, as global market shifts and reduced copper volumes challenge the sustainability of these assets.
We’ve engaged with both Queensland and Federal Governments to explore collaborative solutions that maintain these critical minerals capabilities in northern Queensland. Our goal is to keep value-adding processes, and the jobs they support, right here in the region.
This Is Our Home Too
Mount Isa Mines has been part of Mount Isa’s fabric for nearly 100 years and we are proud of that legacy.
The Social Transition Plan isn’t a box-ticking exercise. It’s a living commitment. A roadmap created by the community, for the community, with Glencore as both a partner and a neighbour.
We believe Mount Isa has a strong future, and we’re here to help shape it.
Read more about our Social Transition Plan and community updates here: