Behind the scenes at CRL: Meet the Services Team
Behind every tonne of refined copper is a team making it happen.
Our Townsville Copper Refineries Limited (CRL) Services Team plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in keeping the copper refinery operating safely and efficiently. The team’s impact is felt across every corner of the refinery from slimes processing to site water management. Their responsibilities span multiple departments, ensuring essential processes continue without interruption.
Our copper refinery is one of only two in Australia and is situated around 12 kilometres from the heart of Townsville city in tropical North Queensland.
Our electrolytic refining process purifies copper anode to 99.995 per cent pure copper cathode through Glencore Technology’s proprietary IsaKIDD process. The refinery is capable of producing up to 300,000 tonnes of copper cathode per year exported through the Port of Townsville.
Copper is an essential material used in everyday life. Primarily for electrical wiring in hubs and switches that help make our homes smarter, in plumbing, electric vehicles and the medical industry for its antimicrobial properties.
We also produce slimes, a by-product from the refining process, which contains impurities and precious metals such as silver and gold. The slimes are processed, dried and bagged onsite ready for export and further refining.
Our Service Operators
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Paul Graham
Paul loves the unpredictability that no two days are ever the same. Regardless of being on the job for 21 years, Paul says he’s always learning, meeting new people and being challenged.
“Over the years new operators have joined the crew, and processes have changed which keeps the role exciting.”
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Gavin Koch
Gavin said what he likes most about working at the refinery is the steady continuous improvement of processes.
“It’s a good feeling to know that when you speak up you are listened to and heard. When you work with the same process every day you get to know what works and what doesn’t. It’s a good day when you get to see the final finished product.”
A key function of our CRL Services Team is managing slimes processing, including preparing and loading material for transport to the Port of Townsville. They also coordinate the loading of valuable ‘work-in-progress’ (WIP) materials that are returned to the Mount Isa copper smelter for reprocessing. This is an essential task in supporting the broader metals recovery cycle.
Within the Tankhouse, the team conducts wax recovery operations to ensure continuous processing of copper cathode in the stripping machines. They also complete scheduled copper plate stripping and routine lead anode refurbishment for the Electrolyte Purification Plant (EPP). The EPP is an important process plant that controls the impurity levels in the Tankhouse.
Our Service Operators
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Andrew Pether
Andrew said he likes that he is involved with every work group across site.
“The versatility of the role means that things change every day, you have to be flexible and react quickly to adapt and prioritise what needs to be achieved for the shift.”
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Michael Johnson
“We’re a small crew but we’re productive. Working in a small crew means everyone knows each other, we all know what we are doing and we work well together. One of the best things about this job is we only work day shift, so we get to go home every night.”
The team supports the Maintenance Department by high-pressure jet washing concrete polymer cells during refurbishment campaigns. They’re also responsible for filter maintenance, including filter cloth changes and refurbishing filtration equipment to maintain process efficiency.
During significant weather events, they play a vital role in site water management – pumping out pits and bunds to help maintain safe operating conditions.
CRL Supervisor Circulation, Craig Jones said the team’s versatility and responsiveness make them an essential link in the refinery’s day-to-day performance and long-term reliability.
“Beyond these core duties, the Services Team provides ongoing support across the refinery; assisting the laboratory, casting, maintenance, product dispatch and production teams, when needed.”
Our Service Operators
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Dean Mason
Dean says the variety of work is great.
“You start out with a plan for what you are doing each day but when operational needs change, like if there’s a break down, other tasks take priority.”
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David Laurance
“Over the years I’ve also worked in roles as a Health and Safety representative and a Trainer Assessor which involves administrative tasks such as document control and authorising training packages, but I enjoy the diversity that comes with being a part of the Services Team and getting to interact with all departments onsite.”
Kellie Whitby, Superintendent Metallurgical Process, Copper Refineries said she’s proud to recognise the Services crew and the role they play in supporting our wider operations.
“The work they do is often behind the scenes, but it is critical to our performance. They show up every day with a smile and demonstrate reliability, teamwork and commitment to each other and the business. That makes a real difference to the success of our operation.”
Together, this small but mighty crew keeps the refinery running smoothly, supporting every department and ensuring performance is at its best, every day.