The Western Australian and Queensland governments have been in talks regarding the future of Glencore’s (LSE:GLEN) Mount Isa copper smelter and associated operations.
Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines is one of the world’s largest mining complexes, comprising underground mines, mineral processing and smelting operations, power generation and support and administrative services.
The Mount Isa copper smelter produces 99.7% pure copper anodes and is currently seeking government support to continue operations beyond 2026.
On 19 June, federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres and Queensland Minister for Resources and Mines Dale Last met with senior leadership at Glencore to discuss potential next steps over the smelter.
The meeting follows extensive engagement from the federal and Queensland governments to explore options for a viable path forward for the smelter.
Ayres and Last travelled to Mount Isa on Friday 20 June for a series of stakeholder and community meetings, including a tour of the Mount Isa mine.
Last says the Queensland Government is engaging genuinely to deliver a solution that meets expectations of all stakeholders.
“The Mount Isa copper smelter is a cornerstone of Queensland’s economy and supports the viability of nationally significant supply chain infrastructure like the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line and the Port of Townsville,” he says.
Ayres adds that the government is closely monitoring the situation at the smelter.
“As a vital industrial site for the Mount Isa community and the broader region, any closure of the Mount Isa copper smelter would have a detrimental impact on Australia’s sovereign capability and other facilities downstream that rely on the smelter,” he says.
In October 2023, Glencore announced its plans to close the underground copper operations in the second half of 2025, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
Glencore’s annual direct economic contribution to the state of Queensland is around $10.5 billion, including support for 3,910 Australian businesses.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Glencore
