National

Glencore copper mine closure will have a ripple effect

By AAP Newswire

Oct 18, 2023

Visitors on the Hard Times Mine tour in the outback city of Mount Isa. — Glencore has promised redundancies at its Mt Isa mine will be a "last resort". -AAP Image

GLENCORE TO SHUT DOWN COPPER MINE IN MOUNT ISA IN 2025

Glencore has been mining copper at Mount Isa in Queensland's northwest for 60 years
It's one of the biggest underground copper mines in the world and Australia's second-largest copper producer
The Mount Isa operations produced 191,612 tons of copper cathode in 2022
The multinational company says its now reached "end of mine life" due to low ore quality and ageing infrastructure, with safe extraction unable to be achieved using current technology
The closure of the mine will affect 1200 workers
Glencore has promised redundancies will be a "last resort" and only be offered when other options for the workers have been exhausted
The Queensland government has announced a $50 million support package for Mount Isa and the workers

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WHAT THEY SAID:

"Glencore has conducted a range of studies and reviews seeking to further extend the life of the underground copper mines but unfortunately it has not been possible and they have reached the end of mine life."- Glencore copper and zinc chief operating officer Sam Strohmayr

"Glencore made it very clear to us there was nothing that the Queensland government could say, or do, or pay, to continue those mines operating in that community." - Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick

"We knew this day would come, but it's still a bitter pill." - Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade

"They (Glencore) have had one foot out the door for years. They're not interested in hanging around and would prefer to be mining copper in the Congo, so get the hell out." - local Federal MP Bob Katter

"If they (Glencore) have no appetite for risk or long-term planning and development, it is time they move aside and allow an operator into the North West Minerals Province who is - I am convinced there is a future for the copper operation." - local state MP Robbie Katter

"We will do everything in our power to hold the government and Glencore to account ... This is a fight for Mount Isa, the capital of the northwest minerals province and the epicentre of the next mining boom." - AWU Queensland Secretary Stacey Schinnerl

"Mount Isa has been here for a century. We will back this town." - Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press