Palaszczuk throws $50m lifeline to sacked Glencore workers
The Queensland government will offer a $50 million support package to help the 1200 Glencore workers who will lose their jobs in 2025 when the global miner shuts down its copper mine operations in Mount Isa.
Amid growing speculation Glencore’s copper smelter will not stay open beyond 2025, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Cameron Dick announced $30 million to accelerate the development of resource projects in the state’s north-west minerals province.
Glencore is closing its copper mines but will keep its copper smelter in Mount Isa open. Glenn Hunt
The Palaszczuk government called on the Swiss mining giant to match an additional $20 million for an economic structural adjustment package for Mount Isa and north-west Queensland.
Glencore announced on Wednesday morning its copper operations – which had been operating for 60 years – would shut down in the second half of 2025.
The company’s copper smelter in Mount Isa and copper refinery in Townsville would remain open to 2030 – subject to “additional capital investment” – as would the company’s zinc operations, Glencore said.
The global mining giant is confident there will be enough third-party work for the copper smelter and refinery to keep them profitable.
As previously announced, Glencore’s Lady Lorretta zinc mine, 140 kilometres north-west of Mount Isa, will also close in 2025.
Ms Palaszczuk said the Labor government was determined Mount Isa would remain a key part of the state’s mining future, especially as it develops the $5 billion Copperstring transmission line from Townsville to the north-west region.
“Our number one priority is to protect jobs and retain skilled workers in this important region,” she said.
“I understand many workers and their families
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