Katter slams State’s ‘roll-over’ reaction to copper closures

The State Government should either work with Glencore to progress the Mount Isa copper operations slated for closure or hand the assets to someone else, local MP Robbie Katter says. The Katter's Australian Party state leader accused the government of being complicit with Glencore in the signing of an entirely unnecessary “death warrant” for the city of Mount Isa. "On behalf of the community of Mount Isa, and the 1200 jobs that hang in the balance, this needs to be called out," Mr Katter said. He said State funding on the table as a support package for the region would be much better spent in finding a new mine operator and supporting their progression of the site. A spokesman for State Treasurer Cameron Dick responded: "If a proponent were able to demonstrate to the government they can keep the copper mine open as a going concern, we would be willing to support them with the entire $50 million announced this week." Glencore announced on Wednesday that, after 60 years of copper mining in the city, its underground copper operations and copper concentrator will close in the second half of 2025. Its Lady Loretta mine, which is operated by contractor Redpath Australia, is also set to close by the end of 2025. Related: Government unveils support package for mining hub Mr Katter said the $50 million State handout on the table did not impress Mount Isans, who knew there were decades more life in the Mount Isa Copper Operation and were infuriated by Mr Dick's double standards. Isa reaction compared to 'bidding war' for Brisbane jobs "In 2020 when Virgin Airlines was considering moving its headquarters from Bowen Hills in Brisbane to New South Wales as a cost-saving exercise, the Treasurer entered into a bidding war," he said. " ... Through the Queensland Investment Corporation, he then offered the company $200 million to stay in Brisbane, which the foreign-owned airline operator accepted. It moved its headquarters all the way from Bowen Hills to Southbank – 1200 Brisbane-based jobs were saved, and the Treasurer celebrated. "Compare this to the 'roll-over-type' reaction we have witnessed this week from that same Treasurer in relation to north Queensland where the same number of jobs hang in the balance." Mr Katter said Glencore’s December 2022 Resources and Reserves report showed a total of 157 million tonnes of copper ore resource, at a grade of 1.7 per cent, remained at the Mount Isa site. "Glencore may not have an interest in pursuing this project, but many an alternative mining outfit will – perhaps even an Australian-owned one," Mr Katter said. "The Queensland Government has the ability and the finance to work with the current owner to encourage they either progress the Mount Isa copper asset or hand it over to someone who will." Mr Katter said allowing Glencore to retain the asset with no intention of advancing it, triggering a mass exodus, business closures and essentially the death of Mount Isa, was not an option on his watch. Nothing government could say or pay to keep mines open Mr Dick said earlier this week that Glencore had approached the government about a month ago flagging plans to cease copper mining operations in Mount Isa by the end of 2025. "We made it clear to Glencore we were willing to support the ongoing mining operations in the North West," he said. "And when we put to Glencore what could we do to support the ongoing mining operations in that community, Glencore made it very clear to us there was nothing the Queensland Government could say or do or pay to continue those mines operating in that community. Treasurer Cameron Dick. "Many mines, of course, have a finite lifespan. Glencore made it clear to us that the underground mine in particular, which has been operating now for 60 years, had reached the end of its economic life and that there were some safety concerns about that mine continuing in the future. "So the work of the government, as I've said now switches towards supporting the families of the miners and the community going forward." He added that mining had a bright future in Mount Isa. "Copper is in a significant demand around the world and we know there are significant bodies of ore in that region for Queensland and for the world. "There's also very significant critical minerals that we are working to extract as well and Glencore is going to continue its operations across the North West as well."

Katter slams State’s ‘roll-over’ reaction to copper closures

Industry Queensland

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