PM talks up mining in Mount Isa visit

The composition of the mining industry would change due to the energy transition, but its importance would not, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said during a weekend visit to the metals capital of Mount Isa. Mr Albanese highlighted the growing need for resources like copper, nickel, and cobalt as the electric vehicle market grew, along with battery elements like lithium. "I'm determined to have a future made in Australia and that's something that is a real focus of my government," he said. The National Reconstruction Fund Board announced last week was a $15 billion commitment to local manufacturing, he said. "...Looking at the products that we dig out of the ground here and thinking about how can we value-add, how can we make sure that Australia maximises the opportunity which is here?" He described sites such as Glencore's Mount Isa Mines as a great example of the ingenuity of Australian research, science and engineering and capacity. "I have great faith and I'm incredibly optimistic about Australia's future. And one of the things we need to do, though, is to make sure that that growth occurs in the regions, so that we take pressure off our capital cities." Mr Albanese visited Mount Isa Mines during his North-West Queensland visit and attended the 2023 Mount Isa Rodeo, which also celebrated the mining city’s 100th birthday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) with Glencore’s Sam Strohmayr and Kennedy MP Bob Katter in Mount Isa. Katter's Australian Party MP Bob Katter noted the PM's undertaking to speak with the housing minister to incentivise residential take-up in the North West to mitigate the negative impacts of the FIFO lifestyle. He said Mr Albanese understood the North West - giving his backing to the Hann Highway and CopperString. “But water is next, and it starts with the Hughenden Irrigation Project," he said. "For a region already contributing billions to our nation with its minerals, we deserve water infrastructure to grow our towns and continue generating wealth.” Head of Glencore’s zinc and copper business in Australia, Sam Strohmayr, said the company was delighted to host the Prime Minister and pleased that he was able to take time to visit the zinc operations. "We were also grateful to have the opportunity to discuss the increasing importance of metals and minerals to Australia and the contribution our operations make to the region," he said. Last year Glencore's Queensland metals business employed 4450 people and contributed $2.4 billion to the economy. Image at top of page: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Katter's Australian Party MP Bob Katter in Mount Isa.

PM talks up mining in Mount Isa visit

Industry Queensland

Related News

Rio Tinto, BHP in battery-electric haul truck trials

Elixir Energy pumps up the volume at Project Grandis

Sunshine homes in on new high-grade copper lode

Get access to breaking mining news, now.