The Palaszczuk government says it is still committed to the $5 billion CopperString transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa despite global miner Glencore announcing it would close its copper mines in the region within two years.

The mine closure decision cast doubt on the Swiss mining giant’s other operations in north-west Queensland, including its copper smelter and zinc assets, although Glencore said it was committed to further investment in Mount Isa.