Townsville refinery and Mount Isa smelter the subject of high-level government talks with Glencore

The state and federal governments have held high-level talks with Glencore over the future of the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, the Townsville Bulletin can reveal.

Xstrata copper refinery Julago (near Townsville)

The state and federal governments have held high-level talks with Glencore over the future of the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, the Townsville Bulletin can reveal.

Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation Tim Ayres and Queensland Minister for Resources and Mines Dale Last met with senior leaders at Glencore in Brisbane yesterday to discuss next steps over the smelter.

The meeting was the latest in a series of discussions between the feds and Queensland Government’s to explore options for a viable path forward for a critical asset for the North and northwest Queensland economies.

Mr Ayres and Mr Last will travel to Mount Isa today for a series of stakeholder and community meetings, including a tour of the Mount Isa mine.

“The Mount Isa copper smelter is a cornerstone of Queensland’s economy and supports the viability of nationally significant supply chain infrastructure like the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line and the Port of Townsville,” Mr Last said.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MAY 1, 2025: Dale Last Queensland parliament sitting and Question time. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“But we can’t make decisions for Glencore. We are continuing to engage in good faith with Glencore, and we expect Glencore to do the same.”

Mr Last said his government was “engaging genuinely” to deliver a solution that met everyone’s expectations.

“Today’s discussions were frank and focused, with both the State and Federal Governments in lock-step seeking a constructive long-term solution.”

The Townsville Bulletin launched its S.O.S. - Save our smelter and refinery campaign late last month to help shine a spotlight on the devastating impacts the closure would have on North Queensland communities.

Mr Ayres said the Australian Government was closely monitoring the situation and acknowledged the sovereign risk of losing the assets.

“As a vital industrial site for the Mount Isa community and the broader region, any closure of the Mount Isa copper smelter would have a detrimental impact on Australia’s sovereign capability and other facilities downstream that rely on the smelter,’ he said

“It’s good to be here on the ground in Queensland to work closely with the Queensland Government and hear directly from workers and industry to ensure we have a common foundation from which to continue working.”

Originally published as Townsville refinery and Mount Isa smelter the subject of high-level government talks with Glencore