Glencore change up will help business but job losses may come
A major restructure is underway of Glencore’s Queensland copper and zinc businesses, with the mining company combining its operations under one moniker.
Townsville
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A major restructure is underway of Glencore’s Queensland copper and zinc businesses, with the mining company combining its operations under one moniker.
The company has moved to consolidate its operations, which includes mines in the North West Minerals Province and the refinery in Townsville, under a Glencore Queensland Metals banner.
The Mount Isa Mines complex is one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes, operating two separate mining and processing steams – copper and zinc-lead-silver.
The North West Sta r has reported staff were informed of the move on Monday, but Glencore said it was “premature” to comment on what this move would mean for jobs.
“The first step involves putting in place a consultation process to understand how best to transition to a single management structure,” a Glencore spokesman said.
State Traeger MP Robbie Katter said it was important to ascertain if this move would mean job losses or jobs moved out of the region.
“There may well be some benefits to the business, but the questions needs to be asked … are they compromising their social licence by trying to improve the bottom line,” Mr Katter said.
”Will they turn from being an enabler for the region to an adversary.”
Mount Isa-born Matt O’Neill, who previously led the North Queensland copper operation, will lead the consolidated business.
A Glencore spokesman said the process had commenced to bring the businesses under a single management structure.
“A single management structure will place the business in a stronger and more sustainable position going forward over the long term and will also provide a platform for the development of a long term polymetallic mining plan for the Mt Isa complex,” the spokesman said.
“This will ensure we are able to continue making a material socio-economic contribution to the regional community and the people of Queensland.”
The Mount Isa copper operations includes two underground mines, with one as deep as 1900m.
Ernest Henry Mining, near Cloncurry, is a copper and gold mining and processing operation.
It began as an open cut mine in 1998, but went underground in 2011 as part of a life of mine expansion project.
Originally published as Glencore change up will help business but job losses may come