Massive changes announced for Mount Isa, reduced rail charges, Eva Copper mine ‘fast-tracked’

A seismic change has struck Mount Isa after the state government announced it’ll reduce rail charges for new phosphate mines, fast-track the Eva Copper project to construction, and more.

Resources Minister Dale Last announced the news while attending the North West MPX conference in Mount Isa. Picture: Supplied.

A seismic change has struck Mount Isa after the state government announced it’ll reduce rail charges for new phosphate mines, fast-track the Eva Copper project to construction, and more.

Mining minister Dale Last said the Queensland Government wants to see “mines opening, not closing”.

He made the announcement at the North West MPX conference in Mount Isa on Wednesday, May 7.

In a nutshell:

- Rail access charges cut for emerging rock phosphate projects

- Third-party access secured to the now-closed Mount Isa Copper Mine’s tailings

- Commitments secured for feasibility progress on the Black Star Open Cut project

- Support for Eva Copper, to support timely “investment decisions”

Dale Last Queensland resources and Mines Minister

Rail access charges

According to Mr Last, Queensland Rail will introduce an incentive package to reduce access charges on the Mount Isa rail line, providing significant savings for emerging rock phosphate producers such as Centrex, whose Ardmore phosphate project entered voluntary administration in March due to excessive rail charges.

A freight train operates on the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line

This measure is expected to increase freight volumes and support new entrants in the market.

“We want to see mines opening, not closing,” Mr Last said.

“That’s why we’re incentivising phosphate on the Mount Isa rail line, to take the pressure off new and existing rock phosphate rail users while they develop their operations.”

Unlocking tailings access

The Queensland Government has secured a commitment from Glencore to allow third-party access to its copper tailings at the Mount Isa Mines site.

Glencore has also committed to progressing its Black Star Open Cut project, with feasibility studies already underway.

The Black Star open cut, located in the centre of Mount Isa and shut down only because it was getting too close to the underground copper mine. The underground mine is due to shut permanently in July, so investigations are underway to see if the open cut can be resumed.

“The number one issues on my desk is the future of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter,” Mr Last said.

“I’ve met with Glencore CEO Gary Nagle twice since we formed Government, and I’ve held numerous other discussions to keep the smelter’s future on the agenda.

“Glencore has agreed to allow third-party access to the copper tailings at the Mount Isa site, opening up new processing opportunities and value-add potential.”

Eva Copper

The Resources Cabinet Committee process will help with the delivery of any outstanding approvals or information requests to move Harmony Gold’s Eva Copper project towards construction.

“This is particularly important as Eva Copper reaches its key financial decisions,” Mr Last said.

But the state has been here before, promising to fix everything with a few adjustments.

Less than 12 months ago, the Queensland Government announced a $30m cash injection into the Eva Copper Mine, Paradise South Phosphate Mine and Vecco Critical Minerals Project, which they expected would “create 2500 jobs”.

Reaction: Mayor Peta MacRae

Mount Isa mayor Peta MacRae said she welcomes the QR incentive package to reduce rail access charges.

“This could result in significant saving of up to $2m a year for emerging rock phosphate producers,” Mayor MacRae said.

“These operations tie in with Council’s vision of diversifying Mount Isa’s economy (away from copper) through new mining-adjacent activities.”

Mayor Peta MacRae at the Mount Isa Future Ready Economy road map launch on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Mayor MacRae said she also welcomed Glencore’s commitment to bringing forward feasibility studies on its Black Star open-cut copper project.

“This one project along has the potential to bring with it between 300 and 400 direct jobs to Mount Isa,” she said.

Reaction: Robbie Katter MP

Mount Isa-based MP Robbie Katter has been hammering away at these issues for years.

“Any action on the railway line is welcome, but so much more needs to be done,” Mr Katter said.

Traeger MP Robbie Katter has been angry about the state of the Mount Isa railway line for years now.

“At the end of the day the Mount Isa railway line remains one of the most expensive and prohibitive in Queensland, if not the developed world. We need to change how the QCA (Queensland Competition Authority) charges users.”

Reaction: MITEZ CEO Maria James

MITEZ (Mount Isa - Townsville Economic Zone) CEO Maria James was particularly excited about the railway incentive package announced by Mr Last.

“We’ve been trying to get something for years and years, so it’s impressive they (the QLD government) have done something in just six months,” Ms James said.

“It’s just a begining, we’ve got to look at the entire supply chain and I think the rail and the port should be looked at together.”

Originally published as Massive changes announced for Mount Isa, reduced rail charges, Eva Copper mine ‘fast-tracked’