Revealed: Devastating job loss predictions for North Queensland if Glencore smelter, refinery closes

Industry leaders are sounding the alarm with new predictions revealing North Queensland’s unemployment rate could hit catastrophic levels if Glencore closes down operations in the region.

Industry leaders are sounding the alarm with new predictions revealing North Queensland’s unemployment rate could hit 18 per cent if Glencore closes down operations in the region.

The revelation comes after a campaign to save our smelter and refinery to keep thousands of people in Townsville and North West Queensland in work was launched.

Glencore sounded the alarm last month that with no reprieve to market conditions in sight, both operations would need to close without support from the state and federal government.

The new economic analysis shows that up to 17,000 jobs were at risk, which equates to 13 per cent of the region’s total workforce.

This would be worse than when Queensland Nickel closed in 2016, when the unemployment rate soared to about 12 per cent.

Premier David Crisafulli and Mines Minister Dale Last have met with Glencore, including CEO Gary Nagle, and have been speaking with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres about the future of the smelter and refinery.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme Smith said it wasn’t too late to avoid the fallout.

The federal government has recently provided assistance to Nyrster’s smelter and refineries in Hobart and Port Pirie, leading to hope that it could do the same in the North.

“A deal must be struck between the state and federal government, and Glencore, to save this critical industry. We are not just talking about one company — we are talking about a chain reaction for mining, manufacturing, fertiliser production and entire communities.”

“Nearly a decade after the closure of the Queensland Nickel Refinery in Townsville, North Queensland is once again staring down the barrel of a crisis – one with impacts projected to be four times as severe.”

Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae said the region had “powered the state and nation or generations”, and it was just asking for a “hand up to save an industry that underpins our economy and communities”.

Gavin Starr of Custom Steel Fab in Mount Isa said the closure would have a domino effect.

“This is not just about the jobs in the smelter or the refinery — it’s the hundreds of small businesses and supporting industries that will be dragged under with it,” said Mr Starr.

“We employ locals — this decision affects real families. We need certainty and we need it now.”

Mines Minister, Mr Last, said this was one of the most important issues on his desk.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure their continued operations,” he said.

“The Premier and I are engaging closely with both Glencore and the Federal Government on a path forward, with several options under consideration.”

Originally published as Revealed: Devastating job loss predictions for North Queensland if Glencore smelter, refinery closes