Keep Our Copper

Swiss mining giant Glencore has confirmed that a decision would be made within weeks whether to close the doors on its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery, after previously stating it would decide by the end of the year.

North Queensland stands at a crossroads. Glencore’s revelation that it’s poised to decide within weeks whether to shutter its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery, means our region is facing an economic disaster that threatens an estimated 17,000.

With emerging North West mines needing time to scale up operations, mining leaders are calling for a government intervention to save the copper industry. See the latest doco episode.

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Glencore says smelters and refineries across Australia are on the brink of collapse and it will be forced to commit to a decision on the future of its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery possibly within weeks.

Treasurer David Janetzki said discussion with Glencore will continue, with the federal government also set to be a key partner in any talks over the future of the copper mining and smelting operations across the north.

Major mining companies have called for urgent government intervention to preserve Australia’s copper processing facilities to unlock future wealth for Northern Queensland.

With North Queensland’s copper supply chain in danger of collapsing like a house of cards, Townsville Enterprise has launched a docu-series which highlights the looming threat of losing key infrastructure without immediate action.

Queensland’s critical mineral supply faces a “five minutes to midnight” threat on the proverbial doomsday clock, with industry insiders fearing the closure of its only copper smelter could derail the $13.9bn CopperString transmission project.

Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres says the government won’t be rushed into making a decision on funding support for the Mount Isa copper smelter as the Queensland and Commonwealth governments weigh up all options to protect jobs in the North West.

The state could be one step closer to reducing copper processing facilities in Queensland after state and federal ministers visited the Mt Isa smelter.

Townsville Enterprise is proudly announcing a Keep our Copper campaign. The campaign is focused on saving our smelter, keeping the refinery, and the ability to make and export vital copper through the Port of Townsville to the world. 

The operator of one of Australia's last remaining copper smelters has pleaded for emergency government assistance, warning the closure of the Mount Isa facility and the linked Townsville refinery would not only devastate North Queensland's economy but weaken Australia's grip on a strategically critical supply chain. 

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith says all levels of government must urgently prioritise saving the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Copper Refinery.

Local leaders have raised their concerns about the future of North Queensland’s copper industry at the 2025 Townsville Enterprise Mining and Critical Minerals Forum this week.

CopperString project founder Joseph O’Brien has thrown his support behind the S.O.S - Save our Smelter and Refinery campaign, saying the power project which would connect the North West to the national electricity market, and said it was a key industry for Townsville and Mount Isa.

China is "choking" any competition in copper production - threatening the existence of Australian smelters and raising the alarm about national security.

North Queensland’s copper industry is teetering on the brink of crisis, with 17,000 jobs hanging in the balance without swift government intervention.

North Queensland’s copper industry needs urgent Federal and State government intervention to protect 17,000 local jobs and ensure the future of vital economic and national security infrastructure, today’s Townsville Enterprise Mining and Critical Minerals Forum will be told.