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Keep Our Copper

Safeguarding jobs. Strengthening sovereignty. Securing our future. 

The potential closure of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and the Townsville Copper Refinery threatens more than just regional Queensland — it puts Australia’s economic security and national sovereignty at risk.

Townsville Enterprise, along with regional leaders, local businesses, and the North Queensland community, is calling on industry and government to find a solution to Keep Our Copper. Together, we must save over 17,000 jobs connected to this critical industry and secure the future of mining and manufacturing in Australia.

What's at stake

Why this matters

While global powers like the United States and China race to shore up critical mineral supply chains, Australia — with 10% of the world’s copper reserves — risks losing its strategic advantage.

Without Mount Isa and Townsville’s processing capability, Australia would:

  • Lose the ability to refine third-party copper
  • Depend on foreign nations for critical mineral processing
  • Jeopardise our manufacturing and renewable energy future

Why are these assets so critical?

Copper is the lifeblood of the global energy transition – essential for transmission lines, batteries, electronics, and renewable technologies. Declared a strategic mineral by global powers, copper demand is skyrocketing, with the International Energy Agency forecasting a more than 30% increase by 2040.

With one of the world’s largest untapped reserves in the North West Minerals Province, Australia is uniquely positioned — but only if we retain the capacity to refine and process copper onshore.

If we lose these assets, we:

  • Lose control over a strategic supply chain
  • Delay our transition to clean energy
  • Miss out on economic and innovation opportunities

Other countries are subsidising and fast-tracking critical mineral capabilities — Australia must act with the same urgency or be left behind.

How can you support the campaign? 

Reach out to our team at tel@tel.com.au if you would like to put your backing behind the Keep our Copper Campaign. 

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