A $600 million rescue package from the Federal and Queensland Governments will keep Mount Isa’s copper smelter and Townsville’s refinery running, saving over 600 direct jobs and protecting hundreds more across the region.
The funding deal with Glencore will be delivered over three years, tied to a transformation plan aimed at securing the long-term future of the copper supply chain.
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney says locals can “breathe a sigh of relief,” with the region’s economy and workforce heavily tied to copper exports.
The Mount Isa smelter provides half of Australia’s copper smelting capacity—crucial for renewable energy tech like solar panels and batteries.
Glencore is expected to deliver a long-term plan to modernise operations and maintain jobs beyond the support period.
