This is an incredibly sad day for the entire Mount Isa community.
AWU members at Mount Isa Mines have been delivering for the Queensland economy for almost a century.
They have generated billions of dollars in revenue for the Queensland Government and resources companies like Glencore.
Now is the time for the Government and Glencore to provide our members the support that they have always provided them.
I have been in contact with Treasurer Dick and I have made it clear that our members expect the Government to leave no stone unturned when it comes to providing direct support to the Mount Isa community and affected workers.
Now is the time for the Government to cut through the green tape and fast track approvals for new mines in the region to provide a suitable transition for affected workers.We are also calling on Glencore to provide redeployment opportunities to local workers who will be affected by these closures.
Glencore have been using foreign labour and FIFO labour hire on their other operations in the region. It is our expectation that local workers who are affected by these closures are given priority access to these roles.
This is a fight for Mount Isa, the capital of the Northwest Minerals Province and the epicentre of the next mining boom.
We will do everything in our power to hold the Government and Glencore to account in delivering the support and dignity that the Mount Isa community deserves.
ENDS
AWU Officials Available for Comment:
AWU Queensland Secretary Stacey Schinnerl is available to provide comment to the media today in Brisbane.
Assistant Secretary Mark Raguse is on the ground in Mount Isa and is available for local media throughout the day.
Please contact Joey Kaiser on 0401 098 484 if you would like to arrange an interview.
Background:
Our Coverage
The Australian Workers’ Union is one of Queensland’s oldest and largest blue collar trade unions
The AWU has exclusive coverage of metalliferous mining in Queensland and is the only union with multiple fulltime staff based in Mount Isa.
AWU members have been working at Mount Isa Mines since it began operation almost 100 years ago.
Hundreds of AWU members will be affected by these closures.
Glencore’s Announcement
Glencore has announced that they will be closing their Mount Isa Copper Operations (X41 and Enterprise Mines and the copper concentrator) in July 2025 and the Lady Loretta Mine in December 2025.
This will impact over 1,200 workers in Mount Isa. Many of these workers live locally in Mount Isa.
Broader Industry Context
The Government has committed billions of dollars to the region in the coming years to help facilitate a new critical minerals industry.
If adequate support is not provided to the Mount Isa community through these closures, many people may move away from the town and compromise this new industry’s base of operations before it has even been properly developed.
Community Meeting Tonight
The AWU has multiple officials on the ground in Mount Isa to support our membership as Glencore begins briefing crews throughout the day.
We will be holding a community meeting at the Mount Isa Civic Centre at 6pm tonight to discuss the announcement.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joey Kaiser – 0401 098 484