Glencore response to comments about CTSCo Project

Media statement
Brisbane, Australia

Glencore is responding to public comments about our CTSCo carbon capture and storage project in Queensland.

Our CTSCo Project is seeking approval to injection test up to 330,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a high-fluoride, brackish water aquifer at depths of 2.3 kilometres in the Surat Basin over a three-year period.

Despite providing detailed responses to the ABC, these were not adequately reflected in the media report published today. This statement outlines the original response provided to the ABC, much of which was not included in their reporting.

Q1: Do you accept there will be the impacts to the Great Artesian Basin (GAB)?

The impacts on the Precipice aquifer are minor and local. We understand the importance of water access and management to the agricultural community and it’s important to state that there are no impacts predicted to current or potential groundwater users of the GAB. This view is shared by the Australian Government Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC).

Q2: How will they be managed?

Our EIS details a range of comprehensive monitoring and verification management measures to ensure the injected (food grade) carbon dioxide does not impact any existing or potential GAB water users.

Q3: Why has the language changed from unusable for agriculture in the EIS to useable in some circumstances in the revised EIS?

Following submissions during the EIS public consultation process, CTSCo engaged a livestock health expert to assess the potential usability of this high-fluoride water for livestock. This assessment identified certain conditions where this groundwater could be consumed by some livestock. 

Q4: What does this mean for the viability of the project?

With no predicted impacts on existing or future groundwater users, CTSCo consider the proposed injection testing project to be viable.  The project has now been independently reviewed by the IESC, Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) and CSIRO as part of the EIS process.

Q5: Can you provide any information on any other CCS project globally injecting into a water resource aquifer?

Any groundwater can be used as water resources with appropriate treatment. This applies to the Precipice groundwater and to most other aquifers where CCS has been carried out globally.

Q6: Why haven’t you done extended pump testing on the injection bore?

Groundwater quality and geochemistry assessment requires a range of geological and water assessments. CTSCo have conducted the sampling and assessments appropriate and relevant for CO₂ injection.

Q7: The conservation council says CCS projects are a relic of the former government and are irrelevant now the government has committed to transitioning to 100% renewables. Why is Glencore pursuing this?

CCS enjoys bipartisan support within the Australian government. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) both regard CCS as essential if the world is to achieve its emission reduction targets.

Q8: QFF and other stakeholders say they are disappointed with the lack of community consultation, why are there so many stakeholders opposed to this? 

CTSCo has engaged openly and transparently with the local community and peak agricultural NGOs, including AgForce since 2019. In addition to all previous engagement, last week we met with about 30 local agriculturalists and representatives from their industry bodies to directly address their questions.

For further information, please contact:

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

Nikki Accornero
m: 0417 779 631
e: Nikki Accornero

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities that advance everyday life. Through a network of assets, customers and suppliers that spans the globe, we produce, process, recycle, source, market and distribute the commodities that support decarbonisation while meeting the energy needs of today.

With around 140,000 employees and contractors and a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, our marketing and industrial activities are supported by a global network of more than 40 offices.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

We recognise our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement by decarbonising our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. Against a 2019 baseline, we are committed to reducing our Scope 1, 2 and 3 industrial emissions by 15% by the end of 2026, 50% by the end of 2035 and we have an ambition to achieve net zero industrial emissions by the end of 2050.

For more information, visit our Publications page to see our 2022 Climate Report.

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead and silver from 23 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries.

We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.

We employ 18,190 people in Australia and in 2022 contributed nearly $20 billion to the regional, state and national economies.  This included spend of $10.4 billion with 7,370 businesses across the country, as well as $7.5 billion in government tax and royalty payments.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.

Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.

Learn more about Glencore Australia.