Glencore supports employees impacted by planned closure of Mount Isa copper mining assets

Media statement
Mount Isa, Australia

Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines has held a two-day job fair to support employees who will be affected by the planned closure of our underground copper operations and copper concentrator in the second half of 2025.

The event, held yesterday and today at the John Middlin Centre in Mount Isa, has provided impacted employees with information about job opportunities in continuing operations of Mount Isa Mines and with other employers in the region. The event also ensured direct access to providers of career change support, including training, financial planning, wellbeing, and job application skills.

A broad range of mining companies, suppliers, and employers from the local region were invited to participate in the event, which was attended by Mount Isa Mines employees and their families. Participants included MMG, Harmony Gold Operations, South 32, Cava Hydraulics and Engineering, Barkly Engineering, Heavymech, Mount Isa City Council, TAFE Queensland, and AWX Labour Hire.

The job fair is part of a series of events and support we are providing for workers, which has included an Open Day held last August to showcase other employment opportunities within our Mount Isa Mines operations, and a further Job Fair that we have planned in the new year. In addition, our workforce support hub has been providing an array of ongoing support including confidential counselling and support, outplacement services (i.e., interview skills and resume writing) and financial planning programs.

So far about 70 employees have been redeployed within the business as we move towards closure, with another 64 internal transfers pending.

Chief Operating Officer of Glencore’s Zinc Assets Australia, Sam Strohmayr, said this week’s event included information sessions to support employees in their next career step such as on navigating changes and financial planning.

“We are actively supporting our impacted people by identifying and linking them to other job opportunities within Mount Isa Mines and with other employers in the region. Wherever possible, we want to facilitate and promote local job opportunities to keep our impacted people living and working in the Mount Isa area,” he said.

“Glencore will retain a very large business in Mount Isa and north Queensland when our underground copper operations come to an end next year. This includes our long-life George Fisher zinc-lead mine, our lead and copper smelters in Mount Isa and our copper refinery in Townsville. Each of these operations is seeking skilled workers across a number of key disciplines.”

For further information, please contact:

Kate Collins
m: +61 408 129 909
e: Kate Collins

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

Notes for editors

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 22 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including concentrators, smelters 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 17,460 people in Australia and in 2023 contributed almost $23.5 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $12.9 billion with 7,000 businesses across the country, as well as $8.2 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.

We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise 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. For more information see our 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan and the About our emissions calculation and reporting section in our 2023 Annual Report, available on our website at glencore.com/publications. 

Learn more about Glencore Australia.

About Mount Isa Mines

Mount Isa Mines, established in 1923, is a leading mining company with a rich history of innovation and community engagement. The company operates in [list of minerals mined] and is committed to sustainable practices, contributing to the economic and social development of the Mount Isa region.

Mount Isa Mines operates two separate mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society. The site hosts the world’s largest zinc resource base, as well as the biggest network of underground mine development in the world.

The site includes three copper underground mines, two zinc underground mines, the copper concentrator and smelter, as well as the zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc filter plant. Together, these represent one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes.

As well as the Australian market, our products are exported to countries throughout Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy every year. We provide work for about 3,500 employees and contractors and are dedicated to supporting local people, local businesses, and creating strong links between our operations and the city of Mount Isa.

Learn more about Mount Isa Mines.