Incident at copper smelter
Media statement
Mount Isa, Australia
Mount Isa Mines confirms that the two contract workers who were injured at the Copper Smelter yesterday afternoon remain in a serious condition and both have been transferred to Brisbane for treatment.
The incident occurred when the two workers, who were working at heights to dismantle scaffolding, were impacted by a discharge of steam from a pressure relief valve located in an adjacent vessel in the Copper Smelter, causing serious steam burns.
Mount Isa Mines continues to work with Resources Safety and Health Queensland to understand the events leading up to the incident.
Our immediate focus is on providing support to the injured workers and all those affected. Our thoughts are with their family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult period.
The safety and health of our people is our priority.
Mount Isa Mines will temporarily suspend our surface operations for the next 24 hours to discuss and reflect on this incident and to reinforce our commitment to safe production.
For further information, please contact:
Nadine Roberts
m: +61 436 341 650
e: Nadine Roberts
Kate Collins
m: +61 408 129 909
e: Kate Collins
Notes for editors
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, 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.
About Mount Isa Mines
Mount Isa Mines, established in 1923, operates two separate mining and processing streams: copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources that have enduring roles in our society. It is one of Australia’s largest industrial complexes.
The operations host the world’s largest zinc resource base and include two underground zinc mines, three underground copper mines, a copper concentrator and smelter, and a zinc-lead concentrator, lead smelter and zinc filter plant.
Products from Mount Isa Mines are exported all over the world, contributing billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year.
We provide work for about 3,500 employees and contractors and are committed to supporting local people, local businesses and to creating strong links between our operations and the city of Mount Isa.
Learn more about Mount Isa Mines.