MOUNT Isa Mines’ Copper Smelter could extend copper operations to 2020.
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Local Government Minister David Crisafulli will call on the Queensland Government to extend current environmental legislation so Glencore can continue copper smelter and refining operations in Mount Isa and Townsville.
In 2011 Mount Isa Mines’ former owner Xstrata announced it would close its smelting and refining operations by 2016.
Mr Crisafulli said access to more copper concentrate has raised the prospect of operations continuing.
“At a time when regional Queensland is suffering through a prolonged drought and uncertainty over the future of mining, we owe it to the community to exhaust every possibility to support local jobs,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The Queensland Government, Mount Isa City Council and the community need to work together and leave no stone unturned to keep valuable jobs in the North.
“We are not asking for special treatment, just an allowance for the copper smelting and refinery operations to continue under the rules already in place.”
He said Glencore is spending over $30 million on environmental safeguards including improved measures to capture contaminated water and reduce run-off.
Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady, who has flown to Townsville to have continuing discussions with Mr Cristafulli regarding the campaign for the copper smelter, said the announcement “could be a great Christmas gift” for Mount Isa.
“This is about securing more than 800 jobs in Mount Isa and our sister city of Townsville and 4000 jobs across Queensland,” Cr McGrady said.
“We are only asking for the status quo to remain nothing more, nothing less.
“Keeping the smelter open would be the shot in the arm our community needs, providing certainty to local families and businesses at a time when we need it most.”
A four-year extension of copper smelting would maintain 2000 residents – or 850 households – that could otherwise relocate to other regions, Cr McGrady said.
Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter said he hoped asking the government to extend legislation was followed through on.
Mr Katter said finding a way to extend the smelter’s life was something he was working on since being elected because it would keep more than 350 skilled jobs in Mount Isa.
Closure of the smelter would threaten the viability of the phosphate mines in the region.
“The original decision by the previous government demonstrates how destructive it can be to jobs and industry with governments trying to gain favour with green groups,” Mr Katter said.
“The existing laws brought on the closure of the smelter forcing the same ore to be diesel powered all the way to China before being processed.”
Carrying the ore by train from Mount Isa would increase the bulk four times, which would clog the railway for other mines.
Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone chief executive Glen Graham said the smelter would continue value adding in the industry.
If the smelter closed then the Townsville copper refinery would not be used, and the product would be shipped to a foreign country, he said.
Mount Isa Mines had a licence to operate for 60 years, and when the licence expired the company was not offered the same licence under the previous terms, Mr Graham said.
New rigorous conditions made it too difficult for Mount Isa Mines to continue operating the copper smelter, especially when other countries could do it cheaper.
