Mount Isa copper mine to close

Glencore has announced that after 60 years of copper mining, the Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations (Enterprise, X41 and Black Rock) and copper concentrator will close in the second half of 2025.

Mount Isa Mines’ other metals assets — including the copper smelter, George Fisher Mine, zinc-lead concentrator and lead smelter in Mount Isa, as well as the copper refinery in Townsville — will all continue operating.

Glencore said in an announcement that it has conducted a range of studies and reviews seeking to further extend the life of the underground copper mines, but unfortunately this has not been possible, and they have reached the end of mine life. The studies revealed that the remaining mineral resources are not economically viable due to low ore grades and areas where, due to geological conditions, safe extraction can’t be achieved using current technology and aging infrastructure.

Glencore’s Lady Loretta zinc mine located 140 km north-west of Mount Isa, which was a finite orebody with a seven-year mine life, will also close in 2025. 

“We know this decision will be disappointing for our people, our suppliers and the Mount Isa community,” said the Chief Operating Officer of Glencore’s Zinc Assets in Australia, Sam Strohmayr. “The reality of mining is that mines have a beginning, middle and end. And unfortunately, after 60 years of operation, Mount Isa’s underground copper operations have now reached that end.

“We want to give our people as much time as possible to consider the best options for them and their families, which is why we are notifying our workers and the community almost two years before these mines close. Our focus over the coming months will be to work closely with our people and contractors, our suppliers and the Mount Isa community to provide support as we move towards closure of these assets.”

The Mount Isa underground copper mines, copper concentrator and supporting services currently employ around 1200 people.

“Glencore will continue to invest in the long-term future of Mount Isa Mines, including the George Fisher Mine with a current life of mine to 2036, and our zinc-lead concentrator and lead smelter,” Strohmayr added. “We also expect the copper smelter and refinery to continue operating to 2030, subject to approval of additional capital investment. These are important strategic assets, not just for Glencore but for the North West Minerals Province and the future of Queensland’s critical minerals industry.”