Council Demands Answers on Smelter Rescue

Published on 07 August 2025

We need to save our smelter and keep our copper. Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae echoed the urgency on behalf of her community.

 “This isn’t just about striking a deal - it’s about our future,” Cr MacRae said.

 “The Mount Isa Smelter and Townsville Refinery have powered Queensland’s economy for over 60 years. Our people are proud and hardworking - and they rarely ask for help. But today, we are.

 “We are standing on the edge of uncertainty. We need leadership. We need a decision. And we need it now.”

 There will be no Future Made in Australia without smelting capability. It is a sovereign risk. We do not want our supply chains controlled by superpowers that have priorities and values different to our own.

 Council is pleased to see the smelting round table happening today in Sydney, as it is essential to develop a long-term national smelting strategy. There needs to be a short-term commitment to keep the smelter open to give certainty to our community that their livelihoods are secure as the uncertainty is affecting the mental health of our people.

 “Mount Isa has seen other mining towns and smelters receive government assistance. What about us?" Cr MacRae said.

 China and the US understand that future domination will be the result of controlling energy and essential metals such as copper.

 Mount Isa has a bright future with $680 billion worth of critical minerals still in the ground. We need to maintain our skilled workforce to mine, process and manufacture these. Our Critical Minerals Research Facility will create 50 highly skilled jobs.

 To save North West Queensland, copper, phosphate, and the communities that are part of the North West corridor, it is essential there is Government support for securing a future made in Australia.

 While we are focusing on a larger solution for metals manufacturing across Australia, Mount Isa needs an answer now.