Published on 09 May 2025
Mayor Peta MacRae has welcomed the State Government’s announcement that Queensland Rail will be introducing an incentive package to reduce access charges from the Mount Isa Railway Line.
The announcement was made during State Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last MP's visit to Mount Isa this week.
“This will take a lot of pressure off new and existing rock phosphate rail users while they develop their operations, and could result in significant savings of up to $2 million per year for emerging rock phosphate producers," Cr MacRae said.
“These operations tie in with Council’s vision of diversifying Mount Isa’s economy through new mining-adjacent activities, as outlined in our Future Ready Economy Roadmap.
“I also welcome Glencore’s commitment to bringing forth the feasibility studies for its Black Star open-cut copper project. This one project alone has the potential to bring with it between 300 and 400 direct jobs to the Mount Isa community.
“Mount Isa’s past, present, and future has always been in mining, and these announcements are further testament to that fact.”
The State Government also announced this week that Glencore has given a commitment to allow third-party access to copper tailings at its Mount Isa Mines site. The tailings will be able to be mined and smelted on-site, extending the life of the asset.