The Queensland and Federal governments’ key Mount Isa Transformation Study is underway. Photo: Danil Rudenko.
The Queensland and Federal governments have partnered in an effort to secure a long-term future for north-west Queensland’s copper industry, with the Mount Isa Transformation Study currently underway.
A consortium led by CRU International (Australia) Pty Ltd has been chosen to spearhead the study, meeting with stakeholders including councils, workers, industry representatives, investors and the community more broadly, to assess the copper value chain across the North West Minerals Province, a region stretching from Mount Isa to Townsville.
The State Government has labelled the study a key milestone under the joint Queensland-Commonwealth support package for the Townsville Copper Refinery and the Mount Isa Copper Smelter.
The study will inform the government and the industry on how to move ahead with the project.
The study’s commencement follows mining company Glencore’s announcement of works to rebrick the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and completion of significant maintenance works funded under the rescue package.
The state’s Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the study was concrete proof of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to future-proofing Mount Isa.
“This is about securing the long-term future of North-West Queensland and the thousands of jobs and local communities that depend on it,” Mr Last said.
“The study will investigate future opportunities across the entire copper value chain, from the Mount Isa Copper Smelter to the Townsville port and refinery and all the communities in between.”
Mr Last said the project would benefit thousands of Queenslanders across the region by growing industry, building community confidence and bolstering sovereign capacity.
Federal Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Tim Ayres, said the project would bolster the Commonwealth’s resilience and boost regional growth.
“This is a key milestone under the joint Commonwealth-Queensland support package to secure the future of the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and strengthen long‑term industrial capability across the region,” Mr Ayres said.
“In a more volatile global environment, this work will help strengthen Australia’s resilience, regional growth and international competitiveness.
“The Albanese Government is rebuilding Australia’s industrial base, and this Transformation Study is about securing the long-term industrial future of North-West Queensland.”
The consortium carrying out the study is led by CRU International (Australia) and includes firms such as RangeX Projects & Partners, Wall Planning Group, Core Resources and Resources Law Network.
More information can be found on the Queensland Government’s website.
