Newsroom

August 6, 2024

The Katter’s Australian Party Leader and member for Traeger, Robbie Katter MP has today joined the Clean Economy Jobs, Resources and Transport Committee to hear the peak mining representative body and Glencore fail to justify the offshoring of 1,200 Queensland jobs, and leaving valuable critical minerals unrealised in the ground at Mount Isa.

“It’s bewildering that the peak body for the mining sector here in Queensland is actively suggesting that Queensland’s resources should be left in the ground, locking away opportunities for junior or other prospective miners,” the Member for Traeger told the Committee.

“There is clear evidence that a different owner of a mine can breathe new life into a mine – Ernest Henry is a fantastic example of that.

“Glencore thought there was only a few years left on the mine, yet within only 18 months, junior miner Evolution had a real go and extended the mine life for almost 20 years - that’s the difference between a real miner and a lazy commodity trading company,” Mr Katter said.

Glencore have announced that they will cease underground copper mining at Mount Isa, despite multiple mining companies expressing interest in continuing mining copper – which is at record high commodity prices.

Mr Katter questioned representatives of Glencore as to why they are worried about the legislation in parliament.

“If the mine is truly not viable, then you wouldn’t be afraid of letting others having a look under bonnet,” the Mount Isa based member for Traeger asked.

“It seems that Glencore would rather invest in other mines in countries with lower wages and safety standards, while leaving Queensland’s resources locked away, out of reach of a real mining company,” Mr Katter said.

Mount Isa City Council also presented to the Committee, detailing the impact of the Glencore decision, as well as work that has been undertaken to understand possible diversification.

Mount Isa City Council Mayor, Peta MacRae expressed her belief that the future of Mount Isa is bright, as well as her council’s support for the Member for Traeger’s bill in the Queensland Parliament.

“We don’t want jobs lost while the mine sits dormant,” Mayor MacRae told the Committee.

“I support what the Bill is seeking to achieve in particular where changes to operations adversely affect the local Mount Isa community.

“Mount Isa’s future is mining – and that mining includes the extraction of critical minerals, “Mayor MacRae said.

Mr Katter expressed his appreciation to the local worker’s union representative who told the committee that although he and the members for Traeger did not always see eye to eye, he was in lock step with him on the objectives of the Bill.

“It’s really telling that the only people who are against my Bill are those who have either flown in to appear, or telephone into the hearing.  Those of us who live in Mount Isa know what a devastating effect this will have and are banding together to save the future of our city – stopping a Swiss based commodity trader from squatting on Queensland’s critical minerals and locking them away from everyone else,” the Member for Traeger said.

“I appreciate the Committee taking the time to come and visit Mount Isa and hear directly from our community the impact that Glencore’s decision will really have,” Mr Katter said.