Queensland Mayors call on State to pause Glencore expansion plans

Published on 26 May 2025

Two regional Queensland mayors are calling on the State Government to pause any further expansion approvals for Glencore until clear, binding and fully funded future strategies are agreed between the company, the Queensland Government and affected local councils.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea and Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae say Glencore is withdrawing from key resource communities including Mount Isa, Glenden and Clermont with unfinished business, while still pursuing new project approvals elsewhere in the state.

"Glencore wants the full support of taxpayers to help fund maintenance at the Mount Isa smelter and is expanding at Hail Creek, but it is setting the bar far too low for the communities it is walking away from," Mayor Vea Vea said.

"If a company wants to grow its footprint in Queensland, it must first demonstrate it can exit with integrity and work with communities when the end of its long-term business is in sight. That means workforce plans, rehabilitation, legacy projects and clear commitments to the communities that were built to support their operations for decades."

Mayor MacRae said Mount Isa deserves a clear, funded transition plan agreed upon by government, community and the company.

"Right now, our community is facing significant economic uncertainty and social disruption because we do not have a clear plan for how processing and mining will continue in our region," Mayor MacRae said.

"We want to see serious, detailed and funded plans for Mount Isa.  We still see plenty of opportunity and a bright future in the North West Minerals Province, and we are wanting Glencore to display that they can be a good corporate citizen before further approvals are granted elsewhere.”

The mayors are urging the Queensland Government to:

• Pause all current and future expansion approvals for Glencore until funded transition plans are secured
• Require Glencore to work with the State and local councils to co-design those plans
• Ensure that any plans include long term workforce strategies, rehabilitation, infrastructure handover and regional economic transition

"Our communities are not a line item in a closure report," Mayor Vea Vea said. "We welcome resource development in this state, but it must come with clear responsibilities when the work ends."

"This is about fairness, transparency and backing the people who have powered this state for generations," Mayor MacRae added. "Queensland cannot afford to set a low standard for communities facing transition."