A breakdown of how regional Queensland benefits from Glencore mining activities shows the company’s operations accounted for 3680 direct jobs in the Mount Isa region last year and 210 at Townsville.
Glencore mining and processing activities pumped about $1.2 billion in total direct economic contributions into the Mount Isa area in 2022 and $214 million into Townsville.
The figures were released as part of Glencore’s latest Australian economic contribution report, which show a $19.9 billion injection across the Australian economy in 2022.
Coal communities also benefited including $147 million in direct contributions in the Isaac region with 1650 direct jobs, $134 million in the Central Highlands and 1530 direct jobs, and $180 million in the Whitsunday region and 990 direct jobs.
Glencore’s head of corporate affairs in Australia Cassandra McCarthy says when mining does well, Australians do well and the economy does well.
“We should never take that for granted,” MS McCarthys says..
“Glencore has been operating in Australia for more than 25 years, employing two generations of Australian families and continues to make an important contribution to jobs, businesses and the communities where we operate.
“Glencore works with businesses across more than 100 different industries, like manufacturing, transport, construction, finance, public administration, retail, health care, accommodation and food services and wholesale trade.
“We support Aussie businesses that range from the local coffee shop to the country’s leading equipment and mining service providers.”
There was a direct contribution of $7.3 billion from Glencore’s Queensland coal business, taking in the Oaky Creek, Clermont, Hail Creek, Collinsville, Newlands and Rolleston coal mines.
Zinc and copper operations accounted for $3.3 billion. This included the economic benefits flowing from Mount Isa Mines and Lady Loretta in North West Queensland, the copper refining and port operations in Townsville, and McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory.