Business
30 July, 2025
Mount Isa community 'holding its breath': local business
The outcome of the copper smelter decision will change the city's fortunes for better or worse.
Long-time Mount Isa worker Gavin Starr says the city’s future is still bright, but the community was holding its breath over the copper smelter decision.
The business development manager of Custom Steel Fab said with the closure of MICO, local contractors were looking further afield for work.
“You’d be hard pressed to find someone in Mount Isa who isn’t directly affected,” Mr Starr said of the current situation.
“Our operations span Mount Isa and Townsville, and this uncertainty is frustrating as we attract staff to Mount Isa and assist them to relocate here.
“Mount Isa has always presented opportunities and bright futures for families to thrive in our business and in Mount Isa, we don’t plan for that to stop.
“When Glencore announced it was preparing for care and maintenance for the smelter and refinery, the mood shifted overnight. Fear, frustration and disbelief.
“These processing assets are national infrastructure advantage. If we let them go, we don’t get them back. We need action now, before it’s too late.”
Mr Starr said Custom Steel Fab would have to pivot based on factors outside of its control.
“I know we have defined a pipeline and we need to search for work but we support the region as a whole.
“We’ve got a top you know strong pipeline around the region and Mount Isa is a host of commodities and critical metals in a 500km radius.”