Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has called on Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) to maintain operations at its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, confirming that the federal government has put forward its own proposal.
Addressing parliament, Crisafulli said he had spoken directly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding the facilities’ future.
“The federal government have now got a new position that they also have an offer on the table. There is a cigarette paper of difference between what the federal government want to achieve and what we want to achieve,” he said.
“But I say to Glencore, partnerships are about the good and the bad times, and they have done very, very well out of Queensland, very well. What we’re asking Glencore to do is come to the table and negotiate, but understand that they also have a responsibility.”
The Queensland government had previously made Glencore a confidential proposal in July that included non-financial incentives, such as payroll tax relief.
Glencore has indicated it could place the copper assets into maintenance mode by mid-September if it does not receive a satisfactory offer.