Entire Aussie town faces a turbulent future as one of its biggest employers announces it is closing down a major mine

An iconic Aussie outback town is facing the fight of its life, with more than 1,000 jobs about to be wiped out from its lifeline industry.

Mining giant Glencore this week announced that its Mount Isa underground mine operation in north-west Queensland will close within two years, citing low ore quality and outdated infrastructure.

The closure of one of the largest copper mines in the world will not only impact the mine’s 1,200 employees, but will also have a dramatic ripple effect on the 18,317 residents who call Mount Isa home.

Homeowners have been flooding the phones of City & Country Realty, a local real estate agency, expressing concerns about a possible downturn in the property market, owner John Tully told the ABC.

“People are absolutely panicking, but our message to our customers is one of calm until this decision is a little more planned and we know more details… panic is not the way to go,” he said.

‘I think it will affect us for 12 months. But I think there are plenty of industrial projects throughout the area that will support the community for a long time to come.”

Community leaders have pledged to stand with locals to ensure the mining town is not wiped off the map and new mines are earmarked for the region.

But they admit the news is a devastating blow to the city

“It was a mixed reaction,” Chamber of Commerce president Emma Harman told Daily Mail Australia.

‘While many people are quite shocked and have a sense of doom and gloom, others have been much more pragmatic.

“Yes, there is a time of change and transition ahead, but it does not mean the end of Mount Isa.”

‘This transition period may be uncomfortable for a while, but now is not the time to panic. Mount Isa has a strong future.”

Mayor Danielle Slade added: “We knew this day would come, but it’s still a bitter pill.”

“I will ensure that Glencore makes local people an absolute priority when it comes to who is cared for first.

“Mount Isa is tough and resilient. And this is not the end of mining; it’s barely the beginning.’

Glencore’s announcement prompted an impromptu flying visit from the Queensland government, which announced a $50 million support package.

That includes about $30 million to fast track new mines in the region.

“Glencore made it very clear to us that there was nothing the Queensland Government could say, do or pay to continue mining in that community,” Treasurer Cameron Dick said.

“The government’s work now shifts to supporting the miners’ families and the future community.

“Mount Isa is part of Queensland’s mining heritage and will be part of Queensland’s mining future.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk acknowledged it would be a difficult decision that would be accepted by many workers and their families.

“But we will always do what we can to support workers and their families in finding new, good, safe jobs,” she said.

‘Mount Isa has been here for a century. We will support this city.”

It is estimated that the pristine minerals found in the North West Province are worth $500 billion.

Glencore is remaining tight-lipped about how many jobs will be lost at the Mount Isa Mine before the plant closes in the second half of 2025.

The other metals assets, including the copper smelter, the George Fisher Mine, the zinc-lead concentrator and the Mount Isa lead smelter, will all continue to operate.

However, the Lady Loretta zinc mine, 140 kilometers northwest of the city, will also close in 2025.

“The reality of mining is that mines have a beginning, middle and end. And unfortunately, after six decades of operation, Mount Isa’s underground copper operations have now achieved that goal,” said Glencore Chief Operating Officer Sam Strohmayr.

‘We want to give our people as much time as possible to think about the best options for them and their families. That is why we are informing our employees and the community almost two years before these mines close.”