Glencore copper refinery in Australia faces possible worker strike 

Glencore Plc, the Swiss mining and commodity trading giant, is bracing for a potential worker strike at its flagship copper refinery in Australia.

The industrial action, scheduled to begin Friday, follows stalled pay negotiations between the company and union representatives.

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) said Wednesday it had notified the mining group that employees would walk off the job unless the company improves its wage offer.

The union says workers at the refinery earn nearly 15% less than employees at comparable plants operated by other companies nearby. 

Union officials say negotiations with the London-listed miner began in late March last year but have yet to deliver a pay increase that reflects rising living costs.

Pay dispute intensifies 

The refinery is located in Townsville, in the state of Queensland. It produces as much as 300,000 tonnes of refined copper each year, making it one of the country’s largest facilities. 

The site also processes third-party material, including copper concentrate from BHP Group’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia. 

A spokesperson for Glencore did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

The union said another meeting with the company is scheduled for Thursday, a last effort to reach an agreement before workers take action. 

“Our members have worked hard to ensure this refinery remains viable,” said Stacey Schinnerl, secretary of the AWU’s Queensland branch. “They deserve pay that reflects their contribution and the rising cost of living.”

Strategic refinery under pressure 

The Townsville facility has faced financial pressure in recent years as China rapidly expanded copper smelting and refining capacity, squeezing higher-cost plants elsewhere in the world. 

Glencore previously received about A$600 million ($429.35 million) in support from federal and state governments to keep the refinery and its associated smelter in Mount Isa operating. 

Across Australia, the company runs about 20 active mining operations covering commodities including coal, copper, zinc, nickel and cobalt. Glencore says it employs more than 17,000 people across sites in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. 

Founded in 1974, Glencore now operates in more than 30 countries with roughly 140,000 employees and contractors. The company produces and trades more than 90 commodities, supplying materials widely used in electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy systems.