IT IS unclear if environmental legislative changes are needed to encourage the extension of the Mount Isa Mine’s copper smelter by four years. 

A meeting between two cabinet ministers and Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady is expected to be held later this month to discuss what it will take to get the smelter extended to 2020. 

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli and Cr McGrady will lobby a “compelling case” to  Environmental Minister Andrew Powell to keep former legislation involving the environmental authority in place.

Continuing these former rules would allow the copper smelter to be profitable to its owner, Glencore.

It is expected Glencore would then extend the smelter’s operations until 2020.  

Mr Crisafulli told The North West Star yesterday the meeting could be held when Mr Powell returns from leave, at his convenience. 

“I want to nut this out so we’re going to sit down and work out what’s needed,” Mr Crisafulli said. 

“If that’s legislative change, how we do it quickly.

 “If it’s changes to licensing without legislative change – great.” 

Mr Crisafulli said he would be willing to meet; “anywhere, any time”. 

“You can bet your bottom dollar between the mayor and myself we will put forward a compelling case.

“We want to know what we need to do to keep these jobs in the north and that’s what we’re going to fight to make sure it happens.” 

Mr Crisafulli and Cr McGrady urged the Queensland government to support environmental authority changes on Friday, December 19. 

Cr McGrady said since then he had kept in regular communication with Mr Crisafulli on the issue.

The meeting would not be about reducing environmental restrictions but to keep the same conditions that always served Mount Isa. 

“We’re talking about preserving in Mount Isa 650 jobs, 150 in Townsville and in North Queensland 2000 to 4000 jobs,” Cr McGrady said. 

“We’re not just meeting for the sake of the meeting, it’s about preserving jobs for 800 people in North Queensland.” 

“We will drop everything we’re doing as soon as the minister is free.”