In an interview with The North West Star on Thursday (July 18), Glencore Zinc Assets Australia Chief Operating Officer, Greg Ashe, said Glencore was facing a pivot shift within the business.

"Ivan Glasenberg our CEO has stated publically that we want to continue to invest and capitalise on projects that will have an impact on demand in the future with the green economy," Mr Ashe said.

"For us that is good news for Northern Queensland because copper and zinc are all going to play an integral role in electric vehicles, renewables and reducing carbon footprint.

"We have brought it down to our zinc business here in Northern Queensland and this is a very positive thing for the business moving forward."

Glencore Copper Assets North Queensland Chief Operating Officer Matt O'Neill discussed two projects which have improved the environmental implications in Mount Isa.

"We installed a temperature profiler which determines changes in atmospheric conditions that impact the circulation of air currents in the area," Mr O'Neill said.

"It allows us to understand and predict what is happening with the wind so we don't have any impact on the town with our smelter's operation."

The second project was an environmental survey conducted this year after the monsoonal weather.

"A survey was conducted to determine the environmental impact of the mines," Mr O'Neill said.

"We surveyed the flora and fauna after the rain and came across new species in flora and more then 50 species of fauna.

"That is part of our monitoring program to understand what impact we have or are having on the environment and it came back with good results.

"If you go back 20 years to where we are today, there is enormous improvement within our environmental projects."

READ ALSO: Mount Isa copper smelter needs investment for future.

While you are here subscribe to our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox at 6am every Friday.