UK-based business consultancy CRU has been selected to lead a government-backed study examining the future of north-west Queensland’s copper industry, part of efforts to support the region’s long-term industrial development.
The study, announced by Australian Federal Industry and Innovation Minister Senator Tim Ayres and Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last, forms part of a joint Commonwealth-Queensland initiative focused on the future of the state's copper sector.
Working with consortium partners, CRU will assess the copper value chain across the North West Minerals Province, covering operations from the Mount Isa Copper Smelter to the Townsville Copper Refinery.
According to CRU, the study will evaluate the region’s end-to-end copper value chain, drawing on market intelligence, cost analysis and facility-level data spanning mining, smelting and refining activities.
The work will also examine long-term opportunities for industrial facilities, workers and the broader copper sector beyond the current period of government financial support.
Hugh Greene, global head of consulting at CRU, said the company was "honoured" to have been selected to lead the study.
Greene said north-west Queensland had played a significant role in Australia’s copper value chain and that the project would help identify "practical pathways" to strengthen the region’s industrial capability, resilience and competitiveness over the long term.
CRU said it will engage with stakeholders throughout 2026 before submitting a final report to the Commonwealth and Queensland governments by the end of the year.
The North West Minerals Province is one of Australia's key mineral-producing regions, with copper mining and processing forming a significant part of the local economy.
