Copper production in outback Queensland is facing a ticking clock, but researchers say a new refining process developed at the University of Queensland could slash production costs.

Closing the smelter would also jeopardise Glencore’s copper refinery in Montreal, which is supplied by it. About 3,200 direct and indirect jobs could be impacted, the company has said.

Critical minerals startup Nth Cycle is betting that its modular approach to nickel refining can make the practice viable in ...