The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed a $45,000 investment from Glencore to secure vital COVID-19 testing equipment for the Mount Isa Hospital.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane applauded the move which would significantly reduce the turnaround time for results or the time taken to receive results.
“I’d like to congratulate Glencore for working with health authorities to ensure Mount Isa is equipped with the capability of testing samples at the hospital instead of flying the samples to Brisbane or Townsville,” Mr Macfarlane said.
The cartridge and nasal swab collection kit or GeneXpert IV-4 instrument can obtain results within three hours – compared to more than three days previously.
Mr Macfarlane said the shorter testing times would be vital for people in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the State’s North West who health authorities have identified as having a higher risk to the coronavirus.
“I’ve recently been in discussion with the newly elected Mayor of Mount Isa Danielle Slade about the role the sector is playing in ensuring the health and safety of its workers and the communities in which we operate,” he said.
The equipment would have a long-term benefit to the Mount Isa Hospital with its ability to analyse other respiratory issues. Across its operations globally Glencore has established a $25 million Community Support Fund to assist communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
