Palmer wants refinery re-opened next year

Clive Palmer says his mothballed nickel refinery in north Queensland could reopen next year.

The mining billionaire revealed more than a year ago he intended to reopen the Queensland Nickel refinery in Townsville.

It closed after the company collapsed in 2016, leaving hundreds jobless and millions owed to creditors.

On Wednesday, Mr Palmer said "we anticipate ... we will have it opened by late 2020, early 2021".

He reiterated calls for immediate access to the Townsville port, which was blocked by the state government because Queensland Nickel owed the port money.

Mr Palmer said he has "paid all that is owed" to creditors after last month reaching a settlement in a Brisbane Supreme Court trial in which liquidators were seeking to claw back losses.

"There is nothing outstanding," Mr Palmer said in a statement.