Glencore cutbacks has Qld govt on edge

Queensland's government will hold urgent talks with miners on falling global commodity prices after it was disclosed Glencore could shed 311 jobs.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says local residents will be "absolutely gutted" the Swiss mining giant is downsizing its international zinc operations, and production will be suspended or reduced at two mines in the state's northwest.

Ms Palaszczuk said Treasurer Curtis Pitt and State Development Minister Anthony Lynham will meet next week with Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche to discuss the developing situation.

The premier is worried about falling commodity prices and has suggested her government might need to step in.

"This is just not unique to Mount Isa," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters in Townsville.

"There may be other impacts across this state. In the past there have been programs that would help workers transition into other jobs, so we may need to provide that type of government assistance."

Federal MP Bob Katter was confident the impact on Mount Isa would only be felt in the short term.

Mr Katter expected the price of zinc to rise dramatically in the coming 12 months.

His son, state MP Rob Katter, said the long-term projections for the zinc market were strong.

"This is a 20 year-plus resource that will carry Mount Isa long into the future," Rob Katter said.

But Mount Isa mayor Tony McGrady has heard 200 city residents are facing the axe.

He said Ms Palaszczuk had promised to re-examine the North West Queensland Strategic Development Study to help offset the impact.

"She and her staff will go through some of the recommendations in this strategy and, where possible, expedite them," Mr McGrady told AAP.

Bob Katter called on Glencore to give priority to local staff over fly-in, fly-out workers during the restructure.

"People flying in from the big cities have other alternative employment available," he said.

"We do not. We are insisting that the company make this one of the highest priorities for consideration."