The Queensland government has confirmed it held recent talks with Queensland Nickel but won't say whether Clive Palmer asked for a $25 million loan to prop up the company.
Mr Palmer has denied asking for money to keep the company afloat amid rumours 800 jobs at the Townsville plant were at risk.
He issued a written statement on Wednesday saying Queensland Nickel would not borrow funds from the government as long as he was the owner.
"The simple fact of the matter is that there is no loan from the government or anyone else," Mr Palmer said.
"I understand Queensland Nickel is debt free and has net assets of over $1.9 billion."
A spokesman from Treasurer Curtis Pitt's office on Wednesday told AAP the government had held discussions with Queensland Nickel in the last week, but said those discussions were "commercial in nature" and would therefore remain confidential.
Mr Palmer has also denied he had discussed environmental concerns relating to the plant with Mr Pitt, saying media reports on the issue were a "fabrication".
He said he had invested a lot of money to ensure jobs at the Townsville refinery remained safe, and that the workers were well paid.
"I put my money on the line for the people of North Queensland and that is the truth of the matter," he said.
"Workers at QNI are paid on average more than 25 per cent above the award and receive an extra one per cent in super each year above what the company is required to pay.
"There is no reason to panic just because the price of nickel has dropped."
Workers' Union Queensland spokesman Cowboy Stockham told the ABC he had also been assured the Townsville plant's 800-strong workforce is safe.
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