Qld refinery fears after Palmer court loss

Clive Palmer's private company Mineralogy has lost its bid to force millions of dollars in "outstanding royalty payments" out of its estranged Chinese joint venture partner, casting doubt on the future of Queensland Nickel's Yabulu refinery.

Mineralogy and CITIC Pacific remain embroiled in a dispute over royalties from the massive Sino Iron project in Western Australia, with Mr Palmer's company claiming it is owed millions by the state-owned miner.

While that battle continues, Mineralogy has applied to the Supreme Court of WA, seeking an immediate payment of $48 million, saying it and five other entities including Mr Palmer's Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd would suffer "irreparable harm" if the request was refused.

On Monday, Justice Paul Tottle dismissed the application.

"As a fellow member of the resources industry, our thoughts are with the workers of Yabulu tonight," a CITIC spokesman said outside court. "Our commercial relationship is with Mineralogy alone.

"How Mr Palmer chooses to spend this money and how he chooses to manage his other ventures - whether it be golf courses, nickel mines, soccer teams, the Titanic 2 or robotic dinosaurs - is a matter for him."

Mineralogy was being sought for comment.


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