Former employees and contractors of a north-west Queensland copper mine placed into receivership and administration in July are still waiting on millions of dollars in unpaid debts.

Key points: CuDeco, which operated its copper mine outside of Cloncurry, owes more than $60 million

CuDeco, which operated its copper mine outside of Cloncurry, owes more than $60 million A number of former employees did not want to speak on the record through fear of not being paid

A number of former employees did not want to speak on the record through fear of not being paid The local council has cut back in certain areas because its budget has been impacted by unpaid rates

The Chinese-backed CuDeco owes more than $60 million, according to a list of creditors seen by the ABC.

Industrial supplies shop owner Travis Crowther said he was waiting for more than a year of back pay from the company, which operated its Rocklands mine outside of Cloncurry.

"I don't think we're ever really confident once receivers get involved that you're going to get all your money," he said.

Mr Crowther's business is owed more than $13,000.

"It was one of our larger customers at times," he said.

"We kept a pretty tight leash on all their accounts so it didn't rack up into the hundreds of thousands where a lot of other people were."

Travis Crowther is still waiting for money he is owed. ( ABC North West Queensland: Kemii Maguire )

Since opening in 2016, the mine had been shut at least twice by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, citing safety reasons.

The ABC has spoken to six former employees still owed thousands by CuDeco, but they did not want to speak on the record through fear of not being paid.

Many said the company began delaying the payment of wages more than a year ago and told its employees it was struggling financially.

Local council services impacted

Cloncurry Shire Council features heavily on the creditor list with more than $300,000 owed in rates, which Mayor Greg Campbell said had had an effect on its budget.

"Money that we have budgeted for to do things in town, to pay for services, we've had to cut back in certain areas," he said.

"It has had an impact on what council delivers."

CuDeco owes more than $300,000 in rates to Cloncurry Shire Council. ( ABC News: Kate Stephens )

Cr Campbell said it was more important the company paid its staff and local businesses before the council.

"It's disgusting how they actually treated some really good and loyal staff that have been putting up with a lot of turmoil," he said.

"Because it was so close [to Cloncurry], like within 20 kilometres, they had a good level of local employment."

Calls for government intervention

Wages and debts can be recovered under the Commonwealth's Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG), but CuDeco would need to go into liquidation first.

In an announcement to the stock exchange last month, the receivers said they had made a shortlist of potential buyers of the mine.

Local state member Rob Katter said governments could do more to intervene in these situations.

"There's all sorts of pressure points that you can apply that could hit them in the pocket," he said.

"But it does raise a question: Are there enough tools in the bag for government?"

Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter, whose department oversees the FEG, has been contacted for comment.

The company's receivers and administrators have also been contacted for comment.