The General Manager of Anglo American’s Dawson mine, Mr Brett Thompson, today announced a major boost for mine worker accommodation in Moura with a three year plan to almost double the capacity of the Dawson Town Village, upgrade existing housing stock and enable employees to salary sacrifice rent or mortgage interest payments if they choose to live in the town.

On Thursday 27 August 2010, representatives from Anglo American met with Banana Shire Mayor John Hooper, Deputy Mayor Cr Maureen Clancy and community members to discuss the current housing situation in Moura.

“Our accommodation plan is a win for the Moura community and a win for Anglo American workers,” Mr Thompson said.

“We are currently finalising applications to obtain additional land from the State Government to allow us to relocate more than 350 rooms from Kotti Doon to the Dawson Town Village in 2011, so our employees can live in the community and spend more in local businesses.

“Our strategy is to offer employees choice of accommodation and in doing so support the long term sustainability of the local community, particularly the town of Moura,” Mr Thompson said.

“As part of our plan, employees will have the choice to salary sacrifice their rental or mortgage interest payments if they choose to rent or buy a property in the local community.

“From 2011 to 2013 we will also start improvement works on housing for couples and families,” Mr Thompson said.

Mr Thompson said Anglo American currently employs approximately 920 permanent and 370 contract employees at the Dawson mine.

“Anglo American cares about Moura and we will continue to support this community through our accommodation plan and other local initiatives,” Mr Thompson said.

Recent initiatives in Moura supported by Anglo American include:

The donation of land for General Practitioner accommodation;

• The donation of land for General Practitioner accommodation;
• Active participation in the Moura Medical Group;
• $20,000 for local health support specifically around aged care;
• $60,000 commitment to establish a gymnasium;
• $100,000 commitment toward establishing an extended day care facility; and
• Support for local schools through donation of computers and funding for new technology.

For further information:

Aldo Pennini
Tel: (07) 3834 1448

Anglo American plc , one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Its portfolio of mining businesses spans precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds; base metals – copper and nickel; and bulk commodities – iron ore, metallurgical coal and thermal coal. Anglo American is committed to the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all its businesses and geographies and to making a sustainable difference in the development of the communities around its operations. The company’s mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia. www.angloamerican.com