Employees at Anglo American’s Drayton mine have shown their support for the future Drayton South project by starting a petition to encourage the New South Wales Government to progress approvals for the replacement mine.
This follows the announcement by the Planning Minister, Brad Hazzard, on 21 May to suspend Drayton South’s project assessment.
For the 500 employees currently employed at Drayton mine, this means a nervous wait as their future employment at Drayton South now seems uncertain.
Drayton mine General Manager Clarence Robertson said Drayton mine had been in operation for 30 years and Drayton South would offer employees at least another 27 years of employment.
“Many people - and their families - were counting on this,” Mr Robertson said.
“Employees have now personally written to their local Member of Parliament, George Souris, requesting his help and a petition is being passed around the workforce, contractors and suppliers,” he said.
Drayton mine Mining Supervisor for drill and blast, Ben Lewis, has worked at Drayton mine for 11 years and said he said he loved living locally and saw himself having a longstanding career at the operation.
“I’m very happy here. The company has supported me as I’ve progressed from an operator to a supervisor,” Mr Lewis said.
“It’s our lives that are being played with. My family and I have a home here, we have a life here, and if that was taken away from me it would gut me,” he said.
On top of the employment benefits, Drayton South would see a continuation of Drayton mine’s existing social investment commitments, $70 million in local procurement and $35 million in State Government Royalties.
“We have followed all the right steps to progress this project, completed consultation with all stakeholders including the horse studs and addressed all of our environmental responsibilities,” Mr Robertson said.
“Since 2009 we have met with the horse studs repeatedly and amended our mine plan in response to their feedback.
“We have been working towards having Drayton South approved by the end of this year so we can transition from one operation to the next when Drayton closes in 2015 and begins rehabilitation works.
“The Minister’s decision to defer the PAC process has placed considerable pressure on the already tight timeframes for developing this project.
“Our focus now is to continue working with stakeholders to ensure the Drayton South project proceeds and local jobs are protected,” Mr Robertson said.
ENDS
Ben Lewis has worked at Drayton mine for 11 years and wants to stay with the operation through Drayton South
Drayton employees sign the petition requesting the NSW Government to progress approvals for Drayton South to save their jobs
Contact Metallurgical Coal Corporate Affairs (Australia):
Jacqui Strambi: +61 439 774 526
Notes to editors:
Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Anglo American’s portfolio of mining businesses spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals – copper and nickel; and precious metals and minerals – in which it is a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. 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, extensive pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.
www.angloamerican.com