Anglo American today expressed disappointment with the New South Wales Planning Assessment Commission’s (PAC) report into the Drayton South project which recommended significant changes to the mine plan.
CEO of Anglo American’s Coal business, Mr Seamus French, said this decision was a severe blow to the 500 people who work at Drayton mine and the families they support.
“We have followed all the rules, consulted extensively and made $6 billion worth of compromises to reduce project impacts through revised mine designs,” Mr French said.
“Significantly, we have forgone 53 million tonnes of coal, worth more than $5 billion, to move the mine behind the ridgeline to negate the visual impacts on our neighbours.
“This decision is disappointing for the people of New South Wales.
“The PAC’s decision puts an annual $35 million in State Government Royalties and $70 million a year with local businesses in serious jeopardy,” Mr French said.
Mr French said Anglo American would now work through the PAC’s recommendations to better understand their implications and consider the options moving forward.
For further information, please contact:
Metallurgical Coal Corporate Affairs:
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. Our portfolio of mining businesses meets our customers’ changing needs and spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals and minerals – copper, nickel, niobium and phosphates; and precious metals and minerals – in which we are a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. At Anglo American, we are committed to working together with our stakeholders – our investors, our partners and our employees – to create sustainable value that makes a real difference, while upholding the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all our businesses and geographies. The company’s mining operations, pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.
www.angloamerican.com.au