Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business this week announced a $100,000 contribution towards the Clarke Creek community’s $519,441 telecommunication project, a vital next step in helping the town secure Federal funding for better mobile phone coverage and access to high-speed internet.
Anglo American Stakeholder Engagement Specialist for Moranbah, Lynda Pollock joined with Isaac Regional Mayor Ann Baker to announce the donation at the Isaac Regional Council’s regular round table meeting and said she was delighted to support the Clarke Creek community’s goal to gain access to the high-speed technology.
“Currently, the Clarke Creek community does not have mobile broadband access or voice services, ADSL 1 or ADSL 2 technology, placing residents and students at a real disadvantage when they have to depend on slow and cumbersome dial-up internet connections,” Mrs Pollock said.
“The absence of mobile coverage also presents a safety risk to the 3500 drivers, including Anglo American employees, who use the May Downs and Sarina - Marlborough roads which cut through this area every week.
“With no mobile coverage for approximately 100 kilometres north and south of Clarke Creek, these drivers would be placed in danger if they were to come into trouble and needed to call emergency services,” Mrs Pollock said.
The Clarke Creek Community Reference Group approached Anglo American for support after they applied for a Regional Development Australia (RDA) funding grant and were told they needed an industry sponsor to be successful in their application.
“This means Anglo American’s $100,000 donation will be critical in helping the community secure the additional financial support they need to cover the whole project,” Mrs Pollock said.
“Other options were looked into, but unfortunately, the rollout of the National Broadband Network will not provide a suitable solution to the issues faced by this community or the road users in the district which is why the telecommunication project is so important.
“We are supporting the project through the Moranbah 2020 Fund, Anglo American’s $20 million investment program to support community development, health and education initiatives and fund new infrastructure projects in the Moranbah region.
“We hope Anglo American’s partnership will help the community achieve their goals, provide children with new opportunities and make our roads even safer for motorists,” she said.
ENDS
School Captain Mandi Sichter shakes hands with Lynda Pollock on hearing of the $100,000 donation. Also pictured (back row): School Captain Rachel Allgood, Don Black, Lynise Conaghan, Isaac Regional Mayor Anne Baker and Elizabeth Hill.
For further information, please contact:
Media - Metallurgical Coal
Jacqui Strambi: +61 (0)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