The project is a partnership with Clarke Creek Community Group, Isaac Regional Council, Telstra and the Federal Government, involving an upgrade the Clarke Creek telecommunication infrastructure to provide mobile coverage and broadband internet access in a blackspot area which has a history of motor vehicle accidents.

The May Downs Road and Sarina-Marlborough Roads which intersect the Clarke Creek locality are used by up to 3500 vehicles per week with numbers expected to increase with population growth and more reliance on vehicle travel for a number of industries including resources, tourism and agriculture. Linking the area to the Telstra network has been a priority for Isaac Regional Council and the connection to Anglo American made for a perfect partnership fit.

Anglo American Head of Corporate Affairs Jon Richards was on site to hand over the important funds from the Moranbah 2020 fund to the Clarke Creek Community Reference Group.

“Clarke Creek is a strategic area in the regional Queensland network with many of our employees and contractors driving through the area between our sties at Middlemount and Moranbah to either Rockhampton or Mackay,” Mr Richards said.

“The lack of mobile coverage makes the flood-prone area a blackspot on the map and we have a responsibility to our employees to actively make their workplace safe, including their travel to and from site.

“Anglo American is proud to be a part of a safety solution for our employees as well as for any motorist travelling through the Bowen Basin,” Mr Richards said.

The special point about this partnership is that not only will safety for motorists and emergency services in the area be created, the new tower will also provide broadband internet access to the community of Clarke Creek, in particular to Clarke Creek State School and the farming businesses around the district.

This has wider social and economic benefits, connecting the community to wireless service, emerging technologies and bridging the ‘digital divide’ between metropolitan and regional areas.

The $300,000 project will commence construction in 2016 with the remaining funds coming from the Isaac Regional Council and the Federal Government.

ENDS

Contacts:Vanessa Davies – 0400 927 185

Notes to editors:

Anglo American is a global and diversified mining business that provides the raw materials essential for economic development and modern life. Our people are at the heart of our business. It is our people who use the latest technologies to find new resources, plan and build our mines and who mine, process and move and market our products – from bulk commodities and base metals to precious metals and diamonds (through De Beers) – to our customers around the world. Our diversified portfolio of products spans the economic development cycle and, as a responsible miner, we are the custodians of precious resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the long-term value that those resources represent for our shareholders, but also for the communities and countries in which we operate – creating sustainable value and making a real difference. Our mining operations, growth projects and exploration and marketing activities extend across southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.