Anglo American’s Drayton South Project Director Rick Fairhurst said the recommendation validated the detailed scientific assessments and peer-reviewed reports contained in the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

“The Department’s preliminary recommendation agrees with Anglo American’s detailed and peer reviewed assessments which found the project will have no adverse effects on the health of horses on the Coolmore and Woodlands Studs,” Mr Fairhurst said.

The Department’s detailed assessment has found that the project would be able to comply with the relevant air, noise and blasting criteria at the Coolmore and Woodlands studs. The report also states:

The Department now considers that the scientific evidence supports a view that the project would not result in adverse impacts on the health of horses residing either permanently or temporarily at the studs.

It has also found that the project is unlikely to have any significant impacts in the quantity or quality of water used by either of the two studs.

Consequently, the Department has concluded that the project is unlikely to have any significant physical impacts on the studs, and would certainly not affect the physical capability or suitability of the site to be used for horse breeding…

… Anglo (American’s) changes to the mine plan are wholly consistent with the Commission’s recommendations, and there would be no direct views of the mining operations from the ‘core operations’ of either of the studs.

“There are no valid scientific arguments to contradict the findings of Anglo American’s Equine Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) report and we are pleased the Department’s preliminary recommendation effectively confirms this,” Mr Fairhurst said.

“Anglo American and our 500-strong workforce at the existing Drayton operation are pleased with the clear signal the DPE has sent the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC): Drayton South should go ahead.”

Mr Fairhurst said Anglo American looked forward to the upcoming PAC hearing in Denman on 10 September.

“Given the DPE has recommended the project for approval, we trust the PAC will be guided by its assessment in its deliberations,” Mr Fairhurst said.

“We are mindful of the stress ongoing uncertainty around Drayton South puts on our workers, their families, our 140 suppliers and the community, which is overwhelmingly in favour of the Project.

“As the Department notes in the Assessment Report, the EIS attracted more than 4,100 submissions – more than 4,000 from members of the community.

“None of the 13 public authorities objected to the project, and 98 per cent of the public submissions supported the project.”

People have another chance to make a submission to the PAC telling them why they support Drayton South being approved by emailing [email protected] or in writing to Jade Shepherd, NSW Planning Assessment Commission, GPO Box 3415, Sydney NSW 2001 by 5pm, Thursday 10 September 2015.

ENDS

Contact: Corporate Affairs, 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.