With economic coal reserves due to run out at the 31-year-old Drayton mine in the near future, the operation’s 500 existing employees are counting on the Drayton South project going ahead to enable the mine to extend its operation by another 15 years.

Drayton South Project Director Rick Fairhurst said the new project plan will address the Planning Assessment Commission’s previous recommendations about Drayton South.

“The mine footprint has been reduced by a further 25 per cent, we have increased the buffer between the mine and the local horse studs’ operating areas and we will implement world-class environmental management practices around rehabilitation, noise, dust, visual amenity and water,” Mr Fairhurst said.

“At the same time, the project will pump millions of dollars’ worth of benefits into the regional economy and broader State of NSW in the form of $140 million in wages and local procurement a year, $60 million in annual Government Royalties and taxes as well as the hundreds of local jobs it will maintain.

“Last weekend we were thrilled to meet with the community for the first time since we announced we would be developing a new project application for Drayton South, and we were delighted with the positive response we received,” Mr Fairhurst said.

More than 200 locals came down to Simpson Park in Muswellbrook to show their support for the critical Drayton South project and speak to Drayton team members about the new project application.

The kids were kept entertained with face painting and a jumping castle on offer, while a Muswellbrook PCYC sponsored BBQ raised more than $450 for the local group.

Drayton team members distributed project information so the local community understood the application process and why this project should to be supported.

Drayton General Manager David O’Rourke said support for Drayton South was strong within the local community.

“The Drayton South project is imperative for the region and local economy and we will be doing everything we can to demonstrate the benefits it will deliver in the community as we work towards securing approval later this year,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“This was the first of a series of monthly community BBQs planned over the next few months to allow residents to come along and learn more about the project plans while raising much needed funds for local not-for-profit groups.”

The next community BBQ will be held at Town Head Park, Singleton on Saturday 21 March in partnership with the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre.

Contact: Corporate Affairs Jacqui Strambi: 0439 774 526

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.

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