Anglo American NSW Projects Director Rick Fairhurst said the Premier spoke with a number of workers, suppliers and charities who all rely on Drayton and will suffer if Drayton South is not approved.

“The Premier and Minister’s visit today was important so they could meet our people, hear their stories and fully understand the importance of the Drayton South project to the Hunter Valley region,” Rick said.

“Drayton South will secure 500 jobs, continue to support 140 local businesses that supply to the mine, provide ongoing state royalties and taxes of over $60 million annually and support the community through sponsorships and partnerships.

“These are not just numbers; they are people’s livelihoods, businesses and futures and we’re pleased the Premier and Minister took the time to see the site with their own eyes while committing to an approval process based on the facts,” Mr Fairhurst said.

The Premier and Minister were driven to the southern point of the proposed mining area where the boundaries of operations and properties were clearly identified.

“With the 2015 project application reduced by 25 percent, there are now two ridgelines between our proposed operations and the boundary of our nearest neighbour which will ensure zero impact to the neighbouring studs operations.

“Mining and thoroughbred horse breeding have coexisted here for nearly a century there is no need to choose between these two successful industries.

“We’d like to thank the Premier and Minister for their time today and ask that they continue to see the project application through in a timely manner and focus on the technical facts clearly demonstrated through our compromises to the mine plan for Drayton South.”

Drayton South is a project to replace the current Drayton operations in the Hunter Valley which has been operating for over 30 years and will run out of minable resources shortly.

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.

www.angloamerican.com