Over the past few weeks, since the last community meeting, Anglo American has conducted a range of road options focus groups to understand road usage and community requirements.

“Thank you to the 120 members of the community who participated in our focus groups. These have been an integral part of our approach and all feedback was included in our options analysis,” said David.

“This has also formed a key part of our commitment to helping to create a long-term sustainable future for Moura.”

Anglo American is working with Banana Shire Council to ensure the best solution is reached. A number of options have been canvassed and reviewed (pictured).

Given the inability to restore Gibihi Road (option 2) due to ongoing geological instability, community feedback has presently indicated the preferred road option is a new Three Chain Road (green line in above image), which would travel across Dawson mine’s northern pits. Expected design and construction schedule for this option would be approximately 15 months on this option.

Anglo American will continue to work with the Banana Shire Council and other stakeholders to progress detailed consideration of the options, with a view to coming to a final decision as soon as possible. We encourage community members with additional feedback to contact us at: [email protected] and the progress will be widely shared with all stakeholders including community members.

Anglo American is also undertaking improvement earthworks along Kianga Road (blue line in above image) to assist with additional traffic during this interim period and is helping to monitor the road to ensure people are able to travel safely along it.

Ernst and Young continues to work with Anglo American to assess the social impacts of the closure of Gibihi Road. They have met with over 188 people in the community. We expect over the next few weeks to have concluded these discussions and have considered the impacts of the road closure. We will be contacting people who participated in consultations directly to inform them of next steps.

Anglo American also provided an update on Gibihi Road and confirmed all blasting has been carried out in accordance with mine procedures and requirements, and that radar monitoring has shown no further movement. Due to the instability of the area, the road remains closed and in an exclusion zone, which has remained in place since the blast occurred.

Anglo American is committed to working with Banana Shire Council in finalising the longer term solution and will continue to consult closely with the community to restore access through the mining lease as soon as possible.