Anglo American has today advised its workforce of its intention to require vaccination* against COVID-19, as a condition of entry to all Australian Anglo American sites, offices and camps, from 1 March 2022.

A final decision will be made after a further period of consultation on a draft COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This draft Policy was developed following detailed risk assessments and workforce consultation over the past couple of months. These processes, together with expert medical advice, determined that vaccination is the best way to protect our workforce and communities from COVID-19.

CEO of Anglo American’s business in Australia, Tyler Mitchelson, said, “In developing our draft COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, we have taken into account expert health advice as well as the comparably low rates of vaccination in the areas we operate in.

“It’s very likely we will see COVID-19 cases increase throughout Queensland over coming months and we believe we have an obligation to help protect the more than 5,500 people who work for us in Queensland, as well as our local communities.

“Vaccination is the best way to help keep our people and communities safe.

“Many of our workforce live in nearby local communities, but there are also people who commute to work from Mackay, Rockhampton and other regional centres as well as South East Queensland. We recognise that once COVID-19 cases do start to occur more frequently in Queensland, the risk of transmission due to people movements will be higher.

“We understand there are certain cases where people cannot get vaccinated, and we would work with these individuals to assess their individual circumstances under an exemption process within our draft Policy.”

Anglo American is providing opportunities for employees and embedded contractors to be vaccinated during work time.

*Two doses of the vaccine would be required.