Last week Anglo American’s Drayton mine in the New South Wales Hunter Valley marked 30 years of operation, celebrating with an employee and family member open day at the mine on Saturday 12 October attended by more than 1100 local people.
The 30 year celebrations coincided with the NSW Government’s Planning Assessment Commission public hearing on 10 October for the Drayton South project, a replacement mine designed to allow the Drayton operation to continue when the current coal reserves run out in 2015.
The current Drayton operation contributes $35,000,000 in State Government Royalties each year, spends $70,000,000 in supply costs with local businesses and employs 500 people, most of whom live in the surrounding communities with their families.
Drayton South will use the same administration buildings, mine infrastructure and equipment as Drayton mine.
Speaking at the PAC hearing, Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal Chief Executive Officer, Seamus French said the company was committed to coexisting with all stakeholders, including the nearby horse studs.
“We have followed all the rules, spent $60 million on technical reports and we have made 10 changes to our mine plan over five years of consultation to develop this project responsibly,” Mr French said.
“Significantly, we have sterilised 53 million tonnes of coal, worth around $5 billion, to move the mine behind the ridgeline to negate the visual impacts on our neighbours.”
Mr French said any further changes to the mine plans would be futile.
“This is an extension of a mine that has been operating in this community for three decades,” he said.
“We have reached a tipping point; any further delays will compromise the mine’s viability.”
Consistent at both the PAC hearing and the open day celebrations on the weekend was the unwavering support Drayton employees have shown towards the future Drayton South project, a project which would extend Drayton’s mine life, secure their employment and continue to engage local business.
Several of Drayton’s employees and small business operators spoke at the PAC hearing, most highlighting how mining had played a key role in supporting families and communities.
Drayton occupational therapist Shannon Smith-Eckman said if Drayton mine were to close, the impacts on the local communities of Singleton and Muswellbrook would be far reaching, citing the current reality in which “there are already ‘for lease’ and ‘for sale’ signs all over Singleton”.
“If Drayton South doesn’t go ahead, there will be a lot of people like me who will face the prospect of losing their job,” Ms Smith-Eckman said.
Long-term Drayton mine supplier, Pirtek Muswellbrook’s Managing Director Gus Mather spoke at last week’s PAC hearing and said Pirtek Muswellbrook had been associated with Drayton mine for more than 25 years.
“It is important Drayton South is approved for the continued growth of our business and the town,” Mr Mather said.
At the family open day the following Saturday, Drayton mine organised a raft of activities suitable for all ages such as mine tours, jumping castles, haul truck rides, trivia and mining equipment simulators for attendees to enjoy. Many people in attendance said they hoped Drayton South would be approved.
Drayton mine General Manager Clarence Robertson thanked the Drayton workforce and their families for coming along to the family day and for their on-going support.
“Over our 30 years of operation, one thing that has been consistent here has been the commitment we have shown to the local community, partnerships we have established with local business and the employment opportunities we have provided local people,” Mr Robertson said.
“We have a proud history in the Hunter Valley which we hope to continue into the future through the development of the Drayton South project.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Metallurgical Coal Corporate Affairs:
Jackie Noble: +61 439 774 526
Notes to editors:
Anglo American is one of the world’s largest mining companies, is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges. Our portfolio of mining businesses meets our customers’ changing needs and spans bulk commodities – iron ore and manganese, metallurgical coal and thermal coal; base metals and minerals – copper, nickel, niobium and phosphates; and precious metals and minerals – in which we are a global leader in both platinum and diamonds. At Anglo American, we are committed to working together with our stakeholders – our investors, our partners and our employees – to create sustainable value that makes a real difference, while upholding the highest standards of safety and responsibility across all our businesses and geographies. The company’s mining operations, pipeline of growth projects and exploration activities span southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America, Asia and Europe.
www.angloamerican.com.au