McArthur River Mining welcomes release of annual Independent Environmental Report
Media statement
Darwin, Australia
Glencore’s McArthur River Mining (MRM) welcomes the release of the Independent Monitor’s (IM) 2022 Annual Environmental Performance Audit Report (AEPAR) handed down by the Hon. Nicole Manison, Minister for Mining and Industry.
The AEPAR covers the period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 and has found MRM achieved a very high level of overall compliance and no environmental issues requiring urgent investigation or attention during the reporting period.
Importantly, the report again found the McArthur River and its creeks are in good health and the fish are safe to eat.
The overall compliance score of 97% improves on the previous reporting period’s score of 96%, reflecting MRM’s continuous improvement in the environmental management and performance of its mine by focussing on key environmental risk areas.
The report found no non-compliances assessed against the 908 conditions and MRM scored 100% compliance with the NT Environment Protection Authority’s recommendations.
The report also outlined other key areas of success, including:
- the Tailings Storage Facility Interception Trench improving groundwater and surface water quality near Surprise Creek since being built in 2020
- the successful relocation of a small population of purple-crowned fairy-wrens, which is now breeding
- the levels and quality of groundwater at Djirrinmini
- rehabilitation in the McArthur River diversion channel, with the mine successfully planting 120,000 seedlings in 2022 and 800,000 seedlings since 2010
- growing and developing existing partnerships with local ranger groups for marine and surface water monitoring programs.
“We welcome the release by the Minister of the Independent Monitor (IM) full Annual Environmental Performance Audit Report, and we acknowledge the important role the IM continues to play in independently reviewing the environmental performance of our operations,” said MRM Manager of Business Strategy and External Relations Adam Hatfield.
“The report confirms our ongoing commitment to protecting the environment and the positive progress we’ve continued to make in recent years.”
“Most importantly, the report found the McArthur River and its creeks continue to be in good health and the fish are safe to eat.”
The findings in the latest IM AEPAR follow MRM’s Environment team’s recent achievement being announced a finalist in the ‘Environment and Conservation’ category at the NT Natural Resource Management Awards 2022 for its conservation and rehabilitation.
Download our fact sheet (PDF 663KB), or to read the full IM AEPAR, visit the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade's website.
For further information, please contact:
Rowland Richardson
m: +61 484 622 035
e: Rowland Richardson
Tracy Jones
m: +61 418 251 774
e: Tracy Jones
Francis de Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis de Rosa
Notes for editors
About Glencore
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsible-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.
With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices. Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.
Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050.
Visit Glencore's website to learn more.
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 25 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries.
We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.
We employ 17,300 people in Australia and in 2021 contributed $14 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.2 billion with 8,600 businesses across the country, as well as $2.9 billion in government tax and royalty payments.
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.
Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.
Learn more about Glencore Australia.
About McArthur River Mine
McArthur River Mine is located in the Northern Territory approximately 730km south-east of Darwin and 60km south-west of Borroloola. MRM mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits.
MRM provides direct employment to about 1,130 people, including contractors. In 2020, we contributed over $500 million to the local, Territory and national economies through our payment of wages, spend on goods and services from 900 suppliers – much of which we sourced in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.
Visit MRM's website for more information.