McArthur River Mining welcomes release of independent environmental report

Media statement
Darwin, Australia

McArthur River Mining (MRM) has welcomed today’s release of the annual Independent Monitor (IM) Report which provides the public with a report of the environmental performance of the McArthur River Mine.

MRM has again achieved a very high level of overall compliance and the report found continuous improvement in the mine’s environmental management and performance over a four-year period.

The report covers the period 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023 and found:

• MRM’s overall compliance score improved by 1% to 98%.
• MRM’s score for the Water Discharge Licence improved 1% to 99%.
• No non-compliances and no issues requiring urgent investigation or attention during the audit period.

The latest report highlights the mine’s continued effective risk assessment and management processes which adequately identified and addressed environmental risks.

The report also outlined other key areas of success, including:

• The mine’s rehabilitation of the McArthur River. Over the audit period to 30 April 2023, MRM planted 120,000 tubestocks along the river diversion, taking the total planted to over 900,000 since 2010. Outside of the audit period, MRM went on to achieve the planting of its one millionth tubestock in October 2023, which includes one million trees, shrubs and grasses as part of its rehabilitation of the McArthur River.
• Growing and developing existing partnerships with local ranger groups for marine and surface water monitoring programs, such as its partnership with the li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Ranger Unit.
• The placing of woody debris and branches to recreate a natural habitat in the McArthur River, with the IM noting this initiative has and will continue to improve the marine habitat for the animals living in the river.
• MRM’s Water Management Dam Upgrade, with MRM raising the dam wall and spillway heights to increase storage capacity while allowing for greater flexibility for onsite water re-use.

“We welcome the release of the IM Report by the Territory Government for 2023 and we acknowledge the important role the IM continues to play in independently reviewing the environmental performance of our operations,” said MRM General Manager, Mark Furlotte. 

“The report again confirms our ongoing commitment to operating responsibly and protecting the environment, while underlining the positive progress we continue to make over consecutive years to environmental management and performance of our mine.

“The work we’re doing to rehabilitate the McArthur River is effective and it’s very pleasing to see the IM outline the success of our programs in rehabilitating and improving the habitat for animals in and near the river.

“Most importantly, the report again found the McArthur River continues to be in good health and the fish are safe to eat.”

Download our fact sheet (PDF 5.75MB), or to read the full IM Annual Environmental Performance Audit Report (AEPAR), visit the Northern Territory Government information and services website.

For further information, please contact:

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 Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 23 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals concentrators, smelters 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 18,190 people in Australia and in 2022 contributed nearly $20 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $10.4 billion with 7,370 businesses across the country, as well as $7.5 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 970 kilometres south-east from Darwin and 60 kilometres south-west of its closest township, Borroloola. MRM mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits.

MRM provides direct employment to about 1,250 people, including contractors. In 2022, we contributed $611 million to the local, Territory and national economies through our payment of wages, spend on goods and services from 980 suppliers – much of which we sourced in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.

Visit MRM's website for more information.