Oaky Creek continues to kick rehabilitation goals

Media statement
Newcastle, Australia

Glencore’s Oaky Creek Coal complex in Central Queensland has kicked further goals with its environmental management, securing Queensland Government sign-off on 433 hectares (equivalent to almost 700 football fields) of rehabilitated mined land.

It is the second successful application from Oaky Creek over the past two years, having previously achieved sign-off on another 133 hectares of rehabilitation in 2020, bringing the total at Oaky Creek to 566 hectares.

The latest certification represents the ninth successful application for sign-off by a Glencore coal operation and the seventh at a Queensland site, following previous certification for 211 hectares at Newlands (2017 and 2021), almost 400 hectares at Rolleston (2018 and 2019) and 99 hectares at Collinsville (2020).

New South Wales sites Westside (38 hectares in 2020) and Ulan (52 hectares in 2020) have also achieved sign-off on areas of rehabilitation.

A number of Glencore sites in both states are currently preparing submissions for certification of further areas.

Glencore’s Director of Environment and Community, John Watson, said the certification proved the benefit of sites maintaining a focus on completing rehabilitation while active mining was taking place.

“Progressive rehabilitation is good environmental and economic practice,” Mr Watson said.

“In the short term, we are minimising our active mining footprint while also making use of the equipment available in a working area to prepare and shape the rehabilitation.

“In the longer term, it is enabling our sites to achieve sign-off well before mine closure, which reduces the amount of rehabilitation required when mining ends and provides a mature, sustainable platform for post-mining land uses.”

To achieve certification, rehabilitated mined land must meet key completion requirements that include:

• mature vegetation and demonstrated species reproduction from seeding
• soil stability that is proving capable of supporting long-term regeneration of species.

Oaky Creek Operations Manager, Dave Stone, said the latest certification at site represented up to 20 years of work by employees.

“Rehabilitation work in some of these areas began as early as 2001,” Mr Stone said.

“It’s a reflection of the investment our people are prepared to make to deliver quality rehabilitation outcomes that meet the expectations of government and the community.

“This is progressing responsible mining through to its completion.”

For further information, please contact:

Allyn Hamonet
m: +61 418 228 075
e: Allyn Hamonet

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 commodities. 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 activities are supported by its global marketing network.

Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 160,000 people, including contractors.

Visit Glencore's website to learn more.

About Glencore Australia

Glencore has operated in Australia for over 20 years and holds significant interests in a range of commodity industries across all mainland states and the Northern Territory.

We employ more than 17,000 people across the coal, copper, zinc, nickel and oil industries.

In 2021, Glencore generated $14 billion to regional, state and national economies in Australia. The most significant economic contribution came from core business activities: employing people, sourcing from local communities, and paying taxes to host governments.

Learn more about Glencore Australia.

Glencore's coal business in Australia

Glencore is one of Australia’s largest coal producers with 17 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.

We provide employment for almost 10,000 Australians and in 2021 managed the production of about 100 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export. We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology.

Visit Glencore Coal Australia's website to find out more.