Response to claims about Hail Creek Eastern Margin Project
Media statement
Brisbane, Australia
Hail Creek mine continues to manage and reduce its greenhouse emissions in compliance with the national Safeguard Mechanism and it reports emissions in line with the NGER emissions reporting methodology.
In addition to its emissions reduction obligations under the Safeguard Mechanism, the mine has made a number of emission related commitments as part of the Hail Creek Eastern Margin Extension Project. These include implementing a GHG Abatement Plan, undertaking a gas pre-drainage study, as well as conducting ongoing reviews of existing and emerging emission reduction technologies.
We recognise the importance of accurate measurement of methane emissions and Hail Creek mine calculates fugitive emissions using Method 2 under the Australian National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme, which is the most accurate regulated method utilised in Australia for open-cut mines.
We reject the claims made by the Australian Conservation Foundation in relation to emissions from Hail Creek mine, as these claims are inaccurate and misleading.
We continue to raise concerns about the shortfalls of satellite / remote sensing methods for emissions measurement and their unsuitability for annual inventory reporting. The Australian Government and its Climate Change Authority have stated that further work is required before such methods can be applied to estimate emissions inventory with transparency and credibility.
Based on FY23/24 Safeguard data published by the Clean Energy Regulator, Hail Creek mine’s Scope 1 emissions (including methane) account for around 4% of total Scope 1 emissions from Australian coal mine Safeguard facilities.
For further information, please contact:
Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa
Elise Pfeiffer
m: +61 408 095 530
e: Elise Pfeiffer
Jessica Smith
m: +61 497 504 420
e: Jessica Smith
Notes for editors
About Glencore Australia
In Australia, Glencore produces coal, zinc, nickel, cobalt, copper, lead and silver from 20 active mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including 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 17,420 people in Australia and in 2024 contributed almost $19.6 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $13.5 billion with 6,810 businesses, as well as $3.6 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.
We will support the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement through our efforts to decarbonise our own operational footprint. We believe that we should take a holistic approach and have considered our commitment through the lens of our global industrial emissions. For more information see our 2024-2026 Climate Action Transition Plan.
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