Coal miners join fight against depression and suicide this Christmas
Media statement
Newcastle, Australia
Thousands of coal miners across New South Wales and Queensland will be trained to detect mental ill-health among their workmates following a partnership between Glencore Coal and MATES in Mining.
Through the partnership MATES in Mining will deliver suicide awareness and prevention training and provide ongoing support to employees across Glencore Coal’s 16 operations.
While the training will equip the workforce with skills to use year-round, it’s particularly timely given the festive season can be a challenging and isolating period for people struggling with mental health issues.
MATES in Mining General Manager Suzanne Desailly says preventing suicide requires broad industry participation and support.
“Suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 44 in Australia, with males consistently accounting for approximately three-quarters of suicide deaths. With males making up more than 80% of the mining industry workforce, it’s important to ensure the sector has appropriate mental health support and training in place.
“Having companies such as Glencore Coal commit to training their workforce to confidently engage with a workmate who is struggling is such a vital part of reducing suicide within the industry.”
Kylie Ah Wong, Director of Health, Safety and Training at Glencore Coal, says an important aspect of the training is its focus on proactively offering support to someone who may be struggling.
“We know that when someone is struggling with mental-health issues they’re unlikely to seek help. This partnership is about training our workforce to identify behavioral changes in their mates so we can offer support when it’s needed most.
“Our employees look out for one another’s safety every shift, and that sense of camaraderie is deeply embedded in the mining industry. It makes sense to use that same approach when it comes to looking out for the mental health and wellbeing of our workmates.”
MATES in Mining delivers an integrated program of workforce capacity building and support using onsite education and training as a tool to raise awareness about suicide and mental health in the mining industry.
For further information, please contact:
Allyn Hamonet
m: +61 418 228 075
e: Allyn Hamonet
Elise Pfeiffer
m: +61 456 215 045
e: Elise Pfeiffer
Notes for editors
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 17,350 people in Australia and in 2021 contributed $14 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.2 billion with 8,630 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.