Statement attributable to Steven Rooney, General Manager of McArthur River Mine

We have listened carefully to today’s testimony from Traditional Owners Jack Green, Josie Davey, Casey Davey and Joy Priest at a Juukan Gorge Inquiry public hearing. 

Glencore acknowledges the historical actions that remain a source of sadness in relation to country upon which the McArthur River Mine is located.

We want to work with Traditional Owners to provide access to and continue to improve management and protection of cultural heritage and sacred sites on our mining lease.

I welcome the suggestion put forward by Sen. Pat Dodson and supported by Mr Green to consider a ceremonial way to address country at the mine site involving Traditional Owners.

We will provide whatever assistance is needed to facilitate this if Traditional Owners agree that this is something they want to do.

We have engaged with the Northern Land Council (NLC) to help us negotiate an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) through a fully inclusive process with Traditional Owners.

Glencore will engage with the NLC to hold a community meeting in Borroloola to provide Traditional Owners with an update on the ILUA process.

For further information, please contact:

Media

Francis De Rosa
m: +61 417 074 751
e: Francis De Rosa

Tracy Jones
m: +61 418 251 774
e: Tracy Jones

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 responsibly-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 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, battery manufacturing 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. For more information, visit Glencore's website.

About McArthur River Mine

McArthur River Mine is located in the Northern Territory approximately 970 kilometres south-east from Darwin and 60km south-west of its closest township, Borroloola. McArthur River Mine mines one of the world’s largest zinc and lead deposits.

McArthur River Mine 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 about 900 suppliers – much of which we sourced in the Territory – taxes and community investment projects.