Glencore rejects criticism of McArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust

Media statement
Darwin, Australia

The McArthur River Mine (MRM) Community Benefits Trust (CBT) has made a major contribution to long-term community programs in the NT Gulf Region, in areas such as health, education and cultural heritage, and Glencore rejects any claim to the contrary.

Since 2007, MRM has contributed approximately $1.3 million every year into the CBT.

Since inception, the CBT has made a difference in the community by supporting around 100 projects, including:

• $1,000,000 for the construction of a crèche in Borroloola that provides child care in a safe environment
• $800,000  for the Malandarri Festival, a signature annual event in the local community celebrating culture and attracting visitors from other communities
• $400,000 to the Sea Rangers, including funds to purchase a custom-built vessel to support indigenous economic development and tourism activities
• $300,000 to partner with Cancer Council NT to fund an Aboriginal Cancer Unit with three health staff workers in Borroloola
• $225,000 to fund a public bus service in Borroloola,  to allow local people to get around town for shopping and work
• $40,000 to the Waralungku Arts Centre for art supplies and the development of the four clans artwork – a painting collaboratively painted by members of the Gudanji, Garrwa, Yanyuwa and Mara clans
• $30,000 a year to fund the School Breakfast Program, which provides breakfast to up to 80 students and 25 adults daily.

The CBT has an independent Board and local community form the majority of its Directors, including a representative from each of the four clan or language groups in the region.

Prior to 2013 (and Glencore ownership of MRM) the CBT funded some programs aimed at increasing local Indigenous participation in the MRM workforce and providing local people with skills, training and employment opportunities.

Glencore has successful Indigenous employment programs at the mine - 24.3% of our permanent workforce are Indigenous and 48 people from the local community are employed at MRM.  

We also note the comments in relation to the CBT funding infrastructure projects.  The Rocky Creek Bridge upgrade was jointly funded by the Federal Government, Territory Government and the CBT.   

This project raised the height of the bridge as a major flood risk mitigation measure in the Gulf Region and to address local community concerns about being completely cut-off during severe weather events.

Glencore remains very proud of the work that the CBT does and the positive impact it has in the local community and broader Gulf Region.

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 60 kilometres 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.